SupplyNet is a Melbourne-based construction materials procurement company that sources, coordinates, and supplies high-specification building materials for Australian builders and developers. SupplyNet specialises in custom joinery, stone, aluminium cladding, stairs, louvres, and architectural finishes.

Who does SupplyNet supply to?

SupplyNet works primarily with custom and boutique builders, residential and commercial developers, architects, interior designers, and project managers across Victoria and Australia.

Does SupplyNet supply custom joinery in Melbourne?

Yes. SupplyNet supplies fully customised cabinetry, vanities, wardrobes, kitchen joinery, and commercial joinery packages manufactured to project-specific drawings with full QA inspection.

How does SupplyNet ensure quality?

SupplyNet conducts staged factory QA inspections, video verification, and optional in-person inspections before shipping. All products are pre-assembled in the factory to verify fit and finish before being packed for delivery to Australia.

How long does delivery take?

Typical lead times are 8 to 14 weeks from confirmed order, depending on package complexity. This includes production, quality inspection, shipping, and Australian customs clearance.

Does SupplyNet supply stone benchtops?

Yes. SupplyNet supplies natural stone, engineered stone, marble, granite, and porcelain benchtops, splashbacks, and cladding panels sourced from international quarries with full fabrication and quality inspection.

Does imported material comply with Australian standards?

Yes. All products supplied by SupplyNet comply with Australian NCC standards. SupplyNet provides evidence of suitability documentation, material certifications, and compliance records as required by building surveyors.

How much can builders save with SupplyNet?

Builders typically save 20 to 45 percent compared to equivalent quality local manufacturing in Australia, depending on the material category and project volume. Savings include all procurement coordination, inspection, shipping, and delivery costs.

What is the typical lead time for joinery, stone, and stair packages from SupplyNet?

Most custom interior packages run 6 to 10 weeks from approved shop drawings to container arrival in Melbourne or Sydney. Lead time depends on package complexity, finish certifications, and the factory schedule at order time. We confirm exact dates at quote stage.

How does SupplyNet handle quality assurance on offshore-manufactured joinery and stone?

Every package goes through staged factory QA: drawings reviewed pre-production, sample sign-off, in-process inspection, and full container QA before dispatch. Optional in-person QA visits in China are available for high-value packages.

How does SupplyNet manage shop drawings and drawing interpretation between Australian builders and offshore factories?

We translate Australian architectural and joinery drawings into production-ready shop drawings the factory can build from. Tolerance, edge profiles, and finish call-outs are clarified before production starts. Builders sign off shop drawings before any cutting begins.

Are SupplyNet packages NCC-compliant and supported by evidence of suitability?

Yes. Material certifications, fire and AS-standard compliance documents, and evidence-of-suitability packs are provided where required. Compliance documentation is supplied alongside delivery so it can be filed for surveyor and certifier review.

Who does SupplyNet work with?

SupplyNet supplies custom and boutique builders, designers, architects, and project managers across Australia who need coordinated, drawing-sensitive interior packages — joinery, stone, stairs, louvres, and architectural materials. We are a procurement coordination partner, not a retail supplier.

Aluminium Cladding for Builders: A Specification Guide

Apr 12
4 min read

Updated: Apr 18

Aluminium cladding is one of the most specified — and most frequently misspecified — external facade materials used in Australian construction. For builders, the difference between what's drawn on a plan and what arrives on site can mean compliance failures, costly delays, and rework.

This guide covers the key product types, specification variables, sourcing options, and QA requirements for builders procuring aluminium cladding on residential and commercial projects across Melbourne and Victoria.

Types of Aluminium Cladding Systems

Before specifying, understand the category. The four main aluminium cladding systems used on Australian projects each carry different structural and compliance requirements.

Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP)

A sandwich panel with two thin aluminium skins bonded to a core — either standard polyethylene or fire-retardant mineral-filled. ACP is widely used on commercial facades, shopfronts, and mid-rise residential buildings. The core material determines NCC compliance for Class 2 buildings and above.

