Low Density Poly Ethylene ACP Sheets

The Evolution of ACP
in Modern Design

Over the years, the ACP cladding industry has transformed from being a material used mainly for industrial and functional purposes into one of the most versatile and aesthetic solutions in modern construction. Today, ACP panels are chosen not just for their strength and insulation but also for their ability to bring style, durability, and innovation to any project.

We bring you VIVA Aluminium Composite Panels, trusted across industries and widely used in exterior architecture, interior décor, corporate branding, transportation, and industrial applications. With unmatched quality and design flexibility, VIVA ACPs continue to redefine the possibilities of construction.

For a flawless ACP cladding installation, every project stakeholder, whether a designer, installer, or subcontractor, should carefully follow the checklist below.

Wind load Calculation

Due to variations in wind pressure from floor to floor, the thickness of an ACP panel depends on the height of the building. An ACP board that is not thick enough will either be pushed out of position or will deform as it cannot withstand the high pressure. For example, if a 3 mm thick ACP sheet is used for the first 3 floors, it may make sense to use a 4 mm thick ACP cladding for the top 3 floors, as wind pressure is typically higher on the top floors.

Dimension of the Panel

The ACP panels used in the construction must have the same height and width. If the block is a rectangle, it must be a rectangle; if it is a square, it must be a square. This means that the uniformity and synergy of each ACP board must be consistent.

Panel Joints

VIVA’s aluminium panel sheets can be joined to other panels or materials by using rivets designed for aluminium construction. To determine how many rivets are required to attach the ACP cladding to the structure, the corners of the ACP panel should be considered.

Panel Arrangement

Maintaining proper spacing between ACP sheets and filling that space with silicon is important. This is because the aluminium composite panels expand and contract in response to weather changes occurring from the outside and silicon used in between helps to maintain the shape of the and also prevents dust and rainwater from entering the space.

Details of the Abutment

While determining the size, thickness and spacing between the ACP sheets, it is important to consider the thermal expansion of the ACP panel, which is 2.49 mm/m/100°C. To prevent jamming or deflection of the sheet, it is also necessary to ensure that the rivet hole allows sufficient room for expansion.

Shade Differences

We are aware of the possibility that the building structure may expand and therefore ACP panels of the same shade are required. Hence, VIVA is known for offering its prestigious customers the unique luxury of reordering the specific shade of ACP sheets in exchange for the batch name of the previously ordered panels. The designers ought to make sure that the aluminium composite sheets are installed as per the directional arrows printed on the protective film.

Installation at Facade

Follow these tips to slay your routing and fabrication process of VIVA’s ACP sheets

For an aluminum composite sheet to achieve the desired finish, you must effectively execute its routing and fabrication during the installation process.

Use the same arrow direction when installing ACP panels to avoid shade variation caused by surface orientation, especially when using metallic and abstract colors.

VIVA’s ACP sheets expand at a rate of (2.4 mm/m/100) degrees. Therefore, it is imperative to maintain adequate distance between two ACP claddings to guarantee thermal stability.

The stiffener and structure should be appropriately aligned to avoid wrinkles in the aluminum panel sheets. (Generally, 4 by 4 feet or as recommended by the architect)

It is essential to consider the wind pressure of a given altitude and location.

You must provide batch printing on the bottom of each ACP panel during the subsequent orders to avoid color variations at the time of part-orders.

To prevent color shade variations within a building surface, we recommend our clients order all the VIVA’S ACP panels for a similar project in one order.

Do not remove the protective film with a jerk; do so smoothly and with equal pressure to prevent deflection and humps.

It is advisable to remove the protective film upon completion of installation. If the protective film is left on for more than 45 days, removing it will be challenging. Avoid pulling the protective film below 10°C.

Consider the diagonal length of aluminum composite sheets when cutting or grooving to avoid a tapered finish for your panel blocks. The diagonal should not exceed 2mm.

The panels must be weather-proof to prevent thermal movement caused by temperature fluctuations. Otherwise, the ACP panels will bow, and the fasteners will be overstressed to unacceptable levels.

Below is a quick reference guide for the thermal resistance of VIVA’s aluminum panel sheets:

Thermal Resistance – 50ºC ~ +80ºC
Linear Expansion 2.40 mm per meter at 100ºC

Keep in mind that the coating integrity will be compromised if the working temperature approaches or exceeds 100ºC. Therefore, the thermal resistance of the wooden ACP sheet also influences the fabrication.

Facade Maintenance

Simple cleaning tips for effortless maintenance of Aluminum Composite Sheets

ACP façades can retain their elegance for years if maintained properly, despite constant exposure to dust, rain, and pollution. With regular care, panels can be restored to their original shine.

Cleaning Guidelines:

Always clean in shaded conditions under moderate temperatures. Avoid freezing weather or direct heat to prevent stains, soap scum, or damage.
Rinse the surface top to bottom, then wipe gently with a soft sponge. Use horizontal strokes first, followed by vertical ones.
For stubborn dirt, apply a mild soap solution (1–5% detergent in clean water), test on a small patch, and wipe with a soft, non-abrasive cloth.
Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry with a chamois, squeegee, or lint-free cloth to prevent watermarks.

Best Practices:

Ensure rags and sponges are grit-free to avoid scratches.
Keep the cleaning solution at pH 8; avoid acid, bleach, or harsh solvents.
Never use strong chemicals like MEK, MIBK, caustic soda, or lime-based cleaners.
For tough stains, use a 5–10% Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) solution as a last option.
When cleaning low-rise façades, clean from the bottom up but rinse from the top down.

By following these steps, you can preserve the shine and durability of your ACP cladding for years to come.

What is the ideal cleaning frequency of ACP panels to help them retain their original luster?

The frequency of cleaning depends on the atmospheric conditions and the rate at which the contamination occurs. A foggy coastal region, for instance, has repeated cycles of condensation and dryness that favor salts and dirt to deposit quickly. Moreover, due to the lack of washing caused by rain, sheltered areas like overhangs are more likely to become soiled. Below is a table for your reference to help you decide the frequency of cleaning your ACP façade.

BUILDING LOCATION	FREQUENCY OF CLEANING
Rural area	1 times / Year
Urban area	1 times / Year
Low rainfall and/or coastal area	2 times / Year
Heavily industrialized area	3 times / Year

The above tips will help you take care of your aluminium panel sheet or ACP panel in the best way possible and make sure that your facade will radiate a gleaming new look, year after year.

Caution

Improper cleaning resulting in coating damage shall not be covered by the terms and conditions of the product warranty.

Low Density Poly Ethylene ACP Sheets