Aluminum Construction: Going Green and the Benefits - By: Sharp

Aluminum is an amazing metal. The properties of aluminum allow it to be bent, shaped and formed into virtually anything, making it a prime candidate for the metal construction industry. Metal architects are able to create astonishing building exteriors that are not only pleasing to the eye, but also good for the environment. Custom aluminum fabricators are fond of the metal because it offers virtually limitless possibilities with its ductile properties and ability to retain coatings and finishes. As aluminum has many benefits to the world of architecture, its key benefits are its reusability and cost effectiveness for businesses.

Although aluminum is the most abundant metal on the crust of the planet, there are no mines in the United States that harvest bauxite, the mineral from which aluminum is derived. All of the mined aluminum in the United States is imported from locations around the globe, costing millions of dollars and expending other resources. If the aluminum is not mined from elsewhere, it is recycled at about 5% of the energy that it takes to remove it from the ground, extract it from a bauxite ore, and ship it across the world. Recycled aluminum is a cost effective alternative for numerous industries, but especially for metal architectural firms, construction companies and their benefitting clients.

In a very cost-conscious economy, businesses are tending to incorporate aluminum more and more into their buildings. The metal is lightweight, visually appealing and is 100% recyclable after its use. During renovations, businesses are able to remove it from their façade, and sell it to be remanufactured into aluminum sheet metal. Instead of the traditional demolition crew, businesses can give a building a facelift by just redesigning aluminum cladding, wall panels, and beam wraps, while also getting some money back on their existing aluminum structures. As designing, constructing and moving into a new building can cost a business millions of dollars, using aluminum throughout a company building can be cost effective and attractive.

Aluminum sheet metal can be engineered into beam wraps, honeycomb panels, wall panels, column covers and other various custom designs. Although the diversity of aluminum allows it to be applied to various exterior elements, it can also be applied to the inside of buildings as cornices, cladding and other ornamental coverings. It is naturally non-corrosive, however, aluminum easily accepts protective coatings for highly-corrosive environments. Because of its ability to accept and retain various finishes, aluminum will preserve colors and not deteriorate like other metals. Aluminum is often a metal architect’s preferred choice for assorted decorative elements.

Aluminum is often used in buildings that are environmentally-friendly, or “green.” The properties of aluminum allow it to be molded into countless forms, lending it to be a choice material for metal architecture. Its recyclability allows it to be a cost-effective and visually appealing metal for business buildings, as well as other commercial properties. Today, 85% of aluminum sheet metal used in metal fabrication and construction is recycled content; a figure that is sure to grow for years to come.

About the Author

The Metalwerks division of Metal Sales & Service, Inc. is the single source for all of your architectural metal needs. As a provider of all types of aluminum wall protection, architectural sheet metal and cornice molding, Metalwerks will be able to give you a complete solution.

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