LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters: Lightweight Planters, Yet Durable

Landscape designers know selecting the right planter is important to the overall aesthetic and functionality of a project’s outcome. While color and design are big choices, the planter material you choose can influence the outcome of a project’s success.

When landscape designers think of strong materials, they often think of steel. But you don’t have to choose such a thick and heavy-gauge product to find strength and durability.

A good planter manufacturer will value-engineer the product so it delivers the strength you need with less material, so you can buy a quality product at a price that is easier on the budget.

That’s why we’ve created this guide about our LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters — so you can make a well-informed decision about whether these planters are right for your next project.

What Is LITE Gauge Aluminum?

LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters are designed using the same uncompromising process we use for our heavier gauge metal planters.

Constructed with marine-grade alloy and powder-coated inside and out to create a durable finish that lasts for years, when you choose this material, you’re getting a lifetime product.

LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters are less expensive than heavier gauge metal planters, but these lightweight planters deliver the kind of durability you’d expect from commercial fiberglass planters.

Benefits of LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters

When incorporating planters into a landscape design plan, you know that the material you choose drives several factors, including:

• Lead-time. LITE Planters take less time to fabricate and deliver.

• Cost. As the name indicates, LITE Planters are lightweight and can save your budget since they are a fraction of the price of heavier gauge planters, but just as durable.

• Location. LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters come standard with drainage holes and are available with or without a drip tray. LITE Planters allow for proper drainage and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. Need to locate the planter outdoors? Simply remove the drip tray.

• Durability. Because LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters are powder-coated and use heavy gauge 5052 marine-grade aluminum alloy, you enjoy a superior product that is suitable for all interior or exterior commercial applications. These planters stand up to just about every harsh condition.

• Personalized Color. This lifetime product comes in eight colors, is proudly designed and manufactured in North America, and offered exclusively by PureModern.

• Integral feet. LITE Planters come with integral feet that provide a bit of lift.

• Toe-kick. When used without a drip tray, these planters have a toe-kick similar to what you'd see on a piece of cabinetry.

LITE Gauge Aluminum Planters are designed using the same uncompromising process we use for our heavier gauge metal planters.

These planters provide MORE durability than you would expect from commercial fiberglass planters because we construct them with marine-grade alloy and powder-coat them inside and out — all at a cost that’s comparable with commercial fiberglass.

LITE Aluminum Planter at a Private Residence

What Is Powder-Coated Aluminum?

Powder-coated aluminum from PureModern means you are getting a specifically alloyed marine-grade aluminum that is powder coated and cured to create a durable product that lasts a lifetime. (It’s important to note that not all manufacturers do this.)

Powder-coating is a process that includes the following steps:

• A prepaint coating is applied to the metal to ensure the powder coat adheres properly.

• A powder is then sprayed on the metal and adheres thanks to static electricity, since the metal is electrically charged.

• The planter is then heated to melt the powder coat. This ensures the powder coat adheres to the metal. This completes the curing process.

When the powder is heated, it cross-links within itself and creates a sheath of powerful protective coating on the aluminum. To learn more about how we fabricate our aluminum planters click here.

Cast Aluminum Planters vs. Powder-Coated Aluminum Planters

When searching for reliable planters, many landscape designers want to clarify the difference between cast aluminum planters vs. powder-coated aluminum planters.

So what’s the difference?

Think of a car. It can withstand being parked outside a garage, but over time the exterior will hold up much better if it’s protected in a garage. Powder-coated aluminum planters are a durable lifetime product. The same can’t be said about cast aluminum.

The powder-coating process creates an interlinking bond between two dynamic materials that, when heated and cured, combine to create a marine-resistant, commercial-grade product that withstands bumps, knicks, and the harshest weather. This bond happens within the powder itself but, once melted, is now adhered to the metal.

How to Identify a Good Aluminum Planter Manufacturer

At PureModern, we use a type of aluminum called 5052, which is alloyed specifically for tensile strength. Generally, the goals of alloying are to:

• Increase strength

• Increase corrosion resistance

• Reduce costs

And these benefits all happen before we powder-coat the aluminum.

What to Look For in an Aluminium Planter

When buying an aluminum planter for your next design project, be sure to consider the following questions:

• Does the manufacturer guarantee their products or offer a warranty?

• What do you know about the manufacturer? How many years have they been in business?

• What types of materials do they use in their products?

The Cost of a Bad Aluminium Planter

Sacrificing quality to pay a little less for your aluminum planters can create highly negative outcomes for you and your clients.

Aluminum has inherent properties that help it resist corrosion. However, if the planter is consistently in contact with moisture, a low-quality aluminum planter will fail over time.

Think of outdoor furniture you’ve seen when the adjoining points of joining begin to rust. The metal pits, loses its shape, becomes an eyesore, and ends up in a landfill. Not to mention the toll it takes on how clients think of your brand in the long term.

By incorporating lifelong products into your landscape design projects, you help your clients achieve more positive and long-lasting outcomes.

LITE Gauge Aluminum Rectangular Planter

PureModern’s LITE Gauge Powder-Coated Aluminum Planters

LITE Gauge Powder-Coated Aluminum Rectangular Planters

Whether your goal is to elevate the visual appeal of a residential, commercial, or hospitality space, the sheer presence of the LITE GAUGE Rectangle Powder-Coated Aluminum Planter will get the job done.

This substantial piece is stunning with its clean and contemporary feel. Group it together or alone to add a sense of geometric symmetry to any space.

LITE Gauge Powder-Coated Aluminum Square Planters

With our LITE Gauge Powder-Coated Aluminum planters in the square shape, you can create an inviting and contemporary feel for your next indoor or outdoor design project.

The versatile square shape enables you to easily group planters together, but will also stand alone as a stunning solo piece.

Custom Powder-Coated Aluminum Planters

The Lite Aluminum Planters can only be personalized with color.

But we understand that you often need a custom size and/or shape for your unique landscape design projects. That’s why we operate using the attitude of “You design it. We fab it.”

We can tailor a solution to meet your exact specifications.

Commercial Planter Experts: Here for You

At PureModern, our number one priority is ensuring that your project happens on time and meets your client’s expectations.

We know you have a diverse array of project requirements and specifications and that each new project has limitations, like budget or space constraints. But with our expertise, you’ll find the right solution.

What you can expect when you work with PureModern:

• We provide you with one point of contact with an expert

• We can quote most projects same day (typically within 48 hours for larger projects)

• Our fabrication lead times are as short as two weeks, depending on the needs of the project

• We stand behind all our projects with our Done-Right Guarantee

• We follow our Four-Step Proven Project Process

• We offer technical expertise for unique custom configurations

• We are consultative and responsive with a relational focus

• We offer a large selection of high-end, commercial-grade products

Learn More

With so many options, finding the right planter can feel overwhelming — especially for busy landscape designers who are pressed for time.

We get it. That’s why we created this article. We hope you’ll walk away with a better understanding of common planter materials, the difference powder-coating makes, and questions to ask as you select the right planter for your project.

If you’ve got questions about choosing the right planters for your project, request a quote today. Our experts will be happy to help you find the perfect fit!