Shang Kai Steel’s SKA Expanded Metal Mesh: The Facade Material of Choice for Developers

In Fu Yu's Shang Jing project, the developer specifically selected Shang Kai Steel’s SKA20-4 expanded metal mesh as the facade material for the top of the building. The mesh is highly visible and represents the brand’s identity. Here are three key reasons why many developers turn to Shang Kai Steel when designing building exteriors.

Expanded Metal Mesh Offers Insulation, Shading, and Energy Efficiency

Choosing the wrong facade material makes it difficult for buildings to withstand high temperatures caused by climate change, especially in Taiwan, where the urban heat island effect is severe. Without effective insulation, indoor spaces become hot and stuffy, increasing air conditioning usage, wasting energy, and driving up electricity bills in summer.

Shang Kai Steel’s SKA expanded metal mesh is a green building material engineered specifically for facade insulation and sunshading. After evaluating sunlight intensity and direction on-site, engineers calculate and adjust the angle and spacing of the mesh openings to block solar radiation and enhance airflow. Real-world testing shows that indoor temperatures can drop by 4–6°C, while energy use for cooling can be reduced by 24% to 36%. The mesh allows for natural daylight, ensuring bright indoor environments while saving energy. Developers choose SKA mesh to create comfortable, well-lit, and energy-efficient living spaces.

Flexible Fabrication Brings Creative Facade Design to Life

Shang Kai Steel’s SKA expanded metal mesh supports multiple fabrication options and can be customized to match any facade design. In the Fu Yu's Shang Jing project, designers combined multiple mesh panels, finished in gray powder coating and framed in white, to form the rooftop facade. This simple fabrication method created a clean, modern layered visual effect.

Beyond coating, framing, and assembly, the mesh can also be cut into custom shapes. For example, in the Jian-Guo Market project in Taichung, irregular geometric mesh shapes were installed on the roof, breaking away from flat, boring designs. Shang Kai Steel also developed a gradient mesh technology under the SKA line, allowing a single panel to feature mesh holes that transition from large to small—still formed as one piece for durability. This unlocks more design flexibility and creativity for building exteriors.

Green Building Labels Made Easier with Certified SKA Mesh

Shang Kai Steel’s SKA expanded metal mesh has received two major green building certifications: the New Green Building Technology Certification and the Low Carbon Construction Certification. The first, issued by the Taiwan Architecture & Building Center, confirmed through testing 24 different mesh types that SKA mesh can improve insulation, lower indoor temperatures, and save energy when installed on building facades.

The Low Carbon Construction Certification, issued by the Low Carbon Building Alliance, proved that SKA mesh installed on the east and west facades of a 12-story building can reduce carbon emissions by up to 8.8%. In Taiwan’s climate—prone to typhoons, earthquakes, heat, and humidity—the mesh also offers a lifespan of around 60 years.

Shang Kai Steel has also completed full carbon footprint analysis for SKA mesh, covering every stage from raw materials, production, and transport to installation and eventual removal. All carbon emission data is available in third-party reports, helping architects and developers pass Green Building Label reviews more easily and supporting ESG procurement, government subsidies, and public project tenders.