The name “ornamental metal” is self-explanatory, but not all-encompassing. Certainly, the use of sheet metal for interior and exterior ornamental purposes aligns with the term, offering architects and designers decorative options for creating unique visuals or integrating new elements with established surroundings. Plus, given the versatility of metals typically selected for use, there is virtually no limit to the esthetic statement that can be achieved.

However, better appreciating and more fully realizing the potential of interior ornamental metal requires looking beyond what the eye can see. Beneath their pleasing esthetics exist functional capabilities that are not only considered nice options to have but, in many instances, are essential for helping a new construction or renovation project meet non-negotiable requirements, such as privacy, acoustical comfort, and sustainability.

Recognizing the growing expectations placed on ornamental metal, manufacturers have expanded their product lines and continue to introduce new offerings. This translates into an extensive array of finishes, colours, perforations, and patterns that can be further distinguished through options for laser cutting and stamping. It also means going far beyond what the typical consumer might consider ornamental accents, such as handrails, lighting fixtures, or doorknobs.

Today, ornamental metal applications can occupy a significant portion of an interior space through their use as ceiling and wall panels, column covers, and room dividers. Lastly, manufacturer portfolios offer solutions well-suited to various purposes, including corporate, health-care, retail, hospitality, education, and transportation sectors.

As a result of this increased manufacturer awareness and response—coupled with the growing demand for ornamental metal to be more than esthetically pleasing—the industry faces more requirements and a wider range of product choices than ever before. Fostering a basic understanding of ornamental metals and manufacturing options supports a clear path to integrating ornamental metal into a functional, highly distinctive space. This article outlines key considerations for architects and designers to optimize the numerous opportunities offered by ornamental metal, with a primary focus on interior applications, including ceilings, walls, column covers, and room dividers.

Visual design trends

The industry is witnessing several trends that offer strong indications they are here to stay. Many of these ornamental metal trends stem from a desire to bring the outside inside—that is, biophilic design and overall experiences that connect occupants with nature. With nature-inspired designs becoming increasingly prevalent, manufacturers are seeing increased demand for ornamental metal designs that foster a more relaxing, calming, and grounded atmosphere.
For example:

• Colours include options such as matte black, champagne gold, moss green, and earth tones
• Finishes feature textures such as hammered, brushed, and wood looks
• Pairings allow designers to co-ordinate a colour choice and a grain pattern for distinctive looks.
• Digital printing fuses metal grain, colour, and art in a multilayered effect that creates unique imagery ranging from bold graphic designs to natural patterns
• Backlighting offers soft LED options
• Laser-cutting produces organic patterns that convey movement and avoid repetitiveness

However, serenity and nature are not always the right fit for a space. Retail, event spaces, and certain corporate areas, for example, require a higher level of energy. Ornamental metal trends in these types of applications include punching in brighter colours, integration into bold, branded signature spaces, and the playful use of LED backlighting that changes colours to suit the time of day, set a desired mood, or enhance occupant activity.

Although trends should never fully dictate ornamental metal selection and use, they can offer a strong starting direction that can then be shaped to meet a highly unique design vision. Manufacturer sales representatives are a great source for insights into what is trending, why, and where.

Occupant expectations

While visual design trends certainly contribute to an occupant’s overall experience, ornamental metal can also help ensure a space meets the expectations of those who use it. For example, in office, health-care, legal, and educational environments, individualized spaces and acoustics are key. Ornamental metal dividers can create spaces for small-group discussions or support individual productivity while offering design versatility to carry a brand, culture, or statement.

Used in walls, ceilings, and column covers, ornamental metal can also support better acoustics. Dividers can prevent sound from travelling between spaces, perforation patterns can be punched into the metal to allow sound to pass through, and acoustic backing or substrate can be applied to support sound absorption.

Other important considerations to support occupant expectations are sustainability and safety. Today, employees, customers, clients, and facility owners expect—if not require—spaces to support strategies that protect the environment. Aluminum is one of the most sustainable materials in the world, is infinitely recyclable, and can be easily reused. It is also a highly versatile, durable material for ornamental metal applications, and may contribute toward LEED credits. In terms of safety, aluminum and other common ornamental metal materials, such as steel, typically qualify for a Class A fire rating and meet other building codes and standards.

A guide to metal ceiling design

Metal ceiling panels begin with a base material—the most popular being steel and aluminum—that enters the manufacturing process as either coil stock or sheet stock. Typically, this stock is not perforated. Perforations can be added during the process to provide acoustical benefits.

During this step, the metal stock is fed into a machine that stamps perforations of a given size, shape, and pattern into the metal, then trims the panel to length. As the perforation process imparts “memory” (dents) into the metal, it is important to level the panels. This flattening process also mitigates the tendency of metal to bend or curl when it is perforated or cut.

After panels are perforated, formed, and sized, a finish is applied. The most common application options are:

• Baked polyester—This is applied directly to the base metal without a primer and provides a hard, corrosion-resistant finish that is typically glossy and offers strong colour retention
• Powder coating—Providing a very even finish without runs, brush strokes, or spray patterns, powder coating is highly durable, offers a wide range of colour options, and provides long-lasting corrosion resistance
• Dye sublimation—Used to create high-quality, long-lasting prints on various metal substrates. Heat and pressure are used to transfer images onto metal ceiling panels

A coating provides the base metal with a protective barrier against corrosive elements, such as moisture. A thorough coating prevents steel from rusting and aluminum from pitting, then rusting. If the perforations expose the base metal, it means the stock was pre-painted, making it susceptible to corrosion.

