Mainline Products
Mainline Products

What Alupanel panels are used for?

We stock fixings for Alupanel aluminium composite panels - an ACM system used on commercial and residential rainscreen façade projects. Unlike fibre cement or HPL brands, Alupanel is installed in two distinct ways: a face-fixed rivet system and a cassette joint recess system, where screws fix to aluminium rails behind the panel face. The products on this page cover both. Check your Alupanel installation guide to confirm which system your project specifies before ordering.

Which rivets do I need for face-fixed Alupanel installations?

Two rivet head profiles are available; each is suited to different installation requirements. Large flange dome head rivets distribute load across a wider surface area and are available in two sizes:

  • 5 x 12 x 11mm - 11mm head diameter.
  • 5 x 12 x 14mm - 14mm head diameter.

Standard dome head rivets have a smaller head profile and are available in two sizes:

  • 4 x 12 x 8mm - 8mm head diameter.
  • 4.8 x 15 x 9.5mm - 9.5mm head diameter.

All four rivets are available unpainted or color-matched in Standard, Gloss, Woodgrain, Metallic or Chameleon finishes.

Which screws do I need for cassette joint Alupanel installations?

For Alupanel cassette joint recess systems, self-drilling low profile stainless steel screws are used to fix the panel recess to aluminium rails. The self-drilling tip removes the need for a pilot hole, making cassette joint installation faster across large elevations. Standard A2 stainless steel low profile screws are also available in two lengths - make sure you refer to your Alupanel installation guide to confirm which is correct for your application.

What installation tools do I need?

Three tools are needed for a correct Alupanel face-fixed rivet installation:

  • Centralising drilling tool - two sizes are available. The 8.5 x 5.1mm tool is for metal subframes with an 8mm nose diameter and a 5.1mm drill bit. The 7 x 5.1mm tool produces 7.5mm sliding-point holes with the same 5.1mm fixed-point drill. Replacement 5.1mm drill bits are available separately.
  • HSS step drill bit - 5.1mm x 8.5mm and 5.1mm x 7mm - for drilling through aluminium subframe and Alupanel cladding simultaneously. Alupanel is an ACM panel - HSS is the correct bit type. Do not use carbide drill bits on aluminium composite panels.
  • Rivet setting nose piece - K11 - a precision-machined circular contact attachment for aluminium rainscreen panels, ensuring each rivet is set exactly 0.3mm away from the panel face to allow for thermal movement after installation. Refer to your Alupanel installation guide to confirm the correct nose piece for your rivet size before starting.

Can my Alupanel fixings be color-matched?

Every rivet and screw on this page can be factory-painted to your exact Alupanel panel color, whether that is a RAL reference, a BS code, or a paint-to-sample match. The head is painted before dispatch, and the match is guaranteed. There is a 25-year coating warranty on all painted fixings. You can also order a free sample pack to check the color against your panel before anything goes into production.

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