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An aluminium profile has no single fixed price. Total cost is driven by alloy and temper, weight per meter (kg/m) determined by the cross‑section, finish (anodized, powder, PVDF), fabrication and tolerance, thermal break components, MOQ and die/tooling, logistics, and the market aluminium price. Share your drawing and finish to receive a precise quote.
Alloy and temper
kg/m (weight) set by geometry and wall thickness
Finish: anodized vs powder vs PVDF
Fabrication and machining: cutting, CNC, welding
Tolerance and quality assurance
Thermal break components and hardware
MOQ and extrusion die/tooling
Packaging method and shipping distance
Use case | Typical profile | Cost band | Main driver | Common finish |
---|---|---|---|---|
Construction aluminium profiles for windows/doors | Frame, sash, thermal‑break mullion | Medium–High | Thermal strips, tight tolerances | Powder, anodized, PVDF |
Industrial aluminium profiles (T‑slot) | 6/8/10 mm slot series | Low–Medium | Weight per meter, slot family | Anodized, powder |
Heat dissipation for electronics | High‑fin heat sink | Medium | Fin density, machining | Black anodized |
Aluminium green building façades | Curtain‑wall mullion/transom | High | PVDF spec, durability | PVDF |
Aluminium standard profiles | Angle, U/C channel, tube | Low | Simple geometry, stock dies | Anodized, powder |
If you’re searching “How much is an aluminum profile?”, you’re likely evaluating budgets or preparing a request for quote. The fastest way to get an accurate answer is to understand how suppliers calculate costs. This guide explains how pricing works for an Aluminium Profile, compares scenarios like windows and doors, T‑slot frames, and curtain walls, and shows how finishes, sizes, and fabrication steps move your quote up or down. It also maps cost‑saving moves that protect quality, highlights production capabilities that stabilize price and timeline, and ends with a clear RFQ checklist and FAQs tailored to price intent. To explore ready‑to‑source shapes and systems as you read, open the aluminium profiles catalog at the products page and filter by Construction Aluminium Profiles, Industrial Aluminium Profiles, Aluminium Green Building, and Aluminium Standard Profiles.
What is an aluminium profile, in plain language
An Aluminium Profile (also written as Aluminum profile) is a long, shaped piece of metal made by extrusion: heated aluminum is pressed through a steel die to form channels, tubes, angles, window or door sections, T‑slot beams, and even heat sinks with fins. Because the die defines the cross‑section, you can integrate details like grooves for seals, screw bosses, snap‑fits, or wireways. Those integrated features often reduce part count and downstream labor, which matters when you’re comparing quotes beyond the raw price of metal.
How much is an aluminium profile depends on a simple equation
Every quote reflects a straightforward stack: material cost (alloy and weight per meter), extrusion and handling time, finishing (anodized, powder, or PVDF), fabrication (cutting, drilling, CNC, welding), quality and tolerance checks, logistics, and—on custom shapes—the amortized cost of the die across your order quantity. Market aluminium price influences the material component, but geometry, finish, and processing steps usually explain most of the difference between two suppliers’ quotes for the same part.
Per kg vs per meter: two pricing models you’ll see
Per kilogram suits designs where raw material drives cost and lengths vary. It’s common for simple shapes, standard aluminum profile sizes and weight per meter comparisons, and commodity‑style runs.
Per meter suits T‑slot lines and standardized systems. It keeps ordering simple for Industrial T‑slot aluminium profile pricing and helps teams tally lengths quickly for assembly lines.
Most projects blend models: extruded aluminum profiles cost factors like machining or PVDF finishing can be itemized, while the profile length is priced per meter or per kilogram.
Alloy and temper
Different alloys and tempers change extrudability, strength, and corrosion resistance. The 6xxx family usually balances strength, formability, and finish quality. Specialty alloys from 1xxx to 7xxx or tempers outside T5/T6 can increase cost if they slow the press, limit available billets, or demand extra QA. A good rule: specify performance (loads, spans, environment), then let engineering pick the lightest alloy/temper that meets the target.