The last step in manufacturing is packaging panels with required accessories, such as gasketing material and acoustical fleece.

With advances in customization, virtually any design vision can be accommodated. It is important to consider how design choices impact cost and schedule. Handwork and colour specialization, for example, typically have higher costs and longer lead times.

Attributes of metal ceilings

Be sure to consider the attributes of metal ceilings when making design decisions.

The average lifespan of a metal ceiling is 20 to 30 years.
A metal ceiling’s durability is determined by the type of metal, thickness, perforations, edge detail, and panel construction. In addition to aluminum and steel, metal ceiling panels can be manufactured from galvanized steel, wire mesh, expanded metal, tin, composite materials, and more—all with their own set of advantages and disadvantages.

Finish options

• Brushed or natural finishes leave some base metal exposed or etched, making it more vulnerable to corrosion
• Faux wood looks are usually printed on vinyl laminate applied to the base metal. Higher quality laminate will last longer without degrading into layers
• Powder-coat wood looks are images applied directly to the base metal
• Mirror finishes provide a highly reflective effect

Specifying a metal ceiling design may seem daunting, but getting started comes down to three basic steps. First, consider the importance of design intent, budget, and timeline. Second, define and prioritize performance needs, such as acoustics and accessibility. Lastly, involve manufacturing representatives early and work closely with them throughout the process. These experts provide important insights into costs and lead times and help explore all the options needed to find the right balance between aesthetics and performance.

Functionality

When selecting an ornamental metal, it is important to consider several functional attributes. Key considerations include:

• Synergy—In what ways should the ornamental metal align with other design and architectural elements within and outside of the space? Many options allow new ornamental metal components to integrate seamlessly with everything from centuries-old window and door frames to cutting-edge wall treatments.
• Statement—Does the space need to “wow” clients, draw in new customers, assert a strong corporate brand, or convey quiet and compassionate care? Ornamental metal choices can, and should, support whatever the statement requires.
• Durability—What type of wear, tear, and exposure will the ornamental metal components be subjected to? The choice of materials, design, and installation should account for factors such as the amount of traffic that flows through the space and how often and rigorously it needs to be cleaned. Ornamental metal materials, such as aluminum and steel, offer exceptional durability and can be protected with topcoats that help resist scratches, chipping, fading, scuffing, and other environmental damage.
• The “cover up”—Ornamental metal offers a visually pleasing way to conceal unsightly necessities such as wiring, structural columns, and ductwork.
• Accessibility—Torsion springs, snap-in, hook-on, and demountable edge ceiling systems are common accessibility options in metal ceiling systems, allowing easy plenum access, often without the need for tools.
• Installation—Many ornamental metal solutions are prefabricated and have pre-applied finishes to reduce complexity on the job. Lightweight options such as aluminum can save time and labour, as can manufacturer applications that, for example, provide easy-to-peel protective film. Also consider integrated suspension assemblies that are tested for MEP components, such as lighting, sprinklers, and HVAC systems.

Custom or standard

Traditionally, standard options for a project’s design have been associated with meeting budgets and timelines, while custom options prioritize highly elevated design visions over cost and timing. Currently, manufacturers are paying attention to trends and working to create standard options that meet demand. This results in a vast array of standard ornamental metal choices, allowing architects and designers to meet their design intent and the project’s functional requirements while achieving a degree of distinction that makes it unique.

When designing a highly elevated space, it is best practice for architects to communicate with manufacturers to source materials that align most closely with their vision. This can lead to standard ornamental metal options that not only complement the design intent but also elevate it or add an element not previously considered. Taking this step could unexpectedly save time and money. Likewise, it is essential to recognize that a tight budget or timeline does not always necessitate limiting design options. Designers can meet cost and time criteria with ornamental metal options that look customized but are, in fact, available as standard options.

Conclusion

Ornamental metal used for interior projects carries a significant responsibility. The results must be visually appealing, distinguish the space, meet required codes and standards, and make a statement. Choices must also support sustainability goals, stand the test of time, be resilient and resistant to impacts, seamlessly align with surrounding architecture, and meet indoor environmental requirements for occupant comfort, wellbeing, and productivity. Increasingly, each of these needs is met in various types of buildings. Moreover, even though ornamental metal options largely reflect current trends, the visuals they create remain timeless. For the foreseeable future, the use of ornamental metal designs—with diverse patterns, finishes, shapes, and sizes—will remain both relevant and crucial to a space’s function, esthetics, and overall experience.

Author

Andrew Lake, senior product manager of interior metals at Armstrong World Industries, has been an integral part of the Armstrong team for more than two decades. His success in early roles, including plant fabrication supervisor and manufacturing team manager at the Armstrong Marietta plant and Macon facility, respectively, demonstrated strong leadership, relationship-building, strategic-thinking, and problem-solving skills. He has fulfilled responsibilities ranging from architectural and contracting sales manager to recycling infrastructure process specialist and integration marketing sales manager. Most recently, Lake served as director of new product development before taking on his current responsibility for growing the Armstrong interior metals business. He also spearheads collaborations with Armstrong’s subsidiary, Móz Designs, to integrate capabilities and innovate solutions responsive to industry trends. Lake received his bachelor’s degree from West Virginia University.