The Importance of Aluminum in Construction

Why is aluminum important in construction?

1. It has many uses and applications.
2. It is durable, light, and resistant to corrosion.
3. It is highly versatile in composition and finishes.
4. It is not combustible.
5. It is good for the environment.

Aluminum is one of the most common metals in the world, making up almost 8% of the world’s core mass, and is the second most widespread metal used in building after steel. Have you ever wondered why aluminum is so popular in the field of construction?

In this article, we delve into the importance of aluminum in construction. If you are a player in the industry, you might be familiar with some of these reasons. However, it’s always good to refresh your memory, and you might discover something new.

Without further ado, here’s why aluminum is so important in construction:

It has many uses and applications

In a previous article, we talked about the many uses of aluminum in construction, so we won’t go into too much detail now. You can also check out that other article for more detailed information.

The most common applications of aluminum are in wall cladding, window frames, ventilation structures, building studs, and door or gate latches. 

In addition to that, however, there are many other uses for aluminum because of its many properties, which we’ll discuss in the next section of this article.

Aluminum products can range from structural or decorative. That means it can be used both as a foundation for building as well as for aesthetic purposes once the building is done.

It is durable, light, and resistant to corrosion

Aluminum has many characteristics, but among its best features are its durability, lightness, and anti-corrosive quality.

Aluminum is less susceptible to weather than other metals, it doesn’t degrade or warp, and it requires little maintenance, all of which make it very durable. 

Aluminum as an alloy has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, meaning that it can hold a lot of weight but doesn’t weigh much by itself. It’s also anti-corrosive, unlike other metals that suffer from deterioration and rust.

In addition to the aforementioned benefits, aluminum has other qualities, too: it’s highly reflective, it retains a lot of thermal energy, it’s resistant to condensation, it doesn’t break or melt easily, and it’s eco-friendly, which is so important that it deserves a section of its own in this article. More on that is below.

It is highly versatile in composition and finishes

Something that might surprise you: pure aluminum is actually quite a weak metal and is not conducive to building at all. It’s thanks to other elements (like copper, manganese, magnesium, and zinc) that combine with aluminum to form alloys that allow it to be one of the sturdiest construction materials out there.

What makes aluminum particularly versatile as a material, however, is that once subjected to certain processes, it can change its mechanical and physical properties to suffice for the many applications mentioned above.

Additionally, once it’s been used, aluminum is versatile in its finish, too. That means it can be anodized or powder-coated in any color to meet the standards and preferences of any designer or architect. These treatments can even strengthen the durability and anti-corrosiveness of the metal.

It is not combustible

Aluminum doesn’t burn, which is a great bonus for fire-proofing buildings. It does melt at a very, very high temperature, but even then, it doesn’t emit any harmful gasses. That is why, very often, structures of buildings are coated with aluminum finishes that are designed to merge with the building’s external materials in case of fire.

This is good not only for the building’s structural integrity but also for the people inside it, who are safer due to the minimized fire hazard and risk.

It is good for the environment

One of the best features of aluminum is its eco-friendliness. We mentioned earlier in this article that aluminum is highly reflective and retains a lot of thermal energy, both of which improve the energy efficiency of a building.

Aluminum is also infinitely recyclable, and over 60% of the aluminum used in the world today comes from recycled material. It has a lifespan of over 70 years and is often used to build sustainable energy platforms like solar panels and wind turbines. 

All of these and more are reasons why building with aluminum can help your building get certified as a Platinum or Gold green building under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Key Takeaway

Now that you know the importance of aluminum in construction, why not consider it for your next project? When you’re looking for aluminum materials, don’t fret. There’s no place better for aluminum materials in the Philippines than right here at AMC Aluminum.

We look forward to hearing about your project, and are eager to offer what help we can with high-quality aluminum materials and construction fixings. Contact us today for a quote!