Glazing and cladding

Aluminium cladding and ACM panels

Aluminium cladding is a wall or fascia covering made from solid aluminium sheet or aluminium composite material (ACM), where two thin aluminium skins are bonded to a core. The panels fix to a support frame, giving a flat, durable finish to fascias, columns, soffits and facades.

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Anthracite aluminium composite panels fitted to a fascia

When is this the right choice?

Cladding suits retail parks, takeaways, showrooms and offices that want to hide tired brickwork, dated fascias or awkward junctions and give the frontage one clean look. It is often used with a new shopfront and signs. The right panel depends on building height, use and fire strategy, so the core type must be decided at design stage and never picked on price alone.

What are the options?

ACM panelsTwo aluminium skins and a core make a flat, light panel that is easy to rout and fold into trays.

Solid aluminium sheetA single sheet, typically 2 to 3 mm, with no composite core at all.

Cassette panelsFolded trays hang on a rail, with hidden fixings and neat shadow gaps.

Column and soffit casingsPanels wrap columns, beams and canopy undersides to tidy up the structure.

Perforated panelsPerforated sheet can screen plant or add a pattern, with optional backlighting.

Mineral-filled coreA mineral-filled core gives a much better reaction to fire class than a polyethylene core, and it is often the starting point for external walls.

How much does aluminium cladding cost?

Aluminium cladding usually costs £120 to £260 ex VAT per m², supplied and fitted. Panel type, fire class, fold detail, colour and the amount of cutting around windows and columns move the rate. Subframes, insulation, scaffold and the removal of old cladding are priced as extras where needed. We measure on site and provide a written quote.

Guide prices exclude VAT. Your written quote is fixed after survey.

What is the specification?

ACM panel	Commonly 3 or 4 mm, with coated aluminium skins
Solid sheet	Typically 2 to 3 mm aluminium
Finish	Powder coat, PVDF or anodised, in RAL or metallic shades
Reaction to fire	Classified to BS EN 13501-1, with the class set by building height and use
Core rule (England)	Building Regulations ban metal composite panels with a high-calorific core, such as unmodified polyethylene, from external walls of any building
Typical lead time	3 to 6 weeks once drawings are signed (typical range)

How does the job run?

Inspect the wall
We check the substrate and existing finishes, and measure every face, column and return.
Confirm panel and fire class
We agree the panel type, core and colour in line with the building's height and use.
Build the subframe
Rails are fixed back to sound structure and packed true, so the panels sit flat.
Fit and seal panels
Panels are hung or fixed, protective film is removed, and joints and edges are finished.

Common questions

Is ACM cladding safe to use?

It depends on the core and where it is used. In England, metal composite panels with an unmodified polyethylene core are banned from the external walls of buildings of any height. Mineral-filled and solid aluminium options are available. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so check early.

Do I need planning permission for shop cladding?

Usually yes in England, if the cladding materially alters how the building looks. Recladding a fascia like for like may not need it, but a new colour or material across a facade usually will. Rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and listed buildings need extra care.

What is the difference between ACM and solid aluminium?

ACM has a core between two thin aluminium skins, so it is lighter, flatter and easier to fold. Solid aluminium sheet has no core, which removes any question about core material, but it is heavier and may need more stiffening on large panels.

Can cladding go over existing brickwork?

Yes, using a support frame fixed back to sound brickwork, with a ventilated gap behind the panels. We check the substrate first, as loose render or damp walls need attention before anything covers them. Insulation and cavity barriers may also be required under building regulations.

How do I clean aluminium cladding?

Wash it with water and a neutral detergent, at intervals that suit the site. Avoid abrasive pads and strong solvents. Near the sea or a busy road, wash more often, because salt and traffic film can wear the finish. Follow the coating maker's guidance to keep its warranty valid.

Which materials go with this?

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