ACP cladding and facade work covers the outer face of a building with aluminium composite panels fixed on a metal frame. ACP stands for aluminium composite panel: two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core. This service is also called ACP sheet cladding, ACP elevation work or aluminium composite facade.
ShadeCo India designs, fabricates and installs ACP cladding for office and showroom fronts, commercial elevations, interiors, signage and canopy fascias. Alongside ACP, we also work with HPL cladding, solid aluminium panels and CNC-cut jaali screens. Our in-house team handles the sub-frame, panel fabrication and fixing.
A good ACP facade depends as much on what is behind the panels as on the panels themselves. A straight, well-anchored frame, panels folded to size and properly sealed joints are what keep the facade flat, watertight and neat for years.
ACP Grades: FR and Standard PE Core
The core between the two aluminium sheets decides how the panel behaves in a fire. We supply and fix both grades, and the right one depends on where the panel is used.
- FR Grade ACP: A fire-retardant core filled mostly with minerals, which burns far less than plastic. It is the usual choice for building exteriors, high-rise and public buildings.
- Standard PE Core ACP: A polyethylene core that is lighter on cost. It suits interiors, signage and low-risk areas, but it is plastic and can carry flame, so it is not meant for tall facades.
- 4 mm Panels: Used for exterior cladding, where the panel faces wind, sun and rain.
- 3 mm Panels: Used for interior paneling and partitions.
The grade a building needs is set by the National Building Code of India and the local fire authority. Even an FR core is fire-retardant, not fully non-combustible, so it should be used with proper fire stops in the facade.
How We Fix ACP Panels
Every ACP facade we build sits on a sub-frame that is fixed to the wall. The frame keeps the panels in one flat plane, even when the wall behind is uneven.
- Aluminium or GI Sub-Frame: A grid of tubes is anchored to the wall and levelled to take the panels.
- Routing and Folding: A groove is cut on the back of each panel, leaving the outer sheet whole, so the edges can be folded into a tray or cassette.
- Rivet or Screw Fixing: Trays are fixed to the frame with rivets or screws, with holes sized to allow the panel to expand in the heat.
- Silicone Joints: The gaps between panels are sealed with weather silicone to keep rain out.
Other Facade Materials We Work With
Some buildings need a different look or a different level of strength. Besides ACP, we offer:
- HPL Cladding: High-pressure laminate panels with wood, stone and solid-colour finishes.
- Solid Aluminium Panels: Single-skin aluminium sheet, used where a stronger, non-composite panel is preferred.
- CNC Jaali and Perforated Screens: Patterned aluminium or MS screens cut on our CNC machines, for shading and decoration.
Where We Use ACP
Most of our ACP work is on office buildings, showrooms and commercial fronts, where the elevation is also the face of the brand. Inside buildings, 3 mm ACP is used for wall paneling and partitions. We also clad sign boards, entrance canopies and the fascia of our own tensile and steel structures, so the frame edge looks finished.
Why Choose ShadeCo India for ACP Facades
We handle the whole facade, from the metal frame to the last silicone joint.
01
Right Grade for the Building
FR or PE core, 4 mm or 3 mm, chosen for where the panel is used.
02
Frame Built In-House
Our steel team builds a straight, level sub-frame, which keeps the facade flat.
03
Folded Trays, Clean Edges
Routed and folded panels give crisp corners and hidden edges.
04
More Than ACP
HPL, solid aluminium and CNC jaali can be combined on the same elevation.
Our ACP Cladding Process
An ACP facade moves through these steps from site visit to finished elevation.
- The building elevation is measured, and the panel layout and joint lines are drawn.
- You choose the ACP grade, thickness, colour and finish.
- The aluminium or GI sub-frame is anchored to the wall and levelled.
- Panels are cut, routed and folded into trays to the layout sizes.
- Trays are fixed to the frame with rivets or screws.
- Joints are sealed with weather silicone, and the protective film is removed after a final check.
Planning an ACP Facade for Your Building?
ShadeCo India can design, fabricate and install ACP, HPL or aluminium cladding for your building front, interior or signage. Kindly share photographs of the elevation, approximate dimensions, the building height and your preferred colour or finish. Our facade team will study them and suggest a suitable panel and fixing system.
faq
Frequently Asked Questions About ACP Cladding and Facade
ACP cladding is a building facade made from aluminium composite panels, which are two thin aluminium sheets bonded to a core. The panels are folded into trays and fixed on a metal sub-frame in front of the wall, with sealed joints between them. ACP is light, flat and available in many colours and finishes, so it is widely used on office fronts, showrooms, commercial elevations, interiors and sign boards.
The difference between FR and PE core ACP is the material between the aluminium sheets. A PE core is polyethylene, a plastic that can burn and carry flame up a facade. An FR core is mostly mineral filler, so it burns far less. FR grade is the usual choice for exteriors, high-rise and public buildings, while PE core suits interiors, signage and low-risk areas. FR is fire-retardant, not fully non-combustible.
ACP cladding is fixed on a sub-frame, not glued straight to the wall. Our team first anchors an aluminium or GI tube frame to the wall and levels it. Each panel is routed on the back and folded into a tray, then fixed to the frame with rivets or screws in holes that allow for heat expansion. Finally, the joints between panels are sealed with weather silicone to keep rain out.
For exterior cladding, ShadeCo India uses 4 mm ACP panels, because they stay flatter and stronger against wind, sun and rain. For interior wall paneling and partitions, 3 mm panels are used, as they face no weather and are lighter. The aluminium skins and the core grade also matter, so the panel is chosen for both its thickness and where it will be used.
The ACP grade a building needs depends on its height, use and the fire rules that apply to it. The National Building Code of India and the local fire authority set these rules, and FR grade is generally the minimum for high-rise and public buildings. For a shop front or interior, PE core may be allowed. Our team suggests a grade after reviewing the building, but local approval should always be checked.
Routing and folding is the method used to shape flat ACP panels into trays. A V-shaped or flat groove is cut on the back of the panel, through the inner aluminium sheet and most of the core, while the outer sheet stays whole. The edge can then be folded by hand along the groove. This gives crisp corners, hides the panel edges and lets the tray be fixed neatly to the sub-frame.
Yes, besides ACP, ShadeCo India works with HPL cladding, solid aluminium panels and CNC-cut jaali screens. HPL gives wood, stone and solid-colour finishes. Solid aluminium panels are single-skin sheets used where a stronger, non-composite panel is preferred. Jaali and perforated screens in aluminium or MS are cut on our CNC machines and are often combined with ACP on the same elevation.
ACP cladding is used on office buildings, showrooms and commercial fronts, where a flat, modern elevation is needed. Inside buildings, it is used for wall paneling and partitions. It is also common on sign boards, entrance canopies and the fascia of shade structures, where it gives a neat, finished edge. ShadeCo India carries out ACP work in all of these areas, including on our own tensile and steel structures.
