Why specify architectural metal fabric over perforated metal screenwall?

Perforated metal screenwall is sheet metal (galvanized steel, aluminum, painted or unpainted) in which perforations have been stamped out of the metal, forming semi-translucent cladding material.  Occasionally, perforated metal is considered as a less costly substitute product to metal fabric, also known as architectural mesh, wire mesh or metal mesh.

While perforated metal may provide an initial material cost advantage, architectural metal fabric is often a better choice for long term exterior applications. For example, one major drawback of perforated metal is corrosion resistance. Galvanized sheet metal is left unprotected along the edge of each perforation, leaving these areas vulnerable to rust and corrosion. Because exterior architectural metal fabric is woven of stainless steel, corrosion resistance is of little or no concern.

Also, architectural metal fabric is available in widths up to 240” and in unlimited lengths. Perforated metal usually can not exceed 40” in width and is limited in length due to shipping restrictions.  As a result, perforated metal requires far more fabrication and attachment substructure than architectural metal fabric, which is usually installed across vast areas using tension attachment hardware.

Additionally, perforated metal screenwall lacks the unique texture of architectural metal mesh.  This is because metal fabric is actually woven like a fine fabric, while perforated metal screenwall is simply a sheet of metal that has been blanked out.  Depending on the application, architectural metal fabric may be a better choice than perforated metal.