What are the top advantages of using aluminium trays

When you are driving around, nearly every second car is a ute. They are a tradies dream, easy to drive and great for weekends. With COVID-19 being around for the past 18 months, people have decided to invest money into their beloved utes. One of the first investments that a ute owner will make is a new aluminium ute tray. Stock ute trays are bulk made, usually with lesser quality workmanship and materials. When modifying a ute, the possibilities are endless, however one of the best investments is an aluminium ute tray. We are going to discuss the top advantages of using aluminium ute trays.

Better for your vehicle

How can a ute tray be better for your vehicle? Some see an aluminium ute tray as a simple accessory; however, it has a larger impact on your vehicle. Firstly, aluminium ute trays are up to 140kg lighter than steel trays. This means that you are carting 140kg less than the alternative, saving large amounts of fuel and wear on tyres. What’s better, with the weight you are saving, you can carry more of the important stuff…whether it be work gear or camping gear!

Better Aesthetic

Aluminium ute trays simply look better. They fit on the vehicle perfectly and can be coated to any colour you like. Along with the benefits mentioned above, your ute tray can look however you want it to, sitting perfect on your ute. What more can you want?

Resistant to Rust

One major advantage that steel trays simply cannot match is that aluminium ute trays will not rust. If you live close to salt water, a steel tray will start to deteriorate and rust quickly. If you look after your aluminium ute tray, it will look after you. Chances are that the tray will outlast the ute itself!

Built for Australian Environment

The strength of an aluminium ute tray is perfect for the harsh Australian environment. Whether you are working on a farm in rural NSW or enjoying a beach drive on Fraser Island loaded with camping gear, aluminium ute trays take it easily. In fact, they are so strong that the only limitation will be the GVM of the vehicle and how much weight it can carry.

Quality Built

Aluminium trays are only as strong as its weakest point. We understand that and use strong bolts, washers, and joins. The welds are made strong, which they need to be to last. Aluminium ute trays are one of the best modifications to add to your vehicle, so why wait?

 

What are the top uses of aluminium fencing?

Aluminium is very quickly establishing itself as a must-use metal around the house. Its strength to weight ratio makes it the perfect product for any Do It Yourself projects, however, it's its simple yet versatile nature that can make your home stand out from the rest. With so many different styles and colours to choose from, you could spend more time selecting what you want than it would take to deliver, install and transform your home. Whether it be for your boundary fence or creating your own secluded getaway with privacy screens, the aluminium fencing panels will blow you away with how many ways you can use them around your home.

Perimeter Fence

The number one use of aluminium fence panels is still as a perimeter fence for your residential property. Securing your home with a full-size aluminium fence from the ground up or using the aluminium fencing panels as an extension or feature on top of a brick fence, the aluminium fence panels will keep your family safe and look great doing it. Turn your old wooden fence into a work of art with Ullrich's Ulltra Fencing solutions. With a simple to build aluminium fencing solution, with panels and posts already made and in stock you will be a fencing master in no time. Naturally, if you prefer that a professional take care of your brand-new secure fencing job, simply request high-quality aluminium fencing panels from Ullrich.

Keep your privacy

Aluminium fence panels can be used for many applications, one of the best ways to take advantage of their versatility is as a shade or privacy screen. Around your swimming pool, you might require a shade break for the youngsters, Aluminium fencing panels can offer an excellent alternative for all your shade requirements. It might likewise function as a privacy screen from your intrusive neighbours, swim in peace away from creepy kids prying eyes when you build a personal privacy screen out of aluminium fencing panels.

Hide your bins and Air Conditioner

There is nothing worse than showing off your gross bins to the world. Bins are generally pretty disgusting, it’s not our fault we put our rubbish in them after all. Hide those stinky bins behind an aluminium screen made from fence panels. They are great as they still allow airflow to help take the smell away from your home and they are also very easy to clean and maintain.  You can also hide your Air Conditioner outdoor unit away, by constructing a case for it to live in. It can also double as a bench or seat on your deck so that you can actually take advantage of the space the air conditioner is occupying.

