Grille design, as a commonly used design element, is hazy and elegant without being dull. Its unique and vivid form of expression is widely used in home decoration, workwear, indoor, outdoor, wall, and ceiling. Grille, combined with light and shadow, creates a dynamic atmosphere and a natural and gentle atmosphere in the space, which can create a very good visual experience.
1、What is a grille?
2、How are different grilles done during construction?
3、Are there any special forms of grilles available?
What is a grille?
1、Specific meanings
Grille refers to a parallel and grid barrier made of different forms of materials such as wood strips and metal strips. In the early days, grilles were often used for the protection of railings and doors and windows in buildings. With the weakening of protective functions, grilles gradually became a unique component for facade decoration, shading, privacy protection, and line of sight blocking.
2、Types of grilles
There are various forms and types of building grilles. In order to facilitate a systematic understanding of outdoor building grilles, this article divides them into three levels based on their main functional purposes, working methods, and main materials:
The first level can be divided into sunshade grilles, decorative grilles, and enclosure grilles according to their functional purposes; The second level is divided into fixed grilles and movable grilles according to the working mode; The third level is divided by material, including common materials such as aluminum alloy grille, glass grille, wood grille, etc. The specific classification list is shown in the table:
△Classification Tree List of Outdoor Grilles in Buildings
3、Grille material
Of course, the materials used for decorative grilles are becoming increasingly diverse. In addition to traditional wood and metal, clay, glass, plastic wood, fiberglass, aluminum grilles, and so on can also become the main materials for manufacturing grilles, and the forms of grilles are also diverse.
a、Wooden grille
Beautiful, natural, and environmentally friendly, but the load-bearing capacity of the wooden grid is weak, and its service life is shorter compared to other materials.
Display of usage scenarios for wooden grilles
Wooden grilles are very harmonious with nature when used outdoors, making the overall building more natural and friendly. Generally, anti-corrosion wood is used outdoors.
b、Plastic wood grille
The advantages of this material are lightweight, low cost, and diverse colors, which can meet the color needs of the owner. At the same time, it also has the characteristics of waterproofing, moisture resistance, corrosion resistance, and flame retardancy.
However, plastic grid ceilings also have some defects, such as not being exposed to sunlight for a long time, otherwise they may easily break. Therefore, when installing plastic grid ceilings, it is necessary to choose better and more durable plastic materials.
△Plastic wood grille product display
△Display of usage scenarios for plastic wood grilles
c、Metal grille/aluminum grille
This material of grille ceiling is generally used for industrial style decoration, with only black and white colors, mainly aluminum and iron. It can be made separately or combined with each other. Metal grille ceiling is the most durable and practical type of grille ceiling.
△Display of usage scenarios for metal/aluminum grilles
d、Terracotta (ceramic rod/board) grille
This material has excellent waterproof function, and there is no need to apply sealant at the joints. The material has strong stability and will not be affected by adverse weather and air pollution, which will affect the appearance effect. In addition, its long service life can reduce building maintenance costs.
The ceramic plate has a hollow structure, and there is a certain amount of space on the back of the ceramic plate during installation, which can effectively reduce the heat transfer coefficient. The entire system can provide insulation and sound insulation, reduce building energy consumption, and save energy. The disadvantage is that the specifications cannot be too large, as too large increases the risk of falling.
△Display of the use of clay grilles
e、frp grating
Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) grating, also known as fiberglass grating, is a type of plate-like material with many spaces made by special processing and composite using fiberglass as reinforcement material and unsaturated polyester resin as matrix. FRP grating can be used as a structural material for floors, trench covers, platforms, ship decks, stairs, walkways, etc. in corrosive environments.
It has the characteristics of corrosion resistance, flame retardancy, non-magnetic insulation, bright colors, and multiple styles and forms to choose from. Innovatively applying fiberglass grilles to exterior walls can also bring a special effect. The color, size, and proportion of the fiberglass grating can be customized, and there are also many finished products to choose from, which are also important factors affecting the effect.
△Display of fiberglass grating usage
f、Sunshade grille
Grilles designed for shading are generally thin and have a certain depth, often in the shape of leaves, also known as “white leaves”.
In order to achieve appropriate shading effects, the grille needs to be specially designed and can be arranged horizontally, vertically, or even in any direction according to the angle of sunlight incidence. Grilles that can be adjusted (manually or automatically) are more suitable for daily lighting and shading needs.
△Display of sunshade grille usage
Analysis of Different Grid Node Methods
The common grid method is often used for suspended ceilings, walls, and partitions, and the corresponding node method is also different.
1、Method of ceiling node construction
a、Case study of aluminum profiles
The aluminum square joint shown above has several different methods and corresponding finished surface sizes.
