Aluminium vs. stainless steel wall brackets
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Aluminium wall brackets and stainless steel wall brackets are both widely used in roof and façade constructions. Each material has its own strengths – ranging from weight and ease of processing to corrosion resistance, thermal performance and load-bearing capacity. On this page, we explain when aluminium wall brackets are the logical choice and in which situations stainless steel profiles offer added value, for example to reduce heat loss.
When to choose aluminium wall brackets?
Aluminium wall brackets stand out due to their low weight and excellent workability. They are easy to cut to size, align and install, making them highly suitable as a substructure where low weight and dimensional stability are important. In façade construction, aluminium profiles are commonly used as omega profiles or levelling profiles behind ventilated façade systems and cladding.
Advantages of stainless steel wall brackets
Stainless steel profiles are used where high requirements apply in terms of corrosion resistance, service life and load-bearing capacity – for example in industrial environments. Thanks to the higher strength of stainless steel, slimmer wall brackets can often be used. In addition, stainless steel has a lower thermal conductivity compared to wider steel or aluminium cross-sections.
Thermal performance of aluminium substructures
When a façade system is constructed with an aluminium substructure, significant thermal bridges can occur. Aluminium conducts heat very efficiently, allowing heat from the interior to be easily transferred to the outside via the wall brackets. This can result in noticeable energy loss through the fixings and the substructure itself.
Why stainless steel is the future of façade fixings: Stainless steel vs. aluminium.
Maximize the energy efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of your project with stainless steel brackets.
In modern architecture, the rainscreen ventilated façade (RVF) is the system of choice for high-quality commercial and residential buildings. The core of thermal decoupling and structural integrity is the wall bracket. While aluminium once dominated, stainless steel (SS) is now establishing itself as the technical standard.
1. Superior thermal performance
The decisive advantage of stainless steel lies in its extremely low thermal conductivity (λ).
Thermal conductivity: Aluminium exhibits high conductivity of 160–200 W/m·K, while stainless steel (grade A2/A4) is only 13–17 W/m·K.
Point thermal load: Stainless steel drastically reduces linear thermal bridges (χ-value).
U-value optimization: Using stainless steel brackets achieves up to 40% better U-value for the entire wall assembly.
2. Significant floor area gain through slimmer walls
Since stainless steel minimizes thermal bridges, significantly less insulation material is required to meet statutory requirements (such as BENG or Part L).
Insulation reduction: To achieve the same U-value, insulation thickness can be reduced from approx. 36 cm to 14 cm thanks to SS solutions.
More usable floor area: A slimmer wall build-up means more internal space. In a standard building, this can yield up to 6.4% additional net floor area – a key economic factor for developers.
3. Unmatched fire safety
Safety comes first, especially for high-rise façades.
Melting point: Stainless steel has a melting point > 1450 °C, while aluminium melts at approx. 650 °C.
Classification: Stainless steel brackets are classified as non-combustible (Euroclass A1) and retain high mechanical strength even at elevated temperatures (approx. 55% at 700 °C).
4. Longevity and corrosion resistance
Material selection is critical, particularly in maritime regions or industrially exposed environments.
Grade 316 (A4): SS grade 316 provides a passive protective layer that prevents corrosion and enables a design service life > 50 years without maintenance.
No contact corrosion: Unlike aluminium, stainless steel brackets often require no additional isolator to prevent galvanic corrosion on the substrate.
5. Sustainability and CO₂ footprint
Stainless steel is not only more durable but also more environmentally friendly in production.
Lower CO₂ footprint: Stainless steel production requires less primary energy than aluminium; CO₂ emissions are up to 3.5x lower.
100% recyclable: All components are fully recyclable, sustainably optimizing the building's life cycle.
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