Colour selection on a facade project is deceptively simple in theory and surprisingly consequential in practice. The colour you choose affects lead time, minimum order quantities, coating system, warranty terms, and ultimately the project programme. This guide sets out what is actually available across the Valmond & Gibson product range, how lead times work, and what to consider when specifying colour early in design.
What Colours Are Available Without a Minimum Order?
The element13 solid aluminium panel range carries the widest stock colour selection. These are held in the Sydney warehouse and can ship to any location in Australia without a minimum order quantity:
Solid stock finishes: Opal, Salt, Tungsten, Charcoal, Carbon, and more.
Metallic stock finishes: Silver, Mercury, Iron, Nickel, Calamine, and more.
Between the solid and metallic ranges, over a dozen colours are available off the shelf. These cover the tones most commonly specified on commercial, residential, and remediation projects - the neutrals, mid-tones, and architectural metallics that make up the majority of facade colour schemes in Australia.
For projects where colour has been determined and procurement timing is tight, stock colours remove the lead time question entirely. There is no manufacturing run to wait for and no MOQ threshold to meet.
interloQ and conneQt products are powder coated locally, which means stock availability works differently - standard colours from the powder coat supplier (Interpon D2525 range) are typically available without delay, while custom colours require a coating run. Your V&G contact can confirm current availability for any specific colour.
What Colour Options Require a Minimum Order?
Beyond the stock range, element13 offers over 30 additional colours across several categories, all manufactured to order with a minimum order quantity:
Additional solids and metallics - an extended palette beyond the core stock range, covering a broader spectrum of tones and metallic effects.
Woodgrain finishes - Taeda, Burma, Beech, Hickory, Chestnut, and Bloodwood. These deliver the appearance of timber with the fire performance and durability of solid aluminium. On projects where the design intent calls for warmth and natural texture but the compliance pathway requires non-combustible materials, woodgrain finishes are a practical solution.
Imitation finishes - Lava, Rust, Jewel, Ash, Zinc, and Bronzite. These are textured and patina-effect finishes that replicate the appearance of weathered or oxidised materials.
Bright colours - Emerald, Ruby, Cobalt, Sapphire, and more. Bold accent colours for feature elements. Note that warranty terms for bright colours are subject to assessment, as certain pigment characteristics affect long-term performance differently to standard tones. This is worth discussing early if bright colours are central to the design.
Custom colour matching is available for large orders where a specific colour is required to match an existing building element or a precise architectural intent. Custom matching adds time to the process, so early engagement with V&G is important.
Non-stock colours typically carry a 10-12 week lead time from order confirmation to delivery in Australia. For projects in design development or early documentation, this aligns comfortably with normal procurement timelines. For projects already in construction, it needs to be factored into the programme.
What Is the Difference Between PVDF and Powder Coat?
The two primary coating systems across the V&G range are PVDF and powder coat, and they are not interchangeable.
PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) is the coating system on element13 panels. It is a factory-applied paint finish from PPG, tested to AAMA 2605:2020 - the most demanding specification for high-performance organic coatings on architectural aluminium. PVDF delivers superior UV resistance, chalk resistance, and long-term colour retention. In Australian conditions, where UV exposure is high across most climate zones, PVDF maintains its appearance for 20 or more years without repainting.
Powder coat is the finish system for interloQ, conneQt, and 165CW. V&G uses Interpon D2525 as the standard, with the Structura range available for textured effects. Powder coat offers excellent colour versatility and a consistent, uniform finish. High-quality architectural powder coatings perform well in most Australian environments, though the long-term UV and chalk resistance of PVDF is measurably higher.
Anodised finishes are also available for interloQ and 165CW. Anodising integrates the finish into the aluminium itself rather than applying a layer on top, offering exceptional hardness and a distinctive metallic lustre. The colour range is more limited - typically natural aluminium tones, bronzes, and blacks - but the durability and scratch resistance are excellent.
We have covered the powder coat versus anodised comparison in detail in a separate guide, which is worth reading if you are weighing those two options.
The key point for colour selection: the coating system is determined by the product, not by the colour. If you are specifying element13, you are working with PVDF. If you are specifying interloQ or conneQt, you are working with powder coat (or anodised, where applicable). This distinction matters for long-term performance expectations and warranty terms.
Can Colours Be Matched Across V&G Products?
Yes. This is one of the practical advantages of working within a single supplier’s product range.
interloQ, element13, and conneQt can all be finished in matching colours when the project requires a consistent facade aesthetic across multiple products. A common example is a facade that uses element13 solid panels as the primary cladding, interloQ as a feature element, and conneQt battens as screening or architectural fins - all in the same colour.
Because the coating systems differ between products (PVDF on element13, powder coat on interloQ and conneQt), an exact technical match is achieved by coordinating between the PVDF and powder coat formulations. The visual result is a consistent appearance across the facade. V&G manages this coordination as part of the supply process - it is not something the specifier or installer needs to navigate independently.
If cross-product colour matching is important to your project, raise it early. It does not add significant lead time, but it does need to be factored into the order rather than assumed.
How Should Colour Selection Affect Project Planning?
Colour decisions have a direct impact on procurement timing. The practical guidelines:
Stock colours - available for immediate dispatch from Sydney. No MOQ. No manufacturing lead time. If the project programme is tight or the colour scheme uses standard tones, stock colours simplify procurement significantly.
Non-stock colours - allow 10-12 weeks from order confirmation to delivery. This is a manufacturing lead time from China, not something that can be compressed. On projects where non-stock colours are specified, the colour decision needs to be locked in well before the installer is ready to fix panels.
Custom colour matching - adds further time beyond the standard non-stock lead. The matching process itself requires sample approval before manufacturing begins. For projects with custom colours, engage V&G during design development, not during construction.
Samples - always request physical samples before finalising a specification. Screen colours are unreliable for architectural finishes. The metallic and textured finishes in particular look substantially different in person than they do on a monitor. V&G supplies physical samples at no cost, and it is a step worth building into the design process rather than leaving to the last moment.
Warranty considerations - most colours carry the standard warranty of up to 20 years when installed by a qualified installer. Bright colours (Emerald, Ruby, Cobalt, Sapphire, and similar bold tones) are subject to warranty assessment due to pigment characteristics. If bright colours are part of the design, confirm warranty terms before specifying.
The simplest way to avoid colour-related programme delays is to confirm colour availability and lead times with V&G as early as possible in the project - ideally during design development or early documentation. A quick conversation at that stage can save weeks during construction.
Need colour samples or lead time confirmation for your project? Contact Valmond & Gibson - we will get samples and availability details to you promptly.
Related Reading
- PVDF vs Polyester Coatings for Aluminium Cladding
- Woodgrain Finishes on Aluminium Facades
- Textured Finishes for Aluminium Facades
- Colour Stability and UV Resistance in Aluminium Facade Coatings
Last updated: 3 April 2026