In architecture, it’s often about creating clean lines and innovative functionality – that includes areas that need some element of protection or security. With metal facade screens, commercial and industrial properties can enjoy the best of both worlds, perfectly blending modern innovations with unique property needs. These modern components add aesthetic contributions while also contributing to things like visual identity, performance, and efficiency of your property or structure.
In this guide, we will take a closer look at what metal facade screens are, as well as the modern design benefits they can offer for any facility. Whether you’re a property owner, developer, architect, or something else, you can discover the value of these systems for smart design choices. Learn more below!
What are Metal Facade Screens?
A facade screen system might have different names throughout the industry, but they all come back to the same thing. It’s a cladding system that is typically applied to a structure. These systems can be freestanding and they can be incorporated for interior or exterior needs. Some of the other common names you might hear are cladding panels, curtain wall systems, or architectural screens.
The facade screen creates an entirely different visual, which is often why it is used. Many buildings will use this type of system to cover unsightly components of something like a parking garage or an HVAC panel, but they also might be used simply to cover or improve the structure.
The facade screen systems come in different design and material choices. At Metalco, we use three primary options:
- Select Screen System: modern style and function that uses lightweight, grated screen instead of solid or ventilating designs. It allows air to flow through more freely and still offers the structural support and visual appeal needed.
- Grigliato Louver: a screen system that uses angled slats much like shutters do. These can be created in stunning designs and are a top choice because of the classic grill look, particularly if slatted shutters or paneled siding is a look you prefer.
- Grigliato Screen: using the details of our Grigliato grill panel, this is built to stand out, creating shade, visual depth, and other appealing features. It’s made with steel bars and rods that are electroforged together and adds a flexible screen for a unique look or design.
Now, check out these modern benefits!
Contemporary Aesthetic Appeal
Everything focuses on aesthetics and visual appeal these days. Those first impressions do matter, so creating a sleek and customized solution can elevate your curb appeal and still cater to the unique needs of your facility. With modern designs, you can appreciate features like these:
- Dynamic textures with patterns, perforations, or cut-outs
- Light and shadow elements
- Color variety customization
- Branded or thematic motifs
Solar Shading and Energy Efficiency
Many people choose metal screen facades because they can improve energy efficiency. You deserve a design that looks great and improves the efficiency for your structure and property. The design options at MFR Manufacturing and other providers can incorporate details that support energy efficiency. This includes solar shading, lower cooling loads, improved daylighting, and more.
The truth is that a properly designed metal facade should improve efficiency. Quality designs can help contribute to your LEED certification points or help you better align with green building standards.
Ventilation and Airflow
Facades can be built for ventilation and airflow qualities, which is highly useful in a climate that needs air circulation. Consider a manufacturing facility that often has high humidity or moisture. The air circulation from the facade can help improve everyone’s comfort while they do the work they need to.
The metal screens, especially those with expanded metal designs or perforations, can provide substantial passive airflow around the building exterior or specifically to mechanical enclosures that need the airflow.
Privacy without Compromising Light
While facade screens often have other purposes, they can significantly contribute to the privacy of any structure they are utilized for. It might be security and pulling down your screen when the storefront is closed. However, you might have a more permanent fixture or solution that is all about privacy all the time. In those cases, these screens offer a less open view to the public, allowing you more privacy. And they don’t block the light to provide it.
The ability to enhance security without adding significant bulk or completely blocking out light and the outside world is a huge benefit. So often those added privacy or security measures come at the cost of your aesthetics, but that is not the case here. You do not have to sacrifice looks or design, and you certainly don’t have to sacrifice light. Think of it as a discreet layer of protection.
Design Flexibility and Customization
Perhaps the best thing about metal facade screen systems is the ability to create and customize whatever you need for your structure. You can work with MFR Corp’s engineers and designers to create something unique and branded. We tailor every solution to ensure they meet your needs properly.
Conceal Building Systems
Finally, you can conceal any building systems that are sometimes unsightly or just utilitarian. Most businesses want to conceal these for looks, as well as to keep bystanders out of those areas. A metal screen can do both, but you can use it for a lot of different systems and needs, like these:
- Cover loading docks or parking garages
- Hide vents, pipes, and HVAC units
- Wrap fire escapes or stairwells
- Mask scaffolding and construction temporarily
This allows you to remain consistent on the property but still avoid what might look like clutter or mess.
Metal Facade Screens with MFR Corp
If a metal facade screen sounds like something your building or structure might benefit from, we would love to help. Our teams can help create the perfect design to meet your unique needs. Why not enjoy privacy and protection while still having a positive visual with a screen system? We bring you high-performance, cutting-edge designs and so much more.
Contact us today to get a quote started.