At Tournesol, we believe in transparency — not just in our pricing, but in our process. Today, we're taking you inside our Port Orchard facility to see exactly how our aluminum planters come to life, from raw material to ready-to-ship.
Why Aluminum Stands Out
Since launching aluminum planters in January 2024, they've become a standout choice for architects and designers. The reasons are compelling: aluminum is 60-70% lighter than steel, making it ideal for increasingly popular rooftop installations where weight matters most.
Unlike steel, aluminum doesn't rust, ensuring your investment endures for years to come. Tournesol's precision laser welding and structural engineering approach sets our products apart. We've engineered solutions that maximize aluminum's weight benefits while ensuring the structural performance that large-scale projects demand.
Project Advisors love working with aluminum because they can help contractors create custom spaces at a lower cost than FRP or GFRC, which require additional tooling and engineering. About 50% of all our current estimates are for metal products, with aluminum leading the way.
Sustainability That Performs
Aluminum brings another advantage: it's highly recyclable without losing quality. This helps building owners achieve LEED certification while investing in products engineered to endure.
Currently, about 70% of projects at our Port Orchard facility involve aluminum planters, which is a testament to their growing popularity among spacemakers.
Want to dive deeper into aluminum's advantages for landscape professionals?
Discover why this material is changing the game for specifiers and contractors.
The Making Process:
Six Essential Steps
1. Engineering & Laser Cutting
Every planter begins with our engineering team creating precise production drawings. Our laser cutting specialists input these specifications into computer software that guides our laser cutter. The team loads aluminum sheets, either 60 x 120 inch or 48 x 120 inch, into the machine, which cuts each piece into exact engineering specs.
2. Brake Press Forming
The Brake Press team uses specialized equipment to bend the aluminum and form the planter's lips. They assemble all pieces into a complete "kit" ready for welding.
3. Laser Welding
Our welding team begins with tack welding to hold pieces in place, then performs full laser welding. This process is simpler than MIG/TIG welding used for steel, and new team members can typically run independently within a month.
4. Grinding & Finishing
Our grinding department uses specialized equipment to smooth welded lines and edges to a perfect flat finish, carefully inspecting each piece before moving to the next step.
5. Washing & Preparation
Our prep team hangs planters on racks in our wash booth, using pressure washers with a special water solution to clean inside and out. This critical step ensures a smooth, clean finish before powder-coating.
6. Powder-Coating & Crating
Our powder-coating specialists apply an epoxy primer coat, cure it in a 400° oven for 17 minutes, then apply the color coat and cure for 20 minutes. Finally, our crating team palletizes and prepares planters for shipping.
Quality Takes Time
The complete process, from raw material to ready-to-ship, takes about 6.5 hours for a standard aluminum planter and 10 hours for custom pieces. While this is slightly longer than our 5-hour steel planter process, the result is a premium product that architects, designers, and contractors specify with confidence.
Engineered to Endure
Every aluminum planter that leaves our facility represents the expertise of skilled craftspeople and the precision of our engineering processes. From the initial laser cut to the final powder-coat finish, each step reflects our commitment to creating products that make your projects and your spaces endure.
Tap into our expertise.
Discover how our aluminum solutions can elevate your spacemaking vision.