during the last century, urbanization proposals exploded across the globe. cities rose, industries have standardized, streets were paved and our style of architecture changed drastically.
Since the industrial revolutions, we became familiar with metallic buildings and technological structures that refer to the innovative aesthetics of the future – with metal acting as the main character of this show. the urban aesthetic, in other words, it is now so common in everyday life that we find it strange when it is not present.
In this sense, one of the important components of 21st century architecture are, no doubt, the metal facades. Just like the other sheets of iron used to build pillars, public transport platforms, catwalks and gates, they serve functional and decorative purposes that are essential to the architectural harmonization of our time..
Come and read a little more about metal facades and some of the benefits they bring!
What are metal facades and what are they for??
Metal facades emerged as a direct consequence of the trend (originally european) of using noble metals to enhance the finish of all types of construction, whether residential or commercial, public or private.
these materials, above all, offer an admirable structure with resistant aspects, durable and beautiful – hence its rise in popularity over the years.
Although the silver appearance is a mass industry standard, metal in its nature allows for a moldable manufacturing process. This means that, unlike other popular components like wood and concrete, the metal parts used in the facades are customizable in every sense of the word. be in color, texture, shape or weight, we can notice that in our own neighborhood there are numerous models and themes of facades.
Metal facades are not just for creating a visual identity, however. as we mentioned before, its natural characteristics are linked to an excellent cost-benefit ratio for various construction sectors. Among the main benefits they bring we can mention:
- Resistance: Acting as a skin covering a structural skeleton, this type of facade retains all the durability that iron provides. Since the vast majority of these parts are installed on the outside of an installation, as its anti-corrosion abilities do not disappoint. Many people also like to galvanize their facades. (that is, coat them with a liquid metal, like zinc) for extra protection and easy maintenance. Under a professional, well-done installation, weather conditions are the least of the obstacles.
- Sustainability: When we talk about long term investments, the metal used in these facades takes the title of winner. The ease of assembly and maintenance means that the environmental impact is minimal, because a single piece can be reused several times. Not only that – but more open facade models allow ventilation and natural light to pass into the building in an organic and controlled way. In addition to protecting us against constant UV radiation, facades reduce local energy costs.
- Privacy: Continuing with this line of reasoning from the windows, It is important to mention that more ambitious designs avoid them in one way or another. This means that metal facades help maintain the privacy of those inside the building., whether she has a window or not. It's a smart way to integrate aesthetic and functional purposes.
- Beauty: The aesthetics factor is strong here – and perhaps the most apparent. whatever the style, the facade is the first impression an observer has of the place in question. With this in mind, one of the objectives of these structures is to enrich the landscape of the city, in addition to combining the aforementioned technological innovations with the urban scenario in general.
What materials are available on the market?
The most interesting part of metal facades is precisely their versatility.. It is common to find all kinds of signs around a building.: galvanized sheets, perforated plates, expanded sheets, fixed and retractable louvers, etc.
These models have specific designs and formats that vary according to the budget and taste of each architect., so the definition of a facade is everything, less limited. The freedom of creative expression is enormous.
As for the types of metal available on the market, these are also broadly categorized. Some have more uses than others., and that is why they are more easily sold.: the stainless steel, the aluminum, o ACM, copper and zinc are given special prominence here.
Nor can we forget the color palette that can be assigned to each metal.. As you can find in images online and even in your city, the special paintwork that the facades receive includes shades of red, Blue, white, golden, among many others.
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Freedom of creative expression: decoration suggestions
Some of the most interesting and beautiful projects take into account the theme of each location. after all, colors refer us to different feelings and sensations, something that designers and architects use to their advantage.
golden tones, for example, reveal a luxury and refinement to a corporate facade. Widely used by museums and other government institutions are also the bronze tones and gray hints., especially if we are talking about curves and arcs.
A contemporary and futuristic style preserves the shine of silver in pillars mixed with glass, while straight lines benefit from a minimalist black. In comparison, more extravagant buildings can capitalize on their artistic roots with vibrant colors that complement each other., and so it goes.
At the end, we can see how essential metal facades are for urban architecture nowadays.
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Content made in partnership with Bepex. Bepex is a specialist in the production of perforated plates, expanded sheets and metallic louvers since 1991, offering quality materials for metal facades and much more.
