What Drives the Cost of Architectural Metal Cladding?
Clients often ask for a price per square metre. The honest answer is that seven decisions set the number, and most of them are made at the drawing stage, not in the workshop.
1. Base material and grade
Stainless steel SS304 is the standard for interiors; SS316 is specified for coastal and wet areas; aluminium suits large, lightweight façade areas; brass and composite panels sit at the premium end. The grade changes both the sheet price and the fabrication time.
2. Sheet thickness
Thicker sheet gives flatter panels and crisper V-grooved corners, but costs more and is heavier to install. Feature walls and column wraps in hotels typically use heavier gauges than back-of-house trims.
3. Finish and coating
A satin or hairline finish is the baseline. Mirror polishing adds labour. PVD colour (champagne gold, bronze, black) adds a coating stage, and single-batch colour matching across all panels is part of the specification. Powder coating and 2K paint apply to aluminium and steel elements.
4. Geometry and panel count
Flat rectangular panels are the most economical. Curves, rolled columns, perforated or laser-cut patterns, shadow gaps and integrated lighting channels increase cutting, forming and assembly time. Fewer, larger panels are cheaper per square metre than many small ones.
5. Substructure and fixings
Concealed subframes, adjustable brackets, stainless fixings and edge trims are engineered per wall. They are rarely visible in the finished work but they represent a real share of the cost and of the quality of alignment.
6. Quality trail
First-article inspection, post-welding and post-polishing hold points and inspection against approved samples are built into our process. They add certainty, not surprises, and they are why panel 200 matches panel 1.
7. Site and programme
Access, working hours, protection of adjacent finishes and the installation sequence with other trades all affect the installation portion of the price. Trial assembly in our workshop shortens time on site.
How to get a reliable price
- Share drawings or elevations with dimensions and the intended finish.
- State the environment: interior, exterior, coastal, wet area.
- Tell us the programme and whether installation is required.
- Ask for a sample of the finish under your project lighting before you commit.
See our metal cladding page and seven-stage process.
Frequently asked questions
Why can two cladding quotations for the same wall differ so much?
Usually because they are not pricing the same thing: sheet thickness, stainless grade, finish, whether returns and reveals are included, panel size, and whether installation and fixings are in the price. Ask for a specification alongside the number.
Is PVD cladding much more expensive than painted aluminium?
The material and coating cost more, but PVD stainless lasts longer, needs no repainting and keeps its colour in high-traffic and coastal settings. Over a hotel or retail lifecycle it often costs less than repeated repainting.
What is the most cost-effective panel size?
Sizes that nest efficiently on standard sheets and stay within the coating chamber and delivery limits. We optimise panel modules during shop drawings to reduce waste without changing the design intent.
Does cladding need a substructure?
Yes. Panels are usually fixed to a concealed steel or aluminium subframe with adjustable brackets, which absorbs wall tolerances and lets us align joints precisely. The subframe is part of the cladding cost.
Specifying a finish for your project?
Send us your drawings or a photo of the space. We reply with a tailored quotation within one business day.
Request a quote