Design continually evolves and the materials that contribute to a design’s aesthetic and functionality, as well as the potential for sustainable use, continue to shape design’s evolution. Out of the many choices available to modern day designers, brushed aluminium consistently leads the pack when it comes to contemporary design. Brushed aluminium is designed to be both functional and pleasing to the eye and more importantly, it is universally accepted by architects, interior designers, and product designers.
But what makes brushed aluminium sheet so unique and extraordinary? This blog post will explore the brushed aluminium’s properties, uses, and advantages. This should be of help when redesigning a kitchen, filling a retail space, or designing custom signage. Understanding the reasons for the popularity of brushed aluminium will make the decision making process easier.
At Wholesale POS, we design and fabricate premium aluminium composite sheets that can be customized with a brushed finish. These sheets are ideal for point of sale displays and other fabrication projects.
What is Brushed Aluminium?
Brushed aluminium is created when the surface of finished aluminium sheets is mechanically polished with wires or sandpaper, resulting in an even satin finish. This also removes the shiny look of polished aluminium, replacing the surface with a subtle linear finish which reflects light, rather than absorbing it.
Brushed aluminium is advantageous as it doesn’t show fingerprints or scratches as easily when compared to polished aluminium, giving it a look of authentic premium quality. This type of finish is typically applied to aluminium alloys with an anodized or coated finish for added strength. Brushed finishes are applied to alloys such as 5052 or 6061 which are corrosion resistant and also strong.
Brushed finishes began their rise in the 1950s alongside modernist movements in the built forms, such as Bauhaus and Minimalism which used clean industrial materials, and continued through the 70s with the Brushed Aluminium fad and the 70s disco craze. Now days widely available sheet, panel, extrusion, and composite products are available. Brushed Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) are a popular lightweight and rigid option on the market with a brushed look with their aluminium skin and polyethylene core.
The unique interaction of brushed aluminum and different surface treatments and applications makes it suitable for architectural facades and consumer electronics. Brushed aluminum requires minimal manufacturing and is high value. The continued and timeless attraction to brushed aluminum will not bend or break due to design trends that lean towards minimalism and functionality.
The Aesthetic Appeal of Brushed Aluminum
Brushed aluminum is a popular design choice due to its high aesthetic value. The finish is sophisticated alongside modern design trends calling for matte and textured surfaces. The grain results in depth and movement in a calm and un-claustrophobic manner.
Brushed aluminum also works well in design styles that range from industrial to Scandinavian minimalism. The soft silver or gray finish of brushed aluminum is neutral enough to be balanced with contrasting elements and colors. Brushed aluminum tiles are a modern alternative to traditional tiles and reflect light to create a larger feel and brighter ambiance in the room.
On the outside of the building, architecture uses brushed aluminum panels to provide a timeless and modern style. At a fraction of the price of more expensive metals, the material mimicking metals like stainless steel makes it a great fit for more budgeted projects. The brushed texture absorbs high polished surfaces that cause distractions, so it is good for high traffic areas.
Designers like how brushed aluminum works with changing light. The satin finish shifts as the light changes. Evolving light adds movement to an otherwise static construction. It has been used Apple’s finished products for that same reason. In today’s world, brushed aluminum uses modern and cutting edge to tell the story of the building.
Practical Benefits of Brushed Aluminum
Brushed aluminum is used to create many things and to provide a variety of benefits. Other than the aesthetics and great construction materials, the practicality of brushed aluminum is one of the biggest reasons it has become so popular. It’s lightweight, increibly strong with a greater strength to weight ratio, and uses a special process that makes the aluminum a thousand times more resistant to scratches, dents, and other forms of wear than a regular piece of aluminum.
The brushed aluminum that has gone through anodization has protective layers that save it from corrosion, UV exposure, and chemical damage. This makes it usable indoors and outdoors, and it will last through any kind of weather without fading or rusting. It will stay in good condition for decades in comparison to materials like wood and plastic, which will degrade and warp with time, so there will be less need for replacements.
The matte finish is possibly the best from a maintenance standpoint. It hides fingerprints and smudges from people, and it will be less damaged when compared to glossy finishes, and in high-use environments like restaurants or homes it will be easy to keep it looking new with just a mild detergent. Since the surface is not porous, bacteria and mold will be less likely to stick to it.
