Have you ever walked into a building lobby and said to yourself, wow those are nice elevators? Elevators entrances can often be the focal point of a building’s lobby. The majority of elevator entrances are clad using various types architectural metal. Cladding is the process of covering a surface in a protective layer of metal. The process of metal cladding dates back to the 16th century when knights would wear armor cladding to help protect themselves in battle. Today there is not much need for metal armor cladding but through innovation we have found ways to apply similar concepts to current day applications.
Elevator entrance cladding is an excellent way to make your entrances stand out. Cladding also helps protects your entrances from dents, dings and scratches. Metal cladding not only protects an elevator entrance but it enhances the visual appeal as well. There are not many other materials on the market that can boast visual appeal and physical protection as selling points. When it comes to elevator entrances, metal cladding is the way to go. All elevator cab interior companies worth there salt will recommend cladding damaged elevator entrances over other options.
The two main metal types to consider when selecting elevator entrance cladding are stainless steel or muntz bronze. While there are other types of metal available, stainless steel and muntz bronze are the most resilient options available in today’s market.
Stainless steel is strong and resistant to corrosion and oxidation. Due to its oxidation resistance, stainless steel does not have to be lacquered in order to slow the oxidation process. It is the best selection for over all protection as it is the least malleable of the two metal types. Stainless can be machined to have a wide variety of finishes and textures.
Bronze is another excellent option when considering a material selection for an elevator entrance cladding project. Muntz bronze is the most common variety of bronze selected when using it for an elevator application. Muntz bronze is manufactured at a consistency of 60% copper and 40% zinc. This gives the material a dark golden hue. Muntz bronze was created as an alternative option to copper due to its extremely high cost. This alloy offers similar look to copper as well as adding additional strength while still retaining a malleable form. Bronze is a softer alloy than stainless steel but still remains an ideal option to elevator entrance cladding. However, muntz bronze does require a protective layer of lacquer applied to it once installed. Due to the alloy’s high concentration of copper, it requires a layer of lacquer to slow the oxidation process on the alloy’s surface. Once sprayed with the protective layer the material remains bright and vibrant color for many years.
While there are positives and negatives to both materials, either is better suited for this type of application than other options currently available in today’s market. At the end of the day material selection is ultimately decided by what type of look you’re going for. Both material types are ideal for elevator entrance cladding projects. Both metals types come in a variety of possible finishes and textures.
Chesapeake Elevator Interiors Inc is one the premier elevator cab interior companies providing quality elevator entrance cladding services. Their professionals understand the specific requirements for customization on a per job basis and work actively in ensuring an appealing look to your cab interiors. No two elevator entrances are alike. Each elevator entrance cladding project must be individually measured and custom fabricated to get high quality secure fit. Feel free to check out our portfolio page found at www.chesapeakeelevatorinteriors.com/portfolio. Our high-quality craftmanship speaks for itself. Please feel free to contact us today!
