Custom aluminum extruders have been creating connecting parts for manufacturers of aluminum doors and windows for many years. However, one of the latest trends in the use of aluminum extrusion design is to create aluminum cladding for wood doors and windows. While some manufacturers continue to use a roll-form type of aluminum to create their cladding, others are realizing the advantages associated with using custom aluminum extruders to create their unique designs. A stronger, more durable finish and long-lasting results are just part of the inspiration to choosing extruded aluminum over other materials.
Why Extruded Aluminum Cladding?
While there are many benefits to using aluminum that has gone through the extrusion process, the most obvious is the higher quality results. Even in instances where manufacturers request productions to extrude aluminum alloys over pure aluminum billets, it is the extrusion process itself that helps to increase the strength, appearance and durability of the finished product. Custom aluminum extruders like Silver City Aluminum have a high standard of excellence that they strive to achieve with each and every order that they fill. In the creation of standard aluminum doors and windows, as with cladding that can be used to create aluminum clad wood doors and windows, we only use top quality aluminum materials.
In addition to creating the initial aluminum extrusion design, which can be achieved via standard die or custom die profiles, depending on what is needed, it is also important to consider any secondary operations or finishing that might be required. Finishing can include adding an anodized or powder-coating finish, as well as a spray painted finish to increase the natural anti-corrosion properties of aluminum. These finishing services can also be used to add texture, color or improve the performance of the finished aluminum doors and windows.
Better Than Roll-Form Cladding
Once the aluminum has gone through the extrusion process it becomes stronger and more durable than the metal that is used in the roll-form process. Even the minimum standard for aluminum extrusion design is thicker than what is produced in the roll-form cladding, providing better coverage, protection and overall strength. In fact, this type of cladding can be used on high-rise buildings, providing long-lasting great looking results that can stand up to wind, weather and harsh sunlight. With proper finishing, the cladding created by custom aluminum extruders can last 20 years or more without fading, chalking or requiring refinishing.
Aluminum extrusion design can be used to create cladding for all of the major components of the aluminum doors and windows, including the sash, frame and other parts of the overall finished product. This provides clients and consumers with a much more uniform look in the quality of the doors and windows even before we add a high-performance finish. By choosing quality aluminum billets instead of deciding to extrude aluminum alloys or other metals, manufacturers are able to achieve long-lasting, great-looking results. Extruded aluminum doors and windows are formed first and finished with powder-coating, electrostatic painting or anodizing for more complete coverage.
Painting Aluminum Extrusion Design
The process that is used in the painting of all our custom aluminum products at Silver City Aluminum uses a vertical electrostatic polycron line. Our facility is capable of handling parts up to twenty-one feet in length. We put each item through a four-stage pre-wash system before they are painted and once they have been properly washed and prepped chemically, they are dried thoroughly and completely. We take care with the pre-wash processing to ensure quality and even adhesion of the paint and to provide a very smooth and clean surface. This attention to detail pays off in the results of our finished aluminum doors and windows, as well as other types of aluminum extrusion design that requires finishing services.
Exceeding the industry standard, we apply our paint at approximately 2ml’s wet in thickness, constantly monitoring and checking the parts as they pass to ensure even and consistent results. The aluminum materials are cured in our special custom ovens through a unique baking process before they are taken off the line one at a time by hand. We inspect each and every piece before taking it to our shipping department. We do yet another inspection at this point to make sure that nothing was dinged or damaged during transportation. We provide this level of quality control at every step of the aluminum extrusion design and fabrication process.