What is the difference between anodising vs powder coating for aluminium panels? Aluminium panels are an excellent cladding, insulating and decorative material for the outside of a building, windows, doors and curtain walling. Like windows and doors, aluminium panels also need to provide protection for the inside and outside surfaces as well as colour choices.
Anodising vs powder coating for aluminium panels.
From an architectural perspective, both anodising and polyester powder coating provide benefits to aluminium panels. However there are considerations before you specify either type of finish.
Colour Choice.
The entire spectrum of polyester powder coated colours makes this finish better if you are looking for a colour scheme in the building comprising many different colours or those that are outside the standard spectrum of whites, blacks or greys.
Colour Uniformity.
Consider how the colours uniformity will appear when choosing anodising vs powder coating for aluminium panels. Both shades offer different levels of colour consistency and it is worth checking samples or asking for a test panel.
Coating Hardness.
Anodised and polyester powder coated finishes provide different levels of paint hardness and protection. Anodised is a much harder surface finish than powder coating making it ideal for very high traffic buildings.
Anodising vs powder coating. Advantages and Disadvantages.
Our table highlights at a glance, the main advantages and disadvantages of anodising vs powder coating for aluminium panels
| Powder Coating Advantages | Anodised Advantages |
|---|---|
| Substantially more colour choice and shades including textured paints. | Easy to keep clean and maintain. |
| Can offer better uniformity of colour and batch consistency. | Anodizing is a harder surface than powder coating. |
| Can offer better chemical resistance. | Anodizing could be better in products such as doors/shopfronts that are in constant use by the public resisting contact and abuse better. |
| More widely available. | Anodizing will not fade, peel or flake. An anodised coating becomes part of the surface. |
| Easier to repair and match to existing, older painted products. | Anodising creates a more authentic metallic appearance compared to metallic powder coat shades. |
| Powder Coating Disadvantages | Anodised Disadvantages |
| Needs effective pre-treatment to avoid colour inconsistency and faults. | Can usually only be applied to aluminium and not every metal. |
| Needs the correct curing to avoid colour problems. | Limited range of shades compared to polyester powder. |
| Colour variations between order batches may occur. |
Regardless of how they are finished, aluminium panels remain versatile, economical ways to add colour, insulation and other benefits to the outside of a building. Widely used in windows, doors, shopfronts and curtain walling, aluminium panels are easy to order, transport and glaze on site.
Contact us if you would like further information about finishes, options and types of aluminium insulated panels for commercial buildings.