Bathroom products such as shower enclosures, mirror frames, towel rails, shelves and vanity cabinets rely on aluminium extrusions and sheet that stay attractive in constant humidity, steam and cleaning chemicals. This guide shows which alloys, tempers and finishes suit each part, and what to specify when you buy the aluminium. Metline supplies the profiles, sheet and machined blanks to bathroom product makers worldwide; we do not make the finished bathroom products.
A bathroom is a demanding environment for any metal: humidity sits close to 100 % during and after a shower, condensation forms daily, and surfaces are cleaned with acids, chlorine bleach and limescale removers. Aluminium copes well because it forms a protective oxide film, and once that film is thickened by anodising or covered by a powder coating it resists staining and corrosion for many years.
The second reason is shape. Extrusion lets a designer put a glass channel, a seal groove, an LED slot and a screw port into a single profile, cut to length and mitred at the corners. That is why most shower door frames, sliding rails, mirror frames and towel bars are made from 6xxx-series extrusions, while cabinet bodies and shelves often use aluminium sheet or honeycomb panels.
Aluminium also weighs about a third as much as brass or stainless steel for the same volume, which makes wall-hung cabinets, large mirrors and frameless shower hardware easier to install, and it is fully recyclable at the end of the product's life.
Three 6xxx alloys cover almost every bathroom application. They differ mainly in surface quality and strength.
| Alloy | Character | Typical bathroom parts |
|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 / T6 | Excellent extrudability and anodising response; the standard architectural alloy | Shower enclosure frames, sliding rails, mirror and cabinet frames, trims, shelves |
| 6463-T5 / T6 | Low-iron, bright-trim alloy that gives a highly reflective, uniform finish after chemical or electrolytic brightening | Premium mirror frames, towel bars, visible trims and decorative profiles imitating chrome or gold |
| 6061-T6 | Higher strength, good machinability; less suited to very thin, complex sections | Hinge blocks, glass clamps, wall brackets, machined fittings and support arms |
| 6060-T5 / T66 | Similar to 6063, widely used in Europe for fine-detail profiles | Seal carriers, small trims and frame profiles |
| 5052 / 3003 sheet | Formable, corrosion-resistant non-heat-treatable sheet | Cabinet bodies, shelf trays, back panels, mirror backing |
6463 versus 6063: both have similar magnesium and silicon contents, but 6463 limits iron to 0.15 % maximum and copper is kept within a narrow band. Low iron means fewer intermetallic particles at the surface, so after polishing and bright dipping the profile reflects light like a mirror instead of looking slightly milky. That is why 6463 is chosen for parts that must look like polished chrome, gold or nickel. For ordinary satin or matt finishes, 6063 is cheaper and gives an excellent result.
| Element (wt %) | 6063 | 6463 | 6061 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silicon (Si) | 0.20 – 0.6 | 0.20 – 0.6 | 0.40 – 0.8 |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.35 max | 0.15 max | 0.7 max |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.10 max | 0.20 max | 0.15 – 0.40 |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 0.45 – 0.9 | 0.45 – 0.9 | 0.8 – 1.2 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.10 max | — | 0.04 – 0.35 |
Composition limits as registered with the Aluminum Association; EN 573-3 uses the same limits for EN AW-6063 and EN AW-6061.
Bathroom profiles are rarely strength-critical, but the temper still matters: a sliding door rail or a cabinet frame carrying a heavy mirror must not sag. The values below are typical figures; specified minimums for extrusions are set by EN 755-2 or ASTM B221 and depend on wall thickness.
| Alloy and temper | Tensile strength (typical) | Yield strength (typical) | Elongation | Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6063-T5 | 186 MPa | 145 MPa | 12 % | General frames and trims |
| 6063-T6 | 241 MPa | 214 MPa | 12 % | Door rails, longer spans |
| 6463-T5 | Similar to 6063-T5 | Similar to 6063-T5 | — | Bright decorative parts |
| 6061-T6 | 310 MPa | 276 MPa | 12 % | Brackets, clamps, hinges |
Glass weight is what usually governs the size of a shower profile. A 1000 × 2000 mm panel of 8 mm toughened glass weighs about 40 kg (glass density about 2.5 g/cm³), and a sliding door rail must carry this load through rollers without visible deflection. Larger enclosures therefore use deeper rail sections or 6063-T6 rather than T5.
