A few weeks ago we were at the South Dakota AIA Conference trade show, our corrugated panels laid out like a rainbow of beautiful and colorful prints and finishes attracting the eye of architects from all over the state. Their fingers would follow the ripples of color from Brimstone to Rustic Copper to Jade Stone. Finally they would look up at us and say, “Wow, I never thought you could use metal for interior.” Behind their eyes you could see their projects flashing by with modern rustic metal in place of boring grey walls.
There are endless applications for metal panels to make a statement inside homes and businesses with relative ease. Installing metal as a DIY project can be less complicated than you think and can provide a beautiful and functional lift for your home.
“But, Bridger Steel, how can I possibly use this this traditionally exterior metal to stand out from all the other homes?” you ask. Here are three examples of entry level projects that will give your home or business a unique “wow-factor”
Corrugated galvanized metal panels make this DIY bar lthe perfect spot for watching the game.
Choose a finish that fits the mood of your home or business. Corrugated Truten™ A606 panels rusted to your preference and coated with a clear polyurethane are perfect for rustic farmhouses. A room with a more modern or sophisticated look would benefit from the style of Ultra Batten panels. Specialty Prints create a unique and eye-catching focal point while Galvanized metal will complement a modern decor.
Above: an Ultra Batten bar works perfectly in this elegant wine bar. Left: Rusted Truten™ A606 pannels look beautiful with wood trim. Right: Gold Mine print adds wow factor to this reception desk.
WAINSCOT
If you are looking for something different than stark grey walls, seeking a way to dress up a small area like an entry, or want to break up tall, mono-color walls a metal wainscot is a beautiful and easy option. Using a metal wainscot can add texture and elegance or protect your walls from rough and tumble activities.
A Truten™ A606 wainscot will give a room the perfect rustic look. Truten A606 can be rusted for any look.
For a mud room or a child’s play room choose Corrugated Galvanized to protect against holes from excited play and for easy cleaning if mud or dirt from shoes rubs against the panels. For a stand out look in a home or business, pick a bold paint and run the corrugation diagonally. In small bathrooms a clean Ultra Batten panel in muted tones will add elegance without too much fuss.
Above: Corrugated wainscot run diagonally brings an interesting look to this distillery. Left: Corrugated Galvanized panels help keep this mud room clean. Right: Ultra Batten wall panels look sleek in this small bathroom.
MAN CAVE/SHE SHED
Make your workshop bright, easy to clean and hard to punch holes in with metal panels. Choose reflective colors like white or or bare galvanized panels which reflect light onto your projects and work station, making it easy to see what you’re doing. Metal panels are also easy to hose down when they get dirty from welding, working on equipment, or messy crafting projects.
Metal panels make a fun work space look sharp and bright.
For a no-nonsense look that can hold up to plenty of abuse choose white 3’ Tuf Rib panels. They won’t dent easily and they keep your space bright and open. If you like the Industrial look go with Corrugated Galvanizedon the walls or ceiling. 3’ Platte River panels are cost effective for covering large spaces and the variety of colors they come in provide endless options for a creative space. As a bonus, you can use magnets to hang calendars, art work and important directions anywhere you want without creating holes.
The multitude of colors, panel profiles and finishes are allowing designers to experiment in fun and exciting ways. Mixing wood and metal in interior spaces has become an emerging trend in modern homes. The warmth of the wood balances the coolness of the metal for a comfortable and stylish look. Try out one of these easy styles in your space and see how metal creates a unique atmosphere. A word of warning: once you install metal in one space it often leads to dreaming about the next space to liven up with a new panel or color.