Architectural Metal Cladding for Commercial Buildings: Materials, Design & Installation

VIC Metal Roofing
Jun 7
9 min read

Updated: Jun 11

Drive through any of Victoria’s major commercial and industrial precincts and you will notice something. The buildings that stand out - the ones that look considered, modern, and built to last - almost always feature metal cladding on their facades. It is no coincidence. Architectural metal cladding has become the material of choice for commercial developers, builders, and building managers across Melbourne and regional Victoria, and for good reason.

But for many people commissioning or managing a commercial building project, cladding is an unfamiliar topic. What exactly is it? When does it get used? What materials are involved, and what does the installation process actually look like? And crucially - why does it matter who installs it?

This article answers all of those questions. Whether you are planning a new commercial build, upgrading the facade of an existing facility, or simply trying to understand what your architect or builder is recommending - this is the guide to read first.

What Is Architectural Metal Cladding?

Cladding is the outer layer of material applied to the exterior walls or facade of a building. It is not structural - it does not hold the building up. Instead, it serves three distinct purposes: it protects the underlying structure from weather and physical damage, it contributes to the building’s thermal and acoustic performance, and it defines how the building looks.

Architectural metal cladding specifically refers to cladding systems made from steel, aluminium, zinc, or composite metal panels, installed in a way that is deliberately designed to be seen. Unlike a basic corrugated iron wall bolted to an industrial shed, architectural cladding is specified by architects and designers as part of the visual language of the building. The choice of material, profile, colour, orientation, and fixing method all contribute to the finished appearance.

In commercial and industrial construction, metal cladding is applied to:

External wall facades - the primary visible face of the building
Parapets and fascias - the upper edges and trims of commercial buildings
Canopies and awnings - weather protection over entries and loading docks
Screening panels - to conceal plant equipment, car parks, or service areas
Internal feature walls - in commercial fit-outs where the industrial aesthetic is intentional

Cladding vs roofing: what’s the difference?

Roofing covers the top of the building. Cladding covers the sides. Both use similar metal materials and are often installed by the same specialist contractor - which is why combining both on a commercial project with a single trade makes logistical and quality sense. At VIC Metal Roofing, we install both as part of complete building envelope packages.

When Does Architectural Metal Cladding Get Specified?

Metal cladding is typically specified at the design stage of a new commercial or industrial build, but it also appears in several other scenarios that building owners and managers encounter:

New commercial and industrial construction

For new warehouses, factories, logistics facilities, commercial offices, and mixed-use developments, metal cladding is specified from the outset. Architects work with builders and cladding contractors to select profiles, colours, and fixing systems that meet both the design intent and the performance requirements of the building.

This is where the broadest range of design options is available - the facade can be planned as a key feature of the building from the ground up, with cladding profiles chosen to complement the roofing system and create a cohesive exterior.

Facade upgrades on existing commercial buildings

Older commercial buildings - particularly those built in the 1980s and 1990s - often have dated, deteriorating, or non-compliant external wall materials. Replacing the facade cladding is one of the most impactful upgrades a building owner can make: it extends the building’s service life, improves weather tightness, boosts thermal performance, and dramatically modernises the building’s appearance.

For commercial property investors and owners, a facade upgrade translates directly to improved tenancy appeal and asset value. A building that looks contemporary and well-maintained attracts better tenants and supports higher rental yields.

Asbestos wall cladding replacement

Just as asbestos cement was used extensively in commercial roofing before 1990, it was also used in external wall cladding - particularly on older warehouses, factories, and industrial facilities. When this material deteriorates, it creates both a health and safety obligation and an opportunity: replacing it with modern architectural metal cladding resolves the compliance issue while delivering a building that looks and performs significantly better than the original.

Fit-outs and extensions

When a commercial building is extended or a new section is added, metal cladding on the new walls needs to match or complement the existing building envelope. Similarly, internal commercial fit-outs increasingly use exposed metal cladding as a design feature - particularly in hospitality, retail, and industrial-aesthetic office environments.

Metal Cladding Materials: What Are the Options?

Not all metal cladding is the same. The material choice has a significant impact on the appearance, longevity, maintenance requirements, and cost of the finished facade. Here is a breakdown of the main options used in Victorian commercial construction.

