Expanded Metal as a Means to Save Energy
By Arturo Castillo,
Posted
04/01/2011
Case Study: Louver Mesh
as a Façade and for Privacy Screening in Green Buildings
Quite often during the materials planning stage of a
construction project, we find ourselves with the dilemma of which
materials we should utilize to best achieve the energy efficiency
goals of the project. The implementation of the LEED program,
together with the strategic location of the building and the proper
utilization of materials used to create it, ensure each and every
day that the construction projects that make up our urban footprint
respect in every way conceivable the principles of ecology and
energy savings.
Combining comfort with energy efficiency is one of the primary
concerns of modern architecture. To achieve this, the building
development team has to be conscious of the fact that energy
savings do not depend solely on the building's heating and air
conditioning systems. It is necessary to visualize the building as
a whole, as each of its parts influences energy consumption.
Of all these factors, one of the most important, when taking
into consideration its low cost in relation to its advantages, is
the color and the materials used for the façades and other elements
that cover a building. It has to do with an element that, besides
its esthetic importance, quite notably influences the energy
consumption that is incurred.
The lighter the surface
color, the less heat from the sun's energy is absorbed and later
re-radiated, contributing to the well known heat island effect. By
reducing the surface temperature of the material, solar heat gain
is reduced thereby lowering the energy consumption that a building
requires for cooling, even more so in warm or tropical
climates.
In combination with color selection, material choice can also
affect energy consumption. Expanded metal, made mostly from
recycled steel, aluminum, or other materials, is available in many
shapes and forms. A recent trend has been the use of these
materials in façades or sun screen panels. Having the strength and
durability characteristic to steel, expanded metal contributes to
reductions in energy consumption in institutional, commercial and
private buildings, due to its ability to block the sun's rays and
consequently achieve electricity savings, particularly when
complemented by building orientation and location.
Not all expanded metal
mesh designs consist of the typical diamond shape pattern. There
are processes and special tools that allow for the creation of
special function and decorative designs. Of particular interest to
metal architecture are the Louver Mesh type expanded metals that
combine esthetics, form and function. The simplicity of its form,
along with the privacy screening inherent to its design, makes it
very attractive for use in façades, pergolas, sun screens, and
railings, as well as making it a key element to physical security
barrier systems. Also, the recyclable nature of these materials
makes it completely reusable upon termination of its usable
lifecycle.
For the Docsa Corp., headquarters in Santa Catarina, Mexico
(Architects: Vidal Arquitectos), Louver Mesh was chosen to achieve
an esthetic cohesion with pre-existing materials and forms. The
Louver Mesh façade added to an existing structure that was
originally conventional in design and construction transforms it
into something "unique and different, pleasing to the eye and
integrated into its surroundings". According to the design team,
the use of Louver Mesh expanded metal "increases energy efficiency
and gives it a very original touch by implementing rectangular
sections with a light color, powder coated finish; this also
achieves a modern effect and the silver color of the finish
achieves a softening of the site by mixing the dark tones of the
concrete and handrails with the front panels". Further renovation
phases for this site include plans to incorporate matching Louver
Mesh expanded metal panels as security enhancements on the gates
and fencing along the property.
Louver Mesh style expanded metal was chosen for this project
because:
- It provides a significantly superior privacy and sun screen
than other available materials;
- As used here as a façade, it reduces the thermal impact on the
building and its resulting transmission of temperature to the
interior;
- The design of the mesh allows for the free passage of air
making it more comfortable around the installation.
- The inherent strength of the steel allows for a great degree of
impenetrability and the design of the mesh makes it difficult to
climb.