By Steven Soderberg, Lorin Industries, Inc.
Lorin perforated anodized aluminum sheet and coil products are available in a range of perforation patterns and percentages of openness in order to meet the unique needs of architectural and construction projects. Lorin recently released a new perforation pattern, which falls into the circular collection and is Pattern # 119, with .188” round holes x .313” center on 60° staggered center.
This pattern falls between Lorin's # 111 pattern with .094” round holes, and Lorin’s #121 pattern with .121” holes. Lorin’s pattern numbers are numerical, with the higher the pattern number the larger the hole size. Lorin chose to offer a new pattern to meet the market demand, which chooses circular patterns as by far the most popular pattern. Perforated anodized aluminum is commonly used for aesthetic appeal, as well as functionality, including for facades on parking garages, or facades where ventilation and light are needed. A good example would be the Public Library in Austin, TX which used Lorin Perforated in ColorIn® Dark Antique Copper to achieve a beautiful look.
Lorin offers eight (8) other perforated patterns that are both circular and square and also offers custom patterns to meet the particular design requirements of designers and architects. Lorin also enables customers to select the percentage of openness for the perforated metal to further refine the product to each project’s unique needs.
Offered in a variety of colors and finishes, perforated anodized aluminum delivers functionality, superior durability, and excellent aesthetics. The cost-effective coil anodizing process, pioneered by Lorin, protects the aluminum while also improving its aesthetic properties and durability. Though other metals can be perforated, anodized aluminum is typically specified for the building construction industry because of its high strength-to-weight ratio, light weight, recyclability, corrosion resistance, and more. What’s more, unlike other sheets that are anodized then perforated, Lorin coil anodizes its aluminum sheets after they have been perforated. This is done to protect the inside edges of the perforations and to ensure that color is consistent throughout the entire perforated anodized sheet, including inside the holes.