Fire safety of aluminium cladding: everything you need to know

Does cladding have to be fireproof?

The question sounds simple, but the answer requires some nuance. Cladding does not have to be fire-resistant in itself – that concept refers to the fire resistance of an entire structure (cladding + supporting structure + insulation).

What matters with cladding is fire behaviour: does the material contribute to the spread of fire or not? In low-rise buildings, the main concern is therefore limiting fire spread via the façade.

Combustible vs. non-combustible: the difference

Not all cladding reacts the same way to fire. Fire behaviour determines whether a façade helps spread fire or slows it down.

• Wood (class D/E)
  • Combustible material that can catch fire and actively feed the fire.
  • In the event of a fire, wood acts as fuel, causing the fire to spread more quickly.
  • Dangerous in low-rise buildings because fire can spread very quickly along the façade.
• Plastic or composite
  • Melts at high temperatures and may drip.
  • These droplets are often burning and can cause additional fires.
  • In addition, toxic smoke is released, which makes evacuation more difficult.
• Stone and fibre cement
• Non-combustible and completely dimensionally stable at high temperatures. Does not contribute to the spread of flames and thus limits the risk of fire spreading.
• Aluminium (class A1/A2)
  • Non-combustible and non-fire-accelerating.
  • May melt but does not catch fire and does not spread fire or smoke.

👉 The conclusion is clear: where wood and plastic can intensify a fire, aluminium remains a passive material that does not accelerate the fire. This makes it particularly suitable for the facades of homes, garden sheds and extensions, where fire spread often poses the greatest risk.

What happens to aluminium in a fire?

Aluminium has a melting point of approximately 660°C. In a very intense fire, it can therefore deform or melt. But more importantly, aluminium does not burn and does not produce smoke or droplets that further spread the fire.

This makes aluminium a safe material for façade cladding, especially in homes where fire spreading to other façades is a real risk.

Aluminium façade cladding and the supporting structure

The overall fire safety of a façade also depends on the backing structure:

• Wooden support structure: combustible → the outer layer (aluminium) is non-combustible, but the wood behind it can still catch fire in the event of a prolonged fire.
• Aluminium support structure: completely non-combustible → the entire façade structure does not contribute to the spread of fire.

For maximum fire safety (and therefore minimal risk of fire spread), an aluminium supporting structure is the best choice.

European fire classes and aluminium

In Europe, the fire behaviour of materials is indicated by fire classes:

• A1: completely non-combustible.
• A2: virtually non-combustible, very limited contribution to fire.
• B to E: combustible in varying degrees.
• F: no classification.

Aluminium façade cladding falls into the highest categories (A1/A2) and is therefore non-fire-accelerating. This means that aluminium does not spread fire and does not cause dripping or toxic fumes, as is the case with some plastics.

Aesthetics and safety do not have to clash

Sometimes there is a perception that fire-safe solutions come at the expense of design. But that does not have to be the case. Aluminium cladding combines both worlds:

• A sleek, modern look in timeless black.
• A material that is non-combustible and does not accelerate fire.
• Suitable for cladding homes, garden sheds, extensions and renovations.

With aluminium, you are choosing a façade that not only looks good, but also contributes to your peace of mind.

A smart choice for now and later

Aluminium cladding is non-combustible (A1/A2), making it a particularly safe choice for your façade. Combine this with the right support structure and you have a safe, low-maintenance and aesthetic façade that complies with increasingly stringent safety regulations.

The question sounds simple, but the answer requires nuance. Cladding does not have to be fire-resistant in itself – that concept refers to the fire resistance of an entire structure (facade + supporting structure + insulation).

What matters with façade cladding is fire behaviour: does the material contribute to the spread of fire or not? In low-rise buildings, the main concern is therefore to limit fire spread via the façade.

Combustible vs. non-combustible: the difference

Not all façade cladding reacts the same way to fire. Fire behaviour determines whether a façade helps spread fire or slows it down.

• Wood (class D/E)
  • Combustible material that can catch fire and actively feed the fire.
  • In the event of a fire, wood acts as fuel, causing the fire to spread more quickly.
  • Dangerous in low-rise buildings because fire can spread very quickly along the façade.
• Plastic or composite
  • Melts at high temperatures and may drip.
  • These droplets are often burning and can cause additional fires.
  • In addition, toxic smoke is released, which makes evacuation more difficult.
• Stone and fibre cement
• Non-combustible and completely dimensionally stable at high temperatures. Does not contribute to the spread of flames and thus limits the risk of fire spread.
• Aluminium (class A1/A2)
  • Non-combustible and non-fire-accelerating.
  • May melt but does not catch fire and does not spread fire or smoke.

👉 The conclusion is clear: where wood and plastic can intensify a fire, aluminium remains a passive material that does not accelerate the fire. This makes it particularly suitable for the façades of homes, garden sheds and extensions, where fire spread often poses the greatest risk.

What happens to aluminium in a fire?

Aluminium has a melting point of approximately 660°C. In a very intense fire, it can therefore deform or melt. But more importantly, aluminium does not burn and does not produce smoke or droplets that further spread the fire.

This makes aluminium a safe material for façade cladding, especially in homes where fire spreading to other façades is a real risk.

Aluminium façade cladding and the supporting structure

The overall fire safety of a façade also depends on the backing structure:

• Wooden supporting structure: combustible → the outer layer (aluminium) is non-combustible, but the wood behind it can still catch fire in the event of a prolonged fire.
• Aluminium supporting structure: completely non-combustible → the entire façade structure does not contribute to the spread of fire.

For maximum fire safety (and therefore minimal risk of fire spreading), an aluminium supporting structure is the best choice.

European fire classes and aluminium

In Europe, the fire behaviour of materials is indicated by fire classes:

• A1: completely non-combustible.
• A2: virtually non-combustible, very limited contribution to fire.
• B to E: combustible in varying degrees.
• F: no classification.

Aluminium cladding falls into the highest categories (A1/A2) and is therefore non-fire-accelerating. This means that aluminium does not spread fire and does not cause dripping or toxic fumes, as is the case with some plastics.

Aesthetics and safety do not have to clash

Sometimes there is a perception that fire-safe solutions come at the expense of design. But that does not have to be the case. Aluminium cladding combines both worlds:

• A sleek, modern look in timeless black.
• A material that is non-combustible and does not accelerate fire.
• Suitable for cladding homes, garden sheds, extensions and renovations.

With aluminium, you are choosing a façade that not only looks good, but also contributes to your peace of mind.

A smart choice for now and later

Aluminium cladding is non-combustible (A1/A2), making it a particularly safe choice for your façade. Combine this with the right support structure and you have a safe, low-maintenance and aesthetic façade that complies with increasingly stringent safety regulations.