Aluminum siding usage is experiencing decrement as an exterior metal cladding system because other building facade materials such as ACM panels and ACP materials have become more popular choices among builders and contractors. However, this metal cladding is still one of the most valuable and common building materials and forms of siding found today. Since the day of creation, aluminum siding has provided various advantages over other materials, which goes back to the 1940s. This metal cladding was affordable, and it was installed on many homes through the 1970s. Aluminum claddings are generally durable and can last for a long without requiring complex maintenance. However, after years of service, a homeowner may consider replacing them or selling them to buy new products. In this case, it is better to recycle aluminum sidings.
What is Aluminum Siding?
Aluminum siding claddings are made from aluminum coil stocks that are coated with chemical substances to protect the metal surface and then painted for further protection and aesthetics. After coating, ACP companies and manufacturers bake the aluminum siding for better durability while applying enamel to create beautiful textures.
One of the earliest architectural applications of aluminum panel claddings came in the 1920s when it was utilized for producing ornamental spandrel panels for famous buildings such as the Empire State Buildings in NYC. By the 1940s, this metal cladding system was being produced for residential buildings and became popular due to its various advantages over other cladding systems at the time.
However, the popularity of the aluminum siding cladding system remained steady until the energy crisis that occurred in the 1970s. Since the production process of aluminum claddings requires a great deal of energy and a considerable amount of raw materials, building materials manufacturers started developing other practical metal claddings such as aluminum composite panels. These specific factors affected the usage of these metal sidings. However, one of the best ways to produce and create new aluminum claddings is to recycle aluminum sidings and use them for modern aluminum composite panels.
Advantages of Aluminum Claddings and Panels
Although aluminum siding or claddings are used less than aluminum composite panels, these metal building facades possess some unique attributes that may be advantageous over other building materials in some situations. Manufacturers recycle aluminum sidings to produce modern sidings with better advantages. Here are some of the essential benefits and advantages of aluminum sidings to consider:
- Aluminum sidings are lightweight building materials.
- Aluminum cladding panels are highly durable, and if maintained properly, they can last for 40 years.
- ACP companies and manufacturers can apply any paint finish to the metal sidings.
- Aluminum sidings do not rust.
- ACM panels are fireproof since they contain a fire-resistant core.
- Aluminum claddings are also water-proof.
- Manufacturers can recycle aluminum siding easily.
- The protective coating applied to the siding surface can mimic the look of natural materials such as wood. (Perfect for homeowners who prefer to have a more traditional-looking building facade.
- Since aluminum sidings and claddings do not contain organic materials, they will not rot or serve as a source of food for insects.
Recycle Aluminum Siding and Claddings Easily
For remodeling, a home or an office building with a DIY process or a pro contractor, discarding the scrap materials from the wasted parts of the job can turn into an expensive and distracting side project. Removing, replacing, or painting aluminum siding or metal cladding provides no joy in the disposal and cleanup. Metal sidings are among the few building materials that are in high demand even when ripped, twisted, or crushed. Old Aluminum siding is the most outstanding example of a waste product enduring value.
Homeowners can recycle aluminum siding at ACP company and manufacturers to get a rewarding strategy for the disposal of torn-down cladding. Manufacturers utilize various methods to recycle aluminum siding.
Bringing in old and damaged aluminum sidings is easy. To have a more efficient recycling process, it is better to check for non-ferrous or ferrous metal. Homeowners can detect ferrous by using a simple magnet. If they pull down a gutter with the cladding material, simply check if a magnet will cling or stick to it. After detecting the best sidings for recycling, bring them to ACP manufacturers for further process. The process manufacturers utilize to recycle aluminum siding is as follows:
- Crushing Old Aluminum Siding
- Grinding the Crushed Aluminum Panels
- Utilizing Circulating Water Cooling System
- Sieving Aluminum Panels and Sidings
- Separating the Particles by Electrostatic Method