Hello World! Welcome Friends! Aluminum is one of the top construction materials used for homes and high-rise buildings due to its benefits. Since its discovery, it has become a significant part of society’s industrialization and prevails in modern architecture today.
The construction industry continuously grows worldwide, taking about 38% of global carbon emissions. Thus, the call for sustainable and eco-friendly building solutions is necessary to minimize the industry’s environmental impact.
Sustainability is a common goal for homeowners planning to remodel their homes or prepare to build from scratch. In this case, sustainable materials like aluminum are an excellent option.
Essential Uses of Aluminum In the Home
Aluminum is a common material in home construction, along with steel and timber. Here are some of its uses:
Window and Door Framing
Aluminum is an excellent material for window and door framing. Compared to wood, it requires little to no maintenance and lasts up to 45 years. It’s suitable for home parts exposed to liquid and moisture since it’s weatherproof. To know more about aluminum joinery, you may visit windowfactory.co.nz/.
Metal Roof Coating
Metal roof is a standard roofing material for modern and contemporary homes. Since most metal sheets are prone to rust over time, manufacturers add a layer of aluminum for protection. Aluminum acts as a waterproof barrier, making the roof corrosion-resistant.
Ductwork
The home’s ductwork is prone to mold and mildew buildup, primarily when not properly maintained. However, using an aluminum sheet for the tubes is ideal for preventing this issue. Since aluminum prevents moisture accumulation, there’s no room for spores to cling to and grow.
Glass Partitions
Glass partitions are an elegant element for modern homes, particularly in the bathroom. Due to its flexibility, framed glass dividers are often created with aluminum. Glass is a fragile material, and aluminum provides enough protection for impact on the edges and corners.
Railings
Aluminum is suitable for indoor and outdoor railings. You may use them for the staircase, balcony, and patio fence. Although stainless steel is commonly used for these home parts, aluminum is much cheaper and has a more efficient strength-to-weight ratio.
Cabinets and Closets
Aluminum is also a perfect material for home furniture pieces like cabinets and closets. For example, aluminum kitchen cabinets are more durable than wood and require less maintenance. It may cost a little higher than wood, but you can save on maintenance costs in the long run.
Benefits of Aluminum In Home Construction
Aluminum is an excellent construction material for the following benefits:
Durability and Flexibility
Despite being lightweight, aluminum is highly durable. It can absorb shock, which makes it suitable for glaze framing. While steel is ideal for structural framing for its load-bearing capacity, aluminum is perfect for exterior facades and joinery.
Its flexibility makes it easily adaptable for different construction and furnishing needs at home. It can be used for cabinets, drawers, shelves, and a component of essential appliances like a refrigerator, washing machine, and dryer.
Thermal Efficiency
Aluminum is a good insulation material since it doesn’t radiate heat. Some roof and wall insulation materials are coated with a double-sided layer of aluminum to help maintain the home’s temperature.
As aluminum creates a barrier that stops hot or cold air from passing through, it serves as effective home insulation. When used as roof insulation, it reflects the heat from the sun instead of absorbing it.
High Corrosion Resistance
Aluminum’s durability is rooted in its resistance to corrosion. Since most metals are prone to rust, aluminum is an excellent option for building parts most exposed to extreme weather conditions, dust, and moisture. Moreover, aluminum’s weatherproof properties are perfect for creating outdoor furniture and garden enclosures.
Cost-Effective
Aluminum is an affordable alternative to wood joinery. Although timber looks warm and homely, especially for home interiors, it can be a headache to maintain. It needs regular repainting and staining. On the other hand, aluminum is the cheaper but better alternative. In terms of aesthetic value, aluminum can be painted to match your home design.
Is Aluminum Truly Sustainable and Eco-Friendly?
Although some environmentalists still argue about aluminum’s environmental impact, most agree that it’s one of the most sustainable solutions to modern construction.
One reason that makes aluminum sustainable is recyclability. Aluminum doesn’t corrode or degrade over time. When no longer in use, construction materials, furniture, and appliances made of aluminum can be brought to a recycling center to be crushed, melted, and repurposed.
Aluminum consumes 95% less than the total energy used in the initial production during the recycling process. Thus, recycling can reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions if done ethically. You may use recycled aluminum for your construction and furnishing needs to create an eco-friendly home if available.
Conclusion
As a homeowner, choosing sustainable and eco-friendly materials is one way to create a safe and healthy home for you and your family. This step begins with learning from essential guides and tips about modern construction and sustainability efforts you can follow.
Click the links below for any posts you have missed:
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Toodles,
This is such a good read and the ideas that you have presented here are great! I was also looking for some modern yet eco-friendly designs and came across AvailableGoods. They are dedicated to providing sustainable living for everyone.
https://www.availablegoods.com/2022/07/13/a-guide-to-hydroponic-gardening/