Aluminium is one of the most widely used materials in modern design and manufacturing. There is a good reason for that. From aircraft and architecture to street furniture and shelters, aluminium offers an exceptional balance of strength, durability, and long-lasting performance.
For buyers looking at outdoor street furniture, understanding the advantages of aluminium can make product selection far easier. Below, we break down what aluminium actually is, why it performs so well outdoors, how it compares to steel, and where it’s the ideal choice for your site.
What Exactly Is Aluminium?
Aluminium is the most abundant metallic element in our planet’s crust and is also the most widely used metal after iron. It is in your car, it is in your kitchen and almost anywhere in between. Aluminium is a lightweight metal that belongs to the group of post-transition metals. Due to its chemical activity, it is never found in its metallic form in nature; instead, it occurs in compounds that are present in almost all rocks.
The main source of aluminium is bauxite ore – a red-brown rock rich in aluminium-rich minerals. First, the bauxite undergoes the Bayer process, in which it’s crushed, mixed with a hot chemical solution, and filtered to separate alumina (a white powder made of aluminium oxide). Then the alumina is turned into pure aluminium metal using the Hall–Héroult process, in which it is melted and an electric current is passed through it; this current breaks the strong chemical bonds and frees the aluminium. In simple terms, the Bayer process purifies the aluminium from the rock, and the Hall–Héroult process uses electricity to turn that purified material into the shiny metal we use every day.
Aluminium is often chosen as a material because it is lightweight, naturally corrosion-resistant, easy to shape and highly recyclable. It is typically mixed with small amounts of other elements (such as magnesium or silicon) to form strong, robust alloys suitable for outdoor use. These traits make aluminium one of the most reliable and sustainable materials for street furniture and outdoor protective structures.
The Benefits of Aluminium for Outdoor Settings
Aluminium offers unique advantages that make it ideal for environments where durability, weather performance, and appearance matter.
It Doesn’t Rust
Unlike steel, aluminium cannot rust. Even though it is a chemically active element, it is incredibly corrosion-resistant. It forms its own protective oxide coating, which seals the surface from moisture and air. This self-healing is due to its instant reaction with oxygen in the air, forming a thin, tough layer of aluminium oxide on its surface. This layer is only a few nanometres thick but is extremely protective, preventing rust and sealing over scratches almost immediately.
This makes it ideal for any outdoor location, even in coastal areas. It works well in car parks exposed to road salt, schools and public spaces with heavy year-round use and for shelters like cars and motorcycles, exposed to rain.
Lightweight and Strong
Aluminium is significantly lighter than steel while still offering excellent load-bearing strength. Its weight is about 1/3 that of steel due to its low density—the atoms in aluminium are relatively small and arranged in a way that leaves more open space within the metal’s structure compared with heavier metals like steel.
The practical benefits of this are that aluminium products are easier to transport, faster to install and with reduced foundation requirements. Additionally, because of their weight, products made of it are far easier to reposition.
This can be especially useful for aluminium benches and aluminium bins, which can be delivered and installed with less manpower and equipment, and if requirements change, can be moved around.
Low Maintenance
Aluminium requires almost no upkeep besides occasional cleaning. There’s no painting, no flaking, and no corrosion treatment required. Aluminium is generally low-maintenance because of its natural chemical properties. The same self-healing oxide layer that protects it from corrosion means it doesn’t rust like iron or require frequent repainting or coatings to stay in good condition.
In most everyday environments, aluminium only needs simple cleaning with mild soap and water to remove dirt or pollutants. Because it doesn’t degrade easily, aluminium structures—from window frames to bicycle parts—tend to stay functional for many years with minimal upkeep. In harsher environments, such as coastal areas with salty air, the metal may develop a thicker, duller oxide layer, yet it remains protected and structurally sound with minimal maintenance.
For public-facing products such as benches or bins, this is a significant advantage for councils, schools, retail parks, and commercial estates seeking long-term value.
Modern, Clean Aesthetic
Aluminium naturally provides a sleek, contemporary finish that suits both modern and traditional surroundings. Its beautiful silvery shine pairs well with timber, steel, polycarbonate roofing, and powder-coated accent colours.
This makes aluminium a beautiful choice for a wide range of locations, such as squares, schools, parks, or business developments.
Completely Recyclable & Sustainable
Aluminium is infinitely recyclable with minimal loss of quality. In fact, it’s one of the most recycled materials on earth. Even better, recycling aluminium uses about 95% less energy than producing it from bauxite, since the Hall–Héroult smelting process is the most energy-intensive step in making new aluminium. This huge energy savings also means far fewer greenhouse gases are produced.
This is a key selling point for sustainability-focused buyers looking for eco-friendly product solutions.
Aluminium vs Steel: Which Is Better?
Both aluminium and steel are excellent materials — but they offer different advantages depending on the environment and usage.
Aluminium is generally great for no-rust environments, such as coastal, high-moisture, or winter-salt-exposed areas. It works well in low-maintenance projects with a modern visual appearance. It is invaluable in projects where lightweight installations would suit better, and it can be a great fit for buyers interested in sustainability.
Steel works best for high structural loads and places where anti-ram protection or heavy-impact resistance are important considerations. Steel can be cheaper, so it may be the better option for budget-sensitive projects or projects which require powder-coated colour. It generally works well in any traditional heavy-duty public realm settings.
Why Many Buyers Choose Aluminium for Outdoor Furniture
Because of its rustproof nature and long lifespan, aluminium is often the most cost-effective option over the full product life cycle. If you choose to buy an aluminium bench, it won’t warp, rot, flake or rust, and it will stay visually clean with minimal effort. Additionally, such a bench would be easy to install due to its low weight.
If you were to buy an aluminium bin, you can rest assured it will be easy to keep clean, while being corrosion-proof even when exposed to waste fluids. Your bin will also have a modern appearance that suits new developments.
If you installed one of our aluminium car or cycle ports, you will benefit from a sleek, modern look and no corrosion, even when exposed to rain, frost, and road salt.
Aluminium has become a leading material for modern street furniture and protective shelters due to its unmatched durability, rust resistance, and clean aesthetic. Compared with steel, aluminium offers a different—but highly advantageous—set of benefits, especially for products exposed to the weather or requiring minimal upkeep.
For buyers seeking low maintenance, long-term performance, and a modern look, aluminium benches, bins, and motorcycle/car shelters are among the best investments.