Surfaces on Aluminum

Large Format Decorative Metal

The Surfaces on Aluminum Blog focuses on finishes used primarily for decorative trim and product identification.  However, we also support metal finishes for the architectural industry.  The ceiling tiles and large format wall finishes we manufacture are sold through Gage architectural products.  Recently, we have had interest in many of these finishes in other industries.  The detailed finishes also have potential application for large appliances.  This is one example of the cross-over that we see so often.  A process or product that is developed for one industry finds an application on another unrelated product.

Request samples of large format metal finishes to begin exploring some of the options available to you.

Architectural Metal Surfaces

 view larger image

Our design studio recently hosted a group of visitors from the architectural industry.  We spent time reviewing mood boards and finishes from our pattern library.  It is always interesting to hear reactions our wide variety of aluminum finishes and discuss their potential application.  Much of our discussion focused on textures and surfaces for metal wall coverings, column covers, elevator cab panels and ceiling tiles.  One focus of our discussion was the popularity of tattoo designs or large scale graphics flowing subtly across metal.  We've seen interest in this trend in large appliances, automotive trim and laptop covers.  This photo shows a tattoo design applied to metal elevator doors.  The potential with this approach is limited only by your imagination.  Options include custom graphics in your design (modern, elegant, classic or bold).  The surfaces can be translated in bronze, brass and copper finishes or bold transparent tints of color.

Northern Engraving manufactures solid metal laminates for Gage Architectural Products.  The large format metal surfaces are available in solid aluminum or stainless steel with thicknesses ranging from .025" (.60 mm) to .124 " (3 mm).  Request finish samples to begin exploring the possibilities available to you in surface design.

What other applications come to mind for metal laminates?  What other finishes would you like to see in large format?  Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Metal Ceiling Panels

Custom ceiling tiles are a versatile option for creating high impact designs to enhance your space.  The designs utilize standard processes used in the manufacturing of automotive trim and nameplates.  Options range from the diverse offering of finishes in our pattern library to custom designed tiles.  Brushing, printing and mechanical finishes combine to create bold designs or subtle statements.  The richness and depth of aluminum ceiling tiles enhances office spaces, casinos, hotel lobbies, institutional settings and restaurant/bar areas.

This article covers aluminum ceiling tiles manufactured and designed for Gage Architectural Products.  The finishes can be customized in color, scale and process to meet your design intent. 

Ceiling Tile Design Options

1. Brushed Aluminum - overall or selective
2. Mechanical Finishes - engine stripe or organic
3. Woodgrain - burl or straight grain
4. Marble - overall or inlaid
5. Patinaed - brass, bronze, steel or copper
6. Custom - bold or elegant
7. Perforated - rectangles, circles or squares

Brushed Aluminum Ceiling Tiles

The design possibilities available to you when combining bright aluminum with a horizontal and vertical brush are endless.  Mitered corners create coffered effects.  Transparent tints of color are printed creating mixed metal looks.

Mechanical Finishes on Aluminum Ceiling Tiles

Mechanical finishes emphasize the metal surface adding depth and dimension to the tile.  Directional and non-directional patterning catches and reflects light.  Whether refined linear designs created with the engine stripe process or the hand crafted look of organic structures takes, all can be customized in subtle or vivid color. 

Woodgrain Ceiling Tiles

High resolution printing is used to reproduce exotic woodgrains, burls and straight grains on aluminum.  Woodgrain ceiling panels combine multiple woodgrains to create inlaid looks.  Coffered designs add dimension to the tiles.

Marble Ceiling Tiles

Process color is used to capture the detail and subtle color in marble and granite tiles.  Inlaid effects are created when combined with bright aluminum and woodgrain.

Patinaed Metal Ceiling Tiles

Distressed and aged metal surfaces add hand crafted warmth to spaces.  Surfaces range from gunmetal greys and mixed metal designs to antiqued brass and copper finishes.

Custom Ceiling Tiles

The photos above really say it all.  If you can imagine it, we can create it on aluminum.  Mix and match.  Make it your own.  Combine finishes or create custom graphics.

Perforated Ceiling Tiles

Now that you've explored the options in decorating aluminum panels, consider adding a perforation.  Round, square or rectangle.

Request aluminum finish samples to begin exploring the options available to you in surface design.

Thinking Big

A new series of decorative aluminum and steel surfaces created for Gage Corporation explores linear structures on metal.  This exploration includes traditional pinstripes and organic linear finishes.

Inspiration

This finish, from the Northern Engraving pattern library, was the inspiration for one of the new metal finishes.  Finishes in the library can be customized in color, scale and process to create a custom surface for decorative trim or to be integrated into nameplates.  The result can be a subtle change or completely new look. 

Twist | Metal Finish

Increasing the size of the aluminum finish results in an eye-catching dramatic surface for architectural surfaces such as walls, elevators and column covers.  The contemporary metal finish is bold and futuristic.  The large scale graphic elements give the metal a new life.  The exaggerated surface features printed metallics held together with an authentic metal background finish.

