The Surprising Benefits of Perforated Balustrade Infill
External balustrade infill panels can become an integral feature of any building design and give a great opportunity to stamp your mark on that initial impression of the building.
One of the best ways to do this is to use perforated balustrade infill panels. Perforated panels are a great, low-cost, low-maintenance, and flexible solution to create a bespoke and aesthetically pleasing design.
What Are Perforated Balustrade Infill Panels?
Perforated metal panels can be perforated to your design. Standard patterns are available, or we can manufacture a unique pattern. In addition, powder coating or anodising can introduce great colour statements.
The panels are usually made from Aluminium or Mild Steel. Other materials such as Stainless Steel and Corten can also be used. Protective and decorative powder coating or anodising are usually added.
The infill panels are easy to install on-site with simple fixing hole solutions, and the materials are easy to bend so can accommodate corners or other features.
What Are The Benefits of Perforated Balustrade Infill Panels For Your Company’s Premises?
Aesthetically Pleasing & Customisable
A great thing about using perforated panels is that they are extremely flexible and so allow for a range of designs. They are punched to order, and so are completely customisable to your design.
There are a wide number of standard patterns available. Also, at a reasonable cost, specific tooling can be made to suit your exact pattern.
Panels are punched whilst flat, but are straightforward to bend, so returns can be easily added to suit design. In large panels where wind loading is a factor, then strengthening ribs can be welded to provide extra support.
Extremely Safe
Perforated metal panels are extremely safe. Anodised aluminium panels are BS EN 13501-1 A1 rated non-combustible, and powder coating can be BS EN 13501-1 A2 rated.
One consideration when designing the perforated pattern for balustrade infill panels is that in certain environments they should also be “non-climbable”.
Durable
Perforated metal panels are very durable and need only limited maintenance. Water runs off them easily, and with regular cleaning, dirt will not usually lodge.
Powder-coated aluminium will last many years in most UK environments. Special treatments for coastal sites are also available.
Allow Ventilation
By the very nature of perforated panels, the holes allow for airflow and ventilation in any situation.
The open area of the perforation pattern can be manufactured to your specifications. The most common open-area designs are between 30% and 50%. Exceptions are possible, but for open areas higher than 50%, this can lead to distortion and will reduce the strength of the panel.
Offer Privacy
The flexibility of design afforded by perforated balustrade infill panels means that by controlling the “open area” of the screen, privacy can be maintained.
Using a low open area in all or part of the panels means it maintains privacy and protection from the weather, while still allowing light to penetrate and air to flow.
Cost-Effective
Perforated metal panels can be a very cost-effective design for balustrades. One way to help even more with the cost is to take into consideration the standard flat unperforated panel sizes that are commonly available.
Standard flat aluminium and steel sheet sizes are 2m x 1m, 1.25m x 2.5m and 3m x 1.5m, designs using these sizes will give the best material yields and lead to lower costs per unit.
Bespoke Perforated Balustrade Infill Panels EE Ingleton
We have a wide in house manufacturing capability including, punching, press brake, laser cutting and fabricating.
We also have several years of experience producing perforated metal panels for a wide range of applications. To find out more, please contact our friendly team.