Boasting impressive durability and versatility, stainless steel mesh is a go-to for a range of DIY applications. Find answers to frequently asked questions about this endlessly useful material below.
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What is Stainless Steel Wire Mesh?
Stainless steel wire mesh is a type of woven metal. Known for its exceptional strength and long lifespan, the material is essential not only to various industries but also for a wide range of home applications.
It's created with wires of various sizes, ranging from 0.0008 inches to 0.047 inches in diameter. Beyond the standard mill finish, metal mesh can be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) or galvanized for extra resistance to heat and corrosion.
What's the Difference Between T-304 & T-316 Wire Mesh?
T-304 (type 304) stainless steel contains 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It's the most common alloy used to make wire mesh and is generally reliable, versatile, and resilient in most environments.
T-316 (type 316) stainless steel is a higher-grade metal alloy. It contains 10% nickel, 6% chromium, 2% molybdenum. Since T-316 wire mesh is a bit stronger and more resistant in extreme temperatures and harsh conditions, it's the pricier option. However, T-304 is suitable for most home applications.
How Do You Clean the Material?
Stainless steel wire mesh can be cleaned with warm water and mild soap, followed by a rinse with clean water. Depending on the weave, you may need to use a soft nylon-bristle brush to remove stubborn particles.
TWP Inc. offers ultrasonic cleaning as part of its expert wire mesh services. The method combines high-frequency sound waves with liquid to get rid of all dirt, debris, grease, and contaminants.
How is Steel Mesh Used for Winterizing a Home?
Wire mesh comes in handy for a variety of home winterization projects. You can use it to make gutter guards, a chimney cap, foundation vents, and soffit screens—to name just a few.
Can It Be Used for Fire Safety?
When it comes to fire safety, one of the main things people use metal mesh for is spark arrestors. The screens keep flammable debris away from embers and can contain flames within a chimney or fireplace.
Installing an indoor fireplace cover—along with the foundation vent, soffit, and gutter screens mentioned above—can also help prevent residential fires.
What Metal Mesh Products are Best for Pest Control?
Galvanized, welded, and poly-coated stainless steel are among the best wire mesh materials for pest control. Since they're notably strong and able to withstand severe weather conditions, these products work well for excluding various critters, including rodents, bats, raccoons, gophers, and snakes.
Can You Make Insect Screens Out of Stainless Mesh?
Insect screens can be made out of a few metal mesh materials. These include aluminum, copper, and multiple types of stainless steel.
Woven from super-fine steel wires, high-transparency mesh is a top choice for window and door screens. That said, professional installation is recommended to ensure a wrinkle-free finish.
What Mesh is Best for Gardening & Landscaping Projects?
While copper is a go-to for slug and snail control, stainless steel is the most widely used material in the garden. It can be fastened into fences, trellises, greenhouses, chicken coops, or benches. Some folks place it underneath the soil to keep moles, gophers, and other burrowers at bay.
To learn more about this do-it-all material, see our Guide to Stainless Steel Wire Mesh.
Contact Our Wire Mesh Suppliers
TWP. Inc was founded in the California Bay Area more than 50 years ago. As one of the top wire mesh suppliers worldwide, our woman-owned business carries a robust selection of woven, welded, galvanized, and poly-coated T-304 and T-316 stainless steel panels, sheets, and rolls.
Shop our inventory today, or contact us with questions.
To have your DIY projects featured in our gallery, post photos on Instagram using the hashtag #TWPWireMesh.
Stainless Steel Perforated Metal is a versatile product that has a wide variety of both interior and exterior uses. Learn more about the benefits and uses of this popular material and reasons to consider it for your next project!
McNICHOLS
Perforated stainless steel is a dynamic material that practically pays for itself over time. It excels in both high-end and industrial settings by bringing strength and style to many different settings.
Depending on your application and need, every specification matters. So, what are some of the most important considerations when you are looking at Stainless Steel Perforated Metal as an option?
In this blog, we share more about Stainless Steel Perforated Metal and why it may be the right choice for your business needs, regardless of your industry.
What is Perforated Metal?
The process of perforation often refers to cutting or punching small patterned holes into a material. While many people are familiar with perforated paper products, some would be surprised by how often perforated metal is part of our daily lives. It is becoming more popular to transform plain sheet metal into functional and eye-catching perforated metal due to its benefits and the relative ease of conversion technique.
Square Perforated Metal
What was once a rudimentary and uncertain practice has now become standardized and efficient. The current standard methods of making perforated metal are laser, rotary pinned, and, the most common method, punch press.
Several metal materials can be perforated, including:
Perforated metals also come in varying hole types, such as round hole, square hole, slotted, hexagonal, and decorative patterns.
