10 Tips for Purchasing Perforated Metal - Marco Specialty Steel

Author: Melody Liu

Sep. 08, 2025

Agriculture

10 Tips for Purchasing Perforated Metal - Marco Specialty Steel

10 Tips for Purchasing Perforated Metal

When buying perforated material, there are countless varieties of hole sizes, shapes, materials and gauges to specify which can affect the production process, quality, cost and lead-time of the finished product.

Jiaohao Wire Mesh are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.

Follow these 10 tips to purchase the right perforated product for your individual application:

  1. Material – Choose the proper material, thickness and finish that satisfies the challenges of the application’s environment. Corrosion resistance, EMI shielding requirements and appearance may be some considerations.
  2. Hole shape – There are many hole shapes, but round holes in general are most common, especially arranged in a 60° triangular pattern.
  3. Hole patterns – Patterns can affect strength, performance, aesthetics and safety. When staggered, direction of the stagger will normally be the short dimension of the sheet. Straight row of hole is normally parallel to long dimension of sheet.
  4. Hole size – Industry standards recommend not making the hole diameter smaller than the material thickness. If you require a smaller hole, contact us to discuss your needs.
  5. Perforating methods – Punching on a perforated press, CNC punch press and laser cutting are conventional methods. Punching on a perforating press is the most cost effective and provides a wide range of options. Laser cutting is ideal for small jobs or unique patterns.
  6. Open areas – Perforated patterns produce open areas from 2% to 80%. If possible, stay under 70% as extreme open areas can increase distortion in the material.
  7. Margins – Reduce distortion by keeping side margins to a minimum. Use the standard, minimal side margins with no end margins when possible. If required, end margins can accommodate either finished or unfinished end patterns.
  8. Flatness – Most requirements, perforated sheets or plates can be furnished to AISI flatness tolerances. In some cases like special alloys, or sheets with extra wide margins, call your Marco sales associate.
  9. Blank areas – Your required pattern will dictate the size of the blank and perforated areas. Always discuss any flatness requirements with your Marco specialist.
  10. Burrs – Accept normal commercial burrs. If your burr tolerance exceeds standard tolerances, discuss your needs with your Marco sales associate.

Contact Marco for Your Next Perforated Metal Project

Contact us today so our reliable and friendly sales associates can help determine the best perforated metal for your project. We fabricate perforated metal and all our products.

Feel free to download or print the tip sheet below, or see our other handy resources section for more information and downloads.


Perforated Metal Panels: Pros, Cons, And Uses

Perforated metal panels is a popular choice by both contractors and homeowners for its unique style and wide variety of uses. 

At Western States Metal Roofing, we offer perforated products including perforated metal panels, perforated coil, and perforated flat sheets in addition to our large selection of non-perforated metal roofing and siding panels.

This article goes over what perforated metal can be used for as well as considerations to make before you decide whether or not perforated metal is right for your project.

Perforated metal coil

What Are Perforated Metal Panels?

Perforated metal panels are steel panels that consist of a pattern of small holes or shapes throughout the surface. These openings have a mesh like appearance that have several benefits including allowing airflow and light to pass through while also creating an eye-catching aesthetic appeal. Perforated metal panels are just as popular for their appearance as they are for their function.

Corrugated Perforated Metal Panel

How Are Perforated Metal Panels Made?

The process begins with a metal coil that is turned into flat sheets. From there, the sheet metal is mechanically stamped or laser cut to create the desired patterns or hole shape in the steel.

Perforated Metal Panel Specifications

Each perforated panel will specify: 

  • The perforated pattern
  • Hole size
  • Staggered pattern (amount of space between each hole)
  • The open area

Perforated pattern

The open area is a percentage that represents how much of the metal has been removed, or how much of the panel is “open”. 

For example, if a panel has a .127 size holes and the stagger is 7/32", then the open area is 30.5 %, meaning that roughly 70% of the metal panel remains after the perforations have been made in the panel.

What Are Perforated Metal Panels Used For?

Perforated metal panels have many uses including:

  • Roof coverings for patios or shade structures
  • Soundproofing/ acoustic wall panels
  • Windscreens 
  • Fences
  • Ceilings 
  • Interior design accents
  • Building cladding
  • Partitions
  • Stair treads
  • Metal screens
  • Signage
  • Filters

We discuss some of the more popular uses in greater detail below for both exterior perforated metal panels and interior perforated metal panels. 

