The finishes you decide to put on your project are the icing on the cake, it is the second skin and the most representative of the effort and months of work from the planning and foundation. This is the last phase of the project but it is one of the most memorable and important. At Astyl we want to help you find the perfect material to make your project stand out and have more than just aesthetic benefits, but technological ones.
The ideal metal to use depends a lot on the type of project you are working on. There are materials that by themselves look amazing and others that need to be customized to fit the project in the best possible way. Other important aspects to take into account is the place where the project is being developed, weather factors are essential to determine if the product requires any additional finish, patina or treatment.
Show Center project; design: Moyao Arquitectos, Astyl fabrication in anodized aluminum and Perforart technology.
Why metal?
Architectural metal solutions feature versatility in fabrication; they can be bent, punched, stamped, engraved and painted in almost unlimited finishes. They add a clean, modern look as well as accents or focal points to stand out. They allow you to create a unique look for the building and the cost savings over other materials can be quite attractive.
Metal is a solid material that adds a layer of security also known as a second skin to your projects, they are reliable as they are flammable, they withstand strong winds thanks to their fastening system so it is very safe in case of natural disasters or accidents.
Ritz Hotel project: design Abax architects, Astyl fabrication in Corten steel with Perforart technology.
Let’s talk about Corten Steel
Corten steel is a beautiful product by itself that does not require additional protective finishes such as paints, since it ages with such beauty and dignity that time is its best ally to become beautiful, it has maximum resistance to atmospheric corrosion. We must emphasize that it is a product that oxidizes naturally, if it is located in a coastal area where the environment is humid and there is enough salinity around, the steel is coated with this characteristic non-corrosive rust in a fast way. On the other hand, if the corten steel is used in a city where there is no contact with humidity such as in a coastal area, the natural oxidation process of the corten steel surface may take longer because it is not exposed to environmental factors that stimulate the creation of this layer, for this you have the option of adding a treatment to the steel to accelerate its oxidation and from the factory it comes out with this characteristic and beautiful appearance so you do not have to wait for time to do its job.
It should be noted that this oxide layer that naturally generates the corten steel gives the appearance of rust but that does not mean that the metal is affected, it never corrodes, it simply develops a protective layer with the appearance of rust, this red-orange color so iconic. Another advantage is the zero maintenance, this product does not require anything additional to look beautiful. Other products that are sometimes marketed to offer this type of finish is black steel, but this does corrode and is eventually destroyed even though it may initially take on an orange color, we do not work with or recommend it for exteriors. On the other hand, real corten steel can be used in exteriors and interiors without any problem.
Cendi Project: design Taller CO2 architecture. manufacture Astyl painted aluminum Corrugami technology Perforart.
About Aluminum and Galvanized Steel
Aluminum is lightweight and characterized by maximum corrosion resistance, making aluminum the most versatile and ideal material for interior and exterior architectural applications. Galvanized steel is also lightweight and highly resistant.
Thanks to its properties, both can be customized in different ways, with electrostatic painting and anodizing (in the case of aluminum), and can also be perforated with different technologies to create patterns, images or 3D effects. Its lightness also allows it to be manipulated in such a way that it can be molded with different types of corrugations to meet highly customized designs such as our Corrugami aluminum, galvanized steel and corten steel façades.
Source: Archdaily
Stainless steel
Stainless steel is a material of high durability and exceptional lightness, thanks to these characteristics the manufacture of architectural solutions with this material are easier to manufacture and install. Its great resistance gives us the tranquility of being a durable product if we compare it between its weight and resistance. It can be easily handled and is highly resistant to any natural disaster or accident. Its level of customization is high, it can be used for façades, solar control solutions and ceilings, and above all it can be customized with paints and patinas. It does not rust, as its name says, and does not lose its shape over time thanks to its high resistance.
Source: Google Images, Elzinc rainbow brown
Zinc
A lightweight, non-ferrous material is Zinc. This is an ideal solution for exteriors or facades that are exposed to extreme weather conditions, requires no maintenance, retains its natural color and is a very creative option for projects that seek to stand out iconic.
Zinc is a product that comes from the color shown and there are different versions:
Rainbow set of standard colors of the range (red, blue, green, black, gold and brown). The Zinc Alkimi which groups the range of pre-oxidized zinc in shades of gray. Zinc stands out for its beauty and maximum durability. These being the natural colors of this material do not require any additional treatment, paint or patina to ensure the life of the color of this product.
This product is highly durable, resistant, safe as it is non-flammable, non-corrosive and does not lose its shape regardless of environmental factors and can be customized with any of our perforation technologies.
Our architectural solutions can be manufactured in any of these metals, except for some technical exceptions, please do not hesitate to contact us for advice as each project is unique.
We remind you that working with metal is a highly sustainable option, they are low waste and can be recycled just like our panels when you want to replace them. Our products and processes are of low environmental impact, we are a proudly Mexican company and committed to the environment.
Author: Monica Pacheco Abbud
