Metal, stone, glass, and wood are some of the main building materials that have been the choice of cladding for years. As much as we would love to have Zinc and copper in the cladding options, there’s no denying these metal composite panels will have a substantial impact on the overall budget of the architecture. That being said, ACP cladding, that is, Aluminium Composite Panel cladding and HPL are always the front runner in the choice of cladding options. The idea is to keep the property safe from the drastic weather conditions while augmenting the aesthetics of the facade.

However, when you have to narrow down your choice, certain bricks of considerations need to be laid down for a practical decision.

Roughly speaking, the following six points should be checked to substantiate your choice of cladding, which are –

Insulation

Insulating your home is essential for lowering energy costs and minimising its environmental impact. Be careful to look at the energy ratings when looking for the best cladding to discover which choice offers the finest insulation. Regardless of the climate where you live, installing ACP cladding or other choices should come with the maximum insulation value that can help keep heat inside the house during the winter and keep heat out during the summer. For HPL, exposing them to extreme heat is a challenge.

Appearance

Your home’s architectural brilliance should be complemented by the cladding material. While choosing the right cladding material parleying on ACP sheets vs HPL sheets are common to come up with; be sure to picture the final result once the cladding system is installed. ACP (aluminum composite panel) and HPL (high-pressure laminate) are both types of flat panel materials that are used in a variety of applications, including exterior cladding, interior design as well as signage. Both materials have their own unique properties and it depends on the application which should be the right requirement – ACP sheets or others.  With the plentiful ideas of ACP cladding designs as well as for HPL, the façade industry is booming more than ever.

Read also: ‘ACE’ Your Projects with Aludecor’s 6mm ACP Sheets – The Perfect Alternative for HPL Sheets!

Maintenance

To guarantee that they last their promised lifespan in top shape, all exterior cladding materials including ACP cladding needs to be regularly maintained. To prevent the impacts of dampness, the right coating is imperative. With ACP sheets, the maintenance requirement is minimal. And it directly impacts the cost of the product. For HPL, irrespective of a minor or stubborn stain, it can be cleaned with a microfiber cloth. However, using chemicals or corrosive products on HPL should be avoided.

Return on investment

Maintaining your property value at its highest level is important given the rising cost of real estate, and installing external cladding can assist you in doing so. ACP sheet design for home exterior can improve the weary and aged aspect of your property, boosting both its appeal and value. To get the most return on your investment, use cladding materials that are strong, long-lasting, stylish and require little to no care. As there are limitations in using HPLs in extreme conditions, this might be a hindering choice for many different applications.

Durability and lifespan

Exterior cladding will often be exposed to harsh weather conditions. Depending on the specific environmental conditions, cladding materials will perform differently. For instance, ACP sheets are among the most durable materials, but exposure to corrosive coastal regions can shorten its durability and longevity. The lifespan for ACP sheets is completely dependent on paint quality and coating and can stay for more than 15 years with regular maintenance.

Whether ACP sheets are waterproof, you ask? As the ACP Sheets are produced by sandwiching layers of aluminium foil and LDPE and fusing them together under intense heat and pressure, it produces a strong and waterproof material that is perfect as a rain screen facade. HPLs have low fungal resistance, which is why they are preferred in dry-area applications. The high-quality HPL sheets usually last more than a decade.

Read also: How Weather Conditions Affect The Selection of ACP Sheets

Cost

Choose a fair budget for your external cladding while taking into account the expense of fabrication and upkeep. Choose a cost-effective cladding option, but be careful not to skimp on it. For instance, there can be moments of tug when you have to decide whether to go for ACP sheets vs HPL sheets. In such cases, HPL sheet vs ACP sheet price could be one of the deciding factors.

Applications

For both ACPs and HPLs, there are plenty of applications possible. However, with HPL, the most common structures are countertops, partitions, shelves, kitchen cabinets, wall cladding etc. With ACP, there can be 3D structures such as false ceilings, pillars and other curvy applications as well.

Now to answer what most fabricators look for –  should you choose HPL or ACPs?

What are ACP sheets or aluminium cladding?

Aluminium Composite Panels or as popularly termed ACP sheets, are flat panels with fire or non-fire retardant cores made of a non-aluminium material sandwiched between two thin coil-coated aluminium panels. This type of cladding is made from a thin layer of aluminium coil that is used to enhance the facade of a property in terms of looks and fire safety. Some aluminium cladding has polyethene plastic cores, while others have fire retardant cores that make them safer than the rest.

Read also: 6 Wonders of Fire Retardant ACP Cladding Sheets

With Aludecor’s ACP sheets, you can get FR core ACPs that work against the spreading of fire in case of any unfortunate incident. With the development in the scope and understanding of fire-safe urban structures, ACP cladding are getting popular for creating external cladding in many commercial as well as residential projects. The interesting part is that even though they are made from aluminium, there can be a variety of styles and applications that can elevate the space look. Every sort of cladding, including interior and exterior building cladding as well as internal and exterior partitioning, may be used with ACPs. Furthermore, it is capable of being bent, folded and formed in ways that are not feasible with other materials. It provides more room for creativity, making it the ideal material for designers.

What is HPL Sheet?

HPL sheet is short for high-pressure laminate. It is made up of layers that are crushed (laminated) under intense pressure. This results in the creation of an incredibly thick, stiff, and form-retaining sheet. This panel is composed of two top layers and a core made of wood fibre or paper. Its core is constructed of numerous layers of phenolic resin-impregnated paper and wood fibre. During manufacturing, these layers are compressed under intense heat and pressure. It uses a thermoset resin, which is referred to as resin.

This shows that when the resin is exposed to heat, it hardens. By compressing the layers, an extremely dense and rigid panel is created from the layers. High-pressure laminates (HPL) have become one of the most popular substitutes that architects, interior designers, decorators, and engineers worldwide are now recommending. They are one of the best options for residential as well as commercial properties because of their adaptability, durability, and features that make them fire retardant and chemical resistant.

Difference between ACP sheet and HPL Sheet:

*The rating S is for smoke generation and in the case of HPL, it is more than that of ACP.

Read also: Do You Know Smoke Kills More People than the Fire?

Which is better ACP sheet or HPL sheet?

When it comes to cladding, whether exterior or interior, ACP and HPL will forever remain contenders. To decide which is better, the ACP sheet or the HPL sheet, you need to focus on your project requirements. ACP (aluminium composite panel) and HPL (high-pressure laminate) are both types of flat panel materials used in various applications, including exterior cladding, interior design, and signage. Both have unique features and should be carefully considered by the fabricator to understand which will fit the best specific to the project.

With the plentiful ideas of ACP cladding designs, the façade industry is booming more than ever. If you have any queries related to the ACP cladding, reach out to the experts of Aludecor. Visit www.aludecor.com or dial 1800 102 0407 (toll-free).