Chemical resistant

As the aluminium fence panels are powder coated you can spray your garden to your heart's content without worrying about damaging your fence. Due to aluminium non-corrosive properties, it will last forever in your yard and still look great.

Tough as aluminium      

The Ullrich aluminium fencing panels are built with a special non-weld system produced to withstand the brutal Australian climate. Aluminium's corrosion resistance makes it ideal for your security fence around your home, keeping out unwanted guests and threats.

There is no question that the only thing holding you back from what you can make use of aluminium fencing panels for is your imagination. That would have believed such a simple item could conserve so many issues around your home?

What are the pros & cons of Aluminium UTE Trays

If you are a daily driver or even are frequently near a road, chances are you have noticed the massive increase of utes being driven. Additionally, many of these utes will have trays, whether it be for work or leisure. The benefits of a tray are plentiful when owning a ute, but which tray is best: steel or aluminium? We have created a summary of why you should pick aluminium trays:

Pros

If you have seen utes driving by with roof racks, bull bars, full canopies, roof tents etc and towing, chances are it is lugging more weight around than it should. A way to combat this is to utilise an aluminium ute tray. On average, an aluminium tray weighs about 90% less than a steel tray, saving up to 160kg in weight. This will result in better fuel consumption, less wear and tear on tyres and lower vehicle weight, meaning you can carry more.

Another massive advantage aluminium has over steel is the corrosion factor. Aluminium is non-ferrous and rust-free, meaning your aluminium ute tray will not rust. No protection is required once it is fitted, and no maintenance is required. Aluminium ute trays are perfect for coastal environments where salt is more prevalent in the air.

Quite often a ute is used as a rugged working machine. Whether it be for day-to-day work or a tough off-road trip, your tray will undoubtedly see a lot of abuse. Another point of difference for aluminium trays is the safety aspect. Firstly, the lighter weight means that your car will be able to handle better. Also, you can place up to an extra 160kg in weight on the ute, without it exceeding the GVM of the vehicle. Additionally, an aluminium ute tray is safer than steel. Aluminium is non-magnetic and is also non-ferrous, which is helpful if you are commonly carrying flammable products in your vehicle.

Cons

In terms of strength, steel comes out on top. On average, steel is four times stronger than aluminium. However, if you are not constantly carrying heavy rigid items around on your tray, then an aluminium tray will do the job. A steel tray may be stronger, however, an aluminium tray will allow you to transport more of a payload. For the most part, your everyday workman will be more than happy with an aluminium ute tray.

On average, aluminium will be approximately 30% more expensive than steel. If you are purchasing a ute, an aluminium ute tray will often be a very viable option and can save you money if you plan on keeping the ute for the years ahead. This will be due to the lack of maintenance required on your aluminium ute tray.

If you are wanting to try a new tray set-up, or believe aluminium is better suited to you, reach out to the team at Ullrich Aluminium. They will make the tray specific to your needs, with a. range of options including sideboards, chassis rails, heavy-duty latches, light rails, headboards and more.

 

Top benefits of having aluminium street furniture

Living on The Gold Coast we tend to spend a lot of time outdoors especially when entertaining. There is no better way to take advantage of the amazing year-round whether than a BBQ with family and friends. In order to take advantage of mother nature you need outdoor furniture that can handle the rigours of a constant outdoor life and everyday use. Enter aluminium to save the day. One of the most popular choices for outdoor furniture there are many benefits as to why you should choose aluminium when you purchase your next outdoor setting. Here are five reasons that aluminium will be your new best friend.

No Rust

Unlike rusting metal, aluminium won’t change colour and will stay as beautiful as it was the day you bought it. Wood can be gorgeous but needs care to keep from wearing down or fading over time in the sun. Aluminium is perfect for coastal areas with high humidity because that's where wood would deteriorate quickly! Although still requiring basic maintenance to keep it looking tip top aluminium furniture won’t rust in the harsh climate of The Gold Coast, means that your aluminium table will be the perfect centrepiece for all your outdoor socialising.

