One of the benefits of using powder-coated aluminum for decks is the simplicity it brings to decking materials. Powder-coated aluminum for decks products are easy to clean, durable, and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. But what exactly is powder coating and how does it affect the aluminum of Wahoo Decks? Powder coating is a type of coating that is applied as a free-flowing, dry powder. It is mainly used for coating metals, in the case of Wahoo Decks’ products, the extrusions are powder coated. “Aluminum powder coating is the technique of applying dry paint to an aluminum product by electrostatically charging the powder and spraying it onto the product” (Powder Coating Aluminum and Metal).
Some of the advantages of powder coating aluminum for decks are:
- They emit zero or near zero volatile organic compounds (VOC)
- The coatings are much thicker than conventional liquid coatings without running or sagging
- Eco-Friendly fully recyclable powder coating overspray
- Finally, powder coating production lines produce less than hazardous waste the conventional
The aluminum them must go through tests which include salt spray testing and outdoor exposure testing. We’ve talked a bit about corrosion resistance of aluminum and the salt spray test that can measure the corrosion resistance of powder-coated aluminum. Test duration depends on the corrosion resistance of the coating. Therefore, the longer the period in testing without showing signs of corrosion, the more corrosion resistant the coating is.
Wahoo Decks’ aluminum decking withstands 1500 hours of salt spray testing in a 5% salt solution. Another test to make sure your aluminum deck can withstand external conditions, such as weather, is the outdoor exposure test. The South Florida Outdoor Exposure test involves exposing powder coated samples for a year in South Florida at a 45-degree angle facing south. The exposure site must be inland at least 3.2 km with no apparent adhesion loss, slight chalking, or fading. Also, after the powder coating and the tests, Wahoo Decks goes even further to ensure you get the most out of your deck by warranting our aluminum products. This warranty provides a leak-proof guarantee and a limited lifetime warranty.
Read Wahoo Decks Warranty:
- AridDek Aluminum Decking Board Warranty
- DryJoistEZ Structural Deck System Warranty
- Wahoo Rail Aluminum Railing Warranty
Choosing a product such as powder-coated aluminum means you get a deck that lasts and is low maintenance. Whether you are adding a deck to your home for the first time or simply want to redesign an existing deck, Wahoo Decks has a perfect aluminum product for you. Also, we can help you decide what product will be best to use on your deck. Wahoo Decks offers aluminum decking products that work great for building decks in all shapes and sizes. Choose from AridDek, a waterproof aluminum decking board, and DryJoistEZ, a revolutionary waterproof and structural exterior aluminum joist, and add Wahoo Rail, a complete line of aluminum railing kits. For more information about Wahoo Decks, visit us online or call (877) 270-9387 and start planning for your dream deck today!