To ensure fenestration and facade systems stand the test of time, continue to look good offering unrivalled sustainability, a high quality finish to the aluminium is prerequisite. Aluprof offer both architectural anodising and architectural powder coating for all their systems. To ensure the highest quality is achieved and maintained during the powder coating process, Aluprof are proud to have been licensed as a QUALICOAT applicator for many years and supply all their systems in accordance with this global specification.
So what is ‘Decoral’?
In 1993 Decoral, a company based in Verona, developed an enhancement of the powder coating finish by developing a new process where textures can be added to the coating. Today these finishes are exceptionally photorealistic and often portray woodgrain or stone finishes, but any photorealistic finish can be replicated. Popular on the continent for many years, powder coated photorealistic finishes specified on architectural aluminium are now growing in availability and popularity with UK specifiers.
How is it achieved?
The finish is achieved by a ‘sublimation’ methodology, a physical chemical process which is the direct transition of a substance from a solid phase to a gas phase using heat, the technology is also known as a ‘heat transfer process’.
To achieve the finish, the aluminium profile is firstly given a base coat of powder coating, or what is known as the ‘ground’ coat. Once this has been allowed to cool after being heat cured, the profile is then wrapped with a sublimatic film which carries the photorealistic transfer inks that are required for the finished profile. The air between the coated aluminium the enclosing film is then vacuumed away which ensures that the transfer film is in direct contact with the ‘ground’ coat. The coated profile is then cured again at approximately 200ºC where, by sublimation, these special inks are transferred from the sublimatic film into the ground coated layer. Once the profile has cooled, the film is removed and the coated, textured profile is then ready for use.
Standard woodgrain films are available in a wide range of photorealistic timber types and colours, such as oak, pine and beech, stone finishes such as marble are also available as are some patterned finishes, all of which can be seen on the Decoral website. Many of these finishes are rated ’outdoor’, are suitable for outdoor use across the UK and are as hardwearing as any architectural powder coated finish. Whilst timber will change appearance over time and require some form of re-treatment every 5 to 10 years, its powder coated alternative will remain looking the same for many years with only minimal cleaning being required.
How is the finish quality maintained?
Aluprof, a licensed QUALICOAT applicator, has also attained the optional QUALIDECO licence which ensures that the process of pretreatment and coating prior to and including the Decoral sublimation process meets the high quality expected by specifiers of architectural powder coating. Not only do these finishes offer a robust finish for outdoor use, they are so realistic that they can be seen by many as the real thing, a testament to the technology in use today.
Used on fenestration systems internally or externally, these finishes can be integrated into any biophilic design specifications. Samples of finishes are available for review and specification directly through Aluprof UK.
Aluprof UK have been supporting specifiers in the UK and Ireland for over fifteen years with advanced systems that include, high performance windows doors and facade systems. Further information about systems and specification support is available through the company website at aluprof.co.uk or direct from their UK head office in Altrincham by phoning +44 (0) 161 941 4005.