Wall channels, door frames, sliding top rails, threshold and seal profiles, and handles. Typically 6063-T5/T6 extrusions, with 6061 machined parts for hinges and glass clamps. Profiles must accept seals and fit the glass thickness used, commonly 6, 8 or 10 mm.
Thin frame and back-frame profiles, LED light channels with diffuser grooves, corner keys and wall brackets. 6063 for satin finishes, 6463 for bright frames. See the mirror frame profile guide.
Round, square or oval tube and solid bar, end caps and wall flanges. 6063 tube for standard bars and 6463 for polished or gold-effect finishes.
Shelf profiles, edge trims, corner baskets and wall rails, often in 6063 extrusion combined with 5052 or 3003 sheet trays.
Cabinet frames, handle profiles, hinge mounting rails and panels, with honeycomb or foam-core panels where weight matters.
Shower rail tube, slide bars and overhead shower-head arms, usually anodised 6063 tube or machined 6061 components.
The finish decides both the look and the life of a bathroom part. Specify it as precisely as the dimensions.
| Finish | Appearance | Wet-room guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Anodising (silver, black, bronze, gold) | Metallic, transparent film that shows the metal texture | Specify a film thickness class; 15 µm minimum is a sensible choice for wet interiors, 20 µm for heavy use. Properly sealed film is essential. |
| Bright dip / electropolish + anodise | Mirror-like, chrome-effect finish | Use 6463 or another bright-trim alloy; thinner films preserve brightness but reduce durability. |
| Brushed + anodise | Fine linear texture: brushed nickel, brushed gold, brushed rose gold | Brushing is done before anodising; colour consistency needs one alloy and one anodising line per project. |
| Powder coating | Matt or satin colour: black, white, gun grey | Choose a coater approved to Qualicoat or an equivalent scheme; check edge coverage on cut ends. |
| PVD over polished aluminium | Gold, gunmetal or chrome tones | Usually applied by a specialist finisher on top of a prepared, coated surface. |
Two common causes of bathroom failures are cleaning chemicals and mixed metals. Strong alkaline or acidic cleaners attack anodic films and powder coatings, so care instructions should recommend neutral cleaners. Stainless steel screws in direct contact with bare aluminium can cause galvanic corrosion in standing water; use coated fasteners, insulating washers or ensure the joint drains and dries. Learn more in our anodising overview.
Metline supplies the aluminium materials and machined components; assembly, glazing and installation of bathroom products are done by our customers.
6063 in T5 or T6 temper is the standard choice for frames, rails and trims. 6463 is used for bright, mirror-like decorative parts, and 6061-T6 for machined brackets, clamps and hinges. Sheet parts usually use 5052 or 3003.
Its iron content is limited to 0.15 %, so the surface has fewer intermetallic particles. After polishing and bright dipping it gives a clearer, more reflective finish than 6063, which is why it is used to imitate chrome, nickel or gold.
Bare aluminium can stain in constant humidity, but anodised or powder-coated aluminium performs very well. Specify a sealed anodic film of at least 15 µm or a quality-approved powder coating, avoid harsh cleaners and isolate stainless steel fasteners.
Yes. Profiles in normal stock lengths can be anodised; the maximum length depends on the anodising line used. Tell us the finished length so that profiles are cut and racked correctly before finishing.
No. Metline supplies the aluminium: extruded profiles, tube, sheet and machined components, finished as specified. Our customers design, assemble and install the finished bathroom products.
Yes. Send the profile drawing with decorative faces marked, alloy, temper, finish and quantity. Custom profiles need a dedicated extrusion die, which is confirmed in the quotation.
Send your profile drawings, finish requirements and quantities. We will reply with alloy advice, finish options and a delivered price.
