What is inside an Alucobond panel
Every Alucobond panel is a sandwich. Two thin aluminum skins, each 0.5 mm thick, coated in PVDF for color stability and weather resistance. Between them sits a core, typically 3 or 4 mm thick, which determines almost all of the panel's fire behavior. Total finished thickness ends up at 4 or 6 mm depending on configuration.
The aluminum skins are largely a design and durability story. The core is the engineering story. There are three core types you will encounter in the market, and they are not interchangeable.
PE: Polyethylene core
PE panels use a pure polyethylene core. They are the cheapest version of the product and they look identical to any other Alucobond panel from the outside. The problem is fuel. A solid block of polyethylene behaves like a fuel source in a serious fire, and the consequences of cladding fires using PE panels have been catastrophic.
Most modern building codes restrict PE panels to ground floor commercial signage and similar low-risk uses. They are not appropriate for residential, office, or any building above one story. We do not work with PE.
FR: Fire Retardant core
FR panels replace most of the polyethylene with mineral fire retardants. The result is a core that resists ignition and significantly reduces flame spread. FR panels meet the Israeli code 921 standard for buildings up to nine stories, and they are the standard specification for most residential and commercial projects.
FR is the panel grade you will see on the majority of new mid-rise developments, office buildings, and any project where code 921 compliance is required but a fully non-combustible core is not mandated.
A2: Non-combustible core
A2 panels go one step further. The core is fully mineral with effectively no organic content. By European standard EN 13501-1, an A2 rating means the material does not contribute meaningfully to a fire. For high-rises, hospitals, schools and any building where the strictest interpretation of fire safety applies, A2 is the only acceptable specification.
A2 panels cost more than FR, and they are slightly heavier. For the project types that require them, the cost difference is not negotiable.
How to specify the right grade
For most projects, the building code does the work for you. A standard apartment building of seven floors will require FR. A high-rise of twenty floors will require A2. Public buildings, hospitals and schools default to A2 regardless of height.
The judgment calls happen at the margins. A nine-story building can use FR by code, but if budget allows, A2 gives you a clear margin of safety and resale comfort. A villa is not required to use either by code, but a serious villa project will still specify FR as standard practice. We default to FR or A2 for every project we deliver.
- Villas and low-rise buildings: FR is standard
- Mid-rise residential and commercial up to 9 floors: FR is code-compliant
- High-rises, public buildings, schools, hospitals: A2 is required
- Cost difference FR to A2: typically 10 to 18 percent on panel price
- PE: not specified by serious contractors
Frequently asked questions
Can I use FR panels on a 12-story building?
No. Israeli code 921 restricts FR to buildings up to nine stories. Anything taller requires A2 panels with a fully mineral core. This is a non-negotiable code requirement, not a recommendation.
How can I tell which grade I am being quoted?
The grade is stamped on the back of every panel and listed on the manufacturer specification sheet. You should require this documentation as part of any cladding quote. If a contractor will not provide it, walk away.
Is A2 always worth the extra cost?
For high-rises and public buildings it is required by code, so the question does not apply. For mid-rise buildings where FR is allowed, A2 provides a stronger safety margin and protects resale value, especially as regulations tighten over time.
What about panels imported from outside Europe?
Be careful. Panel certification varies by region, and some imported panels labeled "FR" do not meet the European or Israeli fire standards. We specify only panels from manufacturers with verifiable EU certification and code-921 testing.
