Perforated metal panels is a popular choice by both contractors and homeowners for its unique style and wide variety of uses.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we offer perforated products including perforated metal panels, perforated coil, and perforated flat sheets in addition to our large selection of non-perforated metal roofing and siding panels.
This article goes over what perforated metal can be used for as well as considerations to make before you decide whether or not perforated metal is right for your project.
Perforated metal coil
Perforated metal panels are steel panels that consist of a pattern of small holes or shapes throughout the surface. These openings have a mesh like appearance that have several benefits including allowing airflow and light to pass through while also creating an eye-catching aesthetic appeal. Perforated metal panels are just as popular for their appearance as they are for their function.
Corrugated Perforated Metal Panel
The process begins with a metal coil that is turned into flat sheets. From there, the sheet metal is mechanically stamped or laser cut to create the desired patterns or hole shape in the steel.
Each perforated panel will specify:
Perforated pattern
The open area is a percentage that represents how much of the metal has been removed, or how much of the panel is &#;open&#;.
For example, if a panel has a .127 size holes and the stagger is 7/32", then the open area is 30.5 %, meaning that roughly 70% of the metal panel remains after the perforations have been made in the panel.
Perforated metal panels have many uses including:
We discuss some of the more popular uses in greater detail below for both exterior perforated metal panels and interior perforated metal panels.
Perforated Metal Fence
A perforated metal fence has a unique style that does not give total privacy, but rather allows for some airflow and sunlight while still serving as a barrier. It&#;s common to see perforated metal fences used for wind screens, equipment screens, parks, sports complexes, and other outdoor commercial areas.
Perforated Metal Roofing
It seems funny that you would use a metal roofing panel with holes, but it makes sense in certain situations. Normally, perforated roofing panels are used in a canopy application in which weather tightness is not an issue. The perforated canopy will provide both shade and airflow. In addition, it looks great.
Perforated Metal Ceiling
Using perforated metal on a ceiling not only creates visual interest, but it also serves an important purpose when it comes to sound. Perforations in ceiling panels actually help reduce noise by absorbing the sound in a room. It&#;s more common to see perforated metal ceilings in public areas where there is more heavy foot traffic and noise as opposed to inside of private residences.
Perforated Metal Facade
Perforated metal facade is decorative architectural cladding that serves a large variety of uses.
Perforated Corten AZP Raw Facade
Incorporating perforated metal onto a commercial building can:
Perforated Metal Guardrail
Photo credit: DeMax
A perforated metal guardrail or railing system is a unique and attractive alternative to more conventional railings. Perforated railings create an illusion of a space being more open since you are able to see through the material.
Design And Aesthetic Appeal
Whether you&#;re using perforated aluminum, steel, copper, or zinc, metal with perforations has an eye-catching and unique aesthetic that fits with almost all design styles. People love to use decorative perforated metal in their projects because of how it enhances the visual appeal of the space where it's being installed. It&#;s a versatile product that has a seemingly endless amount of ways it can be used.
Enhances Energy Efficiency
Perforated metal helps regulate temperatures which in turn makes your cooling systems not have to work as hard. It deflects heat build up while also allowing for ventilation and the admittance of natural sunlight.
Soundproofing
Perforated metal helps diffuse sound. When used along a ceiling, it helps reduce echoes.
Strength And Durability
The structural strength of perforated sheet metal is greater than many other building materials. It has an inherent strength that provides great durability and resistance to the elements when used in exterior applications.
Perforated Metal Is A Lightweight Material
Metal panels are already known for being lightweight. Now remove 10-40% of that panel, and you have perforated metal. Since the hole patterns remove some of the metal, it makes the perforated panels even lighter than non-perforated panels which makes them easier to transport and install.
Perforated Metal Panels Are Hard To Find For Smaller Projects
Perforated panels and perforated sheet metal are much easier to find for larger projects which are generally those that are 5,000- 10,000 pounds or greater.
For a smaller project, or a project that is less than 5,000 pounds, ordering perforated panels is too expensive to justify for a smaller job. You will have to find a manufacturer or supplier that keeps perforated panels in stock which can be difficult. On top of that, you will be limited in the colors you have to choose from for a small project.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we can make any panel or color we sell perforated for larger jobs. However, we also keep the following perforated metal in stock and available for smaller projects:
Perforated Metal Panel
Gauge (Thickness)
Galvalume®
20 Gauge, 24 Gauge
Painted Polar White
24 Gauge
A606-4 (Aka Corten)
22 Gauge
Painted Corten AZP Raw
24 Gauge
Perforated Metal Panel Cost Is Higher Than Standard Metal Panels
Goto Haoshun Wire Mesh Manufacturing to know more.
Perforated metal comes at a premium price point compared to other types of metal panels. The cost of perforated metal panels can range anywhere from 50% higher to double the amount of non-perforated metal panels.
Using perforated metal in your construction projects brings a variety of functional and aesthetic benefits, making it one of the most popular and unique metal products on the market today.
Ready to purchase your perforated metal products? Get your project started by taking the first step and request a free quote today.
