Why in-lite chooses aluminium: the durable choice for outdoor lighting

Durable outdoor lighting starts with the material. At in-lite, we’ve chosen aluminum for most of our fixtures. It has exactly the qualities needed to keep outdoor lighting looking great and performing well for years. In this blog, we explain why aluminum is the best choice for us, from corrosion resistance to recyclability.

Why do we choose aluminum? Because it combines practical and durable benefits that make it especially well suited to outdoor lighting.

We process aluminum in two main ways: casting and extrusion. We use casting for more complex shapes with finer detail. We use extrusion for longer, clean-lined parts with a uniform cross-section. We match each method to what the product needs in terms of shape, strength, and finish. In some fixtures, both techniques are used. NAIL is one example: the NAIL HEAD is made using casting, while the NAIL TUBE is made using extrusion.

A common misconception is that aluminum does not corrode, but that is not completely true. Aluminum does oxidize, but in doing so it forms a dense, bonded layer of aluminum oxide that protects the material underneath. The process effectively stops there.

Compare that with steel: rust is porous and keeps eating into the material. With aluminum, the oxide layer does not continue damaging the surface. In normal backyard conditions, that means no structural damage and no loss of performance.

Our finishes, including FCBV coating, anodizing, and hard anodizing, add another layer of protection. They also help our fixtures stay visually appealing for years without turning dull or discolored.

Aluminum is about three times lighter than steel. For outdoor lighting, that brings clear benefits: easier installation, less load on your fence or patio cover, and lower energy use during transport. Lighter material means a lighter footprint.

This is a benefit many people do not expect, but aluminum conducts heat extremely well. Light sources generate heat at the chip, and if that heat is not removed quickly enough, the light source will degrade faster. Aluminum fixtures dissipate that heat effectively, which significantly improves the life of the light source.

Aluminum can be recycled endlessly without any loss of quality. Better still, recycling takes only a fraction of the energy required to produce new aluminum. When a product reaches the end of its life and is returned, the aluminum can be turned into a new product of exactly the same quality using very little energy.