Expanded Metal Mesh Singapore:
Facades, Walkways, Railings & Architectural Screens
Expanded metal mesh is a single-piece sheet metal product formed by simultaneously slitting and stretching a parent sheet to create a rigid, open diamond-pattern mesh. Because the strands are integral — no welds, no joins — the sheet retains full structural continuity across the expanded area.
Supply Bay stocks expanded metal mesh in mild steel, galvanised steel (GI), aluminium, SS304, and SS316 stainless steel. Standard sheet size is 4FT X 8FT (1200mm W x 2400mm L). We supply Singapore contractors, architects, and QS teams directly, with stock delivery in 1–2 working days.
The Supply Bay Standard
4FT x 8FT (1.22m W x 2.44m L) standard sized sheets
Materials: Aluminium, Mild Steel, Galvanised Steel (GI), Stainless Steel (SS304, SS316)
Thickness: 0.5mm - 6mm
Add-Ons
Custom sizes (maximum dimensions 1.5m W x 3m L)
Additional protective finishes for exterior applications
Additional powder coating or PVDF coating finishes
Common Applications in Singapore
Building Facades and Rainscreens
Expanded metal mesh is one of the most cost-effective facade screening materials for Singapore commercial and mixed-use buildings. Medium M-series grades are mounted as a secondary skin over the building envelope to reduce solar heat gain, improve ETTV performance, and provide an architectural expression. Aluminium mesh with PVDF coating is the standard specification for long-term exterior durability.
Project Case Study: The Keppel South Central facade project used expanded metal mesh as a primary architectural element across the tower's commercial podium.
Balustrades and Railings
Infill panels for staircase balustrades, void edge guards, and mezzanine railings are a high-volume application for M-series and fine F-series mesh. Stainless steel grades are frequently specified for interior commercial and hospitality environments where a premium finish is required.
Project Case Study: The JTC CleanTech 3 project, a BCA Green Mark Platinum development in Singapore's Jurong Innovation District, used medium expanded metal mesh for stair railings.
Project Case Study: The Pan Pacific Orchard projectused fine expanded metal mesh as railing infill panels across the hotel's interior staircases and circulation areas.
Industrial Walkways and Platforms
W-series walkway mesh is rated for pedestrian loading and complies with MOM Workplace Safety and Health Act requirements for industrial floor grating. It is specified for mechanical room walkways, rooftop plant access, ACMV equipment platforms, air-con ledges, and overhead service bridges. The diamond pattern provides inherent anti-slip grip and self-draining properties — no standing water accumulation.
Project Case Study: The One Raffles Quay projectused heavy-duty walkway mesh for structural in-wall support, maintenance catwalks, and equipment platforms across this Grade-A commercial tower in Singapore's CBD.
Project Case Study: The Central Mall projectused heavy-duty walkway mesh for maintenance catwalks and equipment platforms for the rejuvenation of Singapore's Clarke Quay precinct.
Ceilings and Interior Screens
Fine expanded mesh is used as a concealed-fixing ceiling panel in commercial interiors, replacing solid or perforated tile systems. The open area allows air return and service access through the ceiling plane without visible grilles. In retail and F&B settings, mesh ceiling panels can be powder-coated to match the interior palette.
Project Case Study: The Golden Goose Paragon retail store used fine expanded metal mesh as ceiling panels across this luxury retail fit-out at Paragon Shopping Centre, Orchard Road.
Ventilation Screens and AHU Enclosures
Louver mesh (L-series) is specified to screen external air-handling units, cooling towers, and mechanical plant from public view while maintaining the airflow path required by the mechanical engineer. The angled strand geometry of louver mesh deflects direct sight lines without blocking air movement — important for AHU free-area calculations.
Project Case Study: The Laguna Park Condominium project used louver mesh as screening panels.
Sunshading and Solar Screens
Medium-grade expanded mesh mounted on a secondary steel or aluminium frame is a low-cost, BIM-compatible solar shading solution for Singapore's equatorial sun angles. Open area percentage and panel-to-facade offset together determine the effective solar shading coefficient. This approach has been used across JTC industrial and commercial developments, and is consistent with BCA Green Mark shading requirements.
Expanded Metal vs Alternatives
Table 1: Expanded Metal vs Perforated Metal vs Laser-Cut Panels
| Property | Expanded Metal | Perforated Metal | Laser-Cut Panel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural integrity | High — single-piece, no welds | High — solid sheet base retained | Moderate — depends on pattern density |
| Open area range | 30–70% | 20–65% | 5–80% (custom) |
| Load-bearing use | Yes (walkway/heavy-duty grades) | Limited | No |
| Pattern options | Diamond (standard) | Round, square, slot, custom | Fully custom |
| Lead time (SG stock) | 1–2 working days | 1–2 working days | 1–2 weeks (fabrication) |
| Typical price point | Low–medium | Medium | Medium–high |
| Best for | Facades, walkways, railings, screens | Facades, ceilings, acoustic panels | Decorative feature panels, signage |
What Is Expanded Metal Mesh?
Expanded metal — also referred to as XPM, expanded mesh, or expanded sheet — is manufactured without any material waste. A flat metal sheet is fed through a press that cuts and displaces the metal in a single operation. The resulting mesh is dimensionally stable, self-draining, and load-bearing without secondary reinforcement.
Key parameters that define any expanded mesh product:
Short Way of Mesh (SWM): the short diagonal of each diamond aperture
Long Way of Mesh (LWM): the long diagonal of each diamond aperture
Strand thickness: governs the sheet's structural rating
Open area %: determines airflow, light transmission, and ETTV compliance for facade applications
Expanded Metal Mesh Product Range
Supply Bay's expanded metal range is grouped into four series by aperture size and structural rating.
