Choosing Aluminium Cladding: Some Key Considerations

For modern architectural facades, aluminium cladding is increasingly popular for everything from residential developments to high-rise commercial buildings. The right cladding product must be selected – ideally, Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) non-combustible aluminium cladding.

Key Insights

• Aluminium cladding delivers a modern, sleek aesthetic that is durable, lightweight, and easy to install.
• Deemed-to-Satisfy (DtS) non-combustible aluminium cladding is the gold-standard aluminium cladding product. It delivers in terms of fire safety, durability, sustainability, and a modern aesthetic.
• ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a premium, gold-standard DtS aluminium cladding product ideal for any building.

Aluminium cladding is lightweight, durable, easy to install, and offers a sleek, modern appearance. This provides architects and builders with a versatile solution for enhancing the visual appeal of any building and improving its longevity through protection from the elements.

With greater awareness and growing concerns around fire safety, sustainability, and long-term performance, it’s imperative that architects, designers, owners and builders make informed decisions when selecting cladding systems. There are several key considerations required when choosing aluminium cladding – including the selection of DtS non-combustible options like ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 for enhanced safety and compliance with modern building codes in Australia and overseas.

Choosing Cladding Materials: 5 Key Considerations

1. Fire Safety and Compliance

Fire safety is of paramount importance in contemporary construction. Several high-profile fires in Australia and overseas, involving combustible cladding materials, have catapulted fire safety awareness. Many countries, including Australia, have hence tightened regulations around cladding materials, especially for high-rise and high-occupancy buildings.

Using the right aluminium cladding is a clear solution – and one of the most critical factors when choosing aluminium cladding is ensuring it is non-combustible.

Not all aluminium composite panels (ACPs) are the same. Traditional ACPs may have combustible polyethylene (PE) cores, which pose significant fire risks. In contrast, DtS non-combustible cladding panels feature mineral cores that comply with fire safety standards.

For instance, ALPOLIC® NC/A1 is a DtS non-combustible aluminium composite material that meets the EN 13501-1 Class A1 rating. This is the highest fire safety classification in Europe (and is relevant in Australia). The product is ideal for buildings that must meet strict fire safety standards, such as hospitals, schools, and high-rise commercial and residential developments.

2. Weather Resistance/Durability

Exterior cladding serves as the building’s outer “skin”. It protects the structure from wind, rain, hail, snow, extreme heat or cold, salt air, and UV exposure. Aluminium cladding is naturally resistant to corrosion, especially when it has been coated or anodised. This makes it suitable for coastal and urban environments.

When selecting aluminium cladding materials, consider:

• Coating Systems: High-performance coatings like polyvinylidene fluoride or PVDF offer lasting colour retention and superior UV protection.
• Panel Construction: Aluminium panels with a mineral core are more resistant to warping, delamination, and impacts.
• Maintenance: Choose cladding systems that require minimal maintenance. They should also be easy to clean and easily repaired if they do become damaged.

3. Aesthetically Versatile

One of the biggest advantages of aluminium cladding is its design flexibility. The panels are available in a wide array of colours, finishes, sizes, and textures – enabling architects to achieve distinctive, modern facades.

Consider:

• Finish Options: Brushed, matte, gloss, anodised, or metallic finishes can drastically alter a building’s appearance.
• Custom Colours: Many manufacturers, including ALPOLIC™, offer custom colour-matching.
• Formability: High-quality aluminium panels can be curved, bent, or cut to accommodate unique architectural forms without compromising their structural integrity or fire safety qualities.

4. Installation Ease/System Compatibility

The success of any cladding system depends not just on the panels themselves, but also on the supporting framework and installation methods. Improper installation can lead to water ingress, panel movement, and safety issues.

Consider:

• Compatibility with the Substructure: Ensure the panel system suits the building’s framing, insulation, and weatherproofing layers.
• Ease of Installation: Some systems are engineered for a faster, smoother installation process, reducing labour costs and accelerating project timelines.
• Thermal Expansion and Contraction: Aluminium expands and contracts with temperature changes, so substrate systems should be designed to accommodate this movement.

5. Sustainability and Environmental Impact

Sustainability is increasingly important. Aluminium is highly recyclable; producing recycled aluminium requires only 5% of the energy used to produce primary aluminium, which significantly reduces the carbon footprint.

Select your cladding product based on:

• Recyclability: Choose materials that are 100% recyclable at the end of their life cycle.
• Environmental Certifications: For example, ALPOLIC™ carries an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification.
• Low VOC Coatings: Coating systems should emit minimal volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to support healthier indoor and outdoor air quality.

Spotlight on ALPOLIC™

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is a trusted deemed-to-satisfy non-combustible aluminium cladding product specifically engineered to meet fire-safety standards while maintaining excellent durability and visual appeal.

Key Features of ALPOLIC® NC/A1:

• World-Class Safety Rating
• Sustainable
• Versatile
• 20-Year Full Replacement Warranty

For architects and builders seeking peace of mind in terms of fire compliance and long-term performance, ALPOLIC™ is a leading choice.

Choosing the right aluminium cladding system involves balancing aesthetics, performance, safety, and environmental considerations. With growing attention to fire safety and sustainability, DtS non-combustible options like ALPOLIC® NC/A1 are becoming the gold standard in commercial and residential projects alike. Careful evaluation of your cladding options will help ensure the building is safe, compliant, and visually pleasing for decades to come.