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Choose the facade profile first, then confirm the exact panel thickness, support system and usable coverage. Flat sheets suit clean, large-format elevations; grooved panels create expressed joints; weatherboards and shingles produce overlapping textures. Thicknesses are not interchangeable: documented products range from 4 mm shingles to 8 mm, 9 mm and 11 mm facade panels, with different fixing and span requirements.
For a reliable order, measure each wall plane, subtract openings only when your cutting layout makes that deduction realistic, divide by the manufacturer’s published coverage, and add a layout-based allowance for cuts and breakage. Installed cost depends heavily on country, access, substrate and detailing. An Australian 2026 benchmark is A$40–A$90/m² ex-GST for sheet cladding and A$50–A$110/m² ex-GST for profiled weatherboards; it is not a universal price.
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Start with the profile: appearance and installation are linked
A facade “profile” is more than a surface pattern. It determines module size, joint layout, support spacing, fastener positions, corner treatment and the amount of cutting at windows and doors. Select a system that fits the elevation before comparing prices per square metre.
Large flat facade sheets
Large-format sheets give a quiet, modern field with fewer visible breaks when the elevation suits the sheet module. A documented Swisspearl Panel example is 8 mm thick, with a maximum width of 1,220 mm and maximum length of 3,050 mm. Hardie Panel is listed in raw sizes up to 3,048 × 1,220 mm. Large sheets can be efficient on broad, uninterrupted walls, but joints and lifting become significant at openings and upper storeys.
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Grooved or expressed-joint panels
Grooves or deliberately expressed joints create a regular vertical, horizontal or grid rhythm. Matrix and ExoTec examples use defined support and fixing systems rather than generic cladding screws. The joint pattern must be drawn before ordering because the groove spacing, support lines and edge cuts control both appearance and waste.
Weatherboard profiles
Horizontal overlapping or splayed boards give a familiar siding appearance and conceal some horizontal joints through the lap. Chalkline’s Australian product table lists Linea boards in 150 mm and 180 mm widths with a 16 mm thickness. Board systems require attention to starter details, corners, window heads and the cumulative effect of laps on the finished height.
Vertical-groove panels
Axon-style products use vertical shadow lines to make a tall elevation read as a series of narrow boards. Groove spacing and sheet dimensions vary by local product guide, so do not transfer a spacing from one market or product to another. Confirm the current guide before setting out battens or openings.
Shingle or slate modules
Small overlapping units create a textured, broken-up facade. Swisspearl’s documented 4 mm shingle formats include rectangular and honeycomb modules of 300 × 300 mm, 200 × 300 mm, 120 × 150 mm and 200 × 200 mm. Shingles normally create more perimeter cuts and more individual fixing points than large sheets; their visual benefit should be weighed against that installation time.
| Profile | Typical visual effect | Where it works best | Main planning issue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large flat sheet | Broad, clean planes | Wide elevations with compatible sheet modules | Large-sheet handling and precise joint alignment |
| Grooved/expressed joint | Regular shadow lines or a grid | Designs where joint rhythm is intentional | Support and fastener layout must follow the system |
| Weatherboard | Horizontal overlapping siding | Traditional or residential elevations | Lap, starter, corner and opening details |
| Vertical groove | Tall, narrow shadow lines | Elevations needing vertical emphasis | Verify local groove spacing and sheet dimensions |
| Shingle/slate | Textured, small-module surface | Feature walls and highly articulated facades | More cuts, joints and fixing points |
How much thickness do you need?
Thickness is product-specific. It affects mass, stiffness, span behaviour, edge strength and the fixing schedule, but a thicker board is not automatically a suitable substitute for another manufacturer’s thinner board. Use the structural and fixing tables for the exact product code.
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| Documented example | Thickness | Published dimensions or mass | Fire information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardie Panel | 8 mm or 11 mm | Raw lengths 2,438 or 3,048 mm; raw width 1,220 mm; listed masses 10.2 or 14.4 kg/m² | A2-s1,d0 |
| Swisspearl Panel | 8 mm | Maximum 1,220 mm wide × 3,050 mm long | Confirm the classification for the selected finish and market |
| ExoTec facade sheet | 9 mm | 2,400 × 1,200 mm sheet: 49.4 kg and 2.88 m² coverage; 3,000 × 1,200 mm sheet: 61.8 kg and 3.6 m² coverage | Confirm the project-specific classification in the current guide |
| Swisspearl shingles | 4 mm | Documented modules include 300 × 300, 200 × 300, 120 × 150 and 200 × 200 mm | EN 12467:2012+A2:2018 and EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 are cited for the documented shingles |
Use thickness with the span and support table
Ask for the allowable support spacing, edge-distance rules, fastener type and maximum unsupported span for the exact thickness. A panel that looks similar may require closer top-hats or battens, additional perimeter fixings or a different joint detail. Never enlarge support spacing because a different brand offers an 8 mm or 9 mm board.
