Cladding Longevity Decoded: How to Choose the Right ACP Panel for a Durable Facade

When people talk about ACP sheets, they mostly talk about colours, textures, matt vs gloss, wood vs metallic finish. And sure, those things matter, but they’re not what keep your building looking solid after years of sun, rain, dust and wind. The real strength of an ACP panel lies inside it.

Most buyers just ask for “4mm ACP” or “the cheapest option” and assume it’ll do the job. That’s exactly how facades start to fade early, bend during strong winds, or worse become a safety risk.

So let’s break down ACP selection in a way that actually makes sense for real-world use. No jargon. No over-explaining. Just clear guidance based on what actually affects performance.

The three things that matter the most are:

• the core inside the panel
  
  

• the thickness of the aluminium skin
  
  

• the quality of the coating on top
  
  

1. The Core: The Part You Don’t See but Should Care About the Most

Think of the core as the heart of the panel. If the core isn’t right, nothing else matters.

PE Core

This is the basic one. Affordable, light, but also highly combustible.
Works fine for interiors or signboards but not safe for exterior cladding. If anyone suggests PE for building facades, that’s your red flag.

FR Core

This is where things get serious. FR cores have a mineral mix that slows down flames.
They don’t catch fire easily and are generally accepted for most exterior building uses.
If you’re doing a mid-rise or a commercial building, this should be your starting point.

A2 Core

If you want the safest option possible, this is it.
A2 cores are almost non-combustible, making them ideal for tall towers, hospitals, schools, metros—basically any place where fire safety can’t be compromised.

Simple way to remember it:
PE = Don’t use outside
FR = Good enough for most buildings
A2 = Best and safest

2. Aluminium Skin Thickness: What Actually Gives Strength

People love saying “4mm panel,” but that number alone is half the story.
The real strength comes from how thick the aluminium skins are.

Here’s the simplest breakdown:

• 0.25 mm → Too light for exteriors
  
  

• 0.30 mm → Minimum acceptable for a façade
  
  

• 0.50 mm → Strong, stable and ideal for high-rise buildings or windy areas
  
  

If you want your building to stay rigid and not look wavy after a few seasons, go for 0.50 mm skins. The difference in performance is huge.

Panel thickness in real words

• 4mm works for most normal buildings
  
  

• 6mm is better for towers, coastal zones, or large panel designs
  
  

Peel strength matters too

This is basically how strongly the skins are bonded to the core.
Higher peel strength means no bubbling, no warping, no separation even in harsh weather.

3. The Coating: What Protects the Beauty of Your Building

ACP coatings decide how long your facade stays vibrant without fading or chalking.

PVDF Coating (70%)

If you want the colour to stay the way it was on day one, this is the coating you should choose.
It handles sun, UV, dust and city pollution extremely well and lasts over 15–20 years.

FEVE Coating

If you want a more premium, glossy look without losing durability, FEVE is your friend.
Long-lasting, bright and perfect for signature buildings.

Polyester Coating

This one fades quickly and loses gloss fast.
Okay for interiors.
Not okay for exteriors that face direct sunlight.

Quick comparison:
PVDF is long-lasting, FEVE is long-lasting + glossy, Polyester is for indoors.

How to Make the Right Choice Based on Your Project

Let’s simplify it:

• For interiors or signboards → PE core with thinner skins
  
  

• For mid-rise buildings → FR core with 0.30 mm or 0.50 mm skins and PVDF
  
  

• For high-rise buildings or safety-heavy projects → A2 core with 0.50 mm skins and PVDF/FEVE
  
  

• For windy or coastal zones → 6mm panels with 0.50 mm skins
  
  

No need to overthink it. Match the panel to the building’s demands and you’ll never go wrong.

Final Thoughts: A Good ACP Panel Is a 20-Year Decision

Picking ACP sheets shouldn’t be about choosing whichever colour looks nice or whichever price looks cheap. It should be about picking the right internal specification because that’s what actually protects your building.

If you want zero headaches later, stick to:

• FR or A2 cores
  
  

• 0.50 mm skins
  
  

• PVDF or FEVE coatings
  
  

A façade is something you don’t replace every few years, so choose panels that can genuinely last.