Aluminum: The Most Ideal Outdoor Construction Material

There's a go-to list that construction companies turn to when considering their choice of outdoor metal—stainless, red metals, or maybe galvanized steel. All of these metals are ideal, depending on the conditions and the nature of the project. However, if you're building a structure in tropical countries like the Philippines, your best bet is on aluminum. 

Most construction firms in the country know this fact like the back of their hand. If you're just starting out and looking for someone who can supply you with aluminum composite panels (ACP), ask the company that offers construction equipment rental in the Philippines. They usually know a supplier that can provide you with ACPs. 

Going back to aluminum, what exactly makes it the most ideal outdoor construction material for your building projects?

Aluminum is an easy pick for experienced construction firms simply because it does not rust. As it oxidizes, it goes through something called self-passivation where it creates an external protective layer. 

This oxidation may cause the paint to fade a little bit but truly experienced builders know that you must anodize the aluminum to force self-passivation before painting it in. That way, the aluminum looks polished before you apply paint. 

The sun and the rain may be the true testers of outdoor durability and strength, and it's safe to say that aluminum passed this test with flying panels.

ACPs are weather and stain resistant. The perfect outdoor cladding material must be durable and should stand the test of time. Put those factors together and you'll get ACPs as a result. 

In the past, external facade cladding in high-rise buildings would often cause fires after continuous long exposure to extreme heat. Later on, it was discovered that the materials used in the external cladding released combustible elements which didn't help the buildings from fire-related incidents. After this discovery, the materials that were used then were banned. 

A performance standard was then implemented in most of the countries of the world. The standard led to the use of ACPs. 

Fire-retardant ACPs don't give off combustible fumes or gases when exposed to extreme heat or even fire. Buildings in tropical countries like the Philippines should always be built out of materials that won't encourage the spreading of fire as the climate in the country makes it so easy for fires to happen. 

ACP is an easy choice for every firm, project manager, or engineer out there. ACPs are cost-effective, easy to install, and easy to maintain. Again, if you're not sure where to get ACPs for your project, try and ask companies that offer heavy equipment rental service in the Philippines as they can give you recommendations.

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