Check fire classification in the project context
Fire performance belongs to the complete wall build-up, not only the visible board. Confirm the panel’s classification, cavity barriers, insulation, membrane and substrate requirements with the designer and the authority having jurisdiction. Hardie Panel is listed as A2-s1,d0 in the cited product information; the Swisspearl shingle documentation cites the European standards above. Those statements do not approve every facade assembly or every national code application.
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Sheet dimensions, usable coverage and handling
Nominal dimensions are not the same as installed coverage. Joint gaps, laps, edge clearances and trimmed edges reduce the area covered by each piece. Use the manufacturer’s nominal or usable coverage, not a calculation based only on the outside dimensions.
| System example | Size information | Published coverage or mass | Ordering implication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardie Panel | Up to 3,048 × 1,220 mm; 8 or 11 mm | Mass listed as 10.2 or 14.4 kg/m² | Confirm cut size, joint allowance and safe lifting plan |
| Swisspearl Panel | Up to 3,050 × 1,220 mm; 8 mm | Not stated in the cited information | Obtain weight and pack details before delivery |
| ExoTec short sheet | 2,400 × 1,200 mm; 9 mm | 2.88 m²; 49.4 kg | Plan two-person or mechanical handling and access |
| ExoTec long sheet | 3,000 × 1,200 mm; 9 mm | 3.6 m²; 61.8 kg | Check hoisting route, storage and pack placement |
ExoTec is listed as 16 sheets per pack or one sheet. A pack can therefore impose a far greater delivery and storage load than the area calculation suggests. Confirm whether the distributor will split packs, how sheets must be stored, and whether the truck can reach the unloading point.
Calculate the number of panels without under-ordering
Use a drawn layout whenever the facade has many openings, corners, staggered joints or narrow strips. The following method is a starting quantity check, not a substitute for the installer’s cutting schedule.
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- Measure every facade plane. Record width and height separately for gables, parapets, returns and recessed sections. Keep dimensions in metres and note changes in level.
- Mark openings and obstructions. Include windows, doors, vents, service penetrations, downpipes and large masonry returns. Do not subtract every opening automatically: a panel cut around an opening may leave an offcut that cannot be reused elsewhere.
- Calculate net wall area. Multiply each plane’s width by height, then subtract only those openings that your layout can genuinely avoid buying.
- Divide by published coverage. Use the manufacturer’s usable coverage. For the documented ExoTec sizes, that is 2.88 m² or 3.6 m² per sheet.
- Add a layout-based allowance. Account for corners, reveals, staggered joints, penetrations, unusable narrow strips and damaged cuts. Set the percentage after drawing the layout; there is no universal waste number.
- Round up to sellable units and check pack rules. A calculation may produce 10.2 sheets, but the supplier may sell 16-sheet packs or require a full unit. Confirm availability before finalising the order.
Worked example using ExoTec coverage
Suppose three facade planes total 12.0 m × 3.2 m, or 38.4 m². Two 1.2 m × 1.5 m windows remove 3.6 m² and a 0.9 m × 2.1 m door removes 1.89 m². If the cutting plan allows those deductions, the net area is 32.91 m².
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- Using 3.6 m² sheets: 32.91 ÷ 3.6 = 9.14, so 10 sheets is the minimum before waste. With the same 10% planning allowance, order 11 sheets, subject to the supplier’s pack rule and the actual cut plan.
The two results are not interchangeable: the longer sheet covers more area but weighs 61.8 kg and may create more difficult cuts or handling at a particular elevation.
Lay out joints before you decide the waste allowance
Waste is driven by geometry, not by a standard percentage printed on a quotation. Draw the panel grid over elevations and show the actual joint positions around windows, doors and corners. Look for reusable offcuts that meet the minimum size and fixing requirements; an attractive arrangement that leaves many unusable slivers can cost more than a slightly different joint rhythm.
EQUITONE publishes economic-module guidance intended to reduce uneconomic cuts. Use that type of modular planning to align sheet lengths with storey heights, centre joints on openings where appropriate and avoid narrow pieces at exposed corners. The final allowance should also cover accidental damage, edge chips and any finish-specific cutting restrictions stated by the manufacturer.
What installed facade cladding costs
There is no single global price. Labour rates, access, substrate condition, fire detailing, insulation, cavity construction and local taxes can move the installed figure more than the visible panel price.
