Aluminium composite panel (ACP) cladding can give a factory frontage a clean, durable finish at a reasonable cost. It can also go wrong: panels that wave, joints that leak, colours that fade, and, most seriously, panels that behave badly in a fire. The difference lies in a handful of decisions made before the order is placed. This guide sets them out in the order you should settle them.
What ACP is
An ACP panel has two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core. The skins carry a coating that provides colour and weather resistance. The core determines weight, stiffness and, above all, fire behaviour. Panels are cut, routed, folded and fixed to a sub-frame, which is why the same system can clad a flat wall, a column, a canopy edge or a curved corner.
1. What are the building's height, use and occupancy?
Fire and wind rules both depend on the building. A single-storey factory shed with an office frontage is a different case from a multi-storey office block or a hospital. Tell every contractor the height, the use and the number of people who will use the building, so that each quotes the same thing. The National Building Code of India sets fire and life-safety requirements, and local authorities and fire departments apply them. If the building is tall or public, involve your architect or fire consultant early.
2. Which panel core do you need?
Panels differ in core material.
| Core type | Behaviour in fire | Where it is usually considered |
|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene (PE) | Least fire resistant | Low-rise, low-risk uses; check local rules before specifying on any occupied building |
| Fire-retardant (FR) mineral-filled | Better resistance | Many commercial and industrial frontages |
| Non-combustible (A2-type) | Highest resistance | Tall, public and high-occupancy buildings |
Ask each supplier for the manufacturer's test documents for the exact panel they propose, not a generic brochure. Keep those documents in your project file. A price difference between two quotes often reflects a difference in core, so compare like with like.
3. What sub-frame and fixing system will be used?
The panel is only as good as what holds it. Ask for:
- the sub-frame material (aluminium or galvanised steel) and its protection against corrosion;
- how the frame is anchored to the structure, and into what (brick, concrete, steel);
- the fixing method: routed-and-folded cassettes, riveted, or bonded;
- how the frame is adjusted to give a straight, flat plane over an uneven wall.
A neat joint line comes from a straight frame, not from skilled finishing alone. Wind uplift and movement should also be considered, especially on exposed, tall or large panels.
4. How are joints, flashings and edges handled?
Most leaks and stains start at joints and edges. Ask how the system drains and ventilates: open-joint (rainscreen) systems let water and moisture escape; closed-joint systems depend on sealant staying intact. Ask to see the details at corners, window reveals, tops of walls and the base. Poor flashing at the top of a parapet can stain a facade within a season.
5. What colour, coating and batch control?
Polyester and PVDF coatings differ in how long they hold colour under strong sun. Metallic and pearl finishes can look different from different angles, and panels from different batches may differ slightly in shade. Order the whole elevation in one go, confirm the direction of the grain or coating if the finish has one, and approve a sample against the real light on your site.
How the facade will be reached and kept
Work at height needs scaffolding, a suspended platform or a lift, along with a clear zone below and fall protection. Ask what will be used and who is responsible for safety. After handover, ask what upkeep the finish needs. Most ACP facades need a periodic wash and an annual inspection of joints, sealant and fixings.
A checklist for comparing ACP quotes
- Panel brand, thickness, skin thickness and coating named.
- Core type stated and fire test documents supplied.
- Sub-frame material, anchors and fixing system described.
- Drawings or sketches showing panel layout and joint lines.
- Flashing and drip details at tops, bases, corners and openings.
- Sealant type and where it is used.
- Access method and safety arrangements stated.
- Rates for extra items such as columns, curved elements or signage bands.
- Programme, payment stages and validity stated.
- Warranty terms for panels, coating and workmanship written down.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Will you show me the fire test documents for this panel?
- What is behind the panel, and how is it fixed?
- How does the system drain?
- What happens if a panel is damaged later? Can I get the same panel?
- Who inspects the work before handover?
Repair, replace or re-clad?
Not every old facade needs to be replaced. Loose fixings, failed sealant and dirty panels can often be put right. Corroded frames, panels that have lost their coating, or panels of a type no longer considered suitable usually call for replacement. A site inspection tells you which case you have.
Anu IntDec will visit your site, measure and put the scope and cost in writing. See our ACP and facade cladding service or discuss your frontage with us.