Pros and Cons of Light Fixture Materials: Aluminum

From our archive (2013). For our full take on materials, read why we use marine-grade, virgin brass.

When we design any luminaire, we're extremely conscious of not only the light output but also the quality of the build. The materials used in outdoor lighting matter from a visual perspective and from a durability standpoint. So what should you know when selecting the best fixture for your projects and clients? Here we look at the pros and cons of one of the most common materials in outdoor lighting, to help you when specifying and selecting fixtures with your clients.

Aluminum light fittings

Let's start with aluminum, since aluminum fixtures are seen on many, if not most, lighting installations out there today. As with anything, there are different grades of aluminum. A fixture machined from aircraft-quality, virgin aluminum will obviously perform much better than a typical cast aluminum fixture. Unfortunately, very few fixtures are made from that premium-quality aluminum, which affects the durability of the fitting.

The benefits of aluminum

• Lightweight
• Resistant to rust
• Inexpensive compared with brass or copper
• Good conductor of heat (aluminum fixtures can draw heat away from LEDs)
• Easy to mold into the shape required for the design
• Easy to finish with paint or powder coat in any color imaginable

The number one reason aluminum fixtures are so popular is that they typically cost a fraction of quality brass or copper fixtures.

The drawbacks of aluminum fixtures

• The surface pits, so the powder coat or paint no longer adheres
• The material corrodes, first looking chalky before it starts to dissolve
• The paint or powder coat fades over time in the sun

These drawbacks are why most manufacturers offer short warranties on the finish, if they offer one at all. Most companies don't recommend aluminum in saltwater environments, since salty air destroys these fixtures quickly. These are just some of the reasons Sterling Lighting doesn't include aluminum in our collection. Every Sterling luminaire, like the SL01 Up Light, is made from marine-grade, virgin brass.

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About the author: Patrick Harders, LC, is co-founder and CEO of Sterling Lighting and founder and principal lighting designer of Dayloom. He has more than 25 years of experience designing and installing outdoor lighting, and he's one of only five landscape lighting designers in North America with Lighting Certified (LC) accreditation. His projects have won multiple international lighting awards, including landscape lighting winners in 2018 and 2021, and he leads design of Sterling's luminaires.