Colorbond® steel

Colorbond® is the dominant material in Australian commercial cladding, and for good reason. Made by BlueScope Steel, it is specifically engineered for the Australian climate - tested for UV resistance, thermal performance, and corrosion resistance across coastal, inland, and high-humidity environments.

For commercial cladding, Colorbond® is available in over 50 standard colours and a range of profiles. It carries a manufacturer’s warranty of up to 36 years on the steel substrate (depending on the product and environment), making it one of the most reliable long-term cladding choices available. It is the material VIC Metal Roofing works with most frequently on commercial and industrial cladding projects.

Zincalume® steel

Zincalume® is the unpainted metallic-finish steel substrate that underpins Colorbond®. Used as a finished cladding product in its own right, it delivers a distinctive silver-grey metallic appearance that suits industrial and contemporary architectural styles. It is particularly well suited to high-exposure coastal or industrial environments where corrosion resistance is a priority.

Concealed-fix and standing seam profiles

Where Colorbond® corrugated or ribbed profiles show exposed fasteners, concealed-fix and standing seam cladding systems hide the fixings entirely within the panel joints. The result is a smooth, uninterrupted surface with clean vertical or horizontal lines - a premium aesthetic that is increasingly specified on commercial office buildings, retail developments, and mixed-use projects where the facade is a significant design element.

Perforated and louvred panels

Perforated metal panels - steel or aluminium sheets punched with a pattern of holes - are used where ventilation, light filtration, or visual interest is required. They are common on car park facades, plant equipment screens, and commercial building facades where a contemporary design language is desired. Louvred panels serve a similar function with greater directional airflow control.

Material	Best suited for	Durability	Key characteristic
Colorbond® steel	Warehouses, factories, commercial facades	Excellent	50+ colour options, proven Australian performance
Zincalume® steel	Industrial, high-exposure environments	Excellent	Unpainted metallic finish, corrosion-resistant substrate
Corrugated steel	Industrial sheds, agricultural, heritage	Very good	Cost-effective, classic profile, wide availability
Standing seam / concealed fix	Architectural commercial, premium facades	Excellent	Clean lines, no exposed fasteners, premium aesthetic
Perforated / louvred panels	Carparks, facades, screening applications	Very good	Ventilation + visual interest combined

Design Considerations: More Than Just a Colour Choice

One of the most common misconceptions about metal cladding is that the design process is simply a matter of picking a colour from a chart. In reality, the design decisions made during the specification stage have a lasting impact on the building’s appearance, performance, and maintenance requirements.

Profile and orientation

The profile of the cladding - whether it is corrugated, ribbed, flat, or a concealed-fix standing seam - creates light and shadow patterns that define the building’s texture and character. The orientation of the panels (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal) further shapes the visual impression: vertical cladding reads as taller and more formal; horizontal cladding feels broader and more industrial.

These decisions are rarely arbitrary. They are made in response to the building’s function, the surrounding streetscape, the client’s brand, and the site’s orientation relative to the sun.

Colour and finish

Colorbond®’s extensive colour palette gives architects and clients genuine flexibility - from the crisp neutrals of Surfmist and Shale Grey to the deeper tones of Ironstone and Monument. Colour choice also has functional implications: lighter colours reflect more solar heat, reducing cooling loads in the building. For large warehouse or factory facades with significant solar exposure, this is a meaningful energy performance consideration, not just an aesthetic one.

Mixed material facades

Contemporary commercial architecture frequently combines metal cladding with other facade materials - glazing, masonry, timber battens, or concrete panels - to create visual contrast and articulation. Metal cladding specialists need to understand how their panels interface with these other systems at the junctions, flashings, and transitions to ensure both weather tightness and a clean finished appearance.

NCC compliance

All external cladding on commercial buildings in Victoria must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), including requirements for fire performance. Since the introduction of updated NCC provisions following Australia’s non-compliant cladding crisis - which affected composite aluminium and EPS cladding systems, not steel - specification of cladding materials on commercial buildings over a certain height requires careful attention to fire test data and compliance certificates. Steel cladding systems such as Colorbond® have strong compliance credentials and are not subject to the same concerns as the aluminium composite materials implicated in high-profile incidents.

The Installation Process: What to Expect

Understanding how metal cladding is installed helps building owners and project managers set realistic expectations for timelines, site access, and disruption. Here is what a typical commercial metal cladding installation involves.

