Product Spotlight: Design Perforated Metal

Steel and metal have always been synonymous with strength and stability, widely used in construction and manufacturing industries. However, the aesthetic quality that metals lend to architectural designs is often understated.

Perforated metals play a significant role in increasing the visual appeal of architecture with its intricate patterns and smooth finish.

In simple words, design perforated metals are metal sheets with patterns punched through them. 

Manufacturing Process

During the manufacturing process, mild steel metal sheet is the most commonly used raw material.  Some of the design patterns are available made from stainless steel but the selection is very limited.  The tooling that punches the mild steel material cannot be used to punch stainless steel material.  Generally, mild steel sheet with a thickness ranging between 16-22 gauge is used for the design patterns.

Perforated metal is manufactured by feeding coils of steel or sheets (typically the heavier items) through a press.  The tooling in the press punches the patterns into the sheets.  If it is coil material, the perforated metal is then coiled up again as it exits the press.  The coil material is then run through flattening rollers and then sheared to the finished sheet length.  Some perforating lines integrate the flattening and shearing processes with the punching process.  If the raw material that has been perforated is sheets, they are also typically run through flattening rollers as the perforating process often curls the sheet.

Characteristics of Perforated Metal

While a perforated metal may not be as strong as its non-perforated counterpart, there are many useful characteristics of perforated metal that can’t be overlooked. Apart from adding aesthetic elegance to structures, it has been found that perforated metals can help reduce sound levels due to their unique acoustic qualities.

Patterns available

Ferrier Wire + Design Metals offers 18 different patterns of design perforated metal. Here’s a brief look at some popular patterns that are available:

AEDELSTEN – A contemporary and unique pattern with one of the most open design patterns at 53% open area.

GRECIAN – One of the most common and recognizable classics, this intricate pattern is popular for radiator covers, cabinetry, and architectural millwork.  

VENTILATORE – Another contemporary pattern, this perforated design pattern is lighter than others, on 22 gauge sheet.

WINDSOR – One of the classics, this pattern of square and diamond-shaped perforations has an open area of 45%.

CHAINLINK - This more contemporary design of perforation is widely used in radiator covers, privacy screenings, etc.

SACCHETTO - This criss-cross design pattern on the sheet metal is manufactured using a two stage perforating process.  The first stage punches the holes in the metal and the second creates the depth in the pattern giving this pattern a third dimension. .

Applications

Here are some of the major uses of perforated metal across different industries:

1. Manufacturing Industry: Perforated metals are extremely useful in the production process often used as industrial sieves. They can also be an important component to reduce industrial noise.
2. Architecture and Design: They are heavily used in cladding, sunshades, ceiling panels, railing infill panels, privacy screens, interior millwork and cabinetry.
3. Filtration: Due to its porous nature, perforated metals are widely utilized to design filtration products used across various households and industries.
4. Acoustics: Perforated metals are often used to help lower sound levels.

Ferrier Wire + Design Metals projects utilizing design perforated metal

Our 1/2 x 3/4 Diamond pattern design perforated metal has been used to create a privacy screen at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Our Chainlink patterned perforated metals have been utilized as privacy screens at various spa facilities across Greater Toronto Area.

Our mild steel 1.00” square pattern powder coated matte white was used as ceiling tiles in an office building in Markham.  A very refreshing and cost effective alternative to the usual standard ceiling tile alternatives.

To learn more about our range of design perforated metals and their applications in various projects, please contact us.