Fine Expanded Mesh (F-Series)
Fine mesh grades — F07-15, F09-15, F10-15, F15-20, F20-15, F20-28, M12-30 — have SWM apertures below 20mm. They are specified for applications requiring a refined visual appearance, controlled light transmission, and moderate airflow. Common in interior feature walls, ceiling baffles, decorative facade cladding, and ventilation grilles.
Medium Expanded Mesh (M-Series)
M-series grades — M30-30, M30-35, M30-45, M30-60, M45-45 — are the most widely specified group for Singapore commercial and institutional projects. Aperture range 30–45mm SWM gives a good balance of structural rigidity and open area. Suitable for exterior facade screens, sunshades, balustrade infill panels, and drain covers.
Walkway Mesh / Heavy-Duty Expanded Mesh (W-Series)
W50-075, W50-080, and W50-110 are manufactured from thicker strand material specifically for load-bearing applications. These grades comply with MOM/WSH Act requirements for industrial and commercial walkway surfaces. Rated for pedestrian and mechanical platform use. Anti-slip surface profile is inherent to the diamond strand geometry.
Louver Expanded Mesh (L-Series)
L10-24, L13-45, L15-63 have a flattened or angled strand profile that controls the angle of light and vision through the panel. Specified for rainscreen facades, sunshading louvres, privacy screens, and external air-handling unit (AHU) enclosures.
Surface Finishes
Standard expanded metal mesh is supplied with a mill finish.
| Series | Example Grades | SWM Aperture | Strand Thickness | Open Area (approx.) | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine (F) | F07-15, F10-15, F20-28 | 7–20mm | 0.5–1.5mm | 30–45% | Decorative panels, ceiling, ventilation grilles |
| Medium (M) | M30-30, M30-45, M45-45 | 30–45mm | 1.5–3.0mm | 45–65% | Facades, sunscreens, balustrades, drain covers |
| Walkway (W) | W50-075, W50-080, W50-110 | 50mm | 4.5–6.0mm | ~50% | Industrial walkways, stair treads, platforms |
| Louver (L) | L10-24, L13-45, L15-63 | 10–30mm | 1.0–2.5mm | 35–55% | Rainscreens, AHU enclosures, privacy louvres |
| Material | Grade / Type | Corrosion Resistance | Weight | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mild Steel (MS) | — | Low (requires coating) | High | Interior partitions, industrial enclosures |
| Galvanised Steel (GI) | Hot-dip galvanised | Medium | High | Walkways, platforms, external screens in sheltered locations |
| Aluminium | 1100 / 3003 alloy | Good | Low | Facade cladding, ceiling panels, lightweight architectural screens |
| Stainless Steel | SS304 | Very good | High | Interior and semi-exposed exterior in non-coastal locations |
| Stainless Steel | SS316 / SS316L | Excellent | High | Coastal and waterfront facades, marine-adjacent structures, food-grade environments |
| Finish | Suitable Materials | Application | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mill finish (bare) | All | Interior, primed-and-painted on site | Lowest cost; requires site finishing for exterior use |
| Hot-dip galvanising | Mild steel | Industrial walkways, sheltered exterior | Zinc coating thickness typically 45–85µm |
| Powder coating | Mild steel, GI, aluminium | Architectural facades, railings, ceilings | RAL or custom colour; 60–80µm film thickness; UV and impact resistant |
| PVDF coating | Aluminium | High-exposure exterior facade | Superior UV resistance; specified for BCA compliant building envelopes |
Expanded Metals FAQ
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Expanded metal, also called expanded mesh or sheet, is a versatile material created by slitting a sheet of metal in a specific pattern and then stretching it to open up the slits. This process creates a diamond-shaped mesh that offers a number of advantages over solid sheet metal.
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Expanded metal offers a number of benefits, including:
Increased airflow and ventilation: The open mesh of expanded metal allows air to pass through easily, making it a good choice for applications that require ventilation, such as HVAC systems and machine enclosures.
Improved sound absorption: Expanded metal can help to absorb sound, making it a good choice for applications where noise control is important.
Load-bearing strength: Expanded metal retains its strength even after cutting because it is formed from a single sheet with no welds. This makes it suitable for walkways, stair treads, platforms, and other loading applications.
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Expanded metals are used in a wide variety of applications, including:
- Architectural applications: Exterior facades, rain screens, sunscreens
- Interior design: Partitions, ceiling panels, signage
- Walkways and Bridges: Stair treads, Platform decking
- Safety and security: machine guards, safety grates, enclosures
- Noise control: sound absorption panels
- Ventilation: air vents, grilles
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When selecting expanded metal, consider the application, as this determines the required mesh type, strength, and opening size. Key factors include:
Material
Thickness & Strand Width
Mesh Opening
Finishing: Powder coating or galvanising for corrosion resistance and aesthetic requirements
Our team can review your drawings or site requirements and recommend the most suitable expanded metal model for your project.
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Standard sheets can be delivered within 1–2 working days, depending on stock availability. Custom fabrication or powder coating typically takes 1-2 weeks. Larger batch orders can be coordinated for phased delivery.
Supply Bay Metals
As Singapore's premier supplier of expanded metal mesh and sheets, Supply Bay is proud to serve customers across 18 countries in the Asia Pacific region. Our extensive range of products, available in various materials like aluminium, stainless steel (SS304, SS316), mild steel, and galvanized steel, provides unparalleled versatility for your projects. Our flexible fabrication capabilities allow us to bend, cut, and shape expanded metal sheets to your exact specifications.