Extruded Aluminium Cladding

Hollow or solid aluminium profiles formed by extrusion. Greater structural rigidity than ACP. Common on high-specification commercial and architectural residential projects where durability and profile precision matter.

Perforated and Louvred Screens

Custom fabricated aluminium panels used for privacy screening, sun shading, and car park facades. The percentage open area and perforation pattern must be specified and confirmed via shop drawings before production begins.

Folded and Flat Sheet Cladding

Aluminium sheet bent to custom profiles. Used in architectural residential and bespoke commercial projects where standard profiles are insufficient. Requires detailed fabrication drawings before manufacture.

Key Specification Variables

These four variables drive compliance, cost, and coordination complexity on any aluminium cladding package.

Coating Type — Powder coat is the most common finish, offering a wide colour range. Anodised finishes provide superior corrosion resistance and are required for projects in marine environments — within approximately one kilometre of the ocean.

Core Material (ACP) — Non-fire-retardant polyethylene cores are not permitted on Class 2, 3, and higher buildings under the NCC. Builders must verify that any ACP product carries compliance documentation confirming fire performance.

Substrate Compatibility — The cladding system must suit the substrate it's fixed to. Mismatched fixings and substrate specification are a common cause of water ingress and facade failures.

Dimensional Tolerances — Custom profiles manufactured overseas can vary against Australian standard references. This must be controlled through shop drawing approval before production commences.

Sourcing: Local vs Factory-Direct from China

Australian-manufactured aluminium cladding carries a significant cost premium — particularly for custom profiles and large-area panels. Factory-direct procurement from China is standard practice across the Australian construction industry.

The cost difference is material: builders typically save 25–40% on comparable product when sourcing factory-direct before freight. The risks are equally real. Common failure points include:

Colour and finish inconsistency without pre-production sample approval
Dimensional variation without thorough shop drawing sign-off
Missing compliance documentation for NCC-critical products
Communication breakdown during production causing programme delays

These risks are manageable with the right procurement process — and they are not manageable by emailing a drawing to a factory and hoping for the best.

QA and Inspection Requirements

For aluminium cladding sourced internationally, a minimum QA process should include four stages:

Shop Drawing Approval — Fabrication drawings reviewed and signed off before production starts.
Pre-Production Sample — Finish sample submitted and approved before full production.
Factory Inspection — In-person or video inspection at key production milestones.
Pre-Shipment Documentation — Compliance certificates and packing lists reviewed before goods leave the factory.

Skipping these steps is how projects end up with non-compliant product, incorrect dimensions, or material that doesn't coordinate with the balance of the facade package.

How SupplyNet Handles Aluminium Cladding Supply

SupplyNet coordinates aluminium cladding supply for builders and developers across Melbourne, regional Victoria, and nationally. We source factory-direct from certified manufacturers and manage the full process from drawing interpretation through to on-site delivery.

Our process includes drawing interpretation and shop drawing coordination, pre-production sample approval, factory QA inspection, compliance documentation management, and freight and delivery scheduling.

If you're pricing or specifying aluminium cladding for an upcoming project, contact SupplyNet for a procurement assessment. We can advise on cost, lead time, and compliance options based on your drawings and programme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is aluminium cladding from China NCC compliant?

It depends on the product specification. ACP panels manufactured in China can be NCC compliant — but only if the core material meets fire performance requirements and is supported by appropriate certification.

What is the lead time for aluminium cladding sourced from China?

Factory production typically takes 3–6 weeks for custom profiles and panels, followed by 3–4 weeks sea freight to Melbourne. Total lead time from shop drawing approval is generally 8–12 weeks.

How do I get a quote for aluminium cladding?

You need a confirmed specification — system type, finish, and dimensions — and facade drawings. SupplyNet can provide a budget estimate from preliminary drawings, with a firm quote once shop drawings are approved.

Related Resources

View our aluminium cladding and screens supply service for Melbourne builders.

You may also find these guides useful: Custom Joinery Cost Guide 2026, Stone Benchtop Cost Guide 2026, and Building Materials Cost Guide 2026.

Ready to price your cladding package? Request a quote and we will review your drawings within 48 hours.