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.

Top Things to know about aluminium sheets

One of the cheapest, most common and versatile metals available in a variety of forms, including aluminium checker plate and aluminium flat sheets, Aluminium is manufactured to provide a thin yet very strong, sturdy yet lightweight material that has a multitude of use in many aspects of our daily lives.

Formed by pressing raw aluminium under high pressure through heavy rollers, aluminium sheeting provides a very robust protection for surfaces from wear and corrosion with its surface that can be left natural or coated in a variety of ways and finishes to provide an aesthetically pleasing surface

·       Workability

Aluminium checker plate and other aluminium sheet products are user friendly and easy to work with. They can be cut to shape, size and formed to suit many diverse applications, aluminium sheeting is easily drilled, welded, riveted or bolted together by the handy-person or professional

The valuable properties of Aluminium Sheets

·       Light weight. Aluminium weighs about 1/3 that of steel

·       Strong, Aluminium can be made in a variety of strengths for building and structural applications

·       Corrosion resistant. Aluminium forms a protective oxide on its surface making it resistant to exposed conditions

·       Easy to form. Having a low melting point (600C) aluminium is easy to form into many desirable shapes

·       Fireproof. Aluminium will not burn and doesn’t release toxic gasses when melted

·        Food grade Aluminium can be suitable for food grade applications as it’s nonreactive, is impermeable to flavours and smells

·       Reflective. Aluminium sheeting is suitable for lighting and heating systems

·       Conductor Aluminium is an excellent conductor of electricity and heat

·       Recyclable. Aluminium is infinitely and economically recyclable

·       Long lasting and low maintenance

·       Sizes, Aluminium is available in a huge range of sizes and thicknesses

Uses of Aluminium sheets

Aluminium sheeting is used in a large range of applications including:

·       Roofing – Because of its sturdy but light weight and anti-corrosive properties

·       Artistic design – Interior wall or ceiling panels

·       Cladding – Exterior cladding because it’s resistant to the elements and easily coloured

·       Furniture- Aluminium sheets are often used to make shelving, table tops and seating

·       Automotive – Aluminium sheets are used for truck, trailer, caravan, bus, boat and airplane bodies because low weight and strength

·       Flooring – Aluminium checker plate is used as a non slip surface in high traffic areas as well as an easy to clean protective covering on walls in schools, cafeterias, hospitals, factories, lifts and other areas were a tough hard wearing surface is required including fire escapes, ramps, staircases, ladders, steps escalators and marine and automotive floors

 

Aluminium checker plate and other types of aluminium sheeting is one of the most versatile and easy to work metals for use around the home or in industrial applications. It’s a readily available from most home and building supply outlets and relatively inexpensive, with many desirable properties including being non-corrosive, fireproof, lightweight easy to paint and very strong.

 

Top benefits of Aluminium tables

 Aluminium is recognised as one of the most common minerals on the planet, it’s used for thousands of different thing’s from electrical cable to insect screens, pots and pans to roofing and wall panels, marine applications including power boats and ships, aircraft construction and of course furniture such as aluminium tables and chairs.

Aluminium tables are popular with all types of people in most settings; they are extremely useful because of these top benefits:

·        Light weight

Aluminium tables and other furniture is very popular because it’s usually light enough to easily be moved around by the average person. This gives it a huge advantage over comparable sized tables made from other materials such as wood or steel. They come in solid and folding versions, so are ideal for conferences, sporting events as well as home use

·        Easily transportable

Whether you’re using them in a temporary situation or just like to move them inside for safety when not using aluminium tables are easy to transport anywhere with minimal labour required

·        Strength

Aluminium tables are very strong,even though they are comparatively light and can usually be made of using much thinner dimensions than comparable sized timber tables

·        Cost effective

Tables made from aluminium are usually much more affordable than those made from other materials because they are easier to fabricate or extrude that those made using other materials

·        Attractive designs

Whether cast or made from extruded aluminium, tables made using aluminium are very strong while still being able to offer elegant design and attractive features that can fit in with any décor or colour scheme

·        Durability

Aluminium tables have the advantage that they have very high anti-corrosion properties if left outside in the weather. Aluminum can be left bare or it can be powder coated or painted to give a tough weather resistant coating to suit different applications if required

·        Stack ability

Most aluminium tables are constructed in modular units that can because of their light weight be easily stacked when not in use. They can also be placed together to form a large table or work space making them very versitile

·        Vermin Proof

There are no pests that will attack or damage aluminium tables, they are inedible and too tough to be chewed or bored into to provide shelter for any animals

·        Easily cleaned

The nature of aluminium, when used to make tables, makes these tables very easy to clean, aluminum surfaces are smooth and will not absorb moisture, grease or oils. This helps to preventdirt and grime from sticking and allows them to be easily be cleaned using a brush, light detergent with a garden or high pressure hose

·        Heat resistant

Aluminium tables are heat resistant and will not be affected by the heat of the sun or from any normal weather conditions

 

Aluminium tables are now very popular for all types of occasions and settings from indoors in elegant settings to more casual outdoor applications. They are popular in restaurants, cafeterias, schools, hospitalsand workplaces. This is because they are available in many shapes and sizes with a huge range of styles and colours designed to suit any situation, formal or informal indoors or outside. Aluminium tables are lightweight, easily maintained and have a long working life. They represent excellent value and are available in all areas.

