Aluminium or wood? It is the question every tradesperson asks before having their van fitted out. Both materials have their advantages, but for a modern commercial van fit-out in aluminium the balance has clearly tipped towards aluminium in recent years. We compare weight, price, lifespan and resale value side by side, so you can make an informed choice.
Weight: every kilo counts
The biggest difference is the weight. Aluminium is considerably lighter than a wooden build of the same strength. That seems a detail, until you realise that every kilo of fit-out costs you a kilo of payload. A lighter fit-out means you can carry more material without exceeding your permitted maximum weight.
For drivers of an electric van this counts double. Less weight means lower consumption and therefore a longer range. If you drive electric and want to increase your range, you will almost always choose aluminium.
Did you know that a lighter fit-out not only gives you more payload, but in an electric van also increases your range? Less weight means lower consumption on every trip.
Price: look beyond the price tag
Wood is often cheaper to buy, which makes it attractive if you only look at the first invoice. But the sums change when you count the full lifespan. A wooden build absorbs moisture, can swell and, over time, will creak or warp. Aluminium stays dimensionally stable through the years.
Put both materials side by side and you can see why the higher price of aluminium pays for itself:
- Aluminium does not rust and needs no treatment against moisture.
- The modules keep closing tightly, even after years of intensive use.
- You can take an aluminium modular system apart and move it to your next van.
- When you trade in your vehicle, the resale value is noticeably higher with a neat aluminium fit-out.
Lifespan and maintenance
A wooden fit-out needs attention: checking for moisture damage, touching up where the varnish is damaged and sometimes replacing panels. Aluminium hardly suffers from any of this. A wipe with a damp cloth is usually enough. Combine that with good floor and wall lining and your load space will stay like new for years.
You buy an aluminium fit-out once and take it with you from van to van. Wood is often replaced together with the vehicle.
When wood still makes sense
Fair is fair: wood is not always the wrong choice. For a temporary build, an occasional job or a tight short-term budget, a wooden solution can be enough. If you only use your van now and then, there is no need to go straight for the more expensive option.
But if you drive every day and want to work without worries for years, aluminium wins on almost every point that matters to a professional.
Our choice for the tradesperson
That is why we build most professional van fit-outs in lightweight aluminium today. It combines low weight with a long lifespan and a high resale value, exactly what you need to work efficiently and safely. Want to know which build suits your vehicle and trade? Request your free bespoke quote with no obligation.
