With electricity costs rising at a seemingly endless rate, lighting manufacturers and architects have sought to design new buildings and structures to be as “green” as possible. This trend is not only better for the environment, but it saves businesses money when many are trimming budgets and looking for any way to lower costs.
Increasing numbers of architects and developers have begun installing perforated metal panels to manage lighting systems more effectively and to maintain a comfortable work temperature by controlling the amount of direct sunlight entering office buildings. These relatively simple steps have led to increased savings for new buildings and are beginning to be used when retrofitting existing structures.
Perforated metal panels or sheets are sections of metal (e.g. carbon steel, cold rolled steel, aluminum, and stainless steel) with holes punched through them in a uniform pattern and shape. For example, perforations can be ovals, triangles, rectangles, circles, or other custom shapes which account for a certain percentage of the total surface area. The sheets typically don’t exceed three quarters of an inch in thickness, and hole size can vary from two-hundredths of an inch to six inches. This amount of customization makes perforated metal panels a valuable resource for architects who require precise building materials.
Though perforated metal panels were originally fabricated for industrial uses, today there are many more applications for commercial and residential buildings, as well. A wealth of research has shown modern architects and designers how to install custom-made perforated panels in strategic locations to harness indoor light and manage incoming sunlight. Sunshades are used for the latter purpose and are affixed to the exterior of a building to reduce unwanted light and heat, lowering energy costs by limiting the need for air conditioning. Depending on the building’s geographical location and the angle at which the sun’s rays hit the building, sunshades may be installed as overhanging eaves or vertical panels.
Indoor light can also be harnessed using perforated metal panels as light covers. Certain metals and finishes on light covers reflect light in certain ways, and experienced perforated metal companies can advise architects and designers on the best options for balancing the lighting of a room. Perforated lighting covers allow for light to be diffused in a specific and efficient pattern, reducing the number of lights required and thus the building’s electricity usage.
Sunshades and lighting covers can easily be installed on or in existing buildings, also. Businesses and property owners across the country are taking advantage of tax incentives for retrofitting homes and buildings, and many have utilized perforated metal panels in the process.
If your business is trying to cut costs and tighten its belt, look into customized perforated metal panels for reducing electricity costs and energy consumption. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also be providing a comfortable working environment for employees.
Related posts:
