Aluminum Trims for Sustainable Building Materials

Aluminum is the most abundant element found on Earth and has long been a metal of choice for manufacturing due to properties such as rust and corrosion resistance, strength, and malleability. Did you know that aluminum is also considered an eco-friendly material for a variety of reasons? As businesses search for methods to reduce their environmental impact and promote a circular economy, products made with aluminum offer several advantages. The following are excellent examples of how aluminum extrusions’ durability, energy efficiency, and recyclability play an important role in environmentally friendly designs.

Aluminum is the Green Metal in Sustainable Construction

Approximately 25% of the world’s aluminum production is utilized in the construction industry. This adaptable material, celebrated for its durability, corrosion resistance, and recyclability, is becoming a top choice for green building projects, earning it the nickname “the green metal.” Because aluminum is one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable construction materials available, incorporating aluminum into building designs helps projects qualify for green building status under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Aluminum extrusions are naturally corrosion resistant which means you can take material from a building that has been up for a century, melt it into ingot, and it can be used again with no loss of properties. Unlike steel frames, window frames made from aluminum channels do not deteriorate and allow for frosting, water or air leakage. Aluminum extrusions also provide insulation and reflect up to 95% of the solar energy that strikes them, dramatically improving the energy efficiency of any building.

Aluminum boasts a lower lifecycle carbon footprint compared to many other building materials, encompassing the extraction, production, use, and recycling phases. Over the years, the production of aluminum has become more energy-efficient, with numerous manufacturers adopting renewable energy sources, further diminishing its carbon footprint for the construction industry.

The Role of Aluminum Extrusions in Green Recreational Vehicle Design

As activities like camping and taking road trips in recreational vehicles become more popular, aluminum extrusions contribute to eco-friendly RV construction, from lightweight frames to energy-efficient components. Using recycled aluminum can significantly reduce carbon emissions and enhance sustainability in RV production. Aluminum is the preferred choice of many automakers due to its ability to reduce vehicle weight leading to improved fuel efficiency.

Extruded aluminum profiles are used to create durable, long-lasting features, such as door tracks and slide track channels for curtains, inside the RV. On the RV’s exterior, aluminum can be used to construct elements like trailer trim, roof edges and drip gutters.

Aluminum Enhances Efforts Towards Sustainable Manufacturing

Versatile aluminum extrusions are ideal for innovative and efficient manufacturing, offering durability and longevity for both indoor and outdoor products. Aluminum products are not only rust-proof, weather-resistant, and capable of withstanding harsh conditions, but when made using recycled (or secondary) aluminum, their environmental impact is reduced. Recycled aluminum only takes around 5% of the energy needed to make new aluminum and recycling rates for aluminum exceed 90% in many industrial markets. According to The Aluminum Association, “Since the early 1990s, the industry has achieved significant decreases in PFC emissions, energy consumption, and overall carbon footprint. Overall, the carbon footprint of primary aluminum production has declined by 49% while the footprint of recycled aluminum production has dropped by 60% since the 1990s.” Industry recycling efforts in the U.S. save more than 90 million barrels of oil equivalent each year. Today, more than 80% of U.S. production is in making recycled aluminum.

Eagle Aluminum: Your Partner in Sustainability

Eagle Aluminum, your trusted aluminum extrusion supplier, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the specific needs of your commercial project when choosing aluminum materials. As sustainability becomes progressively important, the recyclability, endurance to outdoor elements, and lightweight nature of aluminum are just a few of the advantages offered by this eco-friendly material.

For further information on our aluminum extrusions and how Eagle Aluminum can assist you in selecting the ideal aluminum material for your project, contact us today. Let us help you unlock the full potential of aluminum in your commercial space and achieve LEED certification for your building projects with our sustainable, energy-efficient solutions!