Trends

Ability to apply decorative finishes to large format aluminum and steel opens the possibilities for application not only in architectural settings but in consumer products.  Large appliances are starting to explore refreshing options in color and more recently in pattern. 

What innovative applications for large format metal would you suggest?

Faux Marble and Stone on Metal

Marble finishes are translated on to aluminum using four color process printing.  Process color has been widely used in our aluminum ceiling tile designs manufactured for Gage Corporation.  Aluminum is desirable in architectural applications, creating the look of marble and granite on a lightweight and sustainable substrate.  Aluminum is decorated in flat sheets and formed, creating realistic dimension seen in marble tiles. 

This marble finish uses a combination of opaque and transparent inks creating reflective details in the stone finish.

Process color is a versatile option in metal decorating, facilitating realistic reproduction of natural surfaces.  Marble, stone and granite surfaces can be printed overall or applied selectively for an inlaid effect.  Metal borders or woodgrain finishes combine with marble finishes creating classic ceiling tile designs.

What applications come to mind for faux surfaces printed on metal?  What marble finish would you like to see reproduced on metal?

Large Format Decorative Metal

Providing unique metal surfaces for the architectural industry and design community is the focus of Gage architectural products.  Gage continuously works with Northern Engraving developing innovative ceiling and wall finishes on aluminum and steel.

Engine Striped Metal

The latest collaboration utilized Northern Engraving's large format metal decoration to introduce a new series of architectural metal designs for walls, elevators and column covers.  The aluminum and stainless steel finishes build on the popular engine stripe finish.

The inspiration for this series of metal surfaces is the wide interest in linear finishes.  The linear structures are layered on the mechanical finish with a traditional screen printing process.  The result is a unique look in large format decorative metal.  The example shown here uses a traditional pinstripe combined with the linear engine stripe finish.  The finish has depth and movement.  The contrast of high gloss and low gloss surfaces within the finish adds further detail.

The idea takes on a little bit more of an organic look when the width and spacing of the lines is varied.  The vertical engine stripe complements the random linear finish.

Options in Large Format Metal Decoration

Ability to change the printed color changes the overall look of the finish.  Popular bronze and copper metal finishes are created using these processes.  This copper finish has gained interest among customers even before the official introduction of the series.

A mixed metal look can be achieved when the natural color of aluminum or steel is combined with a printed champagne gold, copper or bronze.

This series of linear finishes illustrates a small portion of the possibilities available to you on large format decorative aluminum and steel.  What other finishes would you like to see on large format metal?  How would you use the metal surfaces?  What applications do you see for this material beyond architectural products?  Appliance?  Tell us what you think.

Decorative Metal Ceilings

Aluminum ceiling tiles combine mechanical finishes, printing, coating and forming providing an unlimited pallet of unique patterns, textures and color.  Collaboration behind a custom tile often begins with a concept drawing.  The custom aluminum tile shown here was developed to be an interlocking finish creating a design flowing across the tiles.  Our library of aluminum finishes includes many patterns which are created off of a base element which is repeated.  The aluminum ceiling tiles are a larger version of this process.  Concept drawings explore options in scale, color and overall design prior to committing to prototypes.

The dramatic ceiling manufactured for Gage Corporationfor Foxwoods Casino Resort uses one aluminum ceiling panel to create the interlocking pattern.  It takes advantage of the reflective metal using transparent gold for a shimmering opulent ceiling.

We are surrounded by patterns.  Have you ever stepped back to look for the repeat in a pattern?  What is the base element that makes up the design?  Complicated and intricate designs are often made of the most basic shapes.

What ideas do you have for creating a pattern, large or small, based on a single element?  What processes would you use to translate the pattern to metal?

Metal Ceiling Tiles

The popular art deco theme on metal is translated on to aluminum ceiling tiles designed and manufactured by Northern Engraving and available through Gage corporation.  Elegant and stylish mathematical geometric designs come to life when combined with mechanical finishes and printing on aluminum.

Two direction brush and texture are the only processes used in the creation of this art deco design.  The brush is applied selectively using a screen printed mask to protect the areas of metal that are not brushed.  Bright aluminum boarders are used to outline the simple linear elements of the design.

The same process are used on this metal tile with the addition of a printed transparent gold tint.  The gold tint takes on the appearance of several colors as it overlaps multiple brush directions and bright aluminum.  The silver and gold finishes combine to create a mixed metal effect.

This tile also builds on the processes featured in the two previous art deco tiles.  The major difference in this tile is the addition of gradations of color.  The tiles interlock to create an opulent art deco motif.

The basic processes of selective brushing and printing transparent tints are the building blocks in decorating aluminum.  They can be used to create modern, Victorian or art deco designs.  The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.

What designs springs to mind when thinking about combining brushed aluminum and transparent tints of color?  What other art deco themes would you like to see on a metal ceiling tile?  Can you see art deco themes integrated into product trim?