They are significant developments being made in architecture industry as the time goes on, just like other industries. As the industry grows, demanding to create more stunning products grows as well. In construction, cladding means covering building materials with another layer and providing aesthetic and practical advantages. Cladding for building façades is one of the high pace growing industries around the world. There are different types of metal that are being used in cladding industry. Aluminum Cladding is very popular due to its quality and it is extremely applicable when a façade needs to be long lasting.
Aluminum is one of the most used metals in the world. Its usage amount exceeds any other metal that is used except iron and steel. Other popular metals which are used for cladding are stainless steel, zinc, copper, and titanium. All metals bring unique benefits to the buildings and their construction.
Aluminum Cladding is a cladding system which is made from aluminum, a strong and lightweight metal. It is a tool designed for unlimited creativity in the hands of the architect, making possible to construct structures which cannot be made from plastic, wood or etc. It can also be replaced and updated throughout its lifetime. Aluminum Cladding offers way more advantages and benefits than the other metals. Considering these benefits and advantages when designing façades for buildings is important.
Most Important Privileges Provided by Aluminum Cladding:
High Sustainability
The sustainability of Aluminum Cladding is a very important factor for the construction industry (environmental factor). Besides of being 100% recyclable, it can be used as a rain screen system and extremely improves thermal insulation which is followed by saving energy. It increases sound and thermal insulation without sacrificing any floor space by being added to the exterior of a building. It helps reducing noise disruption for the occupants and minimize the energy cost.
This is actually ideal for high-rise buildings and blocks of flats, where energy efficiency is a common issue. It is also increasingly important for urban area where there is a high demand for residential and office space in and around areas such as busy roads, airports and train stations. Aluminum is also resistant to corrosion due to its protective oxide coating. Unlike other metals such as copper, the weather conditions don’t affect Aluminum and it doesn’t rust or corrode over time.
Safety and Practicality
Aluminum is also very practical, as well as being sustainable. Extra pressure can’t be placed on the building structure, due to Aluminum lightweight and durable nature. Its weighs about the third of the weight of steel. It has moderate weight around 2.7 . This is one of the main reasons, most architects consider using Aluminum Cladding for their buildings. Buildings which are being aged and old, often don’t have the capability to facilitate much developments. However, Aluminum claddings can be added to the exterior of old buildings due to their lightweight nature.
Due to Aluminum weight, the process of installing Aluminum façade systems are much easier. It is designed to be installed easily and quickly. It also doesn’t disturb the inner portions of the building, due to its installing position which is directly onto external walls. It can be added without needing to change or strengthen the existing building structure.
Versatility
It is important to understand that how versatile Aluminum is. Aluminum cladding do not provide only choice of colors, but also a choice of patterns, shapes, sizes, effects and etc. It is almost always customizable. It is one of the easiest metals to be melt or bent. Due to its melting point which is very low, it is very easy to be shaped and melt. Thus, it is also used widely for special designs that require curved and uncommon shapes in façades. For more three dimensional effects, architects achieve waved and corrugated patterns which are just a few of the effects that can be made.
Maintainability
The only maintenance Aluminum Cladding needs is periodic cleaning for aesthetic reasons. Over the life time of the product, it translates into an ecological and cost advantage. It does not get burnt, thus it is classified as a non-combustible material. This does not mean that it is exempt from fire regulations, but in comparison to wood it has more advantage. This cladding is very resistant to harsh weather as well. This also means that aluminum is a cost effect solution throughout its long lasting lifetime.
Recyclability
Aluminum Claddings are environmental-friendly, due to their recyclability and reducing the amount of material that goes to landfill. At the end of their useful lifetime as claddings, they can be easily recycled. As a result, this can extremely reduce the carbon footprint associated with Aluminum cladding.
