Aluminium is used in building and architecture for various reasons:

• Its light weight allows for easier rectification of structures for example façade panels, roofing, doors and windows in architecture, and ladders and platforms as building tools.
• Its good inherent corrosion resistance and methods for protection such as anodising allow for durable outdoor exposure
• Its attractive metallic appearance and the methods for colouring is ideal for decorative design
• These properties in combination with the good strength-to-weight ratio that can be obtained, results in various day to day applications of aluminium, mainly of the 1xxx, 3xxx and 5xxx alloy series for sheet products and 6xxx series for extruded products, in our houses, offices, public buildings and their construction.

Note also that metallic aluminium in "massive" form will not burn. Further, its relatively low melting point (660 °C) means it will "vent" early during a severe fire, releasing heat and thereby saving lives and property. Construction and demolition waste products represent a growing challenge for modern industrial societies. The depositing or incineration of most types of materials can lead to air, water and soil pollution. This is not the case for aluminium, which even if inadvertently dispersed in the environment does not have harmful side-effects. Therefore, aluminium recycling not only has important economic implications but also contributes to environmental protection. A study has demonstrated that about 95% of aluminium building products are recycled at their end-of-life thanks to the high value of the aluminium scrap.

Wall support in pool		Balcony	Glasshouse frame
Outdoor cooler	Horticultural building frame	Entrance to a building	Step ladders
Clear and pastel coloured electro-coloured aluminium façade panels			Car port
Bronze electro-coloured aluminium sheet panels between the windows. Gracechurch Street Centre, London. Photograph courtesy of Alcan		Blue electro-coloured aluminium sheet panels between the windows. Commercial Union Head office. Photographs courtesy of Alcan
Aluminium centrum NL