It's lightweight

Don’t mistake it weight for a lack of strength, aluminium is lightweight and versatile which means that it doesn’t take the village to move your aluminium table like it would a wooden version. If you have a sun lounge, you can chase the sun all day without fear of personal injury. Aluminium is truly the most perfect solution for your outdoor living needs.

Tough as teak, or tough as aluminium.

Aluminium is a tough metal and the light weight of this furniture makes it perfect for any outdoor application. The durability will make sure that you rarely have to replace your furniture, with a great return on investment

Take your pick

Aluminium Furniture is sleek and stylish, but also durable. With variety of designs to suit everyone's taste from traditional to trendy coastal chic, it can be styled for any backyard or design trend with a range of colours available including subtle earth tones or bright statement pieces that will stand out in your yard make you the talk of the town!

There is very little doubt that aluminium furniture is a great way to bring life and colour into your outdoor settings. Aluminium Tables would look amazing on the patio or in front of the pool! There are so many styles and options available, the only limit is your imagination.

How to maintain your aluminium ute trays

The is no more useful car than a ute and the only way to make a ute even better is to have a quality aluminium ute tray. Taking your ute to the next level is easy with an Ullrich Aluminium ute tray, you will be the envy of the worksite, there is no doubt about that. In order to keep your ute looking as good as it should there are a few easy steps that you can take to keep your aluminium tray looking as good as it did the day you bought it. Below we will share with you two extremely easy steps on how to maintain your aluminium ute tray.

Wash them properly

As good as a product as Aluminium is you still need to look after it. There are lots of aluminium cleaners on the market, but a simple 2 bucket wash process will work just as well. Have one bucket with clean water and another with diluted car wash, wash all the surfaces being careful to remove any stains, grime and salt build up. Hose it down when you are happy its clean enough for you.

Now most utes are going to be treated pretty harshly, life on a worksite can get dirty and you can deal with a host of different materials. For the more stubborn stains and build ups you may need to use some of that Aluminium cleaner and a good pressure hose and give it a proper blast. Acting quickly when you have grease and concrete build up will make it easier to remove the offending garbage.

Washing and keeping you tray clean will keep your aluminium ute tray looking fresh but will also add to its lifespan, win-win!

Don’t use harsh chemicals on your aluminium ute tray, some can cause oxidisation and can damage your tray as well as make it look terrible.

Use a cover

It might seem like a pretty simple solution but if you have a tonneau cover then when you aren’t carrying a load in your try keep your cover on. It will help protect your tray from the elements and add to the life of the tray. If you don’t have a tonneau cover do yourself a favour and get yourself one it will save you money in the long run and you won’t spend half your weekend washing your car.

You have spent the money to get a good quality Ullrich aluminium tray you should take the measure to ensure that you get the maximum lifespan out of it. Washing your tray at least once a month is an easy habit to get into and remember to act quick if you have any major grease or concrete residue.

The team at Ullrich Aluminium are experts in building and fitting high quality aluminium ute trays, there is no one better on The Gold Coast.

What is the importance of safe Cladding in Buildings?

Cladding is the material used to cover the outside of a building to protect the structure and what’s inside. Having a non-combustible cladding such as brick, glass, iron, steel, aluminium, fiber cement or composite materials is important.

All the different types of cladding have their advantages and disadvantages and are an important part of a building’s design strength and aesthetic appeal.

External cladding must be

·       Weather resistant so it prevents rain and wind entering the building

·       Insulting, it forms a physical barrier that provides both thermal protection as well as sound with its sound dampening properties

·       Today external cladding is expected to be non combustible to protect the building from fire

Timber was the most accepted material for external cladding but it’s readily burns so has largely been replaced by non-combustible cladding alternatives especially fot tall and commercial buildings.

Safety Concerns

Australian Government state audit have revealed there are about 600 buildings in NSW with high risk cladding, in Victoria there are about 500 and in Queensland there are about 237.

