Unveiling an array of new patterns and an expansion of enhanced collections, GKD Metal Fabrics continues to set the pace as the most advanced technical weaving mill for metal fabrics in the United States and beyond.
One of the largest new product launches in the company’s recent history, the new weave patterns will provide architects and designers with countless options for interior and exterior product specification needs, from cost-effective aluminum and specialty interiors to facades and sunshading.
The collections and patterns are:
The Bronze Collection
GKD Metal Fabrics now offers its complete portfolio of rigid/PC metal fabric in a showstopping bronze. This material offers similar technical properties as stainless steel but creates a completely different aesthetic for commercial exteriors and interiors. With an option for clear coating, specifiers can choose to keep the warm bronze tone for years to come or allow the panels to achieve the natural patina indicative of the material.
Helix 36 Aluminum
Helix, a popular weave known for its dimensional appeal, flexibility and variance in open area, is now available in a more cost-effective aluminum material. This lighter-weight material is better suited for interior applications such as ceilings, partitions and wallcoverings where weight is a specification factor. Because aluminum is a lower price point than stainless steel, designers can ensure a tighter spec that meets both weight, cost and maintenance requirements. The aluminum is anodized so that the material offers high performance characteristics such as low-maintenance and durability with light commercial traffic.
Ellipse 52 Aluminum
Ellipse, a rigid weave pattern with tighter dimension and finer detail, is now available in a more cost-effective aluminum material. This lighter-weight material is better suited for framed interior applications such as railing infill, elevator cabs and other specialty interiors that may not require the extreme strength of steel. However, the aluminum is anodized so that the material offers high performance characteristics such as low-maintenance and durability from light commercial traffic. Because aluminum is a lower price point than stainless steel, designers can ensure a tighter spec that meets both weight, cost and maintenance requirements.
Choptank Choptank
Named for the Choptank River which surrounds GKD Metal Fabric’s headquarters on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, this new rigid metal fabric design offers a fresh take on a dimensional square weave pattern but with a smaller open area. When used an a sunshading material, this smaller open area controls the amount of natural light that can reach the interior of the building and therefore positively impact energy costs and building occupant comfort by limiting solar heat gain. GKD manufactures this and other high-quality woven metal fabrics using AISI Type 316 stainless steel.
Ripple
Originally designed as a custom weave for a multi-family project outside Washington DC, the new pattern is now part of GKD’s standard product offering. It provides visual variation through a diagonal repeating section of the weft wire accomplished by skipping a more closely positioned vertical wire. The resulting effect is that of a ripple across the surface of water. This rigid metal fabric is manufactured by GKD using AISI Type 316 stainless steel.
Tigris TC-3
This new pattern was originally developed as a custom weave for Brookline Place, a redevelopment project consisting of outdoor public spaces, medical offices and mixed retail. This enhanced stainless-steel product is a unique take on the original Tigris metal fabric which features a triplet of warp wires spaced along a straight weft. With Tigris TC-3, the same triplet is scaled up and woven along a crimped horizontal wire for added texture and visual interest. GKD manufactures this and other high-quality woven metal fabrics using AISI Type 316 stainless steel.