--- title: Architectural Aluminum Finishing Trends to Watch in 2021 description: Architectural Aluminum Finishing Trends to Watch in 2021 image: https://stcloudwindow.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/To-Boone-Pickens-Conference-Hall-2-300x225-Feb-05-2026-04-19-45-7455-PM.jpg --- # Architectural Aluminum Finishing Trends to Watch in 2021 **Written by: St. Cloud Window** **Date: February 5, 2026** ![](https://stcloudwindow.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/To-Boone-Pickens-Conference-Hall-2-300x225-Feb-05-2026-04-19-45-7455-PM.jpg?width=533&height=400&name=To-Boone-Pickens-Conference-Hall-2-300x225-Feb-05-2026-04-19-45-7455-PM.jpg)Each year it’s useful to look ahead and see where the industry is trending. When it comes to architectural aluminum finishes, [Glass Magazine](https://www.glassmagazine.com/article/begin-finish) highlighted five key trends for 2021: ## **PROTECTIVE STRENGTH** Finishes - liquid coatings, powder coatings, or anodize  - guard against water, wind, heat, salt, pollution, and daily use. Growing trends are for antimicrobial architectural coatings as well as finishes to protect against stain- and odor-causing microbes. ## **DURABILITY** AAMA 2605 for painted coatings and 611 for anodizing are the leading specification standards for high-performance aluminum architectural finishes. Finishes that meet these standards resist chalking, erosion, and salt spray, and retain color. Trends continue for white, cream, and brown paint colors, and bronze and clear anodized remain the most-requested colors. ## **ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT** Increased environmental awareness translates not only to the buildings’ standards, guidelines, and certifications but also to the impact on occupants’ well-being. This places greater importance on material selection and indoor air quality, including volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The good news is powder coatings and anodized finishes do not contain VOCs, and finishers using liquid paints are able to capture and destroy the VOCs within their facilities. ## **LONGEVITY** Architectural aluminum finishes can last for decades when properly applied, installed, and maintained. Finishing providers note that there is a trend for manufacturers, contractors, and owners to request warranties of up to 10 years or more. ## **RECYCLABILITY** After its useful life, aluminum is [infinitely recyclable](https://stcloudwindow.com/news/why-aluminum-is-a-popular-choice-in-construction/) once the finish is removed. As a result, some architectural aluminum products exceed 60% recycled content and finishers have greatly improved techniques to make the ‘inherent imperfections’ less noticeable. Aluminum is a [highly-adaptable](https://stcloudwindow.com/news/aluminum-window-frames-offer-design-flexibility-and-affordability/) and reusable material and at St. Cloud Window, we use the highest-quality aluminum. [View our product list](https://stcloudwindow.com/our-products/) for our full selection of aluminum windows. ## The Latest Window Industry News Blogs, insights, and more. 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