Expanded metal claddings for modern facades
Expanded metal claddings are increasingly specified for the external envelope of contemporary buildings. In modern architecture, expanded metal cladding combines aesthetic personality with technical performance: it satisfies design requirements while ensuring long-term durability and weather resistance on the facade.
Which metal sheets are used for external claddings?
The metal sheets used for external claddings are made primarily of alloys: aluminium, steel, bronze, copper and zinc. Pure metals lack the mechanical characteristics required in the building industry, so alloys — obtained by combining multiple metals — are the standard choice for facade cladding panels.
Steel and cast iron are technically exceptions among these materials: both also contain carbon, which does not belong to the category of metals.
The metal sheets used for external cladding are made of:
- aluminium;
- steel;
- bronze;
- copper;
- zinc.
All of these metals adapt to different kinds of processing and offer the properties that make metal cladding attractive to architects and facade designers:
- reliability;
- durability;
- resistance to weather agents;
- creative freedom;
- easy maintenance;
- management of internal temperatures.
To cover facades, metal panels of varying thickness are preferred. The substrate is critical: the surfaces the panels are applied to must be uniform, otherwise the cladding takes on an unintended wavy appearance.
Waviness can, however, be a deliberate design choice. Through specific processes and targeted interventions, metal cladding panels can be shaped to create a play of light and reflections that harnesses sunlight. The building appears more distinctive, and its colours shift with the changing tones of natural illumination throughout the day.
Why choose expanded metal for architectural cladding?
Expanded metal claddings stand out in architectural facades because they combine visual lightness with functional performance: sun shading, outward visibility, reduced energy consumption, durability and easy maintenance. Few cladding materials bring all of these qualities together in a single product.
To enhance the aesthetic value of a facade, perforated and embossed metal panels are widely considered. Perforated and embossed panels give the cladding greater lightness and originality; embossed panels in particular revive a wall treatment already used in the past, reinterpreted with contemporary methods and forms. From straight lines to curved and three-dimensional geometries, these panels respond to any architectural and design requirement.
Expanded metal, on the other hand, is one of the few cladding materials offering innovative sun shading solutions. The high transparency of expanded metal mesh provides excellent outward visibility for building occupants. At the same time, by reducing solar irradiation on the facade, expanded metal cladding lowers energy consumption: interiors remain bright yet cooler.
Durability and easy maintenance are two further strengths of expanded metal claddings. The oxidation process plays a key role: it allows the metal to continually renew itself, preserving the aesthetic function of the facade over the years.
How do insulated metal panels work in facade cladding?
Insulated metal panels improve the thermal and acoustic insulation of a building envelope. An insulated panel — also known as a composite or sandwich panel — consists of two metal sheets with an insulating layer in between, and is installed on roofs and exterior walls as well as, in some cases, interior walls and floors.
The metal surfaces of insulated panels are made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminium and other metallic materials that meet load and strength requirements. The insulating core can be made of expanded polystyrene, polyurethane foams, paper, wood or cork.
Insulated metal panels for roof cladding have a significant impact on the energy efficiency of a building. Inside a construction, heat tends to rise; if it meets no resistance, it dissipates outward. When the rising heat encounters an insulating panel, it remains indoors, reducing thermal loss and optimizing costs and resources. The benefit works in both directions, because insulated cladding also stops cold air coming from outdoor environments.
The prices of composite panels vary according to their application. There are three main usage methods.
- Cavity insulation. The panel is inserted inside the wall, creating an air chamber filled with insulating material. This application must be performed during the construction of the building.
- Internal insulation. The most economical option. Panels made of an insulating layer with a plasterboard face — which can be plastered and painted — are installed without extensive masonry work.
- External thermal insulation. The most effective and the most expensive method. The initial investment translates into significant energy bill savings, and installation can be carried out after the building’s construction.
DISCOVER EXPANDED METAL SOLUTIONS
What is a ventilated facade?
A ventilated facade is a cladding system that combines protection against weather elements with breathability. Insulated panels contribute to the creation of ventilated facades, which act as secondary walls applied at a set distance from the building’s main facade.
The gap between the two layers leaves an interstitial space through which air flows. Ventilated facades exploit the natural upward movement of warm air, stabilizing the temperature of the cladding.
Ventilated facades belong firmly to green building and sustainable architecture: a context that confirms the potential of expanded metal as a cladding element.
