Welcome

If you’re a Strata Manager, Body Corporate or Building Owner looking into recladding for your buildings, you’re likely here for three reasons:

• Have you been advised that your existing aluminium cladding is no longer compliant with state regulations, especially around fire safety?
• Do you want to strengthen the facade of your building through recladding?
• Are you looking for new cladding to improve the aesthetic design of your property?

No matter what your purpose is, selecting the right aluminium cladding material is something you should take seriously to ensure the utmost safety while maintaining the durability and integrity of your building – both today and long into the future.

Of course, this is easier said than done.

With all the various types of aluminium cladding materials on the Australian market, it can be quite confusing to know where to start and what to look for when choosing the best cladding product to suit your specific building’s requirements and meet the expectations of the Body Corporate.

So, our expert team at Network Architectural have come together to shed some light on the factors you need to keep in mind.

But first, let’s determine the common types of aluminium cladding materials

Whether you’re a Strata Manager, Body Corporate or Building Owner, understanding your cladding material options can enable you to make the right decision.

After all, it’s unreasonable and counterproductive to invest in cladding products that won’t meet your building’s specific requirements.

In Australia, the two most common aluminium cladding materials used are solid aluminium panels and Aluminium Composite Panels (ACPs). Here are some of their differences:

• Solid aluminium panels

Solid aluminium panels are a cladding material that builders, fabricators and architects have used for decades. These were the ‘go to’ choice prior to the new technology of Aluminium Composite Panels entering the market in the 2000s.

Solid aluminium panels are known for their anti-corrosive properties, water resistance and strength. However, changes in temperature does effect the solid aluminium panel, causing it to expand and contract which creates a rippling and wavey effect on the panel’s surface, which is often referred to as “oil canning”. Because of this, installing solid aluminium panels require a lot more time and effort due to the addition of many more stiffeners required to reduce oil canning.

Due to aluminium having a high melting point, most aluminium solid panels are deemed non-combustible. It’s important to note, though, that they are typically more expensive than other cladding options over time – while they often have a lower initial cost than alternatives, ongoing maintenance costs such as mandatory cleaning (often required every 6 months to retain its warranty) bump the lifecycle cost way above alternatives.

For more information, read: the 6 questions to ask about warranties on cladding products.

• Aluminium composite panels

An Aluminium Composite Panel (ACP) consists of a non-aluminium core material sandwiched between two thin aluminium sheets.

ACPs offer ease of installation because of their lightweight characteristics. They are also more rigid and flat, and often come in a variety of colour finishes.

Because ACPs require less material and labour to produce, they are cheaper than solid aluminium panels. Nevertheless, they also provide protection against harsh weather conditions such as rain, wind and UV radiation. ACPs are also more environmentally-friendly and sustainable than solid aluminium panels.

Some ACP’s come with a FEVE coating (or a fluoroethylene vinyl ether resin-based powder coating), which significantly extends the durability and retains the depth and lustre of the colour. These specific panels also have the benefit of not requiring any ongoing maintenance, including cleaning. Whilst in most cases, panels with a PVDF resin-based coating will require ongoing maintenance to retain their warranty.

Whilst ACPs have been tainted with the perception that they all have a polyethylene core which is highly combustible, quality cladding products on the market like ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 are fire-safe and fully compliant with the relevant building codes and regulations in Australia.

In fact, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is composed of a non-combustible mineral core containing zero polyethylene, it also offers exceptional flatness and durability due to its Lumiflon FEVE coating technology, making it far superior to other aluminium cladding alternatives on the market.

Each type of aluminium cladding material has its own unique characteristics and benefits you can take advantage of.

But to help you determine which product is right for your building, we have prepared this checklist of 8 factors you must look for in aluminium cladding material.

8 factors to consider in choosing the right aluminium cladding material for your building

1. Does this cladding product enhance the overall appearance of your building?

Since cladding is a highly visible component of your building, it’s important that the material you use is aesthetically pleasing.

You must assess whether your aluminium cladding product can be transformed into various shapes and designs, as well as can be finished in a wide range of colours.

Also, to ensure your building will look good for years to come, it’s best to check if your aluminium cladding material is highly weather-resistant.

2. Is the cladding product a direct substitute?

Something to take into consideration when selecting a product for recladding is if it’s comparable, “like for like”. For example, if you’re replacing an ACP with a solid aluminium product, then it’s likely that another material will need to be included such as insulation to ensure the thermal conductivity and energy efficiency is not negatively impacted. This is because solid aluminium conducts 300% more heat than an ACP.

Whereas, replacing an ACP with a non-combustible ACP is a “like for like” solution and will not (in most cases) change the thermal conductivity and energy efficiency in a detrimental way.

