Ordering aluminium cladding accurately saves time, avoids waste, and keeps your programme on track. Whether you’re ordering interlocking rainscreen panels, solid aluminium sheets, or aluminium battens, the process is straightforward when you provide the right information upfront.
Here is what Valmond & Gibson needs from you to process an order efficiently.
What Information Do You Need to Provide?
Six things. Get these right and your quote comes back fast.
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Product and profile. Which system - interloQ (and which profile width), element13 (which panel size), or conneQt (which batten profile). If you are not sure, send through the architectural drawings and we will confirm what fits.
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Colour. Stock colours ship from our Sydney warehouse with short lead times. Non-stock colours require a minimum order quantity and 10-14 weeks production lead time. The earlier you confirm colour, the less risk to your programme.
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Quantity. Provide quantities in square metres for element13 panels, and in lineal metres for interloQ profiles and conneQt battens. Include a 5-10% waste allowance as standard. Complex geometries or buildings with lots of corners and penetrations may need 10-15%.
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Panel sizes (element13). If you know your cut sizes, provide them. If you are cutting on site, specify which standard sheet size you need - 1250mm or 1500mm wide, in 3200mm or 4000mm lengths. Working back from standard sheets and nesting your cut sizes efficiently minimises waste and cost.
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Delivery address and required date. Lead time varies depending on stock availability and quantity. Order early, particularly for non-stock colours.
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Project name and any special requirements. Staged deliveries, special packaging, or compliance documentation needed with delivery - let us know upfront so nothing holds up handover on site.
What Is the Difference Between Stock and Custom Colours?
This is the single biggest factor in your lead time.
Stock colours - including Salt, Carbon, Silver, Charcoal, and other core range colours - are held in our Auburn warehouse in Sydney. No minimum order quantity. Lead time is typically days to a few weeks depending on the quantity and any cutting required.
Non-stock colours require production. Minimum order quantities apply, and lead time is 10-14 weeks from confirmed order to arrival at our Sydney warehouse. If the project calls for a non-stock colour, this needs to be identified and ordered early in the programme. Waiting until you are ready to install is too late.
Woodgrain and special finishes carry longer lead times again and have their own MOQs. Request samples early so colour approvals do not become the bottleneck.
What Are the Most Common Ordering Mistakes?
These come up regularly and they are all avoidable.
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Ordering from architectural drawings without site-verifying dimensions. Drawings and as-built conditions differ. Measure before you order, especially on refurbishment and reclad projects.
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Not accounting for waste. 5-10% is the minimum for standard facades. Complex geometries, curved sections, or buildings with many penetrations need 10-15%. Under-ordering means a second order, a second delivery, and potentially a second production run if you are on a non-stock colour.
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Ordering non-stock colours too late. Ten to fourteen weeks is a long time when the builder is asking why cladding is not on the wall. Confirm colour early.
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Not specifying the correct interloQ profile. interloQ comes in multiple profile widths. Each has different coverage rates and different aesthetic results. Check the specification before ordering.
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Ordering element13 panel dimensions that do not nest efficiently. If your cut sizes do not nest well on standard sheets, you pay for the waste. We can help you optimise panel layouts to get the best yield from each sheet.
How Does Delivery Work?
V&G delivers from our warehouse in Auburn, Sydney. Delivery method depends on quantity and your location. For site deliveries, we need to know about access constraints - can a truck get in, is there crane access if needed, and are there time-of-day restrictions for deliveries.
For interstate or regional deliveries, discuss logistics early so we can plan the most efficient route and method.
Can I Return Unused Material?
Aluminium cladding is cut and processed to order. Custom-cut panels and non-stock colour material cannot be returned. This is why accurate ordering matters - measure twice, order once.
Stock colour material in original condition may be assessed for return on a case-by-case basis, but do not rely on this as a safety net for over-ordering.
How Do I Get Started?
Contact us with the six items listed above and we will turn around pricing quickly. If you are early in the project and do not have final quantities yet, get in touch anyway. Early engagement on colour selection and lead times prevents programme surprises down the track. It costs nothing to have the conversation early, and it can save weeks later.
Related Reading
- Aluminium Cladding Lead Times: What to Expect and How to Plan
- Panel Sizes and Module Planning for Aluminium Cladding
- Understanding Facade Supply Chains: Domestic vs International
- Colour Selection for Aluminium Facades: Stock, Custom, and Everything In Between
Last updated: 4 April 2026