Expanded metal: everything you need to know

Thanks to its versatility, expanded metal can be used for cladding in industrial and architectural fields. It is a highly customizable material for different technical and aesthetic needs.

With its variety of shapes and colours, it has become one of the most innovative products in the building industry, offering an excellent quality-to-price ratio. 

What is expanded metal?

Expanded metal is the result of a process of cutting and shaping the raw material, carried out by a tool called a “mould.” The outcome of this operation is a resilient mesh structure, with a shape and size that depend on the patterns used during cutting operation.

The production of expanded metal is also characterized by the absence of waste material: the raw material is completely transformed and processed. 

Starting from a single piece, the sheet metal is modified and expanded until it reaches the required shape, and from a meter of metal, it is possible to produce a three-meters-long mesh. 

Expanded metal represents a highly sustainable alternative compared to, for example, perforated metal, as its processing does not generate any waste.

Expanded metal can be made from:

• aluminium;
• steel;
• zinc-titanium;
• copper;
• brass;
• CorTen;
• bronze.

As for the shapes, they come in various geometries:

• rhomboid;
• square;
• round;
• hexagonal;
• random;
• 3D.

Expanded metal can transform into a mesh that envelops and shapes the structures on which it is applied. It can be used as a facade as well as for protection.

It can be employed both externally and internally, as a suspended ceiling to hide corners or even as an element for interior design. On the other hand, the various forms that it takes after processes like bending, welding, edging and cutting ensure elegance and efficiency.

Transparency, combined with the shading effect, transforms the mesh into a sunshade, making it a unique material for creating captivating light effects and optimizing energy savings.

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Expanded metal in industrial environments

Expanded metal mesh is optimal for many industrial applications. The processes it undergoes allow light, air and liquids’ flow. Therefore, it is used to create protective and filtering devices in the automotive, chemical, petrochemical, energy and household appliance industries.

At the same time, the expanded metal meshes are adopted for the creation of walkways, pathways and safety protections in work environments. The expansion process guarantees uniformity and regularity to the surfaces, making them highly secure and reliable.

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Expanded metal for architecture

Just as in the industrial world, expanded metal can also take centre stage in architectural applications. It can be transformed into:

• facade cladding;
• false ceiling;
• decorative element;
• sunshade panel;
• railing. 

The interplay of solids and voids, the flexibility and adaptability in the transformations it undergoes, and its excellent durability contribute to making expanded metal mesh both a functional and aesthetic element.

Visual transparency and three-dimensionality create optical illusions that capture the attention of passersby, drawing focus to the buildings.

The technological uninterrupted advancement contributed to the introduction of sophisticated painting and anodizing techniques through immersion processes. It leads to the best protection for the final product, with long-lasting guarantees against corrosion. From white to golden metal, the wide range of colours and finishes makes this material even more suitable for any architectural application.

Anodizing, carried out using automated systems and state-of-the-art machinery, enhances the characteristics of expanded metal:

• it provides better protection, with corrosion guarantees that can extend up to twenty years;

• it contributes to producing meshes and sheets with an extremely versatile play of light and an unlimited chromatic choice.

The uniqueness of the building’s construction project is achieved using machines and tools that manufacture the expanded metal according to the specific requirements. The processing and production of are not standardized; instead, they rely on constantly updated robotic machinery, aligned with the principles of Industry 4.0.

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Is expanded metal sustainable?

Expanded metal is one of the most environmentally sustainable metal products. The processing and transformation of raw materials occur at cold temperatures. In this manner, mechanical energy and cutting blades do not require welding steps. As a result, the metal does not generate waste since there is no need for perforation. It reduces carbon emissions and environmental harm.

The expanded metal can be recycled in other processes. Aluminium, a commonly used material in mesh fabrication, retains its qualities even after a previous application.

All of this translates to lower production costs, making expanded metal an economical material choice, benefiting both the environment and businesses involved.