Pros and Cons of Architectural Mesh For Interior Applications

Sep. 23, 2024

Pros and Cons of Architectural Mesh For Interior Applications

As an architect, you must strive to explore the various design materials available to make future projects unique. For example, the qualities of architectural mesh allow architects to deliver unique solutions.

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Now, it is easy to believe that the customization, sunlight protection, fall protection, natural ventilation, and life-cycle that architectural mesh offers is only for exterior applications. However, these qualities work wonders for interior applications as well as and can bring the inside of a structure to life.

W.S. Tyler has helped dozens of architects integrate architectural mesh into their design process and is here to ensure you can do the same.

In this article, we will explore the pro and cons of using architectural mesh for a variety of interior architecture applications.

Pros and Cons of Using Architectural Mesh in Ceilings

Pros

Employing architectural mesh for ceiling applications will enhance the brightness of the room. Mesh allows light to shine through the mesh and disperse through the mesh panels.

This creates the ability to establish a unique sense of canister lighting. In turn, the number of light fixtures and electricity needed to light the area is reduced.

Custom cutouts that allow various building elements to drop through can also get added.

Architectural mesh is great for ceiling application in areas, such as larger conference rooms or common areas. However, it's applicable anywhere you are attempting to create a sense of flow.

Cons

Unfortunately, architectural mesh does not provide decorative sound absorption qualities. This is because it is an open product and the mesh openings allow sound to continue traveling throughout the area.

Instead they enhance acoustics in the room, which we'll dive into later in this article.

Pros and Cons of Using Architectural Mesh in Walls

Pros
Pros

Applying architectural mesh to the walls of a structure will enhance the appearance of the room. Instead of offering light diffraction, it adds a sense of texture to the walls.

Architectural mesh allows you to use the wall as a feature wall rather than having traditional paneling, siding, or drywall. That said, architectural mesh is ideal in large rooms and inside of elevator cabs where a sense of flow is desired.

Cons

As architectural mesh is a stainless steel product, visitor traffic is vital. If visitors are coming in contact with the mesh daily, the mesh will likely dent.

In other words, it is not the most sturdy solution when compared to other materials.

Also, because people are going to come into contact with it at some point, you run the risk of the mesh becoming dirtier quicker. This means you will have to use resources to clean it often.

Pros and Cons of Using Architectural Mesh in Infill Panels

Pros
Pros

When working with infill panels, the mesh can get cut to fit most infill panel systems. If a railing the ceiling grid is already in place, architectural mesh can cut to fit the grid .

If fine-mesh gets used, the mesh can wrap around an infill panel. This is ideal when an infill panel system splits into various directions.

Generally, infill panels get used for railing systems. Think stairways and walkways leading to the front door of a building.

When looking at railing systems you are going to want to use wire mesh rather than fine-mesh profiles. This is because fine mesh is too delicate for railing systems and will most likely tear when subjected to heavy amounts of traffic.

Cons

The biggest drawback of an infill panel mesh system is that it can become very expensive. In fact, the mesh alone can reach upwards to $80 to $90 per square foot depending on the application.

Handling can also be a major concern. If the contractor installing the mesh neglects to handle the mesh with care, it can get damaged and lose its luster.

Pros and Cons of Using Architectural Mesh in Acoustic Sound Panels

Pros
Pros

Architectural mesh works wonders when trying to deflect and diffuse sound. Acoustic sound panels are applicable to both the ceilings and walls to redirect sound.

Mesh acoustic sound panels are ideal for any sort of performing arts center. But you can apply architectural mesh anywhere within a structure that needs acoustic enhancement.

Cons

The biggest drawback of using mesh to constrict acoustic sound panels is that it takes a lot of calculations to have full control of where the sound bounces to in the room. While some mesh may claim to have 0% open area, there is some airflow that makes its way through the mesh.

This along with factors, such as the gauge of wire and mesh opening sizes, makes calculating the level of acoustic value difficult.

Pros and Cons of Using Architectural Mesh in Free Form

Pros
Pros

As architectural mesh, especially fine mesh profiles, is very pliable, you can bend, twist, and form it around various objects. As mesh provides unique reflections value, visitors will receive a different feel every time they pass the architectural mesh system.

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Additional resources:
Metal Mesh: Types, Materials, Patterns, Benefits and ...

This is because the lights that are within the building and the room will be hitting and reflecting off the mesh at different angles.

With this in mind, architectural mesh is perfect for areas where you wish to incorporate sculptures or create a unique art piece.

Cons

The biggest concern integrating architectural mesh into a free form application is the fact that it cannot be returned to its natural form factor. This means that the contractor must be precise in placing the mesh in the exact location when working with the mesh.

Failure to properly place the mesh or handle it with care will result in creasing and crinkling that is irreversible and will take away from the feel of the mesh system.

Deliver an Unforgettable Interior-Environment With Architectural Mesh

Architects can use any mesh profile for interior applications. Yet, not all fine mesh profiles are applicable for exterior applications.

With that, mesh has proven to work well when applied to ceilings, walls, infill panels, acoustic sound panels, and free form projects. But in order for a wire mesh system to truly succeed and turn your vision into a reality, it must be installed properly.

With over 20 years of experience helping architects use the benefits of architectural mesh, W.S. Tyler is here to ensure your next project(s) stand out among the surrounding structures.

To get a better understanding of what the installation process of a wire mesh system looks like, check out our article: How to Install and Maintain a Wire Mesh Facade.

The Advantages of Using Metal Mesh for Your Products!

If you&#;re into construction, carpentry, and transportation, to mention but a few, you&#;ve most likely used a metal mesh.

