Can aluminum façades support integrated lighting systems?

Aluminum façade panels provide ideal substrates for integrated lighting thanks to their rigidity, heat-dissipating properties, and customizable assemblies. Designers embed linear LED channels within panel grooves, using extruded recesses that conceal fixtures while ensuring direct thermal contact with the metal skin to prolong LED life. For backlit signage or accents, aluminum composite panels with translucent cores diffuse light evenly, creating uniform illumination. Fiber-optic systems run through pre-drilled micro-perforations for decorative star-field effects. Power supplies and wiring reside in ventilated cavities behind the façade, protected by IP65-rated housings and routed via grommeted passages. Weather-resistant sealants at lighting penetrations prevent moisture ingress. By collaborating with electrical and façade engineers, building owners can achieve striking night-time visuals without compromising structural or thermal performance.