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When it comes to optimising airflow and ventilation, choosing the right type of wire mesh is essential. Whether you need it for industrial ventilation, air filtration, HVAC systems, or architectural applications, different types of mesh provide varying levels of air permeability, strength, and efficiency.
At The Mesh Company, we supply high-quality expanded, woven, and perforated mesh, each offering unique advantages. This article explores how mesh type, structure, and material impact airflow, helping you decide which is the best choice for your needs.
Woven wire mesh is made by interlacing metal wires to create a flexible yet strong grid. The gaps between the wires, known as apertures, allow controlled airflow, making it an excellent option for filtration and ventilation applications.
Key Features of Woven Wire Mesh:
✔ Offers precise control over airflow with different weave densities
✔ Available in stainless steel, galvanised steel, brass, and aluminium
✔ Can be used for filtration, air vents, and protective screens
✔ More flexible than perforated or expanded mesh
✅ Example from The Mesh Company:
Expanded metal mesh is created by slitting and stretching a sheet of metal, forming diamond or hexagonal openings. Unlike woven mesh, it has no welds, making it stronger and more rigid.
Key Features of Expanded Metal Mesh:
✔ Offers strong structural integrity while allowing high airflow
✔ More rigid and durable than woven mesh
✔ Used in industrial ventilation, security screening, and machine guards
✔ Open area can vary depending on expansion size and metal thickness
✅ Example from The Mesh Company:
Perforated metal mesh consists of a solid metal sheet punched with holes in a uniform pattern. The hole size, shape, and spacing determine its ventilation efficiency.
Key Features of Perforated Metal Mesh:
✔ Controlled airflow based on hole design and pattern
✔ Available in round, square, and slotted hole patterns
✔ More aesthetically versatile than woven or expanded mesh
✔ Often used in architectural facades, HVAC systems, and decorative ventilation panels
✅ Example from The Mesh Company:
| Mesh Type | Airflow Performance | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Woven Wire Mesh | ✅✅✅ Precise & adjustable airflow | Air vents, HVAC filtration, insect screens |
| Expanded Metal Mesh | ✅✅ High airflow, but rigid | Machine guards, outdoor ventilation, security screening |
| Perforated Metal Mesh | ✅ Moderate airflow, adjustable hole size | Architectural facades, industrial exhaust systems |
Winner for Maximum Airflow: Woven wire mesh, as its aperture size can be fine-tuned for airflow control.
| Mesh Type | Durability | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Woven Wire Mesh | ✅ Flexible but less impact-resistant | Air filtration, insect screening |
| Expanded Metal Mesh | ✅✅✅ Very strong, no welds or joins | Industrial barriers, high-impact environments |
| Perforated Metal Mesh | ✅✅ Strong but depends on hole-to-metal ratio | Structural ventilation, architectural panels |
Winner for Strength: Expanded metal mesh, due to its continuous, unbroken structure.
| Mesh Type | Visual Appeal | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Woven Wire Mesh | ✅ Functional but industrial | HVAC covers, insect screens |
| Expanded Metal Mesh | ✅✅ Textured & modern | Security barriers, air intake screens |
| Perforated Metal Mesh | ✅✅✅ Highly customisable, sleek look | Decorative ventilation, architectural features |
Winner for Aesthetic Appeal: Perforated metal mesh, due to its wide range of hole shapes and patterns.
It depends on your needs!
At The Mesh Company, we offer a wide selection of expanded, woven, and perforated mesh to meet any ventilation requirement. Our expert team can help you select the perfect material for your project.
As always, thank you for checking out our blog. We hope that this helps you with your project. We try to launch a couple of new guides every week. Eventually we will have covered everything there is to cover about mesh.
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Our goal for our blogs and help guides is to answer as many questions as possible to help to explain the possibilities of mesh to our customers.
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