Brushed industrial aluminum has good electrical properties and thermal conductivity, which makes it even more useful, and its easy to recycle, which is good for the environment. All of these things make it a good choice, and it will save you money on maintenance and repairs long after its more expensive initial investment. This is good for a business, because it will improve the brand’s reputation by providing good quality materials.
Versatility Across Industries
Using it for its versatility is a big reason why brushed aluminum is so popular. It can be used in many sectors with many different end uses, and it can adjust to complete small to large scale projects.
In construction and architecture, light weight brushed aluminum simplifies installation for window frames, roofings and facades. It is also reason why it is used in construction in architecture. In means of construction, brushed aluminum is used in frames, roofings, and facades. It is also used seats in cars, aircrafts, and trains for its construction and architecture. It’s light weight construction means it’s used for seats in cars, trains, and aircrafts.
In consumer products, brushed aluminum is widely used in smartphones, laptops, and kitchen appliances like ovens and fridges. It gives everyday products a touch of sophistication, modernness, and a light weight construction even means it’s used for seats in cars, trains, and aircrafts.
In point of sale and retail environments, brushed aluminum serves as a light weight, sophisticated, and modern construction material as point of sale serves as a light weight, modern, and sophisticated material. Our construction sheets serve as a point of sale composite for construction point of sale to brushed aluminum.
In home decor, brushed aluminum serves as a modern touch in lighting and in panels. It’s also combined through vertical integration.
Here is an example of brushed aluminum being used in furniture design:
Sustainability and Eco Friendliness
Brushed aluminum can be a good example of a product that creates less impact on the environment and is a good example of sustainability. Aluminum can be recycled an infinite number of times and only loses its quality when recycled. Aluminum also only uses about 5% of the energy used in the initial manufacturing when being recycled.
Brushed aluminum has also been proven to be less wasteful when compared to the rest of the aluminum industry. Protective anodizing coatings also do not use the harmful chemicals that the rest of the coatings in the aluminum industry use.
Brushed aluminum is a good product to use for LEED certified design projects. Brushed aluminum can also be used to create energy efficient buildings because brushed aluminum is energy reflective which allows for cool air to be kept in the building.
At Wholesale POS, we believe in the circular economy, which is why our brushed aluminum products support sustainability. With the right design materials and components, designers can create amazing spaces for people and the planet to thrive.
Comparison to Other Metal Finishes
Brushed aluminum is also a better choice compared to polished stainless steel, polished brass and other materials which use the same manufacturing processes. Other materials may be more reflective, brushed aluminum will not get scratches like the other reflective materials. Polished brass is also a great design choice, but will start to tarnish after a while and is also heavier than other options.
Brushed aluminum hits again the sweet spot since it’s less expensive than stainless steel, lighter than brass, and offers a modern matte finish, most people prefer over the traditional shiny metals. Its texture helps provide grip, and the fade finish makes it functional for items like handles, and helps in avoiding harsh reflections.
In signage, supplied by Wholesale POS, brushed aluminum surpasses the common options with its classy finish, allowing brands to stand out in a subtle way.
Real World Examples and Case Studies
Brushed aluminum shines in real-world projects. It is used in Apple’s MacBook line to give it a premium look and provide a durable casing. In architecture, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao employs brushed aluminum for iconic appeal.
In retail, high-end stores like IKEA incorporate brushed aluminum for modern shelving. A case study from a UK-based retailer showed that switching to brushed aluminum displays not only increased perceived product value but also sustained a maintenance cost reduction of 30%.
Wholesale POS has supplied brushed aluminum composites for custom POS stands in major retail chains and improved the look of stores while providing durability.
Incorporating Brushed Aluminium with Wholesale POS
We know that brushed aluminium is very popular, and at Wholesale POS we pride ourselves on having products that give you endless possibilities to bring your visions into reality.
Our aluminum composite sheets with brushed finish are ideal for custom point-of-sale systems, signage and displays. We guarantee quality and precision with our custom fabrication services, including CNC routing and laser cutting.
Whether you’re a designer seeking materials for your latest creation, or a retail shop owner wanting to refresh your space, our brushed aluminum products are ideal. We invite you to review our catalog, and don’t hesitate to ask for a custom quote.
In Summation
Brushed aluminium is rapidly gaining as a strong presence in modern design. It’s because of its aesthetic versatility, durability, and practicality. Go into any modern design, and you will see brushed aluminium. No design will be fully complete without the touch of brushed aluminium.
If you are looking for brushed aluminium, we recommend you visit Wholesale POS or Contact Us for quality materials and guidance.