What is Powder Coated Aluminum?

Powder coated aluminum is a construction material used in the creation of a number of building projects. The powder coating on the aluminum helps to enhance the metal's ability to resist corrosion and damage from the elements. This property helps the material ideal for use in outdoor projects.

The powder coating is generally a chromium-free combination of various phosphates and blends of fine particles of such metals as titanium. The exact components may vary slightly from one manufacturer to another, but the overall effect is to create a powder veneer on aluminum sections that will retard rust, corrosion, and general weakening of the metal when it's exposed to a variety of weather conditions. The coating allows this lightweight but sturdy metal to be used in the manufacturing of such products as lawn and patio furniture, pool cleaning accessories, and support poles for volleyball and tennis nets.

Powder coated aluminum can also be used for more permanent structures outside the home. For example, it is possible to purchase rails or pickets that can be used to create decorate fences around the property. The powder coating does not prevent the homeowner from painting the pickets, so it is still possible to change the color at will. Several manufactures offer pickets and prefabricated rolls of picket fences made with this material in a number of different colors, however. In addition to eliminating the need to paint, the color finish is often guaranteed to stand up to 15 to 20 years before beginning to fade.

Along with fencing, powder coated aluminum can also be used to create long lasting exterior lighting solutions. This includes fixtures that are mounted to an exterior wall of the home or stand along pole lamps. As with the fencing, lamps made with this material are available in a wide range of colors and will hold the color for many years.