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26| Graepels
Perforated Sunshades: An Exciting
Alternative or Addition to Windows
‘sealed’, such as; train stations,
bus stations, car parks and other
similar structures. The benefits of
lightweight, durability and ease of
installation can make perforated
metal an ideal solution/alternative.
In addition, perforated
sunshades, rain screens and
curtain walls, with large ‘open’
areas, not only allow light to
enter the building, but also
provide natural ventilation while
limiting the ingress of rain and
gusting winds as it acts as a highly
effective baffle, which reduces
wind speeds and turbulence.
Choosing perforated cladding
over glass has many advantages.
Olivier Janin, Secretary General of
Europerf, explains:
“The purpose of perforated
metal in Architecture is to
The Aveling Centre, Lloyd Park
has been designed to cater for
over one million visitors per year
providing new and improved
facilities. One of these facilities
includes a café for which Graepels
manufactured Picture-Perf PPC
aluminium panels.
The panels incorporated a
thistle leaf pattern and, while
aesthetically appealing, the primary
function of the Picture Perf panels
was practical - to act as sunshades.
The panels were hinged and hung
vertically enabling them to rotate
towards the direction of the sun
throughout the day thus allowing
the aesthetic and functional
aspects to work harmoniously
together.
Three individual Picture Perf
panels were fixed into each of
the three large galvanised steel
frames. The Picture Perf panels
act as a sunscreen, an active rain
screen and also have a security
element due to the strength of
the aluminium panels, discouraging
vandals without
appearing
defensive.
Perforated
metal can also
be a superior
alternative to glass.
The European
Perforation Industry
Body, Europerf,
highlighted that in
the case of some
buildings, it should
be considered as
a replacement
for glass, where
a building’s
exterior does not
need to be fully
provide Architects and Specifiers
with new solutions and ways of
thinking about how a building can
be designed.” “..Perforated Metal
has been used as the primary
external cladding which provides
a range of benefits over glass and
other materials, such as reduced
vandalism, ease of installation and
the ability to use the perforation
patterns to create additional
design interest.”
Reasons to consider
Picture Perf in conjunction
or as an alternative to
glass are as follows:-