If you live within a few kilometres of the coast — and most of Cape Town does — the material your house number or AC cover is made from matters more than the design. Here's why we build everything in aluminium composite, and what that means for you over time.
The problem with painted steel
Steel signs and covers are usually cheaper upfront, but they're painted metal — and paint doesn't hold up against salt-laden coastal air. Once the coating chips or scratches, rust sets in underneath, and it spreads. On the Atlantic Seaboard and other exposed areas, we've seen painted steel signs and AC covers start rusting visibly within a year.
Why plastic isn't the answer either
Plastic house numbers and AC covers avoid rust, but UV exposure is just as relentless. Cape Town gets some of the highest UV index readings in the country — plastic fades, yellows and goes brittle within a couple of summers, especially anything facing north or west.
Where aluminium composite wins
Aluminium composite (ACM) doesn't rust — there's no steel core to corrode. The powder-coated or anodised finish resists UV fading far longer than paint on steel, and the material itself won't warp, crack or go brittle in the sun. It's also considerably lighter than solid aluminium or steel, which keeps fixing simple without sacrificing rigidity.
Practically, that means a Komposite house number sign or AC cover installed today should still look the way it does now in five years — not needing repainting, replacing, or explaining to visitors why it looks tired.
What this costs you upfront vs over time
Aluminium composite typically costs more than steel or plastic at the point of sale. But steel needs repainting or replacing within a few years on the coast, and plastic fades and cracks on a similar timeline. Priced over five to ten years, aluminium composite is usually the cheaper option — you're just paying once instead of two or three times.
Every piece we make is laser-cut and finished at our Cape Town workshop, so we're building specifically for this climate — not importing a spec designed for somewhere drier and cooler. Browse the full range, or WhatsApp us on 067 987 1330 if you're not sure what's right for your space.
