Aluminum is a metal material with high consumption level in different industrial fields due to its lightweight and strong characteristics. This metal is popular for its softness, durability malleability and low weight. Due to its special characteristics such as softness, it is easy to cast, extrude, form and machine. Aluminum is also a corrosion resistant material and this ability increases consideration of using it in different applications. In addition, this metal has about one-third of steel density and stiffness. Aluminum plate is one the most important products of this material and it is widely used for modern facilities and buildings.
Aluminum plate panels are trendy and utilized for projects and applications, which require high-tech look and clean finish. Modern building cladding and facades are great example for the products consumption. These panels are ideal for modern buildings, which have contemporary architecture, hospitals and collective headquarters. These are flexible and versatile systems, which have the ability of being bent and they can create clean flat lines or curvilinear constructions. Cladding soffits, balconies, canopies and fascia are suitable areas for using these plates as a decorative and constructive material. With using these systems, unique styles and architecture details can be applied to the cladding due to the easy fabrication and installation methods of the product.
Aluminum Plates are produced with pure and solid aluminum. They are sustainable and fire resistant thus they come with high level of reliability. These plates are perfect for flat cladding systems due to their large amount of finishes and colors, which are available in industry. They are approvable for utilizing in both exterior and interior construction and building design applications. These metal wall panels bring unlimited installation options due to their solid aluminum based structure in comparison to other sheet metals with composite core. Opposed to other metal systems, aluminum plates are weld-able, thus different aesthetic shapes can be fabricated an attached in order to fulfill any design, which is desired. These aluminum products often have post painting procedure and lower paint cost before being available in market, thus they are budget friendly materials for the building owner who does not consider having high expenditure. They are unlimited color options available for the material and this makes the product exceptional to be utilized for exterior design.
Aluminum Plates Important Features
Thermal Movement for Attachment System
Aluminum plates start to expand or contract when exposed to climate or seasonal weather conditions such as frequent change in temperature. For example, the material will have approximately 3mm length expansion or contraction in temperature range of -20 to 30 degrees. This factor should always be considered before installing building claddings. Thus, aluminum plates have the advantage of being installed in way that expansion and contraction problem will no longer be an issue. This means that the plates are placed next to each other with a small amount of gap in-between to prevent the cladding from having any thermal movement problems.
Replacement of Single Panel
When it comes to external wall cladding, considering changing a specific panel due to damages caused by light, dust etc. is common. These damages are avoidable with proper and simple maintenance process, which should be done regularly. However, many building owners choose to replace some of the panels for changing the aesthetics of the facility. This is often about using another plate, which has different color. Aluminum plates have the ability to be changed in specific area and portion without requiring complete renovating procedure.
Easy Maintenance
It is obvious that every product need to have appropriate maintenance in order to maintain its quality during lifetime. Thus, this is considered as one of the most important and inevitable expenditures of a building. However, Aluminum plates have the ability to be cleaned and maintained with easy procedure at the lowest cost in comparison to other materials available in the industry. Cleaning these products is challenging only for high-rise buildings. The challenge is just about the number of working specialists and high-tech equipment for reaching all portions of the cladding.
Long Lasting
Aluminum plates are naturally long lasting materials. However, applying different types of finishes can increase the lifetime of the material. One of the methods available in industry is mechanical which includes polishing, buffing, grinding and sanding and improves quality of the surface. This method is also used for other cosmetic finishing preparation. For giving a mirror or specular finish to the product, bright dipping method is commonly used. For applying additional protection to the existing film, an electrochemical process is done on the material, which is called “Anodizing”. The most common finish in industry is liquid paint, which is coating and giving a uniform film thickness and special characteristics to the product.
Fire and Water Resistant
Aluminum plates are waterproof and fire resistant. Thus, they are ideal for high-tech and modern buildings, which require safety standards and are built in humid areas. Being waterproof makes the product suitable for making rain screens. Fire is one of the oldest threads existed for buildings. Aluminum plates have the ability to prevent the fire from spreading over the portions of the building. Thus, these materials are helpful in extinguishing fire and preventing the damage, which can be irreparable.
Wet joint System
Aluminum plate systems have wet sealant in the joint which is offering additional water penetration protection with special conditions. This increases the water resistant ability of the product and the lifetime of it. It also good to know that panel system types are determined by the joint method, which is used in installation process