With carefully chosen cladding, a facade, eaves, entrance or interior wall can take on a completely different character. Decorative sheet metal combines a wide range of looks with the freedom to shape different parts of a building. But when should you choose a panel, when QUADRO facade cladding and when individual slats?
When choosing cladding, we usually notice the colour and pattern first. For the final result, however, the profile shape, the layout of the elements, the fixing method and the place of installation matter just as much.
The difference between wider panels and individual slats is visible at first glance: panels create larger, calmer surfaces, while slats emphasise rhythm, depth and the play of light. An acoustic version can add better sound comfort to the decorative role.
A natural look with the design freedom of sheet metal
The MAREX DEKOR range includes decorative sheet metal with a variety of surfaces, including wood, concrete and corten looks. The material can be bent into round and angular shapes and formed into different profiles. With the right choice of material and execution, it is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
This opens up interesting design possibilities. A wood decor can visually soften a white rendered facade, a concrete look underlines a contemporary design, and a corten decor adds a warm accent of colour next to dark window frames.
There is no need to clad the whole building. It is often more effective to highlight the entrance, the wall by the terrace or the gable and let the chosen surface stand out.
DEKO PANEL – a decorative surface with an acoustic option
In the MAREX range, DEKO PANELS are decorative panels for indoor and outdoor use, available with or without felt. Their distinctive profile creates a lively surface that can be used in wall, ceiling and other cladding.
Ideas for interiors include a feature wall behind the TV, the backdrop to a reception desk, cladding for a dining nook or part of a meeting room. Instead of many decorative extras, a single well-placed surface can define the character of a room.
For acoustic applications, the build-up of the whole cladding needs to be checked as well as its appearance.
What does acoustic cladding actually mean?
Absorptive cladding helps reduce sound reflections and reverberation in a room. That is a different task from stopping sound from passing through a wall into the next room.
The effect depends on the complete build-up: the shape of the visible surface, the absorbent material, any gap from the substrate and the size of the clad area.
MAREX QUADRO – a clearly structured facade and architectural details
MAREX QUADRO is facade cladding with elements in various sizes and a choice of shadow joints. Besides facades, it is also designed for cladding eaves, underpass ceilings, parapets, gables and areas beneath a parapet, as well as for railing infills.
Its design potential lies mainly in the relationship between the panel surface and the joints between the elements. The joint becomes part of the look, so it should be planned together with the layout of windows, doors and corners.
Example: when renovating a house, the gable and the underside of the eaves can be visually linked with a matching decor. Two separate parts of the building then read as one coherent whole.
LAMELA KLIK – strong lines and concealed fixing
LAMELA KLIK is a system of individual slats mounted on brackets on a substructure. Concealed fixing gives a look with no visible screws on the front face.
A slatted design works best where you want to emphasise the direction and depth of a surface. As a starting point, vertical lines can be used to emphasise height and horizontal lines to tie together a longer surface.
Ideas for use include an accent beside the front door, a ceiling above a terrace or a feature wall in a reception area.
At the design stage it is worth planning edges, corners and any lighting early on.
How to choose the right solution?
Start from what the surface is for:
This overview helps with the first choice. The final decision also depends on the installation conditions and the technical solution.
- First, decide where it will be used. An interior wall, exterior eaves and a weather-exposed facade have different requirements. For outdoor use, the suitability of the whole system must be checked, including brackets and fixings. That is why manufacturers of exterior metal cladding provide system documentation with permitted spans and installation instructions.
- Plan the layout before ordering. Mark the start and end of the cladding, openings, corners and the run of the joints on a sketch. This lets you match the element sizes in good time and avoid awkward narrow end pieces.
- Check the decor on a sample. Look at the sample next to the facade, windows and doors and other materials. With wood decors, also check the direction of the grain and imagine how it will look on a larger surface.
- Consider the complete installation. When requesting a quote, include the substructure, brackets, fixings, trim profiles and installation as well as the cladding itself.
From a single accent to a coherent building
Good cladding connects with the architecture of the building. That might mean discreet eaves in a wood decor, an entrance highlighted with slats or a facade with precisely planned joints.