Weight per meter (kg/m) from geometry
Material is priced by weight; kg/m is determined by wall thickness, hollows, and rib layout. A small reduction in wall thickness across a long run can move budgets significantly. Early in design, ask for an optimization pass focused on kg/m. For Construction aluminium profiles cost guide decisions, kg/m is the first lever to pull.
Geometry complexity and yield
Cross‑sections with multiple cavities, thin walls, or sharp transitions reduce extrusion speed, increase scrap, or require more careful handling. Rounded internal corners and consistent wall thicknesses improve press stability and lower cost. If the part’s function allows it, simplifying geometry often saves more than it looks like on paper.
Finish choice: anodized vs powder vs PVDF
Anodized delivers a metallic look and strong corrosion control at a mid cost band.
Powder coating brings rich color and texture with great impact resistance, also mid band.
PVDF sits in the premium band, chosen for long‑term color and gloss retention on façades and in coastal sunlight.
Electrophoretic coating is another mid band option, prized for extremely uniform tone on complex shapes. If you’re comparing anodized vs powder coated aluminum profile cost, think aesthetics and traffic: metallic clarity vs color flexibility and impact resistance.
Fabrication and machining
Cut‑to‑length is a baseline. Drilling, CNC pockets, slots, tapping, miter cuts, welding, stamping, brushing, and polishing add steps. Consolidate features into the profile where it’s cheaper than machining, but avoid adding micro‑details that slow extrusion or finishing. The sweet spot is a profile that minimizes total labor across both the press and the fab shop.
Tolerance and QA
Tighter tolerances demand more checks, selective packing, and sometimes slower throughput. Use tight tolerances only on functional surfaces; leave general faces at standard. For Aluminium Standard Profiles used as covers or non‑critical trims, standard tolerances are plenty and keep costs in the low band.
Thermal break components and hardware
In fenestration and façades, thermal strips, gaskets, and hardware prep add cost—and add comfort and efficiency. Thermal break aluminium profiles price drivers include strip spec, insertion method, and sealing. For energy‑sensitive projects, these costs pay back in performance and code compliance.
MOQ and extrusion die/tooling
New dies spread their cost across your ordered volume. Very low MOQs push quotes up; aligning releases with economic press runs brings them down. If your design can reuse a stock die—or mix in Aluminium Standard Profiles for brackets—you can cut both lead time and cost.
Packaging and shipping
Long or delicate pieces need reinforced packing and careful transport. Shipping cost for aluminium profiles is driven by length, weight, handling requirements, and distance. Planning standard lengths to fit trucks or elevators matters more than most teams expect.
Construction Aluminium Profiles
Where the money goes: window and door frames, sashes, thermal‑break mullions and transoms, pressure plates, snap covers, glazing beads, thresholds, screens, roller shutters, and ceiling grids. Typical cost drivers are kg/m, thermal breaks, finish quality, and hardware integration. PVDF is specified for façades that face strong UV or coastlines. Powder‑coated frames are common in storefronts and residential towers for color choice and chip resistance.
Common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Under‑spec’d mullion depth can cause deflection; fixing it late adds rework across drawings, dies, and finishes.
Skipping thermal breaks to save now often fails energy targets and triggers change orders.
Over‑tight tolerances slow production; reserve tight classes for mating faces or drainage paths.
Ignoring coating batch strategy risks color tone variation across floors or wings.
Industrial Aluminium Profiles
T‑slot lines dominate factory frames, workstations, enclosures, and conveyor supports. These are typically priced per meter with accessories on a parts list, and finishing in anodized or powder depending on wear and color needs. The big levers are slot series (6/8/10 mm families), wall thickness, and the number of connectors and panels per meter of frame.
Cost‑savvy tactics:
Standardize on one slot family to buy connectors in volume.
Design for common lengths to minimize offcuts.
Use anodized finishes in high‑touch zones for wear; reserve powder for color‑critical areas.
Keep shelves and guards as simple panels to reduce machining.
Aluminium Green Building
Green design weighs up‑front cost against operational and maintenance savings. PVDF finishes are in the high band but stretch repaint cycles and maintain gloss in tough sun. Thermal breaks reduce energy use and condensation, often required for certifications. Low‑carbon alloys and recycled content can be specified; some carry a modest premium but support sustainability goals and third‑party ratings.
