Why Aluminum Is The Best Choice for Your Colorado Commercial Project

Built for Colorado, Built to Last

When it comes to the use of metal building materials in Colorado, few can compete with the performance, versatility, and advantages of aluminum. From the Front Range to the Western Slope, Colorado’s environment presents challenges that demand high-performance materials — extreme UV exposure, heavy snow loads, temperature swings, and wildfire risks. Aluminum is uniquely suited to meet those demands.

At Douglass Colony Group, aluminum isn’t just a component — it’s a canvas. We specialize in aluminum constructions that are as smart as they are sustainable, and we tailor every aluminum system to our client’s needs. Whether we’re fabricating aluminum metal roof panels or custom facades, we take pride in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in building performance.

What Makes Aluminum a Standout Material for Commercial Projects

Aluminum offers a range of structural and environmental benefits that make it a top-tier material for commercial construction in Colorado:

• Lightweight but durable: Aluminum is about one-third the weight of steel, reducing overall structural loads. This not only minimizes foundation requirements but also accelerates installation times — saving time and cost across the board.
• Naturally corrosion-resistant: Thanks to its oxide layer, aluminum stands up to the dry climate and road salt of Colorado without rusting or weakening. This makes it ideal for long-term exterior applications, especially for roofing and siding.
• Non-combustible: With wildfires becoming more frequent, especially in the wildland-urban interface, non-combustible materials like aluminum are increasingly specified for code compliance and peace of mind.
• 100% recyclable: Aluminum can be reused indefinitely with no loss in performance, making it a sustainable choice for builders aiming to meet LEED certifications or ESG goals.

As Jeb Morgenegg, Division Manager and metals expert at Douglass Colony puts it: “We deal with a lot of materials before they hit the job site, and aluminum is one we respect because of its reusability. We recycle every scrap, and anything that’s left over gets turned into hidden components like cleats or brackets. That’s not just efficient — it’s responsible.”

Climate-Tested: Why Aluminum Performs in Colorado’s Environment

Colorado presents a unique set of environmental challenges. Structures must endure everything from intense summer UV rays at high elevations to sub-zero winter temperatures, snow accumulation, and repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Many materials break down under those conditions — but aluminum thrives.

Unlike steel, which requires heavy coatings or ongoing treatment to resist rust, aluminum naturally resists corrosion. Its resilience to UV damage means finishes retain their luster longer. Its thermal expansion properties allow it to expand and contract without warping or cracking.

“We’ve worked on builds from Denver to Aspen where the material needed to stand up to 80-degree temperature swings,” Jeb explains. “Aluminum takes that kind of stress in stride. That’s why it’s one of our go-to choices for exterior cladding and roofing.”

Greener Build: DCG’s Sustainable Aluminum Practices

Douglass Colony doesn’t just use aluminum — we use it smarter. Sustainability isn’t a box we check, it’s a mindset that guides how we fabricate, install, and innovate with aluminum every day.

• No scrap left behind: All aluminum remnants from fabrication are sorted and recycled in-house.
• Excess gets repurposed: From unseen brackets to custom hardware, we find ways to use every usable inch.
• Jobsite waste-stream control: Our crews sort recyclable material on site, reducing landfill impact.
• Next-gen product design: We’re constantly developing aluminum plate panel systems that are fire-resilient and fully recyclable.

“We’ll use leftover materials for brackets or other things that can be behind the process, but don’t need to ‘look’ as nice. This prevents them from going to landfills or even recycling,” says Jeb. “From design to offcuts, we think about how every piece of material can be reused or rethought.”

Design Flexibility Without Compromise

Aluminum isn’t just a performer — it’s a designer’s dream. With its ability to mimic the look of premium materials and accommodate nearly any shape or finish, aluminum is ideal for modern architecture.

• Custom textures and colors: Aluminum can be powder-coated, anodized, or painted to suit any visual spec.
• Architectural versatility: Seamless panels, soffits, canopies, gutters, trims—aluminum does it all.
• Premium look, practical performance: Achieve the look of zinc or steel without the weight, rust, or price tag.

Whether you’re designing a mountain lodge, a LEED Platinum office, or a tech-forward mixed-use building, aluminum brings both beauty and brawn to the build.

“Sometimes we have architects who want a wood or stone product on their building. We can provide the look with metal,” says Jeb. “There are challenges with overcoming the desire to have wood be wood and stone be stone instead of trying something new to make the building efficient and bring the costs down. But what I can say is this: Nothing else will perform as well as metal when it’s used in the right place with the right application.”

Metal vs. Aluminum Roofing: What’s Right for You?

When choosing between other metals vs aluminum roofing for your commercial project, context matters. Here’s how aluminum stacks up:

• Weight: Aluminum metal roofing panels are significantly lighter than steel, which reduces structural demands and simplifies transport and installation.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum doesn’t rust, even when exposed to moisture and de-icing salts. Steel, on the other hand, requires protective coatings.
• Fire Safety: Aluminum’s non-combustible nature makes it ideal for fire zones and multi-use facilities.
• Longevity: With proper installation, aluminum roofs can last 50+ years with minimal maintenance.

For Colorado’s diverse climates and elevations, aluminum roofing offers a winning combination of durability, energy efficiency, and environmental benefits.

We Know Aluminum

At Douglass Colony, we combine decades of experience with an innovative, sustainability-forward mindset. We’re not just Colorado’s leading commercial contractor for roofing and metals — we’re the partner who ensures vision is never held back.

Here’s why clients trust us with their aluminum solutions:

• In-house fabrication: We control quality and timelines with our own metal shop.
• Regional know-how: We understand what Colorado structures need to endure and excel.
• Next-level craftsmanship: Our crews are trained not just to install, but to innovate.
• Custom solutions: Every job is different. Our aluminum systems are tailored to maximize both performance and aesthetics.

“Construction is difficult, there are so many moving variables and interacting services that change constantly,” Jeb concludes. “We strive to look at those variables and provide the client with the best product in the best amount of time possible.”

When others say no to difficult conditions or complex specs, we say yes — and then find a better way to get it done. From aluminum metal roofing to architectural façades, we build smarter, cleaner, and bolder.

Ready to start your aluminum project? Let’s build what others won’t.