03.09.2026

Architects and designers are increasingly asking us for sheet metal pieces: cladding, perforated panels, technical skirting boards, metal furniture, railings, decorative elements with precise cutouts. The reason is simple: the combination of laser cutting and bending has opened up a level of detail for architectural and design projects that was previously impractical in metal, at costs that fit projects of all scales.

This article is aimed at those who design: it shows what technology allows today, how to prepare the dialogue between the office and the workshop, and what design considerations avoid surprises between rendering and construction.

Freedom of design, literally

The laser cuts what the design requires: perforated patterns with thousands of openings, cut-out letters and logos, complex curves, millimeter-precise fittings between pieces. For facades and skylights, stair railings, space dividers, or furniture pieces, the limit becomes the designer's drawing, not the tool.

And bending adds the third dimension: a flat panel becomes a box, flap, trim, or profile, custom-designed for the project instead of chosen from a catalog. Together, the two operations transform the sheet into a design material as ductile as wood or pressed cardboard, but with the permanence of metal.

Noble materials, dignified aging

We work mainly Stainless steel and aluminiumwith materials that combine durability, corrosion resistance, and a contemporary aesthetic. Brushed or polished stainless steel maintains its presence over decades, inside and out; lightweight and stable aluminium accepts lacquering and anodizing that integrates it into any palette.

Non-contact cutting preserves the sheet surface, including factory protective films, and bending on the press molds the parts without marks or deformations. For exposed face parts, this surface care is half the battle.

From rendering to finished work, without losing the design

Our process was designed to engage with the designer. We receive files DXF, DWG, or PDF directly from the office, validate their feasibility, and provide concrete feedback: where a radius needs to be larger, where a hole is too close to the bend, where a thickness can be reduced without losing rigidity.

We produce prototypes before series production whenever the project justifies it: a sample of the perforated pattern, a cladding module, a corner piece. Seeing and touching before multiplying is the cheapest way to ensure that the work turns out as the rendering promised.

Why sheet metal conquered cabinets

There was a time when specifying custom metal meant reserving budget and patience: expensive tools, high minimum production runs, long lead times. The democratization of digital cutting changed the rules. Today, an edition of ten pieces of furniture, a batch of railings for a single building, or a unique counter is economically viable because there are no molds or tools to amortize: there is a file and a machine that executes it.

At the same time, the sensitivity of end customers has evolved. Metal is no longer perceived as cold or industrial and has come to mean permanence, constructive honesty, and minimal maintenance. A project that ages well is a selling point, and few choices age as well as well-detailed stainless steel.

Construction detail: where projects stand out

The difference between a banal metal piece and a memorable one is almost always in the construction detail. Hidden fixings instead of visible screws, made possible with folded tabs and laser-cut slotted holes. Joints aligned with the pattern design, planned in the panel modulation. Folded end caps, which hide the sheet thickness and give the pieces a solid appearance. Corners with designed reliefs, which close cleanly after bending. bend.

None of these details significantly increase production costs when planned in the file; they all become expensive when you try to improvise on site. That's why we insist on early communication between the office and the workshop: the right time to design the detail is before cut, not after.

Applications that go through our workshop

Contact us Interiors: stainless steel technical baseboards and moldings, countertop coverings, backlit decorative panels, shelves and custom-made furniture. In Surroundings: balcony and stair railings with cut-out patterns, designed canopies and flashings, door numbering and signage. In Hospitality and Catering, where the requirement for hygiene meets aesthetics, from backsplash to countertop. And in Original Pieces: lamps, screens, functional sculptures, small editions of furniture.

See concrete examples on our page Completed Projects: many were born exactly like this, from a cabinet drawing that arrived by email.

An example of workflow

A perforated decorative panel for a hotel: the cabinet sends the pattern in DXF, with the panel modulation and the planned fixings. We validate the pattern against the chosen thickness, suggest a small relief in the corners and produce a sample module. Once the sample is approved, we laser-cut the series, bent the edges for rigidity and flatness, and delivered it with protective film, ready to assemble in numbered order.

The cabinet maintained control of the design; the workshop ensured execution; the end customer received exactly what they approved. This is the triangle we like to serve.

Three standard designs and what they teach us

Stair railing with cut-out pattern. The challenge lies in the balance between pattern density and panel rigidity. The solution is to test the density on a sample module and reinforce the edges with bent tabs, invisible after assembly. Lesson: the pattern defines the soul of the design, but it is the finishing touch that makes it buildable.

The reception counter in brushed stainless steel. The challenge is visual continuity between planes and surface protection during construction. The solution: studied modulation of joints, folds that hide edges, protective film maintained until final cleaning. Lesson: in exposed face pieces, handling is as important as manufacturing.

The facade with perforated panels. The challenge is rigorous repetition in large quantities and managing the fastening. The solution: serial laser cutting with engraved numbering, fastening perforation integrated into the file, and approved sample before production. Lesson: at scale, preparation is everything, and it's done only once.

Budgeting early is better design.

A practical tip: involve the workshop early. A quote requested during the preliminary study phase, while the design is still evolving, gives the designer the actual cost per square meter of the pattern they envisioned, and allows them to adjust the perforation density or thickness before the project is finalized. It costs zero, because our quotes are free, and avoids the classic cutting of specialties in the final phase of construction.

Our team is used to working with margins of uncertainty: we quote variants, compare materials, and help finalize the solution that balances design and cost.

Sustainability that is specified

Increasingly, specifications call for materials with a documented life cycle, and sheet metal responds well. Stainless steel and aluminium are recyclable without loss of quality, and cutting scraps return to the recycling circuit. Durability plays the same role: a stainless steel guard does not need replacing after five years, and maintenance is limited to cleaning. For projects seeking environmental certifications, these are objective arguments that metal expertise adds to the process.

Local production also counts. Cutting and bending in Portugal, a few hours from the construction site, shortens transport times, facilitates samples and validation visits, and allows for a quick response to unforeseen construction issues without waiting for distant supplies.

What we need from you to get started

A little: the drawing at whatever stage it's in, the indication of the desired material and finish, the approximate quantities, and the context of the application, internal or external. With this, we return technical comments and a first estimate. The rest is built in dialogue, at the pace of the project, until the final file is approved for production.

Frequently asked questions

Do you work from Illustrator or Rhino files?

Yes. Export to DXF with the text converted to curves and the scale confirmed, and the file goes directly into production.

Can you engrave assembly references on the parts?

Yes, the laser engraves discreet numbering and markings that facilitate assembly on site, on non-visible faces whenever possible.

What is the maximum dimension of the panels?

We cut sheets up to 1500 × 3000 mm and bend up to 1250 mm. We modulate larger pieces together with the designer.

Do you do installation?

Yes. As complete metalwork, we can weld, finish and install on site, delivering a complete service.

Let's talk about your project?

Discover the services for laser cutting and Sheet metal bending from Lumiinox and send us your drawing at any stage. We will be pleased to turn your design into metal, with the precision of those who work with sheet metal every day and respect for your creation.