 

Top Reasons to use Solid aluminium cladding

Solid aluminium cladding has many advantages over more traditional materials, because its light weight, it’s easy to install on both new and existing buildings with minimal preparation. It’s a very cost effective way to modernize a building both inside and outside and ideal for display areas.

Some of the other top reasons to use solid aluminium cladding are:

·        Appearance

The first thing people notice about a building is its external appearance or façade, solid aluminium cladding adds an elegant, aesthetically pleasing modern look that will enhance any building. It comes in many modern interesting shapes and designs to help your building stand out from the rest shapes and designs that were just not practical or available just a few years ago

·        Low Maintenance

Solid aluminium cladding provides superior protection against all the different types of extreme weather conditions expected on the Gold Coast and has the advantage that it does not absorb moisture or provide a habitat or breeding ground for many of the pests that try to invade our homes. They can’t eat it borrow into it or live around it making it pest proof

·        Versatility

Solid aluminium cladding can be formed, cut, drilled folded and bent without losing its structural integrity, making it very versatile. With its long practical working life, durability and flexibility, solid aluminium cladding can be used in areas where other materials are impractical and too expensive.

Solid aluminium cladding is often used to keep internal spaces looking fresh and clean offering a good wear resistant, tuff surface commonly, seen on the walls in corridors and commercial areas such as airports, hospitals and schools

·        Light Weight

Solid aluminium cladding is 66% lighter on average than steel cladding, making it easy to install with its inherent strength and beauty, it’s now used in many of Australia’s buildings as our most preferred material for all types of cladding systems. Being light weight it is easily transported to difficult sites and can be installed without the need for heavy metal working equipment or as many workers

·        Low Cost

Solid aluminium cladding is very cost-effective and ready coloured. Because of its strength and low weight, it requires less fixation points and fewer technicians to install it than other materials that used to be used for cladding, helping to further lower labour costs. It also minimises ongoing maintenance and is resistant to all pests including mould, mildew and fungi

·        Variety

Solid aluminium cladding comes in a large range of colours, shapes and sizes to suit different applications and can be colour matched to suit your branding or company colours

·        Highly Functional

Solid aluminium cladding is corrosion resistant, fire proof, sound insulated and earthquake resistant. They are easy to clean and help to lower energy cost and they have excellent insulation properties weathering abilities as well as being all totally recyclable materials when no longer required, so leaves a minimal green footprint

·        Easily cleaned

The strong anti-fade finish on solid aluminum cladding is resistant to graffiti and vandalism while being easy to clean

·        Non-Combustible

·        While aluminium will melt at temperatures over 600C it is totally non-combustible and does not generate toxic gasses in the event of a fire

 

Solid aluminium cladding with its low-cost long life and ease of installation has become one of Australia’s most popular and versatile claddings

 

What are the common applications of aluminium planks?

Aluminium planks are now the standard for use when workers need to be elevated during construction and maintenance operations. They are made to be strong and able to cope with applications that require a specific load bearing strength as well as having a nonslip and twist proof character. Planks made of aluminium can be found in the construction industry, industrial workshops and for general use wherever a strong platform or shelf is required. They have many advantages over timber and steel planks apart from being relatively inexpensive including the following:

Advantages of aluminium planks

·        Light weight

Aluminium planks are light enough that they are easy to carry and move around by one person. They can quickly be used along with aluminium frames or poles to build, assemble a variety of strong work or storage platforms or tables. They can quickly be moved either erected or pulled down to a new location by a small team with minimal tools or experience

·        Non-corrosive

Aluminium planks can be used inside or outside in all climatic conditions without the worry of them corroding and becoming unsafe. They can handle high temperatures as well as being able to withstand freezing conditions and not affected by saltwater or salt spray making them ideal to use in the marine environment. They are often seen in ships engine rooms and maintenance areas

·        Wear Resistant

Aluminium is tough and resistant to normal wear from foot traffic most solvents and industrial chemicals and is ideal for use normal construction and mining activities

Common uses of Aluminium planks

·        Scaffolding

Aluminium planks are commonly used as the walking and load bearing areas id workers scaffolds in construction and maintenance applications

·        Catwalks

Many commercial buildings have catwalks in the ceiling spaces where workers can conduct maintenance and repairs to electrical cabling, telephone and internet instillations CCTV Camera systems, cleaning air conditioning ducts, changing tight bulbs, checking fire sprinkler systems and other behind the scene activities

·        Ladders and fire escapes

Most multi storey buildings incorporate fire escapes either internally or externally. Aluminium planks are often used as they are slip resistant and not affected by age or heat and can bear the weight of people when they need a safe alternative exit

Aluminium planks are available in a range is widths, lengths and weight ratings for one, two or three people as well as their equipment

Specifications

·        A one person plank has a workload of 113kg or 250lbs

max length of 7.3m and min width of 305mm 12 in max width of 508mm or 20 in

·        A two person plank has a workload of 227kg or 500lbs

Max length is 12.2 m or 40ft, min width is 305mm or 12 in max width 762mm or 30 in

·        A three person plank has a work load of 350kg or 750lbs

Max length is 12.2 m or 40ft, min width is 508mm or 20 in and max width of 914mm or 36 in

Other sizes can be made to order

Aluminium planks have found favor for use in most areas where a strong light weight platform is required especially in construction and restorative work on bridges, in shipyards, buildings sites art work, light an heavy manufacturing industries as well as around the home in workshops and exterior applications