When it comes to perforated metals, you can choose from many materials. However, there are several benefits to choosing a stainless steel option.
Stainless steel has a high strength-to-weight ratio, allowing reduced material thickness that yields considerable cost savings. Additionally, stainless steel contains elements that offer corrosion-resistant benefits, particularly to fire and heat, and liquids containing chlorides. Stainless steel comes in numerous grades that can form into Perforated Metal sheets. Here are some examples of the advantages when opting for Stainless steel material for projects requiring Perforated Metal.
Corrosion Resistance to Elements
Because stainless steel contains chemical elements like Chromium, Nickel and Molybdenum in its alloy, this material is a popular choice for applications, such as walkway gratings to security infill panels, due to its corrosion resistance. Stainless steel Type 316, specifically, demonstrates higher durability against corrosive elements, especially Chlorides found in seawater, pool water and de-icing salts. Note that stainless steel can become susceptible to corrosion if it’s cross-contaminated with carbon or plain steel, so, it’s a good idea to keep carbon steel far away from any stainless steel varieties.
It's Decorative
Stainless steel isn't just durable, it's also decorative!
For example, stainless steel has become an attractive option for home appliances and is often a top upgrade choice for cabinet inserts during new home builds or home renovations. Perforated metal sheets can add a unique look to any space, whether it’s indoor or outdoor or commercial or residential.
McNICHOLS® Stainless Steel Perforated Metal comes mill finish but can be polished or finished to have that shine you'd expect when you hear the words stainless steel.
Because stainless steel is so durable and resistant to corrosion, it will maintain its appearance for longer than other materials. Steel perforated metal sheets can also be customized in a variety of patterns and shapes to fit your design needs.
Privacy
Perforated panels create privacy without making people feel confined.
These distinct panels can divide workspaces without isolating the individual areas and allow for visibility and airflow. The panels will also absorb sound and echoes, keeping workspaces quieter.
Your employees or guests will appreciate the extra privacy without the feeling of being shut off from the rest of the area.
Noise Reduction
Perforated panels work to reduce noise by dispersing sound waves. This effect applies to indoor and outdoor spaces and can help keep areas quieter—likely appreciated by both guests and employees.
In some industrial settings, perforated metal is often used for wall or ceiling cladding to dampen or disperse sound, particularly for massive units like power generators.
Ventilation
Perforated panels can improve ventilation by improving airflow. They can be used as sun protection screens to increase shade.
Installation of these panels can save money on heating and cooling costs and other costs that you might incur when attempting to improve ventilation in your space.
End-Use Applications for Stainless Steel Perforated Metal
Perforated metal can serve multiple purposes across different industries such as agriculture, automotive, medical, industrial, food production, construction, chemical, HVAC, branding, retail, and appliances.
Products commonly made using perforated metals include:
Applications like the ones listed above could serve many different industries. If you have any questions about how our perforated stainless steel could be used in your industry, one of our customer service specialists would be happy to assist you.
Perforated Stainless Steel in Action
McNICHOLS is proud of how our products have been incorporated and specified into plans for our customers to create beautiful and efficient structures.
Our stainless steel perforated metal panels were added to a building’s façade by the city of Chandler, Arizona. City architects specified using our stainless steel perforated metal material to create “Turbulent Shade.”
The panels allowed Chandler City Hall architects to recreate elements of nature, provide shade for guests and employees, and reduce the amount of solar heat for the structure.
Another example of our perforated stainless steel panels in use can be found at The Creek Nation’s River Spirit Casino.
McNICHOLS stainless steel perforated metal was used to build the large metal sign that features the casino’s name, logo, and video screens. Residents and visitors of Tulsa, Oklahoma can see our sign from miles away.
These are just a couple of the ways our perforated metal panels have provided superior function and aesthetic value to our clients.
Are You Looking to Buy Stainless Steel Perforated Metal?
When you invest in perforated sheet metal, you want your investment to last. That is why we offer stainless steel perforated metal for a wide variety of projects. Stainless steel perforated metal will hold up over time while also providing aesthetic value.
To see what McNICHOLS® Perforated Metal can bring to your next project, we invite you to visit our main website. We carry a wide variety of Hole Products to meet your metal needs, from Perforated and Expanded Metals to Wire Mesh as well as Bar Grating, Plank Grating and Fiberglass Grating. If you would like more information on our Stainless Steel Perforated Metal, our Customer Service Specialists are ready and eager to serve you at 855.318.8791, sales@mcnichols.com, or via Live Chat!
For more information, please visit Stainless Steel Security Mesh.