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Perforated Metal Finish: How to choose?

Perforated metal finish

The finish is the final touch that transforms how perforated metal looks and lasts. So how do you know which perforated metal finish is right for your project?

Here’s your quick guide to the different types of perforated metal finishes we can apply, to add colour, durability or unique architectural effects.

If you’re not sure which finish is most suitable, our expert team can advise and guide you on your options when you place your order, taking into account the type of metal you are perforating and any environmental conditions it will be exposed to.

Anodising: What is Anodising?

Anodising is a process that’s designed to protect aluminium perforated metal.

Anodising doesn’t involve painting or coating the aluminium. It works by immersing the aluminium in a special electrolyte solution, using a current to increase the oxidation process, so the natural oxide layer on the surface of the metal thickens. This gives the aluminium increased durability, resistance to corrosion and wear and also offers better adhesion for paint.

What’s clever about anodising is that the new oxide layer that’s produced cannot ever peel or chip over time, as it’s an integral part of the metal.

Paint can also be added during the anodising process, resulting in a long lasting, durable and hard coloured finish.

Powder-coating: What is Powder-coating?

Powder-coating is a way to add paint to perforated metal. It doesn’t use liquid paint but instead applies dry paint powder electrostatically, which is then cured using heat.

The benefit of using a dry paint process instead of conventional liquid paint is that it results in a much thicker, tougher paint layer that won’t run. And because lots of different colours of powder can be applied before curing, you can create unique special effects.

It’s also environmentally-friendly if you have green project targets to meet, as powder coatings are VOC-free.

Galvanising: What is Galvanising?

Galvanising applies a protective zinc coating to your perforated metal. The zinc stops any corrosion from reaching the metal underneath, preventing rust.

At Arrow Metal we can supply perforated metal pre-galvanised, which means that it has already had the zinc coating applied before it’s perforated. This process gives some resistance to corrosion but does not give full corrosion protection. We don’t galvanise your perforated metal after manufacture, as it can cause distortion and the zinc coating can fill the holes.

Folded perforated metal: Creating architectural effects

Folding is where we bend and curve your perforated metal sheets into a specified form. Folding is a great option if you want to create an architectural effect such as waves, or any type of flowing, continuous design.

Folding your perforated metal won’t affect its performance, strength or durability. Take a look at some of our projects that required special folding of the perforated metal, including a full metal shutter facade for the Infinity apartment block in Canterbury and Newcastle University’s NeW Space precinct.

Perforated metal finish: how to choose - tips by Arrow Metal

Perforated metal finish: how to choose - tips by Arrow Metal

Perforated metal finish advice & expertise: Enquire today

Talk to our team to discuss the available finishes for perforated metal on

(02) 9748 2200 or send us an online enquiry and we’ll quickly come back to you. You can add a finish to any of our products including our in-stock ready-to-ship perforated metal. Download our latest brochure to browse our range or explore customised perforated metal solutions.

Posted: May 11, 2020

3 responses to “Perforated Metal Finish: How to choose?”

  1. Isaac Skinner says:

    Great! Metal finishes such as powder coating improve the durability and resistance of a product. It creates a quality of covering that lasts longer and environmentally safe.

  2. Yolanta says:

    Hello, Could you please provide a free quote for a perforated metal to be used to make panels as a roof safety barrier. Total length 70 000mm (roof perimeter). These panels would be 1200mm x 300mm Approx.
    Looking forward to hear from you soon.
    Kind regards, Yolanta

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