3. Is the cladding product energy efficient without extreme thermal conductivity (heat transfer)?

Your aluminium cladding material should provide a layer of insulation to enable the building to effectively regulate indoor temperatures.

So, conduct research to assess which aluminium cladding options can help you minimise the building’s consumption of energy, allowing tenants and public amenities to cut energy bills.

4. Does this cladding option help you comply with recladding fire regulations?

Following a number of cladding fires around the world, everyone is now searching for alternative non-combustible cladding solutions that are fully compliant with safety regulations here in Australia and abroad.

With this, you must closely examine if your aluminium cladding product:

• meets building code requirements
• is backed by the local state certifications needed
• has passed the highest standards of

5. Does it provide a reliable warranty and ongoing maintenance?

Your aluminium cladding material should provide you with full peace of mind – today and long into the future, as recladding is costly.

As such, it’s an important requirement that your aluminium cladding product comes with a long-term warranty to safeguard you from defects and expensive repairs. Also, pay particular attention to whether this warranty is provided by the product’s manufacturer that has the resources, longevity and expertise to solve any issue, even if this occurs years and decades down the track.

Another important consideration is to be aware of any ongoing requirements to retain the warranty. For example, check if the cladding needs to be cleaned, for instance, every 6 months to retain the warranty.

6. Is it approved by experts and independent bodies?

Make sure the aluminium cladding material is a reliable cladding product that your building contractors, architects and engineers would confidently use – just ask them!

There’s also no harm in determining which aluminium cladding options are promoted by independent bodies such as the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) and the Australian Apartment Advocacy (AAA). After all, they have your best interests at heart.

7. Is the product environmentally friendly and sustainable?

In choosing a sustainable aluminium cladding material, you may want to investigate the environmental practices of a product’s manufacturer. It’s an advantage if they have sustainability certifications and are serious about delivering environmental benefits even after cladding installation.

In addition, you may also check the life cycle of the aluminium cladding product to gain more clarity around its possible environmental impacts.

8. Is the aluminium cladding product delivered by a reputable supplier?

There can be cladding suppliers in the market that provide false claims just to sell their aluminium cladding products. So, make sure that you’re only buying from credible cladding product suppliers like Network Architectural, which have proven years of experience and excellent service.

It helps to check their reputation, as well as if they have been involved in any class actions or problems that might impose risks on clients like you.

Just keep in mind, too: a supplier is reliable if it’s trusted by large and respected manufacturers like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd to deliver their products in the market.

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1: A product that satisfies all 8 of these important factors

Are you looking for a quality product to reclad your building? Search no longer.

At Network Architectural, we offer our clients a fire-safe, fully compliant, aluminium composite cladding that ticks all of your requirements to make the decision simple.

ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 is scientifically proven to be the safest aluminium facade product in large-scale fire tests around the world. This aluminium cladding material is not only easy to process and shape, but is also weather-resistant, impact resistant, has superior flatness, and proven durability in Australian conditions for over 20 years.

Aside from its extraordinary safety and sustainability profile, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 comes with an industry-leading 20-year FULL manufacturer’s replacement warranty that covers material, labour and rectification costs for faulty materials. And, unlike other products, it does not require costly maintenance to maintain the warranty.

So, are you ready to reclad your building?

Whether you have more questions about recladding or are looking for the right recladding solution, we’ve got you covered.

As always, it’s best to seek the expertise of a trusted and well-established cladding supplier that can provide you with the highest standard of cladding products.

At Network Architectural, we provide a large range of cladding solutions, all backed by large and reputable companies that provide manufacturer warranties like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. For further information on our cladding offers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We can’t wait to become your partner to success for all your building and construction projects!

As a Strata Manager, your goal is to ensure the residential and/or commercial buildings you manage remain compliant, well-maintained and safe.

In our previous article, What is Recladding and When Do You Need To Consider It?:

• We identified recladding as an appropriate solution that can help you improve the aesthetics, functionality and energy efficiency of a property.
• Through recladding, you can breathe new life into the exterior facade walls of your building and make them more resilient against extreme elements in the environment.
• Recladding can also enable you to remain compliant with the tightening cladding regulations, especially for .

However, while recladding offers these advantages to protect both the structure and the occupants of your building, the overall recladding process that comes with it may not be as simple as you expect.

There are a lot of factors to consider to ensure recladding success. So, let’s discuss what you need to take note of to ensure a successful cladding outcome.

8 factors to consider before recladding a building

Just like any other major building renovation, recladding is an investment that adds value to a property when done correctly.

To achieve long-term recladding results, you need to make well-informed decisions right from the beginning of the recladding process.

For your guidance, here is a list of key factors to consider to help you thoroughly prepare.

1. Australian recladding state laws

Recladding is an opportunity not just to enhance the look of your building, but also for you as a Strata Manager to meet the evolving state laws and regulatory requirements – especially when it comes to fire safety.

