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.

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.