Why aluminium is the best façade material
Posted: 5th August 2019
A facade is considered the face of a building and is often seen as one of the most important design aspects, it not only protects the interior of a building from various climates, it is also the building’s main feature or frontage. Aluminium facades are commonly used on buildings all over the world, but why is it considered one of the best façade materials?
Benefits of Aluminium
Aluminium offers many great benefits to facades compared to other metals. When designing the facade of your building it’s important to take these benefits into consideration.
Sustainable
Whether creating an entirely new building or renovating an old one, Aluminium cladding can help insulate a building. Making a building more energy efficient contributes to its sustainability levels. This is particularly ideal for high-rise buildings and blocks of flats, where energy efficiency is commonly a problem. In addition, aluminium is completely recyclable! This means that any leftover materials from your project will not go to waste!
Practical & Safe
As well as being sustainable, aluminium is also extremely practical. It’s lightweight and durable. Its lightweight nature means that extra pressure is not placed on the structure of the building. However, lightweight does not have to mean it is flimsy. Aluminium offers excellent durability. Its resistance to wind and other elements means that you are left with a strong, long-lasting solution. As for safety ratings, Aluminium achieves European Fire Class 1, being classified as a non-combustible material.
Easy to Maintain
With the exception of a simple clean every now and again to maintain the aesthetic elements of a building. This makes aluminium easy to maintain, ecological and environmentally friendly. This also means that aluminium is a cost-effective solution throughout its lifetime.
Colours and Effects
Aluminium facades allow a range of stunning creations to be achieved. From rusted dark colours to vibrant pearlescent colours, the possibilities are endless. At Metalline we have a range of finishes, which can be applied to aluminium facades including PPC (Polyester Powder Coated) and Anolok finishes.
PPC
Polyester Powder Coating (PPC) is a colouring process used within architectural fabrications. This process can achieve bright and bold finishes, which include a full metallic colour range. All of Metalline’s PPC Aluminium products are available in every RAL or BS colour and recognised for their functionality.
Aluminium is one of the most frequently powder coated materials. PPC gives Aluminium a durable finish and decorative appearance, which is highly desirable. Polyester Powder Coated cladding is an excellent choice for environmentally friendly projects. Considered to be both more energy and material efficient.
PPC Effects
You can achieve a range of different effects with Polyester Powder coating. Our range includes a wide selection of interesting colours and textures as well as natural stone effect, including plain oxide, tile, soft, corten and crystal patina. An application of this new treatment can produce a dramatic effect to a building’s exterior. These effects are perfect if you want to create a Corten effect without the issues that Corten can present, such as its corrosive nature.
Anolok Anodising
Another finish which can be used on aluminium facades is Anolok Anodising. The process itself increases resistance to corrosion and wear as well as providing a better adhesion for paint primers and glues. Anodising enriches the natural abilities of aluminium further giving a strongly contemporary finish with incomparable corrosion endurance. Multiple patterns can also be incorporated enhancing the natural metallic appearance without affecting the total UV resistance of the aluminium cladding.
FX Range
Unlike concrete, masonry products, drywall, or even wood, architectural metal panels can easily be used to create complex shapes, such as curves or three-dimensional objects.
FX panels give clients the chance to add a visually striking 3D element to the façade. We have developed a full range of patterns and designs in the FX range, we will also work with you to create your own bespoke designs for the project.
The panels are available in a range of different finishes, such as anodised or PPC, and can be produced in any colour, making the possibilities endless.
Overall Aluminium is a high quality material used frequently by architects all over the world. At Metalline we are at the forefront of aluminium rainscreen cladding and insulated panel production in the UK. Our products are engineered specifically for architectural fabrication with our aluminium cladding ranging from traditional to contemporary – helping to bring a project to life.
