3A Alucolux®
Solid Aluminium Cladding That Doesn't Compromise on Fire
Some facade specifications have one non-negotiable at the top of the brief: it has to be non-combustible. No exceptions, no workarounds, no products that are ‘practically’ non-combustible or ‘fire retardant with conditions’. When that’s the brief – high-rise commercial, NCC Type A construction, a rectification project replacing non-compliant cladding – 3A Alucolux® is the product that belongs on the specification.
It’s solid aluminium, all the way through. No polymer core, no mineral fill, no thermoplastic layer. Just aluminium and a factory-applied PVDF surface finish that gives it the aesthetic range to suit everything from understated corporate facades to bold civic buildings.
CSP Architectural supplies Alucolux® and processes every panel in-house. CAD drawing, cutting, rolling and routing happen at our facility, not outsourced. Custom profiles, radius elements and complex fixing layouts are handled before anything reaches the site.
Technical Specifications
Core material
100% solid aluminium – no polymer, no thermoplastic, no mineral fill
Fire classification
Non-combustible – suitable for NCC Type A and B construction
Surface coating
PVDF powder coat (standard) · Anodised finishes available
Panel thickness
Available in multiple thicknesses – processed to project requirements
Panel dimensions
Custom-processed by CSP in-house – no standard off-the-shelf sizing constraint
Processing
In-house CAD, cut, roll, route – CSP Architectural facility
Finishes
Full colour range in powder coat · Anodised options for premium applications
Compatible subframe
Nvelope rainscreen subframe system – supplied by CSP alongside panels
Key applications
High-rise commercial facades · NCC rectification · Civic and institutional buildings · Architecturally detailed residential
In-House Processing - What That Actually Means
Most aluminium facade panel suppliers either supply flat standard sheets or send custom work out to a third-party fabricator. CSP does neither. Every panel that leaves our facility as a custom element has been processed by our own team, which means:
CAD drawings prepared in-house
We draw the required profiles and panel layouts from your architectural documentation, not a third party's interpretation of them.
Cut, rolled and routed at our facility
Straight cuts, radius bends, routed joints, return folds, all done on-site at CSP. No outsourcing, no extra handling, no chain-of-custody risk.
Tighter tolerances and faster turnaround
When every step happens under one roof, errors get caught earlier and lead times stay predictable. Changes during the project don't require starting again with a third party.
Compliance documentation supplied
Technical data sheets, fire certification and NCC compliance documentation are provided with every Alucolux® project order.
Who Specifies Alucolux® and Why
Alucolux® is specified across a range of project types, but the common thread is that fire performance is a primary driver, not a checkbox at the end of the specification process.
High-rise commercial buildings
The NCC requires non-combustible external wall cladding on Type A and Type B buildings above certain heights. Alucolux® meets that requirement without compromise: no conditions, no exceptions, and no fire engineering workarounds needed.
NCC cladding rectification projects
Buildings with non-compliant combustible cladding (ACM with polyethylene cores and EPS-core composite panels) need a verified non-combustible replacement. Alucolux® is the direct specification response, solid aluminium, documented compliance credentials, and supply experience with the specific documentation requirements of rectification projects.
Civic and institutional facades
Schools, hospitals, community facilities and government buildings regularly require non-combustible cladding regardless of height. Alucolux® gives architects the design flexibility of a broad finish palette within a system that satisfies the most stringent fire compliance requirements.
Architecturally detailed commercial projects
Where the facade design involves complex geometry, curved elements or custom profiles, Alucolux® is processable to a level of detail that most cladding systems aren’t. Our in-house CAD and routing capability handles non-standard dimensions, radius panels and bespoke fixing configurations.
Pairing Alucolux® with Nvelope
Alucolux® panels need a subframe system that matches their performance and compliance credentials. Nvelope rainscreen subframe systems, also supplied by CSP, carry BBA certification and an A1 non-combustible fire rating. Specifying both through CSP means aligned technical documentation, a single point of contact and one specification conversation that covers the complete facade assembly from substrate to panel face.
Featured Projects with Alucolux®
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3A Alucolux® fully non-combustible?
Yes, Alucolux® is a solid aluminium panel; there is no polymer core, no thermoplastic layer and no combustible fill of any kind. The product is classified as non-combustible under the NCC and is suitable for use on Type A and Type B buildings where the code mandates non-combustible external wall cladding. This is a different classification from ‘fire-retardant’ composite panels, which have a combustible core with reduced fire-spread characteristics.
How does Alucolux® differ from aluminium composite panels (ACP)?
Aluminium composite panels (ACP) consist of two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core material, typically polyethylene or a mineral fill. That core material determines the fire performance of the panel. 3A Alucolux® has no core; it’s solid aluminium all the way through. This gives Alucolux® a fully non-combustible classification that most ACP products cannot match. For NCC compliance purposes, the distinction between solid aluminium and aluminium composite is significant.
Can CSP supply Alucolux® panels for rectification projects?
Yes — and this is one of the more common Alucolux® applications we handle. Rectification projects have specific supply and documentation requirements: compliance documentation needs to match what the certifier or building surveyor expects, panels need to be delivered in a sequence that suits a live building, and the specification needs to be locked before supply begins. Our team has experience with all of this and can provide the documentation package required.
Does CSP Architectural process Alucolux® panels in-house?
Yes. CAD drawing, cutting, rolling and routing for Alucolux® panels all happen at our facility. We don’t outsource custom processing to third parties. This means tighter tolerances, faster turnaround and a single point of accountability from specification through to delivery on site.
What finishes are available for Alucolux®?
Alucolux® is available in a full range of PVDF powder coat colours and anodised finishes. The powder coat range covers standard and custom colours; contact our team for the current colour chart. Anodised finishes are available for projects requiring a premium metallic surface quality. Both powder coat and anodised options are UV-stable and engineered for long-term exterior performance in Australian conditions.