How Longboard Aluminum Cladding Holds Up After 5–10 Years
For architects, general contractors, and building owners, product durability is a top priority. It’s not just about the materials themselves—it’s also about the finish applied to them. This level of care and passion for the longevity of their projects is one of the many reasons we remain committed to continuous innovation, delivering the highest quality architectural aluminum products available.
One of the most frequent questions we receive is about the durability and longevity of our finishes. While we’re admittedly a little biased in our appreciation of them, we prefer to let third-party testing speak on our behalf.
Our standard offering is AAMA 2604-certified finishes. For clients seeking the highest level of performance and protection, we also offer AAMA 2605 finishes.
Understanding AAMA Standards
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) sets performance standards for aluminum finishes used in architectural applications. These standards ensure that products can withstand weathering, UV exposure, and corrosion over time. Here’s a brief comparison of the key AAMA specifications:
| Attributes | AAMA 2603 | AAMA 2604 | AAMA 2605 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Expected Performance | 1–5 years | Up to 15 years | Up to 20 years |
| Gloss Retention | Minimal | 30% min. of original | 50% min. of original |
| Color Retention | Low | ΔE ≤ 5 (ASTM D2244) | ΔE ≤ 5 (ASTM D2244) |
| Chalk Resistance | Low | Rating ≥ 8 (ASTM D4214) | Rating ≥ 8 (ASTM D4214) |
| Film Integrity | Moderate | No visible checking or cracking | No visible checking or cracking |
| Adhesion | Moderate | No removal (AAMA 2604-02 Clause 7.4.2) | No removal (AAMA 2605-02 Clause 7.4.2) |
| Warranty Backing | Varies by product | 15-Year Finish / 50-Year Aluminum | 20-Year Finish / 50-Year Aluminum |
Each higher level represents increased durability, with AAMA 2605 offering the most robust protection against the elements. Learn more about testing procedures on Q-Lab’s Architectural Decorative Coatings Article. In addition to meeting these rigorous standards, we conduct intensive internal testing whenever we introduce a new finish. Because we control every step of our manufacturing process in-house, we’re able to maintain exceptional quality consistency and precision throughout every product we produce.
All of that said, the real “proof is in the pudding.” That brings us to the core purpose of this article: to showcase real-world photos of Longboard projects that have stood the test of time.
We’re starting with a collection of projects from the past seven years. Admittedly, it’s only in more recent years that we’ve had the time and resources to track down and document many of our earlier works. If you’re interested in our journey as a company, you can read more about our history and culture here. With that, let’s dive into the showcase. We’ll continue to update this article as we gather more photos, so be sure to check back for fresh examples of our enduring finishes in the field.
Please Note: We don’t always have access to the dates the buildings were fully finished, so the following dates are estimates.
Pick Your Year▶
2024 Projects
Photographed in February 2025, this stunning custom home captures the essence of modern architectural trends in Nevada. The clean lines and bold textures reflect a design style that’s growing in popularity across the region.
Stucco remains a go-to exterior finish in this climate thanks to its durability in dry heat and ease of maintenance. Longboard architectural products are increasingly being used as accent materials, offering a striking contrast to stucco while providing lasting performance and refined aesthetics.
2023 Projects
The WSKY Bar & Grill in Las Vegas opened at the tail end of 2023, and it’s no surprise the building looks absolutely stunning. For this project, our 6″ V-Groove Planks in Light Cherry were selected for the soffit and smaller ceiling areas, adding warmth and texture to the sleek modern design. The finish complements the contemporary exterior while providing the durability required for high-traffic commercial environments.
2022 Projects
Completed in 2022, the Epic Central Retail Center showcases both Link & Lock and 4″ V-Groove Planks in Light Cherry. Now nearly three years old, the finishes continue to look incredible with minimal signs of aging—proving just how well our products hold up in Texas’ demanding climate. The integration of Longboard products helped bring visual warmth and consistency to this commercial destination.
2020 Projects
This Las Vegas Jollibee location opened around five years ago, and based on photos taken at the end of last year, it still looks fantastic. The project is a strong example of finish longevity in action—especially impressive given the harsh sun and high desert exposure common in the region.
2019 Projects
Located in Vancouver, the Residences at Nobel Park demonstrate the power of complementary materials to create visual harmony in the built environment. This multi-building project is now nearly six years old, and our Light Cherry finish continues to perform beautifully, providing rich accents that stand out among the muted tones of its surroundings.
You can even explore the neighborhood via Google Street View and see how the buildings have aged gracefully over time.
2018 Projects
I keep coming back to these photos because they clearly show the difference in how natural wood and our aluminum woodgrain planks age over time. The project was about five to six years old when these pictures were taken. While wood works well in some applications, here it looks much older than it really is—highlighting just how well our products hold up.
2011 Projects
This is the oldest Longboard project I could find in our archives. These louvers are among the first we ever coated, dating back to when we operated under our original name, Mayne Coatings.
At that time, we weren’t yet manufacturing our own extrusions; these were coated in-house and sourced externally. If you find yourself traveling through Vancouver International Airport (YVR), keep an eye out—you might just spot a piece of Longboard history. Photos were taken in mid-2024 and, remarkably, the finish still holds up impressively well.
