Anodised aluminium finishes which last longer than the building itself

Anodised aluminium finishes which last longer than the building itself

One of the most important benefits of our anodised aluminium finishes is their durability and long life. They are resistant to almost all forms of damage and degradation, and can look as good as new on site for decades with only minimal maintenance and cleaning.

For more than 50 years we have been producing quality anodised aluminium finishes for façades have seen many examples of our work standing unblemished for decades. In this, our Anolok® II Dark Blue-Grey B717 achieved something even more remarkable – it lasted longer than the building itself.

The announcement of the demolition of London’s St. Helen’s Tower is a milestone. Originally built in 1969 to a Modernist style, this tower stands at 118 metres tall and is the largest tower ever to be demolished in London.

It will be replaced by the 310 metre 1 Undershaft which will eventually reach a similar height to the Shard, currently the capital’s tallest building, when complete.

Aesthetic, low-maintenance, durable anodised aluminium finishes

However, that’s not the first time the tower has undergone a major change. The first significant evolution of St. Helen’s followed the 1993 Bishopsgate bombing incident. The tower was one of many buildings in the local area that suffered severe damage and required expensive repairs.

New aluminium window frames were installed as part of that rebuilding process and Anolok® II Dark Blue-Grey B717 was chosen as the finish. This shade was a good aesthetic fit for the surrounding architecture and gave St. Helen’s a smart, contemporary feeling that elevated the building for a new era.

However, the finish wasn’t just chosen because it looked good. This is a dense, high-traffic area of London’s financial district so it needed to be durable and low maintenance. By avoiding constant cleaning and repair work, the business of the building could continue without disruption at all times. Anolok® II Dark Blue-Grey B717 met this need perfectly. Since the initial installation in 1993, there has been no deterioration in anodic film protection, no discernible colour change, and no visible evidence of corrosion even in this high-density polluted urban environment.

The right choice across the building’s lifecycle – and beyond

Even better, it offers even more benefits at the end of the building’s life. Our anodised aluminium finishes are completely recyclable as they are integral to the metal rather than consisting of an additional coating or layer. The pure aluminium can be easily recycled and reused in the future.

That exceptional recyclability combined with high durability and resilience makes our anodised aluminium finishes the perfect choice across a building’s entire lifecycle. The fact it has outlasted St. Helen’s Tower and can continue being useful on another building in the future proves that beyond doubt.

Want to know more about our anodised aluminium finishes and see how they might look on your next project? Contact our team and request a free sample today!

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