Perforated sheet metal forms offer a few key advantages over wire mesh, such as not needing as much welding, higher structural integrity, and the ability to leave some surfaces without holes to prevent spillage of product.
The holes in a perforated sheet metal form are also known as the open area of that form. The open area of a piece of sheet metal allows for the passage of air, light, liquids, or solids through them. Open area is most desirable for applications that require free flow of fluids, heat dissipation, pressure drops, acoustic absorption, and reduced weight.
There are many different kinds of perforation patterns, such as:
These are just three of the more common shapes out of the many that are possible. This makes the task of listing all of the different combinations of shapes and patterns all but impossible.
However, the Industrial Perforators Association (IPA) has listed some general guidelines for the limitations for open area in perforated sheet metal forms among the three common shapes mentioned above.
Here are the guidelines:
Round holes are the most common shape in the perforated sheet metal industry. There are a few reasons for this.
First, these shapes can be punched into sheet metal with the greatest efficiency using CNC punches.
Second, round holes have the lowest cost for punching of all the custom shapes out there.
Third, the tooling for round hole punches is amongst the most durable of all the shapes out there.
Finally, the round perforation is one of the most versatile of the perforation patterns available, able to be arranged in staggered or straight configurations with ease for maximum or minimum open space.
IPA figures for the perforation centers holes per sq. inch of open area line when using circular holes in perforated sheet metal are as follows:
100 .020&#; .043&#; 625 20% Staggered
101 .023&#; .&#; 576 24% Straight
102 .027&#; .050&#; 400 23% Straight
103 .032&#; .055&#; 324 26% Straight
104 .040&#; .066&#; 335 30% Straight
105 .045&#; .066&#; 334 37% Straight
106 1/16&#; 1/8&#; 74 23% Staggered
107 5/64&#; 7/64&#; 97 46% Staggered
108 5/64&#; 1/8&#; 74 36% Staggered
109 3/32&#; 5/32&#; 47 32% Staggered
110 3/32&#; 3/16&#; 33 23% Staggered
111 3/32&#; ¼&#; 19 12% Staggered
112 1/10&#; 5/32&#; 47 36% Staggered
113 1/8&#; 3/16&#; 33 40% Staggered
114 1/8&#; 7/32&#; 24 29% Staggered
115 1/8&#; ¼&#; 19 23% Staggered
116 5/32&#; 7/32&#; 24 46% Staggered
117 5/32&#; ¼&#; 19 36% Staggered
118 3/16&#; ¼&#; 19 51% Staggered
119 3/16&#; 5/16&#; 12 33% Staggered
120 ¼&#; 5/16&#; 12 58% Staggered
121 ¼&#; 3/8&#; 8 40% Staggered
122 ¼&#; 7/16&#; 6 30% Staggered
123 ¼&#; ½&#; 5 23% Staggered
124 3/8&#; ½&#; 5 51% Staggered
125 3/8&#; 9/16&#; 4 40% Staggered
126 3/8&#; 5/8&#; 3 33% Staggered
127 7/16&#; 5/8&#; 3 45% Staggered
128 ½&#; 11/16&#; 2 47% Staggered
129 9/16&#; ¾&#; 2 51% Staggered
130 5/8&#; 13/16&#; 2 53% Staggered
131 3/4&#; 1&#; 1 51% Staggered
While not quite as popular as circular holes, square holes are still fairly common among perforated sheet metal products for a couple of reasons.
The first is excellent visibility. The regular, wide-open pattern of the square hole makes it easy to see through the sheet metal form.
The second advantage of square holes is that they provide maximum open area for ventilation. This is why square holes are so common in ventilation and protective guard applications for perforated metal forms.
However, square perforations are structurally weaker than round ones are. The pronounced corners of a square hole create more wear on the sheet metal form and are prone to breaking during punch operations.
IPA numbers for perforation centers of holes per sq. inch of open area line are as follows:
200 2/10&#; ¼&#; 20 64% Straight
201 ¼&#; 3/8&#; 9 44% Straight
202 3/8&#; ½&#; 5 56% Straight
103 ½&#; 11/16&#; 3 53% Straight
204 ¾&#; 1&#; 1 56% Straight
205 1&#; 1¼&#; .8 64% Straight
206 1&#; 1 3/8&#; .7 53% Straight
Slotted perforations are useful in the sorting and grading of solids such as grains or minerals. These holes can have either square or rounded edges to them depending on what&#;s best for the application.
The most common arrangement for slotted holes is side staggered, where there is an offset between the wide sides of the perforations in different rows, while the narrow ends are center-aligned.
IPA numbers for the limitations on the spacing of these perforation shapes are as follows:
207 ¼&#; x ¾&#; 1/8&#; -- 41% Side Staggered
208 1/8&#; x 1&#; 1/8&#; -- 43% Side Staggered
Which type of perforation is best for your application? The answer depends on what your application is, whether you need a simple materials handling container, a parts washing basket, or a parts degreasing tray. Answering this question is best left to an experienced mechanical engineer.
See how Marlin Steel has helped other clients improve productivity and results at the case study below:
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Custom Perforated Metal Panels.
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