These types of cladding can burn quickly and fuel a fire, causing it to spread rapidly. The main dangerous cladding is those made using metal composite panels with a sandwich of polyethylene at the core.

These types of cladding materials are no longer being approved for new buildings and many of the older buildings that used this type of cladding are being rectified.

Modern Non-combustible Cladding

Modern non-combustible cladding is made in a variety of colours and materials to safely increase the aesthetics appeal of a building.

PVC boards are made to provide a similar appearance to timber and don’t have the same problems of being high maintenance items and susceptible to termites, rot and fire.

Fibre cement panels and boards are a cost effective alternative they are non-combustible, won’t rot and cannot be attacked by pests.

Large building often use solid metal cladding made from steel, aluminum or zinc alloys. These are used in large sheets and favored because they are cost effective and easier to install and maintain.

Glass sheets fixed to steel frames are often used for high rise buildings sometimes in conjunction with other types of long lasting Non-combustible cladding.

The choice of cladding used is usually because of its functional capabilities, the maintenance requirements, cost factors, building regulations and the design and aesthetic considerations of the owners and architects.

Safety First for Cladding

The most important aspect of cladding is the safety aspect. In multi-storied buildings the difficulty in installation is a concern, If the cladding is not properly and securely installed there is a possibility f it breaking off and cause injury or damage as well as allowing the elements to enter the building.

Fire is the biggest concern so non-combustible cladding is now almost universally used

Materials such as steel sheets, cement panels and bricks provide non-combustible cladding but timber, plywood and burnable plastics are a poor choice

Non-combustible cladding is a sensible choice for any new building as the materials these types of cladding are made from usually mean they are long lasting low maintenance and of uniform sizes making them easy to install and aesthetically pleasing.

Why Aluminium UTE Trays are required?

Aluminium ute trays are very popular and made to last, using heavy duty, high strength aluminium alloy, they are designed to be able to withstand the rigours of both the construction industry and farm use in all weather conditions with almost no maintenance required. They can be painted of left in their raw state and will never rust and are designed with drop down sides to enable easy loading or to accommodate a wide variety of accessories including stock creates, tool boxes and canopies to enhance their functionality.

Some of the top reasons they are required are:

·       Storage capacity

Aluminium ute tray allow for the maximum utilization of the vehicle’s carrying capacity as they are normally placed well above the wheels eliminating wheel arches found in steel body trays.

Because they are higher, they provide great storage space underneath for extra fuel tanks, water, tools boxes and other gear, leaving a flatbed that can carry a wide variety of equipment and produce.

For longer loads a roof rack can be added or for heavy loads a hydraulic lift or Hi-ab crane can be installed. They also come with tipper or tilt options if required

·       Light weight

Made of high grade aluminium alloy aluminium ute trays are very strong, but very lightweight, so allow for a much greater total payload capacity and when empty, they allow for very economical driving conditions

·       Cabin choices

Modern utes come in a variety of cabin choices from two door single cabs with a bench or bucket seats, duel or double cabs with four doors and a shorter aluminium ute tray on the back so you still have room for up to five or six passengers and a fare sized tray on the back that can take all your gear.

With flexible designs to cater for individual needs and preferences you can have a ute that’s a practical work vehicle and then be used as a great recreational vehicle while not working with space to take all the big boys toys while camping or enjoying the great outdoors

·       Practicality

Whether you’re a tradesman, farmer or just want the extra deck space a ute fitted with aluminium ute trays is very practical and often required vehicle to get the job done

·       Safety

Adding lockable tool boxes either on top or under the aluminium ute trays allows you to carry expensive equipment in relative safety knowing your gear is always secure with the extra benefit of greater flexibility in your vehicle because of the large cargo space available.

Fitting a canopy can provide a more secure all-weather option if required, these can be made of fiberglass or aluminium with many options to choose from

When you need to replace steel for new aluminium ute trays, you will find a huge variety of designs available to suit every need from farm use to contractor and handymen models as well as special purpose and individual designs at a very reasonable price.