A steel designer adds locks, hinges and other functional details to his design using welding, screwed joints, rivets, etc.
An aluminium designer builds in as many features as possible into the cross-sectional design in order to avoid the need for processing, welding, bolting and riveting, and takes steps to integrate joints and fasteners in the cross-section.
Aluminium extrusions provide a unique opportunity to affect the end result through good use of the design flexibility afforded by the material.