A metal mesh is an expanded sheet or roll of metal consisting of strands of metal running from one end of the sheet to the other. These strands form openings of different sizes that form a barrier hence the name mesh.

The size of the openings ranges from the smallest size 1/8&#; x1/8&#; to the biggest size 6&#; x6&#; while the size of the entire expanded sheet can be as big as 10 feet long for a standard sheet and 100 feet long for a standard roll. The openings can also take different shapes such as a square, hexagon, diamond, and circle.

Depending on the use of the mesh, you can choose one made of stainless steel, copper, aluminum, bronze, galvanized steel, brass, Monel, carbon steel, or brass. You can also make it from an alloy of the metals mentioned above. Therefore, the type you use depends on the material used or alloy, the size of the entire sheet or roll, and the shape and size of the openings.

This article will explore more on metal mesh, also known as expanded metal. You&#;ll learn how it is formed, its application, and the advantages of using it.

How Is A Metal Mesh Made?

You&#;re probably picturing a welded or woven wire mesh by the description given above. However, note that these are two different types of products. The best way to tell the difference is first understanding how a metal mesh or expanded metal is made.

As mentioned before, a metal mesh is made from a sheet or roll of metal. The sheet of metal is put into an expanding machine where it&#;s made thinner so that it can stretch. As the sheet of metal stretches, its surface area begins to cut so that uniform holes are made on the metal.

The difference between a metal mesh and a wire mesh is that the metal mesh holes are molded within the metal sheet. On the other hand, the holes are made from thin strands of metal woven or welded together for a wire mesh.

Secondly, the metal mesh remains strong regardless of the expansion. Meanwhile, the thinner the wire mesh, the weaker it becomes. Therefore, a wire mesh is used for less intensive applications, and it&#;s relatively cheaper than an expanded metal.

Applications Of Expanded Metal

The uses of a metal mesh can be summarized as protection as a barrier, support in the construction industry, and custom applications such as decorations. Here are the applications of a metal mesh:

Construction industry. The mesh is used to support parts of the construction such as adobe in walls, plaster, or stucco.
Modern architecture. The expanded metal has found a niche in modern technology where the metal mesh is being used to form decorative features and building facades.
Filtering water. An example is in large gabions to avoid soil erosion.
Infill panels
Used to make ventilations for big machines
Functional and decorative trellis

Here are the advantages of using expanded metal for all your needs:

1. Metal Mesh Is Made From One Material

As detailed in the article, expanded metal is made from one sheet of metal being stretched. Out of this fact only, there are two advantages of using it. First, there&#;s less waste while designing one, and second, the metal retains its strength. The two will be discussed further in the points to follow.

Other than these benefits, it can easily undergo further transformation such as sheering and pressing since they&#;re made of one piece of metal sheet. As such, should you need to change the form of the mesh, you won&#;t have to purchase a new one.

2. Minimum Waste Is Produced

Creating the holes on a metal mesh involves stretching the sheet of metal as opposed to punching holes into it. If you punch holes, the punched-out metal can&#;t be used, which increases the amount of waste produced.

3. A Lower Cost

If you&#;re producing little to no waste, it means you&#;ll need fewer sheets of metal, which will cost less than if you&#;re throwing some away as waste. Additionally, some metals can expand more to cover a large area. If this is the case, you may end up needing fewer sheets or rolls of metal for your design.

4. A Metal Mesh Is Strong

When the sheet of metal is expanded, it loses some of its weight. However, this doesn&#;t compromise the integrity of the metal. Therefore, the uncut parts of the metal remain sturdy and the stretched strands can withstand more pressure as compared to woven or welded joints. The strength makes it suitable to offer support to other structures during construction.

5. Metal Mesh Has Anti-Slip Properties

As mentioned, the strands of the metal forming the openings are stretched from the metal sheet. The knuckles where the strands meet have a firm grip as opposed to if these strands were woven. The sturdiness of the knuckles makes them anti-slip, which is most appropriate for constructing walkways, stair treads, and ramps.

6. It&#;s Highly Efficient

Because a metal mesh is made of one piece of material and there are no breaks from one strand to another, electric and magnetic energy flow continuously throughout the mesh. As such, if you intend to use it for any power-related tasks, you can be sure of efficiency and reduced loss of energy since a metal mesh has minimal destruction.

7. It Can Be Made From An Alloy

When processing you can mix two or more metals to strengthen the mesh, increase its expansion capability, and sometimes for aesthetic purposes. Whatever your reason, a metal mesh allows you to play with different metals to achieve your desired alloy.

8. Flexibility

It gives you the flexibility you need to mold a mesh of your own design and aesthetic while still maintaining optimum functionality. For example, if you want to achieve more light you can use larger cuts to create large openings. With a perforated mesh, however, the larger the cuts, the weaker the mesh, which means that eventually, the it won&#;t serve its purpose.

To Sum It Up

Although their physical appearance is alike, there&#;s a difference between a metal and a wire mesh. The metal mesh is stronger, more expensive, and has more benefits. It&#;s made of one material, so there&#;s minimal waste produced; and due to reduced waste, it&#;s cheaper to mold and use a metal mesh.

Other advantages are that it is strong with sturdy knuckles that make it suitable for anti-slip constructions such as walkways. Moreover, it is highly efficient, it can be made from an alloy, and finally, it&#;s flexible to different designs and functions.

Article and permission to publish here provided Claire Glassman. Originally written for Supply Chain Game Changer and published on February 5, .

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Pros and Cons of Architectural Mesh For Interior Applications