Decorative Expanded Metal for Architectural Design

In recent years, many suppliers have begun working with architects, contractors, and fabricators to incorporate expanded metal into architectural projects; offering great versatility and many customization options, this metal is well-suited to a huge range of design applications.

Expanded metal is created during a coil-fed process in which raw material is simultaneously slitted and stretched, creating uniform diamond-shaped openings. The diamond-shaped trusses form a sharp angle to the original plane of the sheet, adding strength and rigidity. Depending on the desired use, expanded metal can be recoiled or blanked into sheets. This versatile material is available in standard, raised, flattened, and decorative diamond patterns, and comes in a range of gauges, opening sizes, finishes, materials, and sheet sizes. Metalex also offers inline flattening and inline slitting services.

Decorative Expanded Metal

An intermediate raw material, expanded metal allows light and air to flow freely through it while still serving as a rigid screen solution with a variety of open-area configuration options. It’s available in carbon steel, aluminum, copper, nickel, and several other alloys. With its flattened and raised profiles, it provides a three-dimensional look that perforated metals cannot. The production process for expanded metal produces zero scrap and requires considerably less raw material than perforated options, making it an ideal choice for sustainable designs.

Since it’s available in a wide range of patterns and textures it’s well-suited to many architectural design components; architects and designers turn to expanded metal for its decorative value, but also for the reliable support and protection it offers. Highly durable, expanded metal typically retains its shape over time, even after being in use for several years. It also offers great flexibility, strength, and rigidity, and can be used to control light and airflow — as well as overall visibility to allow for privacy in hotels, buildings, offices, and other establishments. Highly versatile, decorative expanded metal can lend a sophisticated, sleek appearance to all kinds of architectural and design projects.

Plus, expanded metal tooling costs are typically one-third of that of their perforated counterparts, making customization much less costly.

Versatile Form and Function

Allowing for a modern, aesthetically pleasing finishing touch, expanded metals are ideal for highly visible interior design and exterior features, offering an unparalleled level of control over appearance and function. Shifts in sunlight and season allow these unique materials to shine, subtly playing off the light. Expanded metals are also ideal for various outdoor uses, including facades, fencing, cladding, fire escapes, gates, sunshades, and walkways. Popular indoor applications include ceiling and wall lighting, ceiling panels, doors, interior design, partitions, lockers, office dividers, privacy screens, stairways, windows, and skylight guards.

Decorative expanded metal can also be used as a pass-through to support sound absorption in ceilings and walls, as well as serve as protective or decorative coverings for special acoustical materials.

Learn More

Contact Metalex today to learn more about our line of expanded metal products or discuss how decorative expanded metal can benefit your next project. We’re on hand to answer any questions you may have.