Alucobond is the brand for Aluminum Composite Panels, same goes to Seven, MBond, Alubond, Everise and more.

I'm using ACP panels for my porch. Quieter during rain, shady during Sun.

Previously using Polycarbonate Hollow panels and they start cracking and leaking after 8 years and of course, my contractor back then did a shitty job installing it in the wrong manner.

This post has been edited by exkay: Apr 14 2016, 05:14 PM

well, for porch or sunlight roof i think it's fine to use it as a replacement for polycarbonate

are you using Marklon Poly carbonate sheets ? and Mbond ACP?

From my read up, keyword, Virgin material

Most polycarbonate sheet in the market ie, SunLite (as mentioned a lot in this thread) ,Sukaiyo and more are not 100% virgin material ie, mix with some percentage of recycle material.

So what does virgin material gives you?

1. Colour uniformity, no irregularities in colour or transparency
2. quality assurance, ie, more expensive but no filler /recycle materials.
3. longer lasting.

Some brands like Marklon's pc sheet does come with UV coating as well, which would extend the lifespan of the PC sheet under the sun.

I think that's just using both ACP and Polycarbonate sheets alternately so that you have some shade, and some sunlight

Used Hollow sheet for porch previously. now having backyard in Solid PC and porch is using ACP

I would agree the noise is less with Solid sheet. ACP is even better as the polyethylene core absorb significant amount of noise.


Can i ask why did you change to hollow sheet? it's actually changing to a not so good option.

Both price are possible, which the price difference determine the brand and quality of Aluminum Composite Panels (ACP) used.

remember that while the Thickness remains the same at 4mm ( some might go at 3.9 or 3.8mm and claim it 4mm)
However, the thickness of the aluminum might differ at 0.5mm or 0.3mm
Quality of the polyethylene core is in question as well as they are options on virgin material, or recycle material

so a 4mm sheet, can have several options or variances.

Imagine a sandwich

Bread = Aluminum sheet
Ham/Eggs/lettuce = Polyethylene core
Bread = Aluminum sheet

So a 4mm sheet can be as follows


Brand A__________________________Brand B__________________________Brand C
1mm = Aluminum sheet__________0.5mm = Aluminum sheet__________0.3mm = Aluminum sheet
2mm = Polyethylene core_________3.0mm = Polyethylene core_________3.4mm = Polyethylene core
1mm= Aluminum sheet___________0.5mm= Aluminum sheet __________0.3mm= Aluminum sheet

Mix in the quality of aluminum and also the polyethylene material, you can get an extreme cheap quote or an expensive quote, but that depends on what you want or need. in the end, you get what you pay for.

note: some ACP are fire retardant too, but usually for commercial use as wall cladding only.

This post has been edited by exkay: May 5 2017, 10:53 AM

then it's not ACP anymore, it's Solid sheet Aluminum. which gonna burn hole in pocket for use as roof. LOL

Depending on your budget and your need really, go for reliable brand with warranty lo.

local manufacturer such as everise, mbond is not bad.

thicker aluminum, stronger structural strength, less waving, don't forget metal expand when hot.

Brand A might get up to 45psf

erm... not a saleman here. but i guess it depends on how much you're willing to spend VS product quality + warranty + workmanship quality.

Oh by the way.

Just recalled that installation for Polycarbonate roof panels are very specific do make sure your installers use the proper manner.

Allowing expansion gaps
avoid drilling the panels if possible. if drilling is required, make sure drill holes are given excess space for heat expansion.
silicon to be neutral or at least acid free.

really depends on the manufacturer. the one I'm using is Mbond class o fire rated by Bomba which passed British Standard 476: part 6 and part 7

no offence taken, but I'm just sharing as well.

As far as I understand the BS 476 part 7 is tested while on a vertical plane (BST476 part7)

Yes, Class O is not fire proof, but rather a fire rating that measures the minimum requirement for building materials that could endure some form of fire propagation, being fire resistant to a certain extend. ACP is not polyurethane core either, it's polyethylene.

ACP that is Fire retardant on the other hand is available as well, but of course will have to pay for the price as well.

a lil reading into the grenfell tower, chances are the chimney effect caused by the space inbetween the wall and the cladding is more of a blame to the fire. A class O rated fire propagation should be within 75mm while exposed for 10 minutes. but I read the news right, it raced up 6 storeys in 11 minutes.

but hey, I'm just using it as an awning, and if it was me, I would be more worried of my Ikea sofa + cabinet + Bed + kitchen cabinets not being fire rated.

can show a pic of the balcony roof ?