What are expanded metals?
Expanded metal mesh
Interior designers, architects and homeowners are always on the lookout for trendy, innovative building materials. With the steady popularity of the Industrial Style and growing demand for spaces which evoke rawness and authenticity, expanded metals definitely deserve a place on the list of the ‘it’ materials of 2021.
The best thing? Expanded metals are a material that are still relatively unexplored. Read on to learn more about this hidden gem and how you can incorporate them into your designs.
How are expanded metals made?
Expanded metals are produced through a pressured slitting and stretching process where solid metal sheets are transformed into expanded mesh. Since there are no points at which the material can separate, its single-piece composition results in a very high strength-to-weight ratio, unlike other products, such as welded or woven wire. You can find out more about expanded metals here.
To ensure a consistent pattern, our machines are programmed to ensure that metals are expanded to their exact specifications. The finished expanded metals are then wound into coils or cut into sheets. Precision is key here.
Here are 4 reasons why expanded metals are the ‘it’ material of 2021.
1) Expanded metals are a staple of Industrial style spaces
Industrial style spaces have been popular for the past few years, and it is easy to see why. Industrial style spaces are characterised by a minimalist approach that includes matte concrete surfaces, wooden beams, “exposed” wiring and hardier textures such as metal.
Industrial themed cafe incorporating expanded metals as a bar overhang for storage, wall accents and railings for stairs.
You may have seen this look in bars and breweries along the West Side of Manhattan, or rustic red-bricked lofts in Brooklyn, but now expanded metals are now making their way into homes all over the world. No industrial space is complete without expanded metals - their bold yet subtle grid pattern is a nod to the classic Industrial style, with a soft chiseled look and grey tones.
2) Expanded metals are better for the environment
The new generation of interior design aspires to a greener, more eco-conscious approach to design. As far as building materials go, metals are one of the most sustainable. Very little waste is created as expanded metal is obtained using a unique shearing and stretching process, expanding raw materials by up to ten times.
The production of expanded metal is also a cold process, meaning that a lot of energy is saved. Finally, metal is a cradle-to-cradle material - it can be recycled infinitely after being melted down to its molten form. In fact, more steel and aluminium are recycled each year than laminates, glass and plastic combined.
Given how green expanded metals are, they are a perfect show of support for sustainability.
3) Expanded metals are extremely versatile
Expanded metals can be used as facades or decorative accent pieces.
Because of their supreme strength and high strength-to-weight ratio, they can be used as railings, grilles and even walkways.
Can expanded metals be used outdoors, even with the crazy tropical weather in Singapore? They sure can - specially manufactured to withstand tropical climates, our expanded metals can withstand high levels of humidity, temperature and sunlight. What’s more, you can opt for anti-rust coating to give your metals a tough, waterproof exterior that is supremely resistant to cracks and stains.
4) Expanded metals are perfect statement pieces
Why settle for 2D feature walls when you can have 3D ones? Expanded metals create greater dimensionality in their 3D form, offering a myriad of views depending on which angle you view them from. That’s three looks for the price of one!
Credits: Detlef Schobert
To get the best effect, combine expanded metals with lighting. The 3D patterns in expanded metal provide a unique and creative means of filtering light, showcasing an intriguing interplay of light and shadows.
Delve into the world of expanded metals with us
Want to learn more about expanded metals and their endless possibilities? You can get inspiration from our portfolio of projects or contact us directly at Supply Bay.