After oxygen and silicon, aluminum is the most abundant element present in the earth’s crust, making up well over eight percents of the crust by weight. While still a non-renewable resource, we will not be running out of aluminum any time soon. Starting about a century ago, architects realized that the strong but lightweight aluminum properties made it an excellent choice for large building projects. In 1931, large parts of the Empire State Building in New York were built with aluminum, including the famous spire that reached high into the New York skyline.
Today, aluminum is still regularly used for building skyscrapers, bridges, and other high-rises, multifamily apartment buildings. The London Aquatics Centre in the UK is another massive structure built mostly from aluminum. In individual homes, we find aluminum in the kitchen utensils that we use. And it can also be a significant part of our home construction. Below, we look at where we commonly find aluminum in our houses, the benefits, and the drawbacks.
Where is Aluminum Used in Our Homes?
Besides aluminum foil and pots and pans, many homeowners might have aluminum in their home’s structural elements without ever knowing it. Aluminum is commonly used in metal roofing as a coating that helps preserve the underlying steel and increase roofing durability. Similarly, aluminum siding is also widely used for a low-cost external cladding option.
Older homes might also have some or all of their electrical wiring from aluminum. While aluminum doesn’t boast a great deal of conductivity, like copper, it is lightweight, so many power lines are made from aluminum wires. Some homes contain windows and door frames made from aluminum, along with interior curtain walls. Also, some LED bulbs contain large amounts of aluminum in their production.
