With sustainability at the forefront of architectural design, it’s important to consider the environmental footprint of every building component.
If you’re designing a deck space, aluminum railings are one of the most sustainable and environmentally responsible railing options. They’re long lasting, require low maintenance, and can help you reduce the overall carbon footprint of your outdoor spaces.
At DekSmart, we offer sustainable deck railing products made from recyclable aluminum, which serve the environment while providing a safe, stylish, and durable solution for your next project.
This blog takes a closer look at the life-cycle impact of choosing aluminum railings for your next residential or commercial project. We’ll highlight the durability, energy efficiency, and eco-friendly attributes that make aluminum a sustainable deck railing choice.
Aluminum: A Stylish & Sustainable Deck Railing Solution
When choosing the right deck materials, it’s important to consider your personal style and taste. Your outdoor space should immediately reflect your personality, and create a serene & tranquil environment you enjoy spending time in.
Aluminum makes for an eco-friendly decking option with both gorgeous aesthetics and a low environmental impact.
Aluminum is known for being durable and long lasting – boasting a lifespan of up to 20, 30, or even 70 years. The actual life span of an aluminum product depends on factors such as the climate, your maintenance practices, and the quality of the installation.
As a corrosion resistant metal, aluminum can withstand even the harshest weather conditions while maintaining both structural integrity and aesthetics for extended periods of time.
Investing in aluminum railings means you won’t have to worry about waste production due to frequent replacement.
At DekSmart Railings, we offer a 20-year warranty on our aluminum products which guarantees coverage from material and manufacturer defects for up to two full decades from your date of purchase.
Our aluminum railing systems also adhere to most building codes and safety guidelines across North America, while also honoring a commitment to sustainability.
Aluminum is Infinitely Recyclable
Aluminum is a unique material in the building industry because it can be recycled virtually any number of times. According to The Aluminum Association, recycling rates for aluminum in the building industry are higher than 90%.
Unlike plastic, aluminum can be recycled and reformed into new products without any degradation in quality and with minimal loss of materials.
Compared to wood railings – which involves harvesting raw materials from the environment – using recycled material like aluminum helps minimize the impact on Earth’s vital ecosystems.
The aluminum recycling process is also highly efficient. Producing recycled aluminum consumes about 5% of the energy required to produce new aluminum from raw materials. This 95% savings in energy translates into reduced greenhouse gas emissions and a lower overall cost of production.
Overall, recycled aluminum saves energy, reduces landfill waste, and conserves natural resources – making it one of the most eco friendly deck materials.
Virtually Maintenance Free
Aluminum railings are low maintenance and easy to care for. In most cases, cleaning only requires a hose down or a quick wash with soap, water, and a cloth.
Aluminum railing systems are typically powder coated – a process that protects the aluminum from corrosion, weathering, and UV radiation, while providing a stylish & long-lasting finish.
At DekSmart, our powder coating process uses a non-toxic and environmentally-friendly paint finish in a variety of colors. Powder coating reduces the need for frequent maintenance, extends the lifespan of the railing system, and keeps your dream deck looking pristine for years to come.
To protect against decay, weathering, and insect damage, wood railings require more regular upkeep with staining, sealing, and painting – a process that consumes additional materials, uses chemical products, and requires ongoing labor and energy inputs.
By eliminating the need for ongoing maintenance and the use of chemicals, aluminum railings reduce resource consumption and waste generation over their long lifespan.
Aluminum is Energy Efficient
Efficient Production
Aluminum deck materials are often manufactured using energy efficient systems which use less electricity compared to materials like steel or wrought iron.
Aluminum is produced from bauxite ore through an electrolysis process that consumes less energy than the high-temperature smelting required for steel production.
Efficient Cooling
Aluminum railings also have excellent thermal conductivity, allowing them to dissipate heat quickly and mitigate heat buildup. In outdoor applications, aluminum deck materials help you minimize the use of energy-intensive cooling systems.
Efficient Transport
As a lightweight material, transporting and installing aluminum requires less energy than heavier materials like steel or iron, which helps reduce the carbon footprint of any building project.
How Aluminum Aligns With Sustainability Goals
In the building industry, aluminum is a natural fit towards achieving sustainability targets like LEED certification and Net Zero, while contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the world’s most widely used green building rating system which provides a framework for creating healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings that offer environmental, social, and governance benefits.
Net Zero refers to achieving a balance between the amount of energy consumed and the amount of renewable energy generated or offset, resulting in no net impact on the environment.
Using aluminum in construction projects can help builders towards Net Zero & LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Here’s how:
- Sustainable Material: Aluminum is lightweight, strong, and durable. Its infinitely recyclable nature reduces the need for new resource extraction, helping to decrease your carbon footprint & GHG emissions.
- Energy Efficiency: Aluminum’s low weight reduces energy consumption in transportation.
- Reflectivity: Aluminum’s high reflectivity allows it to bounce back sunlight and reduce solar heat gain, reducing the need for air conditioning and energy consumption.
- Indoor Air Quality: Aluminum materials do not emit harmful substances, contributing to a healthier indoor environment.
- Longevity and Low Maintenance: Aluminum railings, cladding, and roofing have a long life span – often 20 to 70 years. Less frequent maintenance and replacement means less environmental impact.
- Design Flexibility: Aluminum allows for creative architectural designs – including custom shapes, profiles, and color finishes.
- Recycled Content: Aluminum products contain a high percentage of recycled content, which contributes to LEED credits.
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs): The Aluminum Association provides third-party validated EPDs for various aluminum products, which demonstrate aluminum’s environmental performance and contribute to LEED credits.
Choose Aluminum for Your Next Outdoor Deck Project
Aluminum railings stand as a beacon of sustainability and quality in the deck railing industry. With its harmonious blend of eco-consciousness, durability, and timeless aesthetics, you can elevate outdoor spaces while taking care of the Earth.
As stewards of the environment, it is our responsibility to make environmentally conscious choices in every aspect of our lives – including outdoor design.
At DekSmart, we’re committed to making a lasting impact for a greener future through our eco-friendly deck railing options – including aluminum picket railings and environmentally-friendly glass railings. Contact us today and we’ll find the best solution for you!
Our parent company, CenDek, offers sustainable decking solutions across North America through 2 brands: Century Aluminum Railings – designed for homeowners & DIYers, and DekSmart Railings – designed to meet the needs of professional railing contractors.
