Before you commit to buying an aluminium fence, do you really know its characteristics? For several years, aluminium has been one of the most widely used materials across many industries. Automotive, aeronautics, aerospace, and even food packaging—it meets a wide range of needs. The largest aluminium producers are China, Russia, Australia and South America. Did you know? Aluminium is now the 3rd most abundant element after oxygen and silicon! Find out why this material has become essential in our everyday lives.
Good to know: aluminium is the 2nd most used metal across all industries.
What is aluminium?
Alumina, or aluminium oxide, is a chemical compound found in bauxite, a siliceous rock from Africa and Australia. Bauxite contains between 40 and 60% aluminium oxide, mixed with iron oxide and silica. An engineer discovered this rock in France in the 1800s and then decided to use a chemical process to extract aluminium. It was Napoleon III who helped finance this project in 1860! Today, after several processing steps, alumina is recovered in powder form. To make it highly resistant and durable, various alloys are added: copper, iron, magnesium, etc. At the time, aluminium was so expensive that it was used mainly for luxury jewellery (more expensive than silver). It was in the 20th century that aluminium began to make its way into our homes! To shape aluminium into the form you know, there are 3 solutions:
- Rolling: a process that reduces the thickness of the sheet by passing it through rollers hot, then cold.
- Extrusion: the technological solution that makes it possible to obtain a variety of shapes: solid, hollow or semi-hollow.
- Casting: in liquid form, aluminium is poured into a mould to reproduce a given shape.
Its uses are varied! You will find this material in the food industry: cans, capsules, lids and trays. It is a technological revolution in the transport sector, which uses aluminium for aircraft, spacecraft and cars.
The lifespan of aluminium-based products is estimated at between 20 and 50 years!
To obtain small aluminium parts, laser cutting or waterjet cutting is used, offering better cutting precision. This depends on the part’s size and thickness.
Can aluminium be recycled?
One of aluminium’s major advantages is that it is almost 100% recyclable! In fact, 75% of the aluminium in circulation today dates from the last century. The recycled finished product does not lose quality and, above all, it significantly reduces CO2 emissions. How is that possible? It is simple: recycling to produce a new aluminium product uses around 95% less energy than during its 1st production.
In 2015, France recycled 472,000 tonnes of aluminium. Are you starting to like it? So are we!
First, aluminium is collected by scrap dealers who sort aluminium coming from buildings, aircraft, vehicles or components. Next, the metal is selected based on its size, quality, finish, etc. The aluminium is melted and then refined, which improves its quality and finish. So your aluminium fence can be recycled!
What is recycled aluminium used for? It is used to manufacture a huge number of everyday items such as streetlights, radiators and lawnmowers. Thanks to this extensive recycling, we save other, more precious natural resources as well as energy. Indeed, bauxite is a non-renewable resource that may be depleted over the years if we do not recycle enough of our aluminium products.
The benefits of aluminium
Still hesitating? Aluminium has not finished winning you over. In addition to being highly eco-friendly, this material offers an interesting technological advance for a wide range of uses.
- Its lightness: in terms of density, it is lighter than steel, lead and gold. This makes it the lightest material in the world!
- Its strength: aluminium is extremely malleable; it is easy to melt and mould at low temperature. This makes it possible to create made-to-measure products in a variety of shapes. This guarantees both safety and durability.
- Its resistance: aluminium is unaffected by corrosion! It does not rust and does not deteriorate thanks to its protective oxide layer.
- Its safety: dimensionally stable and watertight, it protects you from the elements: rain, fire, hail… Nothing can withstand it! When exposed to extreme heat, it does not release any toxic fumes.
- Its insulation: by reflecting heat, it is a very good thermal insulator! Aluminium also insulates against noise. This is ideal for certain building elements, but it can be regulated by adding profiles that are less thermally conductive.
Did you know? 1 kg of aluminium can replace 2 kg of steel in the automotive sector.
Aluminium in your garden
Using aluminium to fence your garden is possible! There are also aluminium gates and aluminium pedestrian gates that will match your aluminium fence perfectly. You can then enjoy all the benefits of this material for excellent value for money.
Our aluminium fence, as well as our range of aluminium gates and pedestrian gates, is made in Europe and comes with a 10-year warranty. Premium quality and ultra-lightweight, they are quick and easy to install. The anthracite grey colour provides a beautiful finish, adding elegance and a modern look to your garden. You will also find fences in different shades thanks to aluminium anodising and powder coating, so they can suit any environment. What is more, you can choose your finish: glossy, satin or matte—it is up to you…
The aluminium gate is available in sliding or swing versions to best meet your needs. You can also motorise it if you wish. Robust, its bottom rail is reinforced and benefits from the 3 quality labels: Qualicoat, Qualimarine and Qualanod.
Also worth reading: Everything you need to know about aluminium fencing
Maintaining your aluminium fence
In rural areas, it is recommended to clean your aluminium fence and gate/pedestrian gate only once a year. In areas more exposed to external aggressions (sea salt, pollution, etc.), wash it 2 to 3 times a year. If your aluminium fence, gate or pedestrian gate gets dirty, a simple sponge with soap and lukewarm water is enough to remove impurities. Avoid using abrasive products such as household cleaners, and avoid using high-pressure cleaners. The coating may be damaged and water may seep inside.
Do not forget to lubricate the lock and hinges once a year.
Now you know everything! Aluminium is a material that is light, easy to handle and safe—perfect for a privacy screen fence. If you choose aluminium fencing for your garden, you will not be disappointed—quite the opposite. If you would like any further information about our aluminium range, please do not hesitate to contact our Districlos professionals!
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