Expanded Metal Mounting System - Single

Introduction

The Expanded Metal Mounting System – Single is a robust and versatile installation method for fixing expanded metal mesh to vertical façades. Using the proprietary Locker Olympic Extrusion mullion system, this technique provides a secure framework for attaching mesh panels with precision, speed, and minimal on-site drilling. It is most often used on large-scale public buildings such as multi-storey car parks, stadiums, and offices, where a balance of strength, airflow, and visual quality is essential.

Applications

This system is specified for projects that demand durability, ventilation, and a clean, architectural appearance. Typical uses include:

Car parks, providing secure but ventilated cladding that reduces headlight glare.

Office and public buildings, requiring aesthetic façades that resist corrosion.

Sports and leisure facilities, where safety, airflow, and resilience are vital.

Industrial or coastal environments, where wind load and saline exposure are key considerations.

The single mounting system provides a cost-efficient solution for edges, corners, and openings — working seamlessly alongside double-mounting systems for continuous façades.

Technical Considerations

The system is built around a series of extruded aluminium mullions designed to span from floor to floor. These provide a continuous vertical structure to which the expanded metal mesh panels are fixed using single brackets. The brackets engage securely with the strongest part of the mesh, ensuring long-term rigidity and corrosion resistance.

Design and specification details include:

Material options: Aluminium is most commonly used for its lightweight strength, corrosion resistance, and colour flexibility (powder-coatable to any RAL finish). Stainless steel and galvanised steel are suitable alternatives for specific environments.
Panel size: Typically up to 1.8 m wide x 2.5 m high, beyond which rigidity diminishes.
Mesh orientation: Can be mounted in either direction — horizontally or vertically — depending on the visual requirement.
Fastening system: M10 bolts slide into pre-formed slots within the mullion extrusion, eliminating on-site drilling and reducing corrosion risk.
Compatibility: The single bracket system integrates perfectly with Locker’s double bracket configuration, allowing a single, unified façade system.

Installation Process

Installation is carried out using standard hand tools — spanners, nut runners, and Allen keys — with no specialist equipment required.

Preparation – The primary steel or concrete structure is installed first, with horizontal beams or brackets ready to receive the mullions.
Mullion setup – The vertical extrusions are fixed to the structure using wrap-around strap brackets, removing the need for drilling.
Levelling – The mullions are adjusted for perfect line and level, forming a precise grid before any mesh is attached.
Bracket placement – Single brackets are fixed at defined vertical centres to match the mesh pattern.
Mesh fixing – Panels are hooked into place using the integrated safety hook feature before being securely fastened.

An experienced two- or three-person installation team can typically fix 12–15 panels (1.5 m x 2.5 m) in a standard working day.

Advantages

Robust and reliable – engages the strongest part of the mesh for high wind and impact resistance.
Quick installation – no drilling, reduced labour time, and fewer brackets per panel.
Improved safety – panels rest in place before fixing, reducing manual handling risks.
Corrosion-proof – aluminium extrusion and stainless fixings ensure long-term performance.
Adaptable – accommodates on-site variations in steelwork or alignment.
Aesthetic flexibility – allows different mesh orientations and powder-coated finishes.

This method offers the ideal balance of strength, simplicity, and architectural precision, particularly for demanding or exposed environments.

Challenges & Pitfalls

Although the system is straightforward, accuracy and planning are vital for success:

Mullion alignment – incorrect spacing can cause visible misalignment or pattern breaks.

Steelwork clashes – pre-site surveys must account for joints, pipes, and obstructions.

Mesh pattern continuity – each panel’s width must be planned to maintain pattern flow across the façade.

Untrained installation – experience and proper setup are essential for maintaining level and alignment over large spans.

Locker Architectural provides detailed CAD drawings and project support to ensure precise setout and coordination with other trades.

The single mounting system is robust, accurate, and designed to engage the strongest part of the expanded metal. Once the mullions are set out correctly, everything else follows easily — it’s reliable, fast, and built to last.

— Adrian Billingsley – Technical Director, Locker Architectural

Example Project

The system has been successfully deployed on several major UK projects, including:

Blackpool Multi-Storey Car Park – a coastal installation requiring a corrosion-resistant, ventilated façade capable of withstanding high winds and salt exposure.

Harwell Science Campus – where the system’s adaptability and speed of installation allowed completion ahead of schedule.

These projects demonstrate the system’s robustness, accuracy, and suitability for large public structures, even in challenging environments.

The Expanded Metal Mounting System – Single delivers a high-strength, precision-engineered façade solution for architects and contractors seeking long-term performance and visual quality.

Contact Locker Architectural for technical support, CAD details, or to arrange a visit to one of our completed installations.

Projects using this installation technique

Here East, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Carnegie Cricket Pavilion

Blackpool Central Multi-Storey Car Park

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FAQ

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