Aluminium Cladding Explained:
Design, Durability and Why ALUCOLUX® Stands Apart
Project: Timberly Road | Architect: eclipse ARCHITECTURE | Fabricator/Installer: Symonite | Colour: Pure White | Completed year: 2021
In today’s architectural landscape, facades are more than just building envelopes. They are the face of innovation, performance and design integrity. Among the materials redefining how modern structures are built and perceived, aluminium cladding stands out for its strength, lightness and versatility.
But what is aluminium cladding? And why has it become the material of choice for architects, facade consultants and developers worldwide? This article takes you through the essentials, from how to install aluminium cladding to how long aluminium cladding lasts, while illustrating why ALUCOLUX® aluminium cladding has emerged as a benchmark in premium, coil-coated solid aluminium facades.
Engineered for longevity, safety and design freedom, ALUCOLUX® by 3A Composites is a combination of global expertise and manufacturing excellence, ensuring every facade performs as beautifully as it looks.
What Aluminium Cladding Really Is?
At its simplest, aluminium cladding refers to aluminium panels or sheets fixed to the exterior (and sometimes interior) surface of a building to form a protective and decorative envelope. The cladding performs multiple roles: a weather barrier, thermal and acoustic covering, aesthetic finish and structural accent.
A typical system comprises a supporting sub-structure (aluminium or galvanised framing), a ventilated cavity, insulation and the aluminium panels or sheets themselves. Such facades are often termed ‘rainscreen systems’.
ALUCOLUX® is a coil-coated solid aluminium panel with 2mm or 3mm thicknesses and widths up to 1500 mm. The multi-coat, multi-bake PVDF/FEVE process ensures colour consistency, weather resistance and lasting appeal.
So when we ask what aluminium cladding is, we’re describing a complete system, a blend of performance and aesthetics that protects, insulates and beautifies a structure.
Why Aluminium Cladding Is Favoured
Project: ESR Bizpark@Changi | Architect: TA.LE Architects | Fabricator/Installer: Evergreen Engineering and Construction Pte. Ltd. | Colour: Sunrise Silver Metallic 600 | Completed year: 2021
There are multiple reasons why aluminium cladding has become the preferred facade choice for contemporary architecture:
- Durability & Weather Resistance: Aluminium does not rust and coil-coated finishes provide outstanding UV and corrosion resistance.
- Design Flexibility: Available in metallics, solids, wood-look, stone-look or anodised effects, aluminium offers unparalleled creative freedom.
- Lightweight Yet Strong: Substantially lighter than stone or glass, it reduces structural loads and eases installation.
- Low Maintenance: A periodic wash is usually all that is required to retain its sheen and colour uniformity.
- Fire Safety: Solid aluminium panels such as ALUCOLUX® are non-combustible (certified Class A1 as per EN 13501-1 test standards and tested to BS 8414-1).
- Sustainability: It is a 100% recyclable material, contributing to LEED and green-building credits.
When you consider all these attributes, aluminium cladding emerges as a pragmatic and future-ready facade solution.
How Long Does Aluminium Cladding Last?
A frequent question asked by specifiers is: how long does aluminium cladding last? The answer depends on several variables including material quality, coating system, installation accuracy and environmental exposure.
High-quality systems such as ALUCOLUX® aluminium cladding easily deliver a service life of 25–30 years or more, with coatings guaranteed for up to 15 years. The base metal itself can last 40–50 years when maintained correctly.
What ensures longevity?
- Alloys built for architectural applications
- Coil-coated PVDF/FEVE finishes conforming to AAMA 2605 standards
- Precision installation using tested sub-frames and fixings
- Regular cleaning and inspection, especially in coastal or industrial environments
When these parameters are met, aluminium cladding continues to perform long after many other facade materials have deteriorated.
How to Install Aluminium Cladding
Knowing how to install aluminium cladding correctly is essential to achieving its full potential. A well-installed facade not only enhances aesthetics but also ensures structural stability and weather protection.
- Design & Specification: Select panel thickness, finish, sub-frame and fixings based on building type and wind-load requirements.
- Sub-frame Construction: Fix aluminium or steel framing to the structure with appropriate anchoring and allowance for thermal expansion.
- Panel Fabrication: ALUCOLUX® offers both Made-to-Measure (M2M) and Ready-to-Install (R2I) panels, pre-fabricated to precision in the factory, reducing site work and errors.
- Panel Installation: Panels are secured with clips or brackets, allowing for ventilation and drainage behind the system.
- Quality Checks: Alignment, colour uniformity and seal integrity are verified before handover.
- Maintenance: Scheduled cleaning and inspection preserve performance and warranty validity.
By following manufacturer guidelines and engaging trained facade installers, you ensure the cladding system’s durability, safety and visual harmony.
Why ALUCOLUX® Aluminium Cladding Stands Apart
What makes ALUCOLUX® aluminium cladding exceptional? It combines advanced material engineering with aesthetic sophistication and compliance to the most stringent fire and quality standards.
- Coil-Coated Solid Aluminium: Unlike composite panels with a core, ALUCOLUX® uses solid aluminium sheets coil-coated in a continuous process. This guarantees colour consistency, superior adhesion and unmatched flatness.
- Fire-Safe and Code-Compliant: ALUCOLUX® panels are fully non-combustible (A1-rated) and tested to EN 13501-1, BS 8414-1, and AS 1530.1 standards.
- Flawless Flatness and Formability: Precision alloys ensure exceptional flatness and allow for complex curves and shapes.
- Colour Depth and Variety: The PVDF/FEVE coating range includes metallics, solids, special effects and realistic wood or stone textures, all weather-resistant and UV-stable.
- Warranty and Support: ALUCOLUX® is backed by a 15-year product and surface warranty, supported by 3A Composites technical expertise and global R&D.
- Sustainability: Being 100 % recyclable, ALUCOLUX® supports sustainable building certification programmes and contributes to environmentally responsible construction.
In every respect, from coating quality to fabrication precision, ALUCOLUX® represents the future of aluminium cladding technology.
Checklist Before Choosing Aluminium Cladding
Before specifying or purchasing aluminium cladding, ensure the system meets these benchmarks:
- Solid aluminium construction (not thin skins over filler cores)
- Certified non-combustible classification
- Coil-coated PVDF/FEVE finish, AAMA 2605 compliant
- Proven wind-load and structural test data
- Pre-fabrication options for quality and speed
- 15-year warranty from a reputable manufacturer
- Local technical and installation support
When these benchmarks are met, your facade won’t just look exceptional — it will perform beautifully for decades.
Final Thoughts
In essence, aluminium cladding represents far more than a modern material choice. It’s a commitment to performance, precision and long-term architectural value. When properly designed and installed, premium systems can endure for decades, maintaining both visual appeal and structural reliability.
For architects and developers seeking a facade solution that balances design flexibility, fire safety, durability and sustainability, ALUCOLUX® aluminium cladding is a smart choice. Combining advanced coil-coating technology with meticulous flatness and formability, ALUCOLUX® sets a new standard for quality and confidence in every project.
From concept to completion, ALUCOLUX® helps transform architectural intent into reality, with the assurance of a system that truly stands apart.
Looking to Specify Aluminium Sheets?
For globally compliant, high-performance aluminium sheet solutions—including pre-coated, engineered, composite, perforated, and anodised options—reach out to:
Contact: sales@alucobond.com.sg
Explore a wide range of aluminium sheets designed to meet architectural vision, safety standards, and durability.
