Whether you’re interested in artfully designed aluminium screens, functional bar grille, weatherproof louvres, or any other of our high-performance external shade structures, you’ll notice aluminium listed in the materials description box. Aluminium is a popular material in architectural cladding, in part because it is so versatile. In fact, aluminium is responsible for some of the most awe-inspiring architectural designs the world has seen to date, such as the Empire State Building, the Burj Khalifa, and the Shard. Read on to discover more about this incredible material and why we at CVS Group use it to make many of our world-class shade structures.
Aluminium is a Robust, Long Lasting High Performer
Aluminium is a corrosion resistant material in and of itself; unlike other metals it does not require any further treatment after being spun to be able to withstand moist, damp or abrasive conditions. Furthermore, aluminium tolerates both extreme cold (-30 degrees Celsius) and extreme heat (+300 degrees Celsius), which is partly why it makes such a fantastic architectural material all over the world, as it is suitable in virtually every climate.
Aluminium is also extremely strong, with yield strengths ranging from 200 MPa to 600 MPa. In fact, depending on the alloy and processing technique used, aluminium can be forged to be just as strong if not stronger than some steel. Finally, aluminium is exceptionally sturdy and long-lasting, making it an appropriate architectural material that is guaranteed to last for upwards of 80 years.
Aluminium is Malleable
When it comes to aluminium, the obvious comparison is steel. Steel is tough but it lacks ductile strength, meaning it cannot be spun out into the decorative curves and shapes that aluminium is capable of. One glance at some of the buildings across the skyline of Dubai is enough to understand the advantage of using aluminium in design. The framing of the Opus is a case in point – glasswork and aluminium make up the stunning interior “void” that resembles a wave. As demonstrated by the Opus and other buildings, aluminium can be pushed to extreme dimensional limits without cracking or ripping.
In terms of architectural louvres and shade structures, the versatility of aluminium benefits many custom and unique designs, but especially when curves or perforated patterns are required. We use aluminium across our entire product range because of its ductile strength, design flexibility and innate corrosion resistance.
Aluminium is Lightweight
Despite being incredibly strong, in comparison to other metals aluminium is also incredibly lightweight. It goes without saying that it pays to only work with lightweight materials when working on the external parts of a building, as to avoid adding undue loads that could damage the building’s integrity. Furthermore, aluminium’s lightweight profile allows designers to be more creative. A fantastic example is the roof cladding that covers the Abu Dhabi Louvre Museum, built from thousands of aluminium triangles that cross-cross over 8 layers to create the visual effect of a sky full of stars. More locally we used perforated screens to create gentle dappled light at the Oatley Railway Station in NSW. Finally, the lightweight nature of aluminium makes it easy to install, ideal for aluminium screens, which results in production cost savings and a lower risk of damage.
Aluminium is Sustainable
A vitally important feature of aluminium is that it is endlessly recyclable. In fact, aluminium is one of the most recycled materials on earth. Old buildings become new buildings through the process of melting down and re-using aluminium products and parts. In American alone nearly 75 percent of all aluminium produced is still in use today, if that is any indication of just how sustainable aluminium can be! Finally, it goes without saying that today sustainable buildings are celebrated, as we move toward a greener future.
The Best External Louvres and Shading in Australia
Get in touch with CVS to learn more about our external louvres, aluminium screens and shading solutions. Our expert team will be happy to assist you.