△Complete the effect display
①Suspension rod+suspension component+main keel+special buckle suspension component+profile square joint
Installation instructions
② Suspension rod+suspension component+main keel+special buckle suspension component+profile round-through
③ Suspension rod+keel+bolt stuck+profile square
④ Other profile square ceiling plans
⑤ Hanging rod+keel+suspension component+upper and lower slider fastening+customized profile
▽ Bullet head/triangular aluminum ▽
Installation instructions and related drawings display
▽U-shaped aluminum vertical plate▽
△Display of installation effect and related components
△Node detail drawing display
b、Hanging curtain ceiling
①Suspension rod+suspension components+main keel+vertical curtain keel+vertical curtain ceiling
△Installation Scenery and Related Drawing Display
②Suspension rod+suspension component+main keel+vertical curtain keel+drip curtain
△Display of grid style and installation effect
△
c、Combination grille ceiling
d、The grille is connected to the flat roof
△Grille display and installation effect
When the grille is connected to the flat roof, if the usual fixing method is used, there will be gaps between the grille and the flat roof, and it is easy to see unattractive connectors on the sides. In this case, a hidden hanging buckle method is used to make the overall appearance of the ceiling beautiful。
The above picture shows that the components are first fixed to the flat roof with screws, and the aluminum fittings are directly fastened through small clips, making the overall appearance flat and beautiful without any visible gaps or connectors.
This method and principle are the same as above. Customized accessories are connected to square joints, fixed on the first gypsum board, and then sealed with the second layer of gypsum board.
△Similarly to the above, fix the gypsum board and aluminum duct separately
The method of buckle and overlap
Very good combination of aluminum grille and aluminum plate flat top
Installation instructions and related drawings for bent ceiling
Below, special component connections are shown, which can be adjusted and rotated, and can be used for wall and ceiling applications:
e、其它连接形式
2、Wall node construction method
a、External wall fixing method
△Installation effect display
△Installation 3D effects, installation details, installation process, and result display
b、Fixation method of indoor wall grille
The indoor connection forms are basically fixed by adhesive/nail/clip/buckle/string, as well as finished accessories. The installation effect and installation method are shown in the following figure:
△安装效果展示
3、Construction of partition/railing grid nodes
a、The grille partition does not top up or down
△安装效果、方式，部件展示
b、The method of top to bottom access for grille partitions
① Case 1
Node analysis: At the junction of the ceiling, gun nails are directly slanted (the nail holes in the picture are not repaired). At the junction with the ground, a small wooden block is first fixed and embedded on the ground, and the grid is directly placed on the wooden block. The wooden grid is directly fixed on the small wooden block through gun nails.
② Case 2
Node analysis: white painted aluminum grid;
Ceiling section: After the ceiling is completed, position the grid and open holes, then directly insert the aluminum grid into the ceiling → repair with putty;
Ground part: Directly fix the aluminum grid with silicone on the static electricity floor, and then lay a carpet.
③ Case 3
The ceiling and ground parts have been completed, and then the wooden bar grille is fixed. First, use small wooden blocks to fix it on the ground and top, and make a small opening on the inner side of the grille (avoiding the front part) to clamp it onto the fixed wooden block. Then, use gun nails to fix it.
Attention:
1) The fixed gun nail hole needs to be repaired later;
2) To be stable, the grille needs to be embedded in the ceiling and then fixed inside the ceiling;
3) The standardized practice is to fix the sky and earth at the same time, and it is best to use a socket connection.
Conduit connection nodes:
屏风/格栅隔断天地套管固定同理：
c. Wooden grid railing construction method
Pay attention to first connect the embedded components to the vertical wooden strips as the main load-bearing support, and then connect the connected grid section to the supporting wooden strips.
The practice of special form grilles
When the grille is combined with the door and serves as a partition, how should the grille be handled when encountering equipment maintenance?
Case of Grid Wall Concealed Doors:
The principle of hidden doors: The shape and material of the door should be consistent with the wall, and suitable hardware should be selected. There should be no hidden door frames or reduced door seams to achieve a hidden effect.
△合页暗门示意图
Diagram of △ Axis Door Concealed Door
Attention should be paid to the opening direction of the hidden door, the selection of hinges, the closing and connecting relationship of the door seam, and the door handle should be as simple or concealed as possible to avoid seeing hardware hinges and achieve a truly invisible effect.
- Concealed practices for grille top equipment/maintenance openings
The method of equipment concealment is as shown in the figure below, where the metal plate is fixed at the bottom of the equipment, and the suspended keel grille is connected to it. When the projection equipment is raised, the entire grille ceiling remains as a whole.
检修口效果展示
△Rotating maintenance
Embedded maintenance
The above is an introduction to the form, materials, node methods, and special forms of grilles.
Grille, as a decoration for indoor and outdoor buildings, has been frequently seen by the public. This not only represents its irreplaceable position, but also reflects the love of designers and people for it. Therefore, it is very important to master and understand the methods, materials, and construction of grilles.
