Bringing the Bling: New development in metal fabrics

Architectural metal fabrics are an industrial revolution design element widely used for renovating existing structures and creating distinctive looks on new buildings.

Metal mesh and fabrics requires less maintenance and offer designers and specifiers an unlimited array of colour coating options when designing with metal fabric.

GALLERY  

Powder coating, specialty painting and also screen printing are used for adding colour to stainless steel wire mesh, results in colourful fabric options that are also resistant to extreme heat, cold, bending and flexing.

New developments in this field mean a wide variable of secondary finishing techniques are available when it comes to colours and surfaces – processes like Powder Coating Process (a now automated and cost-effective means to apply colour to metal fabric using continuous process colour coating. It can even be custom colour matched to a provided sample to create cohesion to any design. Or the Wet Coating process, which is similar to automotive painting, pre-cut meshes are coated using a paint spraying process. Used primarily on smaller sized mesh panels, this allows an even coating with a high surface quality. In addition to the colours available in the Natural Color System® (NCS), GKD can also analyse individual colour samples and reproduce them as custom finish. A comprehensive range of colours used by the automobile industry can be used to make metallic effects.

“For designers who want the functional advantages of stainless steel mesh, but want to explore a colour palette beyond the alloy’s signature silver, powder coating and other painting methods solve all challenges at once,” explains Darren Bromwell, GKD-USA Estimating Manager and Coatings Specialist.

GKD’s custom capability and turnkey technical consultation are combined to help the architect determine the best and most effective method of colour coating, keeping key specification criteria in mind. This includes geographic location, exposure to sun, moisture and other elements, as well as aesthetic considerations such as viewing distance, angle and readability. GKD applies decades of experience in innovative metal mesh fabrication and installation to guide the specifier in the optimal use of its vast product options and finishes.

Images via GKD Metal Fabrics

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