Ask any facility manager what matters most at the entrance and you’ll hear the same priorities time and time again: keep people moving, keep the area safe, and don’t create maintenance headaches. That’s the core reason facility managers prefer aluminum over steel for building access systems. Without a doubt, ramps, stairs, platforms, and walkways built from aluminum deliver the performance they need without the constant paint cycles and downtime that come with steel.
Lower Maintenance, Fewer Work Orders
Steel is strong and it’s a classic, but it depends on coatings. Once paint chips or a weld starts to rust, you’re on the hook for expensive prep, prime, and repaint. And that’s not as easy as it sounds because it’s often in hard-to-reach spots.
Aluminum doesn’t rust. Instead, it forms a protective oxide layer that holds up in rain, snow, and washdowns. That single difference eliminates a big chunk of your annual maintenance costs, especially at high-traffic entries where salt, moisture, and rolling carts take a toll. .
Safer Walking Surfaces in Real Weather
At entrances, remember that safety truly starts underfoot. Aluminum access systems pair structural frames with slip-resistant, self-draining decking that moves water off the surface and away from thresholds.
When you decide to go with an aluminum access product, you won’t be relying on gritty paint or bolt-on plates that wear out. In day-to-day terms, that means fewer “caution” cones, fewer slip complaints, and a far more predictable approach for wheelchairs, walkers, strollers, and delivery carts to safely traverse the expanse.
Faster Installs, Less Disruption
Downtime is expensive. Prefabricated aluminum systems ship as labeled, bolt-together kits that are easy and quick to assemble. There is no hot work at the door, no grinding near finished interiors, and minimal barricades.
Another perk is that crews set adjustable legs to match real pad heights, bolt runs and landings, and go. Many projects slot into evenings, weekends, or short outage windows so buildings stay open.
Lighter to Handle, Strong Where It Counts
Aluminum’s high strength-to-weight ratio is a practical advantage that cannot be overlooked.
The lighter parts stage easily with small crews and standard gear. While engineered members carry code loads with minimal deflection. That all translates into quicker mobilization, less rigging, and safer handling on tight sites and rooftops which are all huge benefits.
Better Long-Term Value
Steel can look cheaper on a spreadsheet for your overall budget until you add in the high cost of fabrication, coating, heavier equipment, and recurring repaint cycles. They all drive the cost up and out of budget for many. Aluminum flips that math with lower installation labor and far less maintenance over the life of the system. Also, if you add the ability to reconfigure and reuse components and your total cost of ownership drops again.
Compliance Without Guesswork
It’s true that public routes must meet ADA/IBC/ICC A117.1 geometry. Also, staff-only or jobsite routes often fall under OSHA. REDD Team designs aluminum access systems around those rules. You’ll enjoy clear, code-referenced submittals that make plan review predictable and keep inspections drama-free so you enjoy greater peace of mind.
Why Work With REDD Team
If trying to decide between aluminum versus steel, the day-to-day reality is simple: aluminum means fewer interruptions, fewer work orders, and a safer, cleaner entrance that looks good. These are all undeniable wins. That’s why facility managers prefer aluminum over steel for building access systems, and it’s why REDD Team builds them. Call (800) 648-3696 or contact us online for a site-specific layout and quote. We’ll turn your measurements into an access package that installs fast, passes review, and works from day one.