ACP is fixed to a facade three ways: cassette (folded panels hooked onto a rail — the premium, concealed-fix look), tray (folded panels screwed through returns), and riveted/screwed flat panels (the cheapest, with visible fasteners). Cassette gives the clean modern rainscreen most projects want; riveted is fastest and lowest cost. The choice sets both the look and how water drains behind the panel.
Cassette (hook-on) — the premium rainscreen
Cassette panels are routed and folded into a tray, then hooked onto aluminium carrier rails with no visible fasteners. Panels sit as a ventilated rainscreen with open or gasketed joints, draining any water behind the skin. It is the cleanest look and the standard for quality commercial facades — more fabrication, more cost, best result.
Tray — folded and screwed at the returns
Tray panels are also folded but fixed with screws through the return edges into subframe, hidden in the joint. It sits between cassette and flat riveted on cost and looks, and is common where a concealed-ish fix is wanted without full cassette carriers.
Riveted / screwed flat — fastest and cheapest
Flat ACP sheets fixed with exposed rivets or screws to a subframe. Quickest to install and lowest cost, but fasteners are visible and it is less forgiving of expansion. Fine for utilitarian or budget cladding; not the premium look, and thermal movement must be allowed for so panels do not buckle.
What the fixing means for your order
Cassette and tray need panels routed and folded, so you either buy pre-fabricated cassettes or buy flat ACP and fold it yourself. If you fabricate, buy 4mm/0.50mm flat ACP and a router/folder; if you install only, order finished cassettes to size. Either way, allow for expansion gaps and a drained, ventilated cavity behind the panel.
Frequently asked questions
How is ACP fixed to a building? Three ways: cassette (hook-on, concealed), tray (screwed at returns), and riveted/screwed flat panels with visible fasteners.
Which ACP fixing looks best? Cassette (hook-on) — a concealed-fix ventilated rainscreen, the standard for quality commercial facades.
Which is cheapest? Riveted/screwed flat panels — fastest and lowest cost, but with visible fasteners.
Do I buy flat ACP or finished cassettes? If you fabricate, buy 4mm/0.50mm flat ACP and fold it; if you only install, order finished cassettes to size.
Related: ACP facade panel thickness · aluminium curtain wall systems · ACP buyer’s guide.
Talk to the factory: GSM BuildTech (Beijing Guanshimao Technology Co., Ltd.) makes insulated aluminium panels, FR aluminium composite panels, standing-seam aluminium roofing and PVDF aluminium coil in Tianjin, China. Email sales@insulatedaluminumroof.com or WhatsApp +86 155 2274 6824 for factory-direct pricing. See the technical reference & FAQ.