The design and construction industry is constantly evolving with newer technologies influencing building processes and product innovations driving consumer preferences. Conventional building materials such as timber are being replaced by more efficient alternatives with lesser impact on the environment and better performance in terms durability, versatility, maintenance, and speed of construction.

Aluminium is one such material that addresses the shortcomings of conventional building materials and is highly versatile in application across residential and commercial projects.

Ease of construction

Aluminium is a lightweight building material, a quality that brings multiple advantages to any build. Since aluminium profiles are hollow, large extrusions can be specified without worrying about excessive weight. Timber weight, on the other hand, is based on density, which varies greatly between species. For instance, pine, one of the heaviest species commonly used in construction weighs 600kg per cubic metre.

From a practical point of view, aluminium’s low weight significantly reduces both time and cost during installation. Unlike timber or other materials, aluminium does not require post-installation finishing such as oiling, painting, staining, or sanding. Most aluminium products for facades, feature walls and screening are supplied with pre-punched holes for simple and fast concealed fixing using screws. Colour-matched end caps can also be supplied to ensure a neat finish without additional labour or material requirements.

Durability

Aluminium is a high-strength, highly durable material that will not rot, warp or suffer termite attacks. Maintenance is also minimised since aluminium can stand up to weathering and exposure. Aluminium, therefore, has an extended lifespan, which is enhanced by its inherent corrosion resistance. Aluminium has a natural oxide ‘skin’ that protects the material against corrosion as well as cuts and scratches.

Design flexibility

Aluminium is a highly flexible and versatile material – it can be extruded to virtually any profile or dimension. It’s also a material of choice for a broad range of applications from doors, windows, screens and cladding to gates and facades in both commercial and residential projects. Available in hundreds of profiles and extrusions, aluminium can be easily cut down to suit the size requirements of any specific project.

Aluminium products can be supplied in a powder-coated finish to enhance appearance and performance. The powdercoat not only increases the durability of the aluminium product, but also allows for extensive customisation based on colours, textures, and even graphics.

Sustainability

Aluminium addresses several environmental concerns associated with conventional building materials such as concrete, timber or plastic. Aluminium can be fully recycled at the end of its useful life. Aluminium products do not emit harmful greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide or volatile organic compounds (VOCs), making them a healthy choice for both building occupants and the environment.

DecoWood

DecoWood from Decorative Imaging is a high performance aluminium product in a natural timber finish that meets both aesthetic and functional objectives in any building project. Designed and engineered to survive the harsh Australian climate, DecoWood is suited to a diverse range of applications including facades, cladding, gates, windows, doors, and decks.

DecoWood features a textured woodgrain finish that is 50 per cent more durable than standard powder-coating and is guaranteed not to peel or wear off. This finish is achieved through a two-step photo imaging process where the profiles are first coated in a rich, high performance Super Durable powder-coating, and then high quality images of timber grain are sublimated into the powder-coating for the final natural timber look finish.

DecoWood is available nationwide in a selection of 23 timber grains and a range of high quality, realistic textures. It is fully compliant with all the relevant Australian and international standards for quality and performance.