Shine a Light on Aluminium Extrusions
At this time of year, natural sunlight is in short supply. We need to switch the lights on to help illuminate our offices, factories, public buildings and homes. So, what better time to shine a light on aluminium extrusions and their role in brightening up the dullest of days?
Aluminium Channels for LED Lighting
LED lighting is energy-efficient and free of toxic chemicals, which makes it a more sustainable way of illuminating our homes and businesses when we can’t rely on the sun. They also last considerably longer, reducing the need to keep replacing bulbs.
One of the most popular orders produced in our factory is aluminium extrusions for LED lighting. These play a multitude of roles to further enhance the durability of lights.
Firstly, we design and produce aluminium profiles with a high surface area to act as heat sinks. These effectively absorb and dissipate heat produced by the lights. As a result, the lighting remains at a stable temperature, which prevents overheating which can damage the LED strips.
Secondly, the extrusions are designed to encase the LED lighting to provide a neat and aesthetic finish to lighting installations. This has made it possible to enhance lighting design, with panels of light used to provide a creative and practical solution. The encasings also protect the LEDs from dust, moisture and other potential causes of damage.
Why Use Aluminium for LED Lighting Fixtures?
There are many reasons why aluminium is widely used in lighting design. These include the facts that aluminium:
- Can be extruded into bespoke profiles to encase LEDs, provide an effective heat sink, look appealing and incorporate fixings to aid installation.
- Is lightweight, to reduce strain on ceiling or wall structures, ease installation and minimise the risk of lighting falling due to being insufficiently supported.
- Has good thermal conductivity, supporting effective heat dissipation.
- Is non-corrosive and durable, providing a professional and visually appealing finish that lasts.
- Can be anodised or powder-coated to further enhance durability and colour match any interior scheme.
- Is produced from recycled metal and is 100% recyclable when the light fittings are removed, providing a sustainable lighting solution.
Bespoke Lighting Design
Aluminium isn’t limited to the lighting channels. We have also produced bespoke light fittings from fabricated sheet metal, which offers enormous design potential.
Our bespoke lighting design projects have included an extensive range of light fittings for a large mansion in Chelsea. Using aluminium throughout the lighting scheme created a consistent look, feel and flow to the interior design. The lights were designed to be professionally fitted in and around other key features of the home, including a high-end kitchen and bathrooms.
Our machinery and experienced fabricators can also work with other sheet materials. An example is a lighting project for the Aberdeen UK headquarters of Dana Petroleum. This company’s logo is an irregular geometric shape and we were approached to see if we could produce a light fitting of the
shape. The process involved designing a template that could be scored, cut, folded and welded into the precise dimensions.
It was quite a technical challenge, but through a process of trial and error, an exact 3D version of the logo was achieved. As a result, we secured a contract to produce a multitude of these lights. However, for this company, these were cut and fabricated in polycarbonate, rather than aluminium. That’s because polycarbonate is a petroleum-based material and they were keen to showcase its potential.
Aluminium Lighting Solutions
Our experienced team at Salesmade Ltd offer the complete service. Involve us in the design of custom extrusion profiles and light fittings, through fabrication, finishes and assembly. We work with designers, office fit-out companies and renovation teams. Some provide hand-drawn sketches others technical CAD templates. Then we apply our expertise to manufacture sustainable, durable, lightweight and neat aluminium lighting solutions. Our services also include stock holding, with encasings and fixtures delivered direct to site when required. This has proved a practical option when refitting multiple office or retail outlets with the same lighting design.
Do you want to find out more or discuss design ideas? Just get in touch with our team on 01296 431292 or sales@salesmade.co.uk.