element13 is a 3mm solid aluminium cladding panel with the most comprehensive compliance test suite available from Valmond & Gibson. Used extensively across new build and recladding projects in Australia, it carries eight independent test certifications covering fire, impact, weather, wind, coating, and hail performance. This guide provides the specification detail that architects, facade engineers, and certifiers need to assess, specify, and document element13 on their projects.
What makes element13 different from composite panels?
The distinction matters because it changes the compliance pathway entirely.
element13 is solid aluminium — 3mm of homogeneous metal with no core, no bonded layers, and no laminated construction. When tested to AS1530.1, it is non-combustible by the nature of what it is, not by engineering around what it contains.
Composite panels, by contrast, consist of two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core material. Even when that core is fire-retardant rather than polyethylene, the compliance pathway is more complex. The core introduces variables: bonding integrity, long-term delamination risk, and the need for additional fire testing beyond AS1530.1 to demonstrate system-level performance.
With element13, the material is the evidence. There is nothing to delaminate, nothing to separate under heat, and nothing concealed between layers. For recladding projects where an existing composite panel has failed compliance, this simplicity is precisely the point — it removes the ambiguity that created the problem in the first place.
For a broader discussion of solid aluminium versus composite panel compliance pathways, see our article on solid aluminium vs composite panels.
Material specifications
The following data is drawn directly from the element13 technical manual and compliance pack. All panels are manufactured under ISO-9001:2015 quality management systems.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 3mm solid aluminium |
| Available widths | 1250mm, 1500mm |
| Available lengths | 3200mm, 4000mm |
| Panel weight | 8.13 kg/m² |
| Coating system | PPG PVDF paint finishes |
| Width tolerance (>1200 & ≤1500mm) | ±2.0mm |
| Length tolerance (>3000 & ≤3600mm) | ±4.0mm |
| Length tolerance (>3600 & ≤4500mm) | ±4.0mm |
| Thickness tolerance | ±0.18mm |
| Manufacturing standard | ISO-9001:2015 |
| Recyclability | 100% recyclable aluminium |
| Warranty | Up to 20 years (when installed by qualified installer) |
Four standard panel configurations are available from two widths and two lengths: 1250 x 3200mm, 1250 x 4000mm, 1500 x 3200mm, and 1500 x 4000mm. Tolerances are tight enough for precision facade work while remaining practical for large-format panel handling on site.
What compliance testing has element13 passed?
element13 carries eight independent test certifications — the most extensive suite in the V&G product range. Every test was conducted by a recognised, NATA-accredited laboratory or qualified engineering authority. Report numbers are listed below and are available in full within the element13 Compliance Pack (32 pages).
1. Combustibility — AS1530.1:1994 Conducted by CSIRO (Report FNC12545). element13 is classified as non-combustible. This is the foundational fire test referenced by the NCC for determining whether a material can be used where non-combustible construction is required.
2. Ignitability, flame propagation, heat release, and smoke — AS1530.3:1999 Conducted by CSIRO (Report FNE12552). Results: Ignitability 0, Heat 0, Flame 0, Smoke 1. These indices provide certifiers and fire engineers with detailed fire behaviour data beyond the pass/fail of AS1530.1. A Smoke index of 1 is effectively negligible.
3. Impact resistance — ASTM E695-03 (NCC C1.8) Conducted by Ian Bennie & Associates (Report 2021-083_2). Pass. This test evaluates the panel’s resistance to soft-body impact, relevant to both occupied areas and external exposure.
4. Surface indentation — NCC C1.8 Clause 5(d) Conducted by Ian Bennie & Associates (Report 2021-083). Pass — Immeasurable. The surface showed no measurable indentation under the test protocol, which speaks to the durability of a solid 3mm aluminium substrate.
5. Weather performance — AS/NZS 4284:2008 Conducted by Ian Bennie & Associates, NATA #2371 (Report 2022-031-S2). Pass at ±1500Pa serviceability limit state. This test evaluates the installed panel system’s resistance to wind-driven rain and air infiltration under simulated weather conditions.
6. Structural wind loads — AS 4040.3 (cyclonic) Conducted by JFS Engineers (Report 23-00156). Serviceability limit state: 1875Pa. Ultimate limit state: 5559Pa. These are cyclonic-level wind load ratings, making element13 suitable for projects in wind regions C and D across northern Australia and exposed coastal locations.
7. Coating performance — AAMA 2605:2020 Conducted by Intertek Shanghai (Report 210203002SHF-001). Meets specification. AAMA 2605 is the highest American Architectural Manufacturers Association standard for high-performance organic coatings on architectural aluminium. This is not a standard polyester test — it demands performance over decades, not years.
8. Hail impact — ANSI FM 4473 Conducted by Ian Bennie & Associates (Report 2020-090). Meets specification. This test evaluates resistance to impact damage from hailstones, relevant for projects in hail-prone regions across eastern Australia.
This level of third-party testing transparency is not common in the Australian cladding market. Every report number listed above can be independently verified and is included in the compliance pack that V&G supplies with project documentation.
What coating system does element13 use?
element13 panels are finished with a PPG PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) paint system, tested and certified to AAMA 2605:2020.
AAMA 2605 is the highest tier of the three AAMA coating performance standards (2603, 2604, and 2605). Where standard polyester powder coatings are tested against AAMA 2603 or 2604, PVDF coatings must meet significantly more demanding criteria across multiple performance areas:
- UV resistance — The fluorine-carbon bond in PVDF resin is one of the strongest in organic chemistry, resisting colour fade and chalking far longer than polyester coatings.
