Aluminum Facade Panel RFQ Guide
Aluminum facade panels are custom building materials used for facades, curtain wall cladding, canopies, soffits, columns, ceilings, screens, and commercial architectural decoration.
Unlike standard retail products, aluminum facade panels are usually produced according to project drawings. This means the quotation is affected by many details, including panel size, aluminum thickness, surface coating, fabrication method, edge return, stiffeners, installation accessories, packing, and destination port.
For overseas contractors, distributors, architects, and project buyers, preparing complete quotation information can save time, reduce misunderstanding, and help suppliers provide a more accurate price.
Quick Buyer Summary
| Quotation Item | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Project drawings | Help supplier understand panel layout, size, shape, and quantity |
| Total area | Affects material calculation and production planning |
| Panel size | Affects fabrication, flatness, packing, and shipping |
| Aluminum thickness | Directly affects cost, strength, weight, and application |
| Surface coating | PVDF, powder coating, polyester, wood grain, stone look, and metallic finishes have different costs |
| Edge return | Affects fabrication, installation, and rigidity |
| Stiffener | May be needed for larger panels or facade applications |
| Installation system | Brackets, clips, subframe, screws, and accessories affect total project cost |
| Packing | Export packing affects coating protection and transport safety |
| Destination port | Needed for freight estimation and delivery planning |
Why Aluminum Facade Panel Prices Are Different
Many buyers ask a simple question:
“How much is aluminum panel per square meter?”
But for aluminum facade panel projects, this question is incomplete.
Two panels with the same visible area may have very different prices because of:
- Different aluminum thickness
- Different alloy or material grade
- Different surface coating
- Different panel size
- Different folded edge depth
- Different stiffener requirement
- Perforated or carved pattern
- Curved or hyperbolic shape
- Welding and polishing work
- Installation accessories
- Packing method
- Quantity and production difficulty
For this reason, an accurate aluminum facade panel quotation usually requires drawings and technical details.
Aluminum Facade Panel Quotation Workflow
A practical quotation workflow includes the following steps:
- Buyer sends project drawings, photos, or design reference
- Supplier confirms panel type and application
- Buyer confirms panel size, area, and quantity
- Supplier checks thickness, coating, edge return, and fabrication requirement
- Supplier confirms installation accessories and packing method
- Supplier provides preliminary quotation
- Buyer confirms samples, shop drawings, and final specifications before production
If the buyer only sends a picture without drawings or dimensions, the supplier can only provide a rough reference price.
1. Project Drawings and Panel Layout
Project drawings are the most important information for aluminum facade panel quotation.
Useful drawings include:
- Architectural elevation drawings
- Facade panel layout drawings
- Shop drawings
- Section details
- Panel schedule
- Ceiling or soffit layout
- Column cladding drawings
- Canopy drawings
- Installation detail drawings
If full drawings are not available, buyers can still provide:
- Project photos
- Rough dimensions
- Hand sketch
- Target panel size
- Total estimated area
- Reference design images
For custom aluminum panels, shop drawings should be confirmed before mass production.
2. Product Type and Application
Different aluminum panel types have different quotation logic.
| Product Type | Typical Use | Quotation Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Aluminum solid panel | Facades, folded panels, curved panels, perforated panels | Thickness, edge return, coating, stiffener, fabrication |
| Aluminum honeycomb panel | Large flat walls and ceilings | Total thickness, skin thickness, core, edge detail |
| Perforated aluminum panel | Screens, ventilation facades, ceilings | Hole size, open area ratio, pattern, edge strength |
| Carved aluminum panel | Decorative screens and custom facades | CAD pattern, cutting difficulty, waste ratio |
| Curved aluminum panel | Columns, curved walls, canopies | Radius, panel segmentation, forming method |
| Aluminum ceiling panel | Commercial ceilings and corridors | Module size, suspension system, accessories |
| Aluminum soffit panel | Canopies, eaves, exterior ceilings | Coating, drainage, subframe, edge closing |
The buyer should clearly state what the aluminum panel will be used for.
3. Aluminum Thickness
Aluminum thickness is one of the biggest cost factors.
Common options may include:
- 1.5mm aluminum panel
- 2.0mm aluminum panel
- 2.5mm aluminum panel
- 3.0mm aluminum panel
- Custom thickness depending on project requirement
| Application | Common Thickness Direction |
|---|---|
| Interior wall decoration | Usually thinner options may be considered |
| Ceiling panels | Depends on module size and system |
| Exterior facade panels | Often requires stronger thickness and stiffener design |
| Perforated panels | Thickness must match hole pattern and strength requirement |
| Curved panels | Thickness must balance formability and strength |
| Large panels | Thickness and stiffener should be checked together |
The correct thickness depends on project drawings, panel size, wind load, installation system, local code, and engineering requirement. Buyers should not select thickness only by price.