For instance, in NSW, cladding products which consist of more than 30% combustible material are now deemed illegal. Other states are similar or have some variance on this – however, the goal to reduce fire risk remains the same.

To ensure your building remains cladding compliant, you must be up to date with jurisdictional regulations around flammable cladding cores and fire-resistance capabilities.

At Network Architectural, we offer ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 to address this concern. As the world’s safest aluminium façade product, ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 has been scientifically proven through real fire tests around the globe.

2. Recladding steps and building experts involved

Recladding is not something you do on a whim. The process will require you to invest time and money, as well as seek the expertise of building specialists.

There are also a lot of steps involved which include:

• gaining local government council approval
• hiring a qualified fire engineer to perform an official cladding assessment
• engaging a principal contractor or builder to provide a recladding quote on the possible costs
• bringing on board qualified façade engineers
• getting the necessary certification and paying associated fees
• preparing all the access needed to replace existing cladding with a more compliant alternative such as ALPOLIC™ NC/A1.

3. Recladding cost and warranty

Recladding is an expensive process – the total recladding cost often includes fees for the contractor, builders, consultants and council, as well as payments for engineering certifications.

The amount you’ll have to budget for recladding depends not just on the size and location of your building but also on the amount of old, dated or combustible cladding that needs to be replaced.

In addition, something else that is often overlooked but should be factored in is what is actually behind the cladding. In a lot of cases, depending on the age of the building and quality of installation, the framing, top hats, insulation and sarking may also need to be replaced.

With recladding being a significant strata fund investment, it’s important for Strata Managers to also take into account the possible life cycle cost of the new cladding panels too. After all, no one wants to pay an expensive upfront recladding cost just to incur pricey repairs and ongoing maintenance expenses in the future.

Fortunately, the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 we supply has an industry-leading 20-year full replacement manufacturer’s warranty backed by ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd. Its cladding warranty covers material, labour and rectification costs for faulty material, allowing you to get the most value from your money – now and long into the future.

4. Recladding time frames

Recladding your building can’t be completed overnight. Several inspections and remedial works must first be completed to ensure the longevity and quality of the new cladding on your buildings.

To get more clarity regarding time frames for your stakeholders, it’s best to consult with your chosen recladding builders and engineers. This way, you’ll also be able to effectively compromise with landlords and tenants who might be disrupted by the recladding process.

5. Recladding material choice

From your cladding contractor, builders and engineers all the way to the Body Corporate, everyone involved in the project must agree on what cladding material to use in the recladding process.

While there are various cladding options available in the market, finding a fire-safe and fully compliant alternative to combustible cladding should be your top priority.

At Network Architectural, we provide Strata Managers, Body Corporates and Building Owners with ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 that has not only been tested to AS1530.1, AS1530.3 and AS5113 but has also been CodeMark Certified to Building Code of Australia (BCA) Standards.

This is also an approved product on Project Remediate NSW.

6. Recladding disposal, recycling and sustainability

As part of your recladding process, you must also have a plan as to where and how the old, dated or combustible cladding materials can be safely disposed of. Unfortunately, there are only a few facilities that accept combustible cladding waste.

However, fortunately, taking care of the environment is easier with aluminium composite cladding products like ALPOLIC™ NC/A1. Its manufacturer, ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd, is leading the market in sustainability with an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) by Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA). ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd Group Corporation was also ranked 4^th in global sustainability ratings issued by S&P Global in 2023.

Additionally, at Network Architectural, we have partnered with PanelCycle to recycle all the Aluminium Composite Panels that need to be removed in a recladding project.

7. Body corporate

As a Strata Manager, you have to constantly keep each property’s Body Corporate in the loop about your plans with recladding. You must also present all options and the information needed so that they can make a sound decision when voting to approve budgets and choose the best recladding option for the building.

As the Body Corporate will ultimately be the ones that approve a recladding project, make sure that all the benefits of the project are clear to them. For example, you can explain that using an aluminium composite cladding panel like ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 provides a high level of fire protection, as well as weather and impact resistance and superior flatness.

8. Independent industry bodies

To ensure the success of your building recladding project, you may consider requesting the additional support of relevant, independent industry bodies that can advocate not only for your best interests but also for the owners and residents.

For instance, at Network Architectural, we have established partnerships with the Owners Corporation Network (OCN) and Australian Apartment Advocacy (AAA). Together, we aim to inform people about the ins and outs of recladding, as well as assist you in sourcing the recladding products you need.

In fact, the OCN and AAA recognise the superior quality ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 offers. Introduced solely for the Australian construction market, it has the best possible safety rating with the Insurance Council of Australia.

