Product Information
Decorative Metal: A Guide to McNICHOLS® Designer Hole Products
Learn about the four varieties of McNICHOLS® Designer Metals that add an upscale appearance to any space!
| 5 min read
At home, on a school campus, inside a restaurant and in many other environments, McNICHOLS® Designer Metals elevate surfaces to their highest potential. Architects and Designers often choose decorative steel, aluminum, bronze and additional metals to create an upscale look that requires minimal maintenance. These durable materials can be installed as railing infill panels, building facades, furniture accents and in other applications as long-lasting and high-end focal pieces.
Decorative Metal consists of metal that has been punched, expanded, woven, or finished to have unique patterns or textures beyond traditional specialty metals. While it exhibits the same strength and low-maintenance of other coil and sheet metal products, it also incorporates unique and elaborate styles.
McNICHOLS provides four main varieties of Designer sheet metal: Perforated, Textured, Wire Mesh and Expanded. Below, we’re sharing more about each of these metal decorative panels.
Decorative Perforated Metal
Earlier on our blog, we took a look at how Perforated Metal is made. Designer Perforated Metal can be manufactured with many of these same methods. However, instead of punching uniform circles, squares or slots, the machinery will perforate intricate designs in the sheet metal. These sheets can then be installed in walls, ceilings, cabinetry, and other areas.
Decorative Perforated Grilles can also be made to your specifications. These are utilized in both interior and exterior locations in window areas, as air conditioning vent or return covers and more.
With over a dozen series types in an array of variations, our inventory includes Designer Metal patterns that suit many different designs. From ornate settings using our MAJESTIC or MOSAIC series, to minimal and sleek environments using patterns like CLOVERLEAF and WINDSOR, these versatile metals can put the finishing, sparkling touch in any space.
Please browse our website to view even more of these products, which are available for online ordering in select sizes.
Decorative Textured Metal
McNICHOLS® Designer Textured Metal offerings are solid aluminum or steel sheets with decorative finishes on the surfaces. Our Textured Metal options are different from our typical Hole Products, as these items have a 0% Open Area.
Textured Decorative Metal is popular in bustling locations like elevators, corridors and hallways where increased durability is required. These sheets withstand wear and tear while also hiding scratches, dings, fingerprints or other imperfections that may arise—keeping populated spaces looking their best. Popular patterns include the classic DIAMOND QUILT, the dotted 6-OM series, and the unique 5-SM design. Our TREADTEX® items feature a checker plate surface, which is often also used in anti-slip applications. You can view our full inventory of Textured Metals on our website, where online ordering for select sizes of these products is also available.
Decorative Wire Mesh
Instead of weaving or welding single warp and weft wires into a classic grid configuration, Designer Mesh includes more intricate construction types. For example, our HALOTM 1162 series features a helical (spiral) crimp weave, resulting in rounded openings throughout the mesh.
Another customer favorite, TECHNATM 3150, uses woven double Intercrimp wires where two warp wires and two weft wires are utilized in each weave. A similar method is seen in the TALICATM 8146 series, though the twin wires exhibit a flat-top wire that creates an ornamental appearance.
Varieties beyond wire and weave type are also available, as many Decorative Mesh options are stocked in mixed materials. The SHIRETM 8148 series includes Copper wires going in one direction, with Stainless Steel wires going the other. These mixed metal meshes are favored for the dimension and visual interest they provide.
Decorative Wire Mesh panels are frequently seen as cabinet inserts in kitchens, mudrooms, and entertainment centers. These inserts upgrade the appearance of standard cabinetry and facilitate airflow. Continue to the Designer Wire Mesh section of our website to view the full selection of patterns!
Decorative Expanded Metal
Did you know that Designer options are even available from our Expanded Metal product line? MCNICHOLS® Designer Expanded Metal patterns are referred to as the LANCETTM series. These items differ from other Expanded Metal because instead of angular diamond openings, the decorative variety features openings with rounded edges.
There are four types of Designer Expanded Metal. One of these patterns is a Standard Expanded sheet, meaning that when the panel was slit and stretched, the edges of the resulting openings are somewhat raised. The remaining three Designer series are Flattened varieties, where the sheets have been cold rolled and the raised edges have been smoothed down.
Decorative Expanded can be used to provide privacy or to control light and air while maintaining visibility. Sun screens, room dividers and building facades are a few common applications of Decorative Expanded Metal.
Your Decorative Sheet Metal Provider
Our Designer Metals catalog provides informative product specifications and inspiring case studies if you are interested in learning more about these metal decorative panels. Download a digital version now, or you can request a printed copy to be mailed to you.
In the meantime, please feel free to browse our Designer Metals product lines or place an order for select decorative products to be delivered right to your doorstep.
For more personalized assistance in determining how McNICHOLS® Designer Metals can help you on your next project, our knowledgeable associates are eager to serve you at 800.237.3820, sales@mcnichols.com, or via Live Chat!
Featured image is from Newberry Architecture