- Chalk resistance — The coating surface resists powdery degradation over time, maintaining a clean appearance without repainting.
- Colour retention — AAMA 2605 sets the tightest allowable Delta E (colour change) across extended accelerated weathering cycles.
- Corrosion protection — Salt spray resistance critical for coastal projects. The PPG PVDF system provides a durable barrier against marine and industrial atmospheres.
- Gloss retention — PVDF maintains its original sheen far longer than polyester alternatives.
For projects where the facade will be exposed to harsh UV, coastal salt spray, or industrial atmospheres, the difference between a PVDF coating and a standard polyester powder coat is significant — both in appearance and in long-term maintenance cost.
Colour range and availability
element13 has the widest colour range of any product in the V&G range. The practical distinction for project planning is between stock colours (available from the Sydney warehouse with no minimum order quantity) and non-stock colours (which require manufacturing in China with minimum order quantities and 10-12 week lead times).
Stock colours — no MOQ, available ex-Sydney
- Solid finishes: Opal, Salt, Tungsten, Charcoal, Carbon, and additional colours
- Metallic finishes: Silver, Mercury, Iron, Nickel, Calamine, and additional colours
Stock colours ship from the Sydney warehouse on standard lead times. For projects with tight programmes, specifying from the stock range removes manufacturing lead time from the critical path.
Non-stock colours — MOQ applies
- Solids and metallics: 30+ additional colours beyond the stock range
- Woodgrain: Taeda, Burma, Beech, Hickory, Chestnut, Bloodwood
- Imitation finishes: Lava, Rust, Jewel, Ash, Zinc, Bronzite
- Bright colours: Emerald, Ruby, Cobalt, Sapphire, and more (warranty subject to individual assessment)
- Custom colour matching is available for large orders
Non-stock colours are manufactured to order with a 10-12 week production and shipping lead from China. Early colour selection during design development is important to avoid programme delays. Bright colours carry additional warranty assessment due to the inherent challenges of UV stability in highly pigmented PVDF formulations — an industry-wide consideration, not specific to element13.
When is element13 the right specification?
element13 is not the answer to every facade brief, but there are clear project types where it is the most practical and well-documented choice:
- Recladding and remediation projects — element13 is the industry standard for replacing non-compliant ACP. The eight-test compliance suite directly addresses the evidence gap that led to the remediation requirement in the first place.
- New build facades requiring a flat panel aesthetic — Where the design intent is a flush, flat-faced panel rather than a profiled or interlocking system, element13 delivers that cleanly in solid aluminium.
- Projects requiring comprehensive compliance evidence — Some certifiers and approval authorities require more than an AS1530.1 certificate. The element13 compliance pack provides eight test reports across fire, impact, weather, structural, coating, and hail performance — a level of documentation that reduces RFIs and certification delays.
- Coastal and high-wind environments — Cyclonic wind load testing to AS 4040.3 (ULS 5559Pa) and PVDF coating for salt spray resistance make element13 suitable for exposed coastal projects and regions C and D.
- Projects where long-term maintenance cost matters — PVDF coating longevity, combined with solid aluminium’s resistance to delamination, means fewer maintenance interventions over the building’s life. For asset owners and strata managers, this is a cost-of-ownership consideration, not just a specification one.
Design and installation considerations
Panel sizes and weight. Four standard configurations from two widths (1250mm, 1500mm) and two lengths (3200mm, 4000mm). At 8.13 kg/m², element13 is roughly half the weight of fibre cement cladding — relevant for substructure design and recladding projects where the existing structure may have limited capacity for additional dead load.
Fixing methods. element13 panels are typically fixed to an aluminium subframe using rivets or screws. The conneQt adaptor and batten system from V&G provides a compatible substructure solution. Fixing centres, edge distances, and structural adequacy of the subframe should be confirmed by the facade engineer based on the project’s specific wind load requirements.
Edge details and panel orientation. Panels can be oriented vertically or horizontally. Joint details, shadow gaps, and edge treatments are design decisions that should be resolved in the facade engineering package. V&G can provide technical guidance on standard detail options.
Thermal movement. Aluminium has a coefficient of thermal expansion of approximately 23 um/m/K. For a 4000mm panel, a 40 degree temperature range produces roughly 3.7mm of movement. Fixing details should accommodate this with slotted holes or similar provisions.
Specification checklist
When specifying element13, include the following in your documentation:
- Panel dimensions (width x length from the four standard options)
- Colour and finish (stock or non-stock, with MOQ confirmation if applicable)
- Coating system (PPG PVDF, AAMA 2605:2020)
- Fixing method and subframe system
- Substrate and insulation details
- Compliance references (AS1530.1, AS1530.3, AS/NZS 4284, AS 4040.3, AAMA 2605, ASTM E695, ANSI FM 4473)
- Reference to element13 Compliance Pack for certifier and approval authority review
Documentation and downloads
The element13 Technical Manual (44 pages) covers installation, fixing details, handling, storage, and maintenance. The element13 Compliance Pack (32 pages) contains all eight test reports with full laboratory data.
Both documents are available for download from the element13 product page, or contact Valmond & Gibson directly for project-specific documentation support.
Related Reading
- interloQ Specification Guide: Everything You Need to Know
- Solid Aluminium vs Composite Panels: A Compliance Guide
- Choosing the Right Aluminium Facade System for Your Project
- AS 1530 Fire Tests Explained: What Each Test Measures and Why It Matters
Last updated: 3 April 2026