Color & Surfaces
In commercial and institutional buildings, GKD Metal Fabrics provide visual versatility and inherently functional characteristics. The material opens new aspects of design through the interplay of aesthetics and function, lightness and robustness, transparency and reflection, screening and views, and daylight and sun protection. Fully customizable metal fabric can be installed horizontally or vertically, framed in panels or draped like curtains. But the design capability doesn’t stop there. Our broad range of weave patterns can be etched, illuminated, printed and coated to enhance aesthetic effects. Engaging GKD as part of your design team yields innovative material combinations and custom design solutions.
Secondary Finishes
COLOR
Read MoreETCHING
Read MoreANODIZING
Read MorePRINTING
Read MoreThrough powder coating, metal mesh opens up a wide range of colorful architectural textures. GKD uses a special continuous process for color-coating flat and round wires. During this continuous process, high-grade special varnishes are applied and heated to create a powerful bond. The continuity of the process allows any quantity of wires to be permanently color-coated and depending on the mesh, enables dimensions weavable of up to 8 meters and virtually any length to be realized. Stress tests carried out by an independent institute guarantee the durability of the material. Spiral and cable meshes can be coated in a variety of standard colors and for large quantities, custom RAL colors are also available.
With our in-house paint mixing system and color matching capabilities, we can create virtually any custom color with our Imron HD performance coatings. Durable, long-lasting, and available in a variety of finishes, we can paint solids, graphics, and patterns in a controlled environment for maximum quality.
Etching is a process that transfers graphic elements onto a metal surface. Because the graphic elements are etched
directly into the surface, it is weather-resistant, durable, and fade-resistant. Presenting a high-quality image, these etched material fabrics also preserve the transparency elements. Daylight comes through and can be seen. Add lighting for an even more dynamic effect.
Aluminum is the ideal material for designing facades. The lightweight metal has a low, specific weight while offering high strength and good corrosion resistance properties. When exposed to air, aluminum gradually forms a natural layer that protects it from corrosion and gives it a matt-grey appearance. However, aluminum profiles in facades are usually anodized to protect them from environmental influences and mechanical effects. GKD anodizes aluminum in both batch and continuous process for coating flexible meshes. Alongside its decorative properties, this type of coating also guarantees protection against environmental influences such as UV radiation, temperature deviations or mechanical effects.
Complex graphics on metallic meshes in outdoor deployments – such as facades – are applied using the screen-printing technique. Depending on the application, the print format ranges from a few inches to several yards. One advantage of screen printing lies in the ability to vary the color application by using different grades of mesh fineness. This results in very thick paint layers – five to ten times thicker than other printing methods.
UV direct printing allows complex graphics and even photographs with fine color gradients to be printed onto meshes. Thanks to its structure and surface, the printed mesh is generally wind-permeable and robust in all climates regardless of the weave type.
Custom Weaves
GKD offers a standard collection of more than 50 distinct weave patterns that vary in transparency, visual weight, texture, mechanical properties and alloy. However, many of these weaves are the result of an original collaboration between an architect and our design team. To meet unique design objectives and specific installation requirements, we are often asked to develop custom patterns. With weaving capabilities at our facilities here in the US and in Germany, we apply our 100 years of weaving experience to provide architects and designers with the weave that will accurately and safely meet their aesthetic and performance requirements.
To discuss your ideas for a custom weave, contact our sales department at 410-221-8428, 410-221-8429, or at metalfabrics@gkdusa.com.
As your turnkey design and engineering consultants, we are here to assist you through the entire design-build process. Please tell us how to reach you and how we can assist.