Perforated Metal Fence

A perforated metal fence has a unique style that does not give total privacy, but rather allows for some airflow and sunlight while still serving as a barrier. It’s common to see perforated metal fences used for wind screens, equipment screens, parks, sports complexes, and other outdoor commercial areas.

Perforated Metal Roofing 

It seems funny that you would use a metal roofing panel with holes, but it makes sense in certain situations. Normally, perforated roofing panels are used in a canopy application in which weather tightness is not an issue. The perforated canopy will provide both shade and airflow. In addition, it looks great.

Perforated Metal Ceiling 

Using perforated metal on a ceiling not only creates visual interest, but it also serves an important purpose when it comes to sound. Perforations in ceiling panels actually help reduce noise by absorbing the sound in a room. It’s more common to see perforated metal ceilings in public areas where there is more heavy foot traffic and noise as opposed to inside of private residences.

Perforated Metal Facade

Perforated metal facade is decorative architectural cladding that serves a large variety of uses.

Perforated Corten AZP Raw Facade

Incorporating perforated metal onto a commercial building can: 

Are you interested in learning more about black perforated metal panels? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Related links:
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Fiber Laser Cutting ...
  • Allow natural sunlight in
  • Reduce noise
  • Enhance curb appeal
  • Create more privacy
  • Increase design options for architects

Perforated Metal Guardrail


The Benefits of Using Power Tools Supplier
What is Induction Heating Solutions and Why Do We Use Them?

Photo credit: DeMax

A perforated metal guardrail or railing system is a unique and attractive alternative to more conventional railings. Perforated railings create an illusion of a space being more open since you are able to see through the material. 

Pros Of Perforated Metal Panels

  • Design And Aesthetic Appeal
  • Enhances Energy Efficiency 
  • Soundproofing
  • Exceptional strength
  • Lightweight

Design And Aesthetic Appeal

Whether you’re using perforated aluminum, steel, copper, or zinc, metal with perforations has an eye-catching and unique aesthetic that fits with almost all design styles. People love to use decorative perforated metal in their projects because of how it enhances the visual appeal of the space where it's being installed. It’s a versatile product that has a seemingly endless amount of ways it can be used.

Enhances Energy Efficiency 

Perforated metal helps regulate temperatures which in turn makes your cooling systems not have to work as hard. It deflects heat build up while also allowing for ventilation and the admittance of natural sunlight. 

Soundproofing

Perforated metal helps diffuse sound. When used along a ceiling, it helps reduce echoes. 

Strength And Durability

The structural strength of perforated sheet metal is greater than many other building materials. It has an inherent strength that provides great durability and resistance to the elements when used in exterior applications.

Perforated Metal Is A Lightweight Material

Metal panels are already known for being lightweight. Now remove 10-40% of that panel, and you have perforated metal. Since the hole patterns remove some of the metal, it makes the perforated panels even lighter than non-perforated panels which makes them easier to transport and install.

Cons Of Perforated Metal Panels

  • Perforated Metal Panels Are Hard To Find For Smaller Projects
  • Higher Cost

Perforated Metal Panels Are Hard To Find For Smaller Projects

Perforated panels and perforated sheet metal are much easier to find for larger projects which are generally those that are 5,000- 10,000 pounds or greater. 

For a smaller project, or a project that is less than 5,000 pounds, ordering perforated panels is too expensive to justify for a smaller job. You will have to find a manufacturer or supplier that keeps perforated panels in stock which can be difficult. On top of that, you will be limited in the colors you have to choose from for a small project.

At Western States Metal Roofing, we can make any panel or color we sell perforated for larger jobs. However, we also keep the following perforated metal in stock and available for smaller projects:

Perforated Metal Panel

Gauge (Thickness)


Galvalume®

20 Gauge, 24 Gauge

Painted Polar White

24 Gauge

A606-4 (Aka Corten)

22 Gauge

Painted Corten AZP Raw

24 Gauge

Perforated Metal Panel Cost Is Higher Than Standard Metal Panels

Perforated metal comes at a premium price point compared to other types of metal panels. The cost of perforated metal panels can range anywhere from 50% higher to double the amount of non-perforated metal panels.

Request A Quote For Perforated Metal Sheet Or Perforated Metal Panels

Using perforated metal in your construction projects brings a variety of functional and aesthetic benefits, making it one of the most popular and unique metal products on the market today.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website galvanised palisade fencing.

11

0

Comments

Please Join Us to post.

0/2000

All Comments ( 0 )

Guest Posts

If you are interested in sending in a Guest Blogger Submission,welcome to write for us!

Your Name: (required)

Your Email: (required)

Subject:

Your Message: (required)