Whole‑life thinking:
Choose finishes for the facade’s actual climate; in high‑UV and coastal zones, PVDF lowers repaint risk and lifts value retention.
Use thermal break sections to hit energy targets; the additional up‑front spend often pays back through lower HVAC loads.
Standardize hardware pockets and sealing paths across window/door types to reuse tooling and training.
Aluminium Standard Profiles
Simple angles, U/C channels, flats, and tubes come from stock dies. They’re the fastest route to low cost bands because geometry is simple and presses run fast. Use them as brackets, covers, frames, and carriers around complex custom parts. A practical construction aluminium profiles cost guide almost always reserves custom dies for visible or load‑critical pieces while filling the rest with standard shapes.
Aluminum profile sizes and weight per meter
A single question drives material cost: how much does one meter weigh? A deeper channel or thicker wall adds stiffness but raises kg/m. For long spans, a rectangular tube often beats a flat bar on stiffness‑to‑weight. In curtain walls, mullion depth is chosen to meet wind load with acceptable deflection. In T‑slot frames, stepping up a series handles higher equipment mass without bracing everywhere. A standard aluminum profile sizes and weight per meter mindset—matching section to span and load—prevents overspec across a whole project.
Alloy and temper choices
The 6xxx family (for example, 6063 and 6061) tends to dominate extrusions: clean surfaces, balanced strength, and good corrosion resistance. Tempers T5 and T6 are the workhorses. Specialty alloys up or down the 1xxx–7xxx spectrum are available when design demands; they may change press speed and anodizing color tone, which is worth noting early for appearance‑critical parts.
Finish comparisons in terms of cost and maintenance
Anodized: best when you want metallic clarity and steady color; mid band; minimal maintenance.
Powder coated: choose for broad colors and textures with strong chip resistance; mid band; ideal for storefronts and interiors.
PVDF: premium band; the pick for long‑term color/gloss in strong sun or coastal air; standard for top‑tier façades.
Electrophoretic: mid band; ultra‑uniform tone on complex shapes; often paired with interiors or close‑view applications.
Finish comparison table
Finish | Appearance | Weather/UV | Maintenance | Relative cost | Best use |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anodized | Metallic satin to matte | Very good | Low | Medium | Interiors, many exteriors |
Powder coated | Wide colors/textures | Very good–excellent | Low | Medium | Storefronts, public spaces |
PVDF | Architectural premium | Outstanding | Low–medium | High | Curtain walls, coastal sites |
Electrophoretic | Ultra‑uniform tone | Good–very good | Low | Medium | Intricate shapes, close viewing |
Application vs cost driver vs finish vs cost band vs pitfalls
Application | Typical section | Primary cost driver | Recommended finish | Cost band | Common pitfalls |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Windows/doors | Thermal‑break frames, sashes, mullions | Thermal strips, hardware fit, tight tolerances | Powder or anodized; PVDF for severe UV | M–H | Skipping thermal break; under‑spec mullions |
Curtain walls | Mullions, transoms, pressure plates, covers | Wind‑load stiffness, PVDF spec | PVDF, premium powder | H | Underestimating deflection and seal design |
T‑slot frames | 6/8/10 mm slot families | kg/m from geometry; accessories | Anodized for wear; powder for color | L–M | Light series for heavy equipment |
Heat sinks | High‑fin, skived or extruded | Fin density; machining ops | Black anodized | M | Powder clogging tight fin channels |
Interiors | U/C channels, angles, tubes | Finish uniformity; batch color | Powder, clear anodized | L–M | Shallow channels on wide panels |
Marine/transport | Tubes, custom trims | Corrosion spec; PVDF/anodize | PVDF or hard anodize | M–H | Galvanic corrosion with other metals |
Solar mounts | Rails, brackets | Length and kg/m; outdoor finish | Anodized | L–M | Ignoring roof anchoring limits |
A note on terminology and your RFQ
Price‑intended content often triggers “aluminium profile price per kg vs per meter” comparisons. If you want the lowest total landed cost, ask the supplier to quote both models and itemize finishing and fabrication. You’ll see quickly whether weight per meter, finish, or machining dominates your scenario.