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| Benchmark | Published installed range | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Profiled weatherboards | A$50–A$110/m² ex-GST | Chalkline, Australian estimate for 2026; product specification and site conditions vary |
| Sheet cladding | A$40–A$90/m² ex-GST | Chalkline, Australian estimate for 2026; use as a local benchmark, not a universal rate |
| EQUITONE project pricing | Not stated as a fixed rate | EQUITONE says project size, design requirements and installation considerations affect the tailored estimate |
The Australian figures are ex-GST and should not be converted into a quote for another country without replacing both currency and construction assumptions. They also do not guarantee that a particular thickness, finish, cavity or access arrangement is included.
Require an itemised quotation
Ask each supplier or installer to separate the following:
- Panel material by exact product code, thickness, finish and colour.
- Trims, flashings, corner pieces, sill and head details.
- Cavity battens or proprietary top-hat sections, membranes and insulation interfaces.
- Compatible fasteners, washers, sealants and cut-edge treatment.
- Setting out, cutting, waste, delivery, hoisting, scaffolding or other access equipment.
- Installation labour, inspection and any remedial work to the substrate.
ExoTec documentation identifies a proprietary top-hat support section for its facade-panel fixing system. If a quote substitutes generic rails, request written confirmation that the substitution is approved for the panel, span, wind loads and fire design.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Confirm the wall build-up and fixing system
Before ordering, obtain the current installation guide for the exact product and region. Confirm support spacing, joint width, fastener type and length, edge distances, sealants, ventilation openings and treatment of cut edges. A facade panel is one component of a rainscreen or drained cavity assembly; the cavity, membrane, flashings and barriers must work together.
Questions for the designer or installer
- What substrate and support lines are present, and are they plumb enough for the specified joint tolerance?
- Where are cavity barriers, fire stops and ventilation paths located?
- Which fasteners are approved for the exposure category and substrate?
- How are external corners, internal corners, parapets, window heads, sills and penetrations flashed?
- What primer, sealant or edge coating is required after cutting?
- How will the selected finish be cleaned and maintained, and what actions could affect its warranty?
Plan delivery, storage and safe handling
Large sheets are heavy, flexible and vulnerable to edge damage. The cited ExoTec sizes weigh about 49.4 kg and 61.8 kg each. Price safe movement before the truck arrives: unloading space, a route through gates and doors, temporary storage, lifting equipment and enough people for controlled handling.
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- Verify the delivery vehicle can reach the unloading point and that the ground can support the load.
- Keep sheets protected from weather and stored exactly as the manufacturer specifies; do not improvise a storage method that causes bowing or edge damage.
- Do not carry a 49–62 kg sheet up scaffolding by hand unless the handling plan and site risk assessment specifically allow it.
- Inspect packs on arrival, photograph damage and record batch or colour information before installation.
Common buying mistakes and how to prevent them
Ordering by gross wall area
Gross area ignores openings, joints, laps and unusable cuts. Use a plane-by-plane layout and the published coverage, then round to the supplier’s selling unit.
Mixing thicknesses or fixing schedules
An 8 mm sheet from one system is not evidence that another 8 mm sheet can use the same supports or screws. Match every component to the current technical table.
Comparing panel-only prices
A low sheet price can disappear when trims, top-hats, flashings, access and cutting are added. Compare itemised installed scopes, not isolated material rates.
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Ignoring the delivery route
A long sheet or a full 16-sheet pack may require mechanical handling or a different vehicle. Confirm this before manufacturing or dispatch.
Assuming a fire rating transfers to the whole wall
Panel classification does not automatically certify insulation, membranes, cavity barriers and fixings as a complete assembly. Obtain the approval applicable to your building and location.
Quick Recap
A practical decision sequence
- Choose the visual profile and draw the intended joint rhythm.
- Shortlist products whose sheet or module sizes fit the elevation with acceptable cuts.
- Confirm thickness, support spacing, fixing schedule and fire documentation for the exact product.
- Calculate usable coverage from the manufacturer’s data and prepare a cutting layout.
- Add layout-based waste, then check pack quantities, weight and delivery access.
- Collect itemised quotes that include the complete cavity, trim, fixing, access and labour scope.
- Approve colour, finish, edge treatment and warranty conditions only after the installation details are resolved.
Final pre-order checklist
- Profile and joint pattern approved on an elevation drawing.
- Exact product code, thickness, dimensions and finish recorded.
- Usable coverage and quantity calculated from the manufacturer’s data.
- Waste allowance justified by the cutting plan.
- Support, cavity, membrane, fire-stop and fixing details coordinated.
- Fire classification and local code acceptance confirmed for the complete wall build-up.
- Trims, flashings, sealants and cut-edge treatment included.
- Pack size, sheet mass, delivery access, storage and lifting method agreed.
- Quote separates material, labour, access, delivery and taxes.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
