ANODISED ALUMINIUM – FINISHES AND COLOURS
A DISTINCTIVE FINISH FOR GENERATIONS
What is anodising?
Anodising is an electrochemical process that transforms the surface of aluminium into a hard, durable and naturally metallic finish.
Unlike paints and powder coatings, which apply an additional material to the aluminium, anodising becomes an integral part of the metal surface. It cannot peel, flake or blister in the manner of an applied coating.
This fundamental difference in finishing technologies offers architects and designers an important choice in achieving lasting architectural outcomes.
Why choose architectural anodising?
For more than 40 years, the founders of AAF have been involved in developing and supplying high-grade architectural aluminium finishes.
AAF’s Evershield® architectural anodising has been used on significant Australian buildings, with finishes developed to provide lasting appearance and performance in demanding environments.
Today, AAF Queensland is committed to maintaining the availability of high-grade architectural anodising, supported by process certification, technical guidance and warranties of up to 50 years.
Our Brisbane facility offers seven selected architectural colours, together with assistance in colour selection, specification and project requirements.
A finish designed for generations
The durability of architectural finishes is increasingly important as buildings are designed for longer service lives.
High-grade architectural anodising offers excellent resistance to ultraviolet exposure, weathering and demanding coastal conditions when correctly specified and processed.
Importantly, independent research and real-world architectural examples provide evidence of anodised aluminium remaining in service for periods extending well beyond conventional warranty terms.
These findings offer valuable information when considering the long-term performance of building materials.
Sustainability — the finish matters too
The development of lower-carbon aluminium is an important step towards more sustainable architecture. However, the finishing process and its service life also deserve consideration.
A durable architectural finish can help reduce the need for maintenance, refurbishment and replacement, extending the benefits of the aluminium already produced.
Anodising and powder coating are fundamentally different technologies, each offering advantages for particular applications.
Understanding these differences, including their environmental impacts and long-term performance, can assist architects and specifiers in making informed decisions.
Supporting informed architectural choices
AAF Queensland is developing a Research Centre bringing together technical papers, independent scientific research, industry publications and real-world evidence relating to architectural anodising.
Our purpose is to make this information more accessible and to assist architects, designers, builders and aluminium suppliers in evaluating finishing options for lasting, sustainable buildings.
We are also committed to providing practical technical support, from initial finish selection and specification through to processing and installation.