There are many different industries that rely on aluminum extrusion design. The benefits of aluminum products on manufacturing for automotive, construction and the New England marine industry are extensive and can vary, depending on the company’s goals or requirements. While custom aluminum dies are growing in popularity for the transportation industry, aluminum extrusion is also playing a significant role in the area of commercial building construction. The high strength and low weight of aluminum materials make it very attractive to architects and contractors, which are often charged with finding new ways to meet government regulations and construction requirements.
Improving Traditional Products
One way that aluminum extrusion design has helped the construction industry is through the development of more efficient windows and doors, sunshades, and facade systems for commercial and residential construction. Studies reveal that commercial buildings in the United States account for as much as 18 percent of all energy consumption, so steps are being taken to reduce the amount of energy that is used for heating and cooling. Improvements in the area of building components through the use of custom extrusion dies can reduce operating costs and increase energy efficiency throughout the life of the structure.
The New England marine industry and automotive industry have both benefited from the high strength-to-weight ratio of aluminum extrusion design. Weight can play a significant part in commercial construction as well. Considerations must be made to reduce the mass of certain components within the structure to make it more safe and sound. By switching from steel or other materials to aluminum, it is possible to reduce the weight by as much as one-third. There are many advantages associated with the inherent benefits of aluminum products in the area of building and construction, as well as in just about every other industry.
Aluminum Extrusion Facts
If you are not familiar with all of the qualities associated with aluminum, you are in for a surprise. Not only does aluminum have an attractive strength-to-weight ratio, but it can also be recycled over and over again with the degradation of its physical properties. That means lower overhead cost for manufacturing with aluminum extrusion design, as many projects are made with a high volume of recycled materials. In fact, more than 75 percent of the aluminum that has ever been produced is still in use today. Over 1 billion tons of primary aluminum has been produced since 1888, so it is extremely plentiful and cost-effective.
Recycled aluminum makes up approximately 35 percent of global aluminum production, and the amount of energy required to recycle aluminum is just eight percent of the energy required for primary aluminum production. Furthermore, for each ton of aluminum that is recycled compared to producing aluminum materials from the ore, 24 barrels of crude oil equivalents, more than 15 tons of fresh or seawater, and over 9 tons of CO2 equivalents are saved. Using recycled aluminum is a great way to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and create sustainable products that are beneficial to the environment.
Sustainable Buildings: LEED Certification
One of the reasons why many businesses in the construction industry choose aluminum extrusion design is for LEED Certification. Some of the benefits of aluminum products include lightweight strength, design flexibility, sustainability, recyclability, low maintenance, and longevity, all of which line up with the parameters required for LEED Certification. Custom extrusion dies can be used to create windows and doors, including security-based, hurricane-resistant, and blast-resistant systems. They can also be used to create light shelving, sun shades, louvers, and photovoltaic (PV) panel framing and mounting for energy management purposes.
Other ways that aluminum extrusion design has been used for sustainable buildings include the construction of gates and archways, bridge decks, garages, and parking covers, sunrooms, enclosures, atriums, and geodesic structures. It is also used for interior elements, including railing systems, stairways, decorative screening, light housings and grids, elevator cab framing, panel systems, cubicles, and fit-out demountable interior walls. There are many ways for architects and designers to take advantage of the benefits of aluminum products. Silver City Aluminum can help you to create custom aluminum dies according to your needs and specifications.
Ready to get started? Give us a call at 508-824-8631 and speak with one of our technicians or engineers about your industry requirements. We have worked with many different clients, proudly serving the automotive, aerospace, consumer product, architecture, construction, transportation, and New England marine industry in the Greater Southcoast region and all around the globe. Call for a FREE estimate or to learn more about our custom aluminum extrusion design services.