Design with kg/m in mind
Put material where the load path runs; remove it where it doesn’t. Simple ribs can let you reduce wall thickness without losing stiffness. Early “kg/m review” loops can save more than any late‑stage negotiation.
Simplify the section where possible
Replace complex, non‑visible features with straight cuts or standard brackets. Avoid deep, narrow grooves that slow extrusion. A small geometry change can lift press speed and yield.
Mix custom with standard
Use Aluminium Standard Profiles for carriers, covers, and brackets, and reserve custom extrusions for the visible, load‑bearing, or seal‑critical parts. It trims die/tooling costs and stabilizes scheduling.
Design for finishing
Add coating radiuses, drain/vent holes where needed, and avoid sharp blind pockets. Clean drainage and airflow through a profile reduce rework and shade marks in anodizing or powder.
Batch to unlock line efficiency
Consolidate color runs and unify lengths where possible. You’ll see coating and cutting lines move faster, scrap fall, and quotes improve.
Standardize slot families and connectors
In Industrial Aluminium Profiles, choosing one slot family lets you buy hardware in volume and re‑use jigs, which cuts soft costs on every job.
Price isn’t only about material and finish; it’s also about whether your supplier can keep schedules and hit specs without extra handling. Signs that a partner can hold price steady over time include:
Casting and chemistry control
Direct‑reading spectrometers validate billet composition; gas removal and multi‑stage ceramic filtration keep inclusions low; alloy modification improves plasticity and consistency. This protects surface finish and extrusion speed, both tied to cost.
Extrusion press fleet and size envelope
A fleet with press tonnages such as 20,000T, 12,500T, 10,000T, 7,500T, 5,500T, 4,000T, and 2,500T supports small trims up to large, complex sections. Cross‑sections near 480 mm and single‑piece lengths near 40 m are feasible with the right handling. Matching your section to the right press improves yield and throughput.
Heat treatment and temper consistency
Air, fog, and water quenching options; offline vertical quenching for large or sensitive shapes; 12 aging furnaces to lock in tempers from T1 through T9 at scale. Consistent mechanical properties reduce rework and field issues.
Finishing lines aligned to architectural standards
Automated anodizing and electrophoretic lines track film thickness and color; horizontal and vertical powder coating lines maintain tight curing; PVDF lines deliver AAMA 2605‑grade performance. Standards alignment with GB5237.5 and Qualicoat shows finishing is not a gamble.
Integrated fabrication
Sawing, mitering, drilling, CNC machining, tapping, stamping, welding, brushing, grinding, and polishing under one roof mean fewer hand‑offs and better schedule control.
R&D and recognition
A national enterprise technology center and an accredited laboratory add credibility. A portfolio of 900+ patents and collaborations with institutes reinforce continuous improvement, benefiting both quality and cost.
These capabilities are the backbone behind stable Aluminium Profile pricing, predictable lead times, and fewer site surprises.
A clean RFQ yields a faster, sharper quote. Use this checklist to remove guesswork:
Drawings and intent: Share STEP/DXF of your cross‑section or a dimensioned sketch. State the use case (window/door, curtain wall, T‑slot frame, heat sink), expected spans/loads, and any compliance needs (AAMA/Qualicoat/GB5237.5).
Sizes and quantities: Provide aluminum profile sizes (width, wall thickness, length), target kg/m if known, and estimated release volumes (one‑off, phased, or ongoing).
Alloy and temper: If undecided, describe environment (indoor, outdoor, coastal, high‑UV) and processing (bending, drilling) so engineering can recommend.
Finish: Anodized, powder, PVDF, or electrophoretic; specify color or gloss range if relevant.
Fabrication: Cut‑to‑length only, or also drilling, CNC pockets, welding, or assembly.
Packaging and shipping: Length constraints, protective films, crate specs, delivery windows.
Sampling: Ask for a pilot run to validate fit and finish before moving to volume.
