Anodised Aluminium
An Overview

Why anodised aluminium ticks all the boxes

Architects today are faced with a very particular set of challenges when they embark upon a new project, restraints never truly faced before in fact. Aside from the obvious constraints of striving to design visually striking, innovative structures that are both beautiful and functional – but use sustainably sourced materials to achieve their goal.

Sustainably sourced materials should be produced responsibly and ecologically and they must be recyclable at the end of their lifespan, which is expected to be longer and longer as processes and technology develops. These modern materials must be durable to meet these longevity requirements whilst not impeding design creativity for the architect. An equilibrium between all of these requirements must be met in order for the designer to achieve their vision within the parameters that the modern world dictates.

Enter: Anodised Aluminium

What is anodised aluminium? Why choose aluminium at all? Aluminium meets almost every one of the criteria demanded by the modern building industry, from the modest amount of maintenance it requires and exceptional longevity to its sustainability and ease to recycle. It is uncommonly light when compared to its tensile strength, its versatility in terms of manufacturing is unparalleled and the end result is a beautiful material which wholly encourages design creativity.

However, before aluminium can be exploited for its many properties, manufacturers supplying the building industry must apply some form of surface treatment. There are a range of options available to manufacturers; paint, powder coatings and lacquers, but anodising is the most popular, effective and reliable process. Unlike other surface coatings, anodised aluminium is a wholly integrated product, the coating actually forming part of the metals substrate.

The process compliments the natural qualities of aluminium, resulting in a sleek finished product that can hold up to the demanding aesthetic requirements of modern architects, whilst boasting incomparable abrasion resilience and revivified corrosion resistance. It is because of this surface-integration that anodised aluminium is so wholly and completely recyclable, there is no stripping of surface coverings involved, it is an honestly pure metal without imperfection.

Contemporary architecture, contemporary material

The anodisation process is as versatile as its core material aluminium, new and innovative processes allow for copious colours and textures, providing architects with an expanding arsenal of finishes for design applications. Predominantly used on the exterior of buildings but not limited to exterior use alone, the process renders aluminium completely UV resistant though lending itself to exterior applications. Whether the finish is transparent, showcasing the aluminium’s natural aesthetic qualities or whether a pattern, texture or colour is combined with the anodic film to create a stylistic finish; the UV resistive qualities are not compromised.

The anodic layer compliments the sheen, lustre and ‘living’ qualities of the metal, by adding texture or colour, designers and architects can enhance these natural qualities. Creative interaction is encouraged. Public interest and engagement is enhanced. Buildings are rendered both beautiful yet surprisingly resilient.