 

Recladding success is about making the right choices

Now that we have outlined the key factors you must consider before recladding a building, you’ll be able to prepare effectively and make smarter decisions when selecting the most effective recladding option.

Nevertheless, if you have any more questions, you can always reach out to our team of cladding specialists here at Network Architectural.

So, are you ready to reclad your building?

Whether you have more questions about recladding or you’re looking for the right recladding solution, we’ve got you covered.

As always, it’s best to seek the expertise of a trusted and well-established cladding supplier that can provide you with the highest standard of cladding products.

At Network Architectural, we provide a large range of cladding products, all backed by large and reputable companies that provide manufacturer warranties like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd.

For further information on our cladding offers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We can’t wait to become your partner to success for all your building and construction projects.

We all recall the tragic Grenfell fire in London. Since then many Australian apartment owners have been faced with unfair bills in the millions of dollars to reclad their building. How do you know that your “replacement cladding” isn’t also unsafe or future proofed to the new Industry Cladding Standard AS 5113?

In this tell-all session hosted by the Australian Apartment Advocacy, AAA CEO Sam Reece chats with industry experts, Peter Hofstetter of CERTIS and Clint Gavin of Network Architectural, about the hidden traps that many apartment owners are facing within the cladding sector. Some homeowners even advised to reclad panels that the Government have deemed “safe to remain in place” on Public Hospitals! A must watch if you are considering replacing cladding on your building.

Click to view the recording

If you are a multi-residential building Strata Manager, the term “recladding” may well have come across your radar in recent years.

In fact, you may have been directly informed that your building needs recladding or even been handed an official notice that your cladding is unsafe and needs to be assessed.

Aware that this is another frustrating concern on top of an already endless list of things to address as an Australian strata manager, today’s article has been carefully compiled to provide a general introduction to recladding for multi-residential buildings by answering two key questions:

1. Does your cladding need to come off?
2. And, if so, what are the next steps in the recladding process?

Does your cladding need to come off?

First, to better understand what recladding is, or for a list of reasons why you may CHOOSE to reclad, say for style or functional preferences, take a look at our previous article: A Deep Dive Into Recladding: What is it and When Do You Need it?

Today’s focus however is on those who NEED to replace their cladding with updated materials due to regulatory requirements, with a specific focus on Multi-Residential or “Class 2” Strata Managers.

The current building recladding regulations

Due to a recent global spike in façade fires where polyethylene-filled cladding contributed to the rapid spread of fire, all Australian states (along with the rest of the world) have begun to tighten cladding regulations on the combustibility of façade material.

While in Australia’s case, there is currently no blanket rule on the use of combustible cladding, most states tend to have rather rigid guidelines, notably New South Wales (NSW) with a blanket ban for aluminium composite panels with polyethylene content greater than 30%. That is to say, more generally, cladding products that are comprised of more than 30% polyethylene content are not permitted for use on any type of a buildings external wall.

That is why our team at Network Architectural offer our clients the ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 cladding panel product; a fire-safe, fully compliant, aluminium composite cladding for use wherever non-combustible materials are required.

Unsure if your current cladding meets these guidelines?

With Australian states differing significantly in terms of their specific recladding regulations, it is important for Strata Managers to engage a fully qualified fire engineer who has relevant local knowledge and can provide a complete report on the state of your multi-residential building’s façade system.

If it turns out your building’s cladding is in-fact non-compliant then here are the steps strata managers should take.

For more information, read the 8 factors to consider before recladding a building.

What are the next steps for Strata Managers in the recladding process?

In the case of non-compliant cladding, Strata Managers will need to coordinate the recladding process. This involves removing and replacing all affected materials with a compliant alternative such as ALPOLIC™ NC/A1.

It is best, however, to begin by consulting with accredited façade contractors to get an understanding of time, cost and the specifics of your recladding process which may include:

• Gaining council approval
• Engaging a qualified façade engineer
• Receiving certification and paying associated fees
• And more

When it comes time to decide on new cladding material to service your recladding needs, we recommend that Strata Managers invest in a time-proven product and an experienced team such as Network Architectural and our leading ALPOLIC™ NC/A1 cladding solution.

With decades of experience and cladding products that remain effective for over 30 years after initial installation, we can minimise your compliance headaches well into the future.

Looking for a compliant, long-term cladding option?

If you’re concerned about your non-compliant cladding or looking for the right recladding solution, then you’ve come to the right place.

As always, it’s best to seek the expertise of a trusted and well-established cladding supplier that can provide you with the highest standard of cladding products.

At Network Architectural, we provide a large range of cladding products, all backed by large and reputable companies that provide manufacturer warranties like ALPOLIC™ by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co., Ltd.

For further information on our cladding offers, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

We can’t wait to become your partner to success for all your building and construction projects.