To turn research into a shortlist, open the aluminium profiles catalog on the products page and navigate to Construction Aluminium Profiles, Industrial Aluminium Profiles, Aluminium Green Building systems (façade and thermal‑break focus), and Aluminium Standard Profiles for stock shapes. When you’re ready, request a quote and ask to Get The Latest Price based on your drawing and finish.
Q1: How much is an aluminium profile?
A1: There isn’t a universal number. A quote reflects alloy and temper, the profile’s weight per meter, geometry complexity, finishing (anodized, powder, PVDF), fabrication steps (cutting, CNC, welding), tolerances and QA, thermal break components, MOQ and die/tooling, and logistics. Share a drawing and finish choice, plus lengths and quantities, to receive an accurate price aligned to your scenario and schedule.
Q2: Is pricing per kilogram or per meter?
A2: Both are used. Per kilogram aligns with raw material and is common for simple, variable‑length runs. Per meter suits standardized lines like Industrial Aluminium Profiles in T‑slot families. Many projects blend models: a per‑kg or per‑meter base for the Aluminium Profile plus separate lines for finishing and machining. Asking for both models helps you optimize weight versus throughput.
Q3: Which finish costs more—anodized, powder, or PVDF?
A3: In relative bands, anodized and architectural powder tend to sit in the mid range, while PVDF is the premium for long‑term color and gloss retention under strong sun or in coastal air. Electrophoretic coating often sits near anodized, valued for ultra‑uniform tone on complex shapes. Choose based on climate, viewing distance, and maintenance expectations rather than headline cost alone.
Q4: What raises cost most in custom extrusions?
A4: New dies and very low MOQs, intricate cross‑sections that slow presses or raise scrap, tight tolerances on non‑critical faces, and deep machining (CNC pockets, long welds) tend to lift quotes. Long lengths beyond standard handling also add logistics cost. Simplifying features, sharing a realistic MOQ, and mixing in Aluminium Standard Profiles for secondary parts usually lowers total cost.
Q5: How can I reduce cost without hurting quality?
A5: Optimize weight per meter with ribs and smart wall thickness. Keep tight tolerances only where parts mate or seal. Choose the lightest finish that meets your environment—anodized or powder for most interiors/exteriors, PVDF for severe UV. Standardize slot families and lengths in Industrial Aluminium Profiles. In Construction Aluminium Profiles, reserve PVDF for true façades and use premium powder on protected zones.
Q6: What lead times and MOQs should I expect?
A6: Catalog shapes with in‑stock finishes ship fastest. Custom extrusions add die fabrication and a sample run before volume. MOQs depend on section size, finishing schedules, and press availability. PVDF finishes often require booking coating line slots. Sharing target quantities, finish choices, and delivery windows early helps secure capacity and stabilize Aluminium Profile pricing.
Q7: What information do I need to get a fast, accurate quote?
A7: Provide a dimensioned drawing (STEP/DXF), end use (window/door, curtain wall, T‑slot frame, heat sink), alloy/temper preference (if any), finish (anodized, powder, PVDF, electrophoretic), lengths and quantities, standards (AAMA/Qualicoat/GB5237.5), and fabrication needs (cut‑to‑length, drilling, CNC, welding). This lets engineering confirm kg/m, match alloy and temper, and send a clear, itemized quote without back‑and‑forth.
“How much is an aluminum profile?” is best answered by how it’s designed, finished, and used. Focus on the drivers—alloy and kg/m, finish, fabrication, tolerance, thermal breaks, MOQ and die, and logistics—and you’ll see exactly where budgets go and how to control them. The simplest path to a reliable number is to share your drawing and finish, ask for per kg vs per meter options, and request a sample before scaling up.
Explore systems and shapes that match your project on the products page by opening the aluminium profiles catalog and browsing Construction Aluminium Profiles, Industrial Aluminium Profiles, Aluminium Green Building solutions, and Aluminium Standard Profiles. When you’re ready to request a quote or Get The Latest Price, include your drawing, finish, lengths, and volumes to receive a focused response that fits your build and schedule.