Technical resources for specifiers.

How to specify ACM

A clear specification avoids change orders later. These are the points we confirm with the design team on every project.

• Panel thickness and core type. Standard or fire-retardant (FR) core, chosen for the building and its requirements.
• Finish and color. Solid, metallic, wood-look or custom, with the manufacturer's color chart and stock list in hand.
• Fabrication method. Routed and folded, flat, perforated, three-dimensional or curved.
• Mounting system. The system sets the joint look, the depth of the assembly and how panels are fastened.
• Substrate and structure. The wall, the framing and the loads the system must resist.
• Fire and code. Metal composite panels used as exterior cladding are covered by building code rules on core type, labeling and exterior wall assemblies, and some assemblies call for fire testing such as NFPA 285 depending on building type and height. Confirm with the architect and the authority having jurisdiction.

Ask us about your submittal →

Choosing a system

There is no single right system for every facade. We install many systems on the market, including Alpolic, Alucobond, Alucofix and Lumabuilt, and we created our own, the Slim Tray System, which keeps the distance between the wall and the ACM face under 1 1/4 in.

• Look and joints: open joints, tight joints or a continuous surface.
• Available depth: how much space the wall allows between structure and panel face.
• Budget and schedule: fabrication and installation time differ by system.
• New construction or retrofit: the existing wall and substrate set what is practical.
• Maintenance and access: how panels are removed or replaced if needed.

Not sure which fits? Send us the elevations and we will recommend options, with the trade-offs explained.

Architectural cladding systems →   Explore the Slim Tray System in 3D →