As the construction industry worldwide gets bigger and more complex, new and renovation projects having to meet increasingly stringent standards, regulations, and sustainable goals. It is good to know in these circumstances that one of the biggest advantages of using aluminium in building products, for envelopes, rainscreen and facades is the exceptional “Freedom of Form” it offers, whilst being able to meet the latest demands placed on construction.
Aluminium has endless possibilities when it comes to the design and engineering of building envelopes and facades. By adjusting the shapes and coatings of the aluminium window, door and façade profiles, each side of a building can be designed with a unique look.
The thermal efficiency of aluminium products means energy consumption should be reduced, and a comfortable, secure, and safe environment created for occupants whilst the architectural and aesthetic requirements of the project are met.
Aluminium profiles can be made in all kinds of shapes and styles due to the high elasticity and light weight of aluminium, which offers enormous freedom when designing building envelopes and façades. The costs to make a mould for a special aluminium profile are relatively low making aluminium financially feasible choice for use in most building projects.
The use of aluminium means the latest wind and water resistance and insulation values can be achieved by modifying each change of shape and profile to ensure wind and water tightness and insulating values remain intact to achieve best in class energy-efficiency, and to provide a pleasant acoustic and thermal comfort environment for people using the building.
Due to the strength and versatility of aluminium frames, it is possible to have huge glass or panel surfaces incorporated in the design. Infinitely flexible in size and capability, aluminium façade glazing walls (curtain walling) are used where general aluminium windows are not possible due to their maximum sizes. The design of curtain walling is credited with transforming building design. These façade glazing walls provide panoramic views and further enhances a building’s appearance.
There is a growing trend for aluminium curtain walling to be changed or adapted to give a façade a different aspect or identity by using the existing aluminium fixing frame to incorporate a design uplift, for example when new owners take over the building.
Also, because aluminium curtain walls are modular and demountable, they can be taken apart, adjusted, and put back on the same or a different building. Due to the long service life of aluminium this flexibility can offer a real economic and financially viable option. Further, the aluminium profiles can be disassembled and recycled indefinitely, making a real environment saving impact.
Companies are pushing the boundaries to produce lower carbon primary aluminium and the demand for recycled aluminium is growing fast with the use of end-of-life (post-consumer scrap). Aluminium is infinitely recyclable. Its quality and material properties are never lost. Furthermore, melting down end-of-life aluminium uses just 5% of the energy required for primary aluminium production. So, the higher the recycled content of post-consumer scrap, the better it is for the environment.
Prime quality aluminium made with a minimum of 75% recycled, end-of-life aluminium is a key product satisfying the drive for sustainability and the growing demand for low carbon construction products. With more projects built using sustainable aluminium system solutions, the more we can continuously improve the eco balance of buildings.
To achieve full freedom of form in aluminium façade design it is recommended all key players (each separate expert) meet at the earliest stage to achieve a design that is feasible, efficient, and built as economically as possible.
It is important for all the key players to share their expert knowledge and experience in their respective fields, and to reach an agreed economic and costing strategy from the start. Without this early involvement the danger is that the opportunity may be missed to use the latest technological and innovation developments into the building, and it may be difficult to avoid unwanted cost issues further down the line of the project, especially if initial decisions are made which are not properly informed decisions. It is usually expensive to try to turn the clock back on building projects.
When all key players meet at the earliest opportunity in the project life cycle this allows time to explore alternatives and deploy the specialist knowledge that each person has to offer in order to achieve the best agreed freedom of form designed building.
