Aluminium

Plain-English definition

Aluminium is a silvery-white, lightweight metal. In the hardware store, it is commonly sold in pre-shaped lengths (extrusions) such as flat bars, right-angles, and hollow tubes, as well as thin sheets used for kickplates or repairs.

Why it matters

Aluminium is highly favoured for DIY projects because it is extremely easy to work with. Unlike steel, it is soft enough to be easily cut with a standard hacksaw and drilled with standard bits without requiring heavy lubrication. Crucially, it does not rust when exposed to moisture, making it ideal for bathroom or outdoor use.

Common mistake

A common mistake is treating aluminium as if it has the structural strength of steel. Because it is soft, it bends easily under heavy loads. Additionally, if you try to thread a steel screw tightly into a hole drilled in aluminium, the harder steel will easily strip the soft aluminium threads, ruining the fixing.