Pre-installation planning and measurement
Before a single panel is ordered, the wall surfaces are measured and inspected. The substrate - whether steel framing, purlins, or masonry - is assessed for condition and alignment. Any remediation required before cladding can proceed is identified at this stage. Panel quantities are calculated with allowances for waste and cutting, and a fixing layout is planned to ensure panels are set out symmetrically and all penetrations (windows, doors, vents, conduit) are properly accommodated.
Framing and substrate preparation
Metal cladding is fixed to a secondary framing system - typically steel girts or hat channels - that is either already part of the building structure or installed specifically for the cladding system. This framing must be plumb, level, and at the correct centres to suit the cladding profile being installed. Getting this right is critical: framing that is out of alignment produces cladding that looks wavy or uneven regardless of how well the panels themselves are installed.
Flashing and weatherproofing details
Flashings are the shaped metal components that seal the junctions between the cladding and other building elements - at the base of the wall, around window and door openings, at corners, and at the junction with the roof. These details are where most weather-tightness failures occur if they are not executed correctly. Experienced cladding installers pay as much attention to the flashings as to the panels themselves.
Panel installation
Panels are fixed progressively from one end of the wall to the other, with each panel lapped or interlocked with the adjacent one according to the manufacturer’s installation specifications. On taller buildings, scaffolding or elevated work platforms (EWPs) are used to provide safe access. For concealed-fix systems, each panel clips into a continuous bracket fixed to the framing — leaving no exposed fasteners on the finished face.
Penetrations and custom fabrication
Commercial buildings inevitably have penetrations through the cladding - louvres, exhausts, pipe penetrations, signage mounting points, and more. Each of these requires custom flashing and sealing to maintain weather tightness. On larger projects, custom-fabricated items such as corner pieces, cappings, and trim are manufactured to suit the specific profile and colour being used.
Inspection and handover
On completion, the cladding installation is inspected for panel alignment, fastener consistency, flashing quality, and overall finish. Any touch-ups to paint or sealant are completed, and the site is cleaned of off-cuts, swarf, and installation debris. Swarf - the metal filings produced during cutting - must be removed promptly from Colorbond® surfaces as it can cause rust staining if left in contact with the panels.

Handover documentation includes installation records, product warranty information, and maintenance recommendations for the building owner.

Why Choose VIC Metal Roofing for Your Commercial Cladding Project?

Architectural metal cladding is not a commodity trade. The quality of the finished result - how it looks, how it performs, and how long it lasts - depends almost entirely on the experience and attention to detail of the team installing it. Here is what sets VIC Metal Roofing apart on commercial cladding projects across Victoria.

Roofing and cladding under one roof

Most commercial buildings need both a roof and wall cladding. Managing these as separate contracts with separate trades introduces scheduling risk, coordination problems, and interface issues at the junction between the roof and the wall - one of the most critical weather-tightness details on any building. At VIC Metal Roofing, we install both. The roof and cladding are planned, detailed, and installed by the same team, eliminating the gaps that separate-trade approaches leave open.

Colorbond® specialists

We work extensively with Colorbond® and Zincalume® products across the BlueScope Steel range. This depth of product knowledge matters when it comes to selecting the right product for the environment, specifying the correct fixing system, understanding warranty conditions, and ensuring the installation meets the manufacturer’s requirements for warranty validation.

Commercial and industrial scale experience

We work with builders, developers, and commercial property owners on projects ranging from single-building facade upgrades to large-scale industrial facilities across Melbourne and regional Victoria. Our team understands the coordination requirements, the safety obligations, and the quality standards that commercial-scale projects demand.

Attention to the details that matter

Flashings, junctions, penetrations, soffits, corners - these are the details that determine whether a cladding installation performs properly over its service life. They are also the details that separate experienced cladding specialists from general trades who treat cladding as an afterthought. At VIC Metal Roofing, the detail work gets the same attention as the panels.

A single point of accountability

When VIC Metal Roofing delivers a cladding project, you have a single contractor responsible for the quality and performance of the entire building envelope. There is no finger-pointing between the roofer and the cladder if something does not perform as expected. One contract, one team, one guarantee.

Ready to Discuss Your Commercial Cladding Project?

Whether you are planning a new commercial build, upgrading the facade of an existing facility, or replacing asbestos wall cladding on an older industrial building, VIC Metal Roofing has the experience, licensing, and product knowledge to deliver the result you need.