What Are Textured Finishes on Aluminium Cladding?
Most aluminium facade systems are finished in smooth powder coat or PVDF - a flat, consistent surface that reflects light uniformly. Textured finishes take a different approach. They introduce a fine to medium grain surface profile that catches light at varying angles, producing a softer, more tactile appearance than a standard smooth coating.
The result is a facade that reads as less reflective, less industrial, and closer in visual character to natural materials. For architects working with mixed-material palettes - stone, brick, timber elements - a textured aluminium finish can sit more comfortably alongside those surfaces than a high-sheen smooth coat.
Valmond & Gibson supplies interloQ interlocking rainscreen cladding in the Interpon D2525 Structura texture range, a superdurable polyester powder coat with an integrated textured surface profile.
How Is the Texture Created?
The texture in a Structura finish is not a secondary coating or an applied layer on top of a smooth base. It is inherent in the powder coat chemistry itself. During curing, special resins in the powder formulation react to create the surface profile as part of the coating process. The texture forms as the coating cures - it is the finish, not something added to it.
This matters because the texture is consistent across the full surface area and bonded at the same level as the colour and protective chemistry. There is no interface between a smooth layer and a textured layer where adhesion could eventually fail.
How Does It Perform Compared to Smooth Finishes?
Structura textures are part of the Interpon D2525 superdurable polyester range, and they meet the same durability standards as the smooth finishes in that range. UV resistance, colour retention, and corrosion protection are comparable. Specifiers do not need to compromise on coating performance to gain a textured aesthetic.
For cleaning, the same approach applies as smooth powder coat - mild detergent and warm water. A textured surface can hold slightly more dust than a perfectly smooth one, but the difference is minor and does not change the maintenance regime in any meaningful way.
Where Do Textured Finishes Work Best?
Textured aluminium is not the right choice for every project, but there are specific design conditions where it earns its place.
Reduced glare. On facades near roads, pedestrian areas, or residential buildings, smooth aluminium can produce sharp reflections depending on orientation and sun angle. A textured surface diffuses reflected light, softening the visual impact of the facade on its surroundings.
Natural material palettes. When the design language draws on stone, brick, or timber, a textured aluminium finish reads as more material and less manufactured. It sits better alongside those surfaces than a glossy smooth coat would.
Softer visual character. Aged care, residential, and education projects often call for facade materials that feel quieter and less corporate. Textured finishes deliver that without changing the underlying material or its performance characteristics.
Handling tolerance. Minor surface imperfections from site handling - light scuffs or contact marks - are less visible on a textured surface than on a smooth one. This is a practical benefit rather than a design consideration, but it is worth noting for projects where panels are installed across large areas with multiple handling stages.
What Colours Are Available?
Structura textures are available in a range of earth tones and neutral colours that suit the applications described above. The full standard colour range for smooth Interpon D2525 is not replicated in textured form - the available palette is more focused.
Not every colour you can get in smooth will be available in textured. Check availability early in the specification process with V&G, particularly if the project requires a specific colour match. Custom colours may be possible depending on volume.
What Does It Cost?
Textured finishes carry a small premium over standard smooth powder coat in the same Interpon D2525 range. The exact uplift depends on the colour selected and the order volume. It is not a significant cost step for most projects, but it is worth confirming pricing at the quoting stage rather than assuming parity with smooth.
Always Request Physical Samples
This is the single most important piece of advice for specifying a textured finish: request physical samples. The texture, depth, and light behaviour of a Structura finish cannot be assessed from photographs, digital renders, or colour swatches. A photograph will show you the colour. It will not show you the surface.
Valmond & Gibson can provide physical samples for specification review. If you are considering a textured finish for a project, start with samples early so the design team can evaluate the texture in the context of the project’s material palette and lighting conditions.
Summary
interloQ is available in both smooth and textured Interpon D2525 Structura finishes. The texture is built into the coating chemistry, meets the same superdurable performance standards as smooth, and is suited to projects where reduced glare, softer aesthetics, or natural material compatibility are part of the design intent. Check colour availability and request samples before specifying.
Related Reading
- Colour Selection for Aluminium Facades
- Woodgrain Finishes on Aluminium Facades
- interloQ Specification Guide
- Colour Stability and UV Resistance in Aluminium Facade Coatings
Last updated: 4 April 2026