Cladding is the covering of one material with another to provide a protective skin or layer. In building construction, cladding serves a variety of purposes, including protecting the building from harsh weather conditions, enhancing the aesthetics of the building, and insulating it from heat. Typically, cladding materials include metals such as aluminum and steel, as well as wood, plastic, stone and composite materials. The choice of cladding material can have a significant impact on a building’s appearance, energy efficiency and maintenance requirements. Aluminum, with its lightweight and high strength, offers a modern and durable option for building facades, contributing to the functionality and visual appeal of the building design.

Anodized aluminum curtain walls are a beautiful sight to behold. Many building facades feature metallic-look aluminum panels that blend in with the ever-changing natural light. But like steel, aluminum can be tinted in different colors and produce different visual effects, such as perforated material or 3D textures. Aluminum panels can be powder- and paint-coated, anodized, and so on.

One of the main advantages of aluminum over steel is that it can be recycled over and over again through simple re-melting, with minimal losses in each cycle. In Europe, more than 30% of aluminum consumption is made from recycled aluminum, and more than 90% of aluminum used in construction is recycled at the end of a building’s life. The recycling process requires only 5% of the energy required to produce primary aluminum. This is a significant contribution to environmental sustainability.