4. Surface Coating and Finish
Surface coating affects appearance, outdoor performance, and price.
| Finish Type | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| PVDF coating | Exterior facades, curtain walls, canopies, exterior soffits |
| Powder coating | Interior panels, ceilings, commercial decoration, selected semi-exterior use |
| Polyester coating | Economical interior or decorative use |
| Wood grain finish | Soffits, ceilings, villa facades, decorative screens |
| Stone look finish | Lobby walls, columns, commercial entrances |
| Metallic finish | Modern facades and premium interiors |
| Perforated finish | Screens, ceilings, ventilation panels |
For exterior projects, buyers should confirm coating specification, physical sample, gloss level, and project environment before order.
Do not compare aluminum panel quotation without comparing coating system.
5. Fabrication Details
Fabrication details can significantly affect the quotation.
Buyers should confirm:
- Flat panel or folded panel
- Edge return depth
- Corner detail
- Welding requirement
- Polishing requirement
- Stiffener requirement
- Perforation or carving
- Curved or hyperbolic shape
- Panel numbering
- Installation holes
- Cut-outs for lights, vents, or equipment
- Special corner or column cladding details
A simple flat panel and a curved perforated panel cannot be quoted as the same product.
6. Edge Return and Stiffener
For facade panels, edge return and stiffener design are important.
Edge Return
Edge return means the folded edge around the aluminum panel.
It affects:
- Panel rigidity
- Installation method
- Joint appearance
- Fixing area
- Fabrication difficulty
Stiffener
Stiffener or reinforcement rib may be needed for larger panels or panels exposed to wind or deformation risk.
It affects:
- Panel flatness
- Panel rigidity
- Material cost
- Labor cost
- Packing size
- Installation method
When buyers compare quotations, they should check whether stiffeners are included.
7. Perforation, Carving, Curving and Special Shapes
Special processing changes the quotation.
| Processing Type | Information Needed |
|---|---|
| Perforation | Hole size, spacing, open area ratio, pattern direction |
| Carving | CAD drawing, pattern file, cutting area, edge distance |
| Curving | Radius, panel size, direction of curve |
| Hyperbolic shape | 3D model, segmentation, forming method |
| Welding | Position, length, polishing requirement |
| Cut-outs | Opening size, position, edge detail |
For special-shaped aluminum panels, production should not start only from reference photos. CAD drawings, 3D models, or accurate templates are strongly recommended.
8. Installation Accessories and Subframe
Some buyers only request panel price, but forget installation accessories.
Depending on the project, aluminum panel systems may require:
- Aluminum or steel subframe
- Angle brackets
- Fixing clips
- Screws
- Rivets
- Sealant
- Gaskets
- Hanging components
- Ceiling carriers
- Edge trims
- Corner trims
- Access panels
Suppliers may quote only panels, or panels plus accessories.
Buyers should clearly confirm what is included in the quotation.
9. Export Packing and Shipping
Export packing is important for aluminum facade panels because the coating, folded edges, corners, perforated patterns, and curved shapes can be damaged during long-distance shipment.
Common packing considerations include:
- Protective film
- Foam separation
- Corner protection
- Edge protection
- Wooden crate
- Pallet packing
- Panel numbering labels
- Packing list
- Container loading plan
- Moisture protection if required
For perforated, carved, curved, or high-gloss panels, stronger packing may be required.
10. Destination Country and Port
Destination information helps suppliers estimate shipping and prepare documents.
Buyers should provide:
- Destination country
- Destination port
- Delivery term preference: EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP if applicable
- Container loading requirement
- Import document requirement
- Packing standard requirement
Without destination information, the supplier can only quote product cost or FOB reference price.
Common Quotation Mistakes
Many aluminum facade panel quotation problems come from incomplete information.
Common mistakes include:
- Asking only “price per square meter” without drawings
- Comparing quotations with different thickness
- Comparing PVDF coating with powder coating price
- Ignoring edge return and stiffener
- Forgetting installation accessories
- Not confirming panel size
- Not confirming packing method
- Using photos instead of CAD drawings for custom panels
- Not confirming sample before bulk order
- Not checking whether quotation includes shipping
- Not confirming whether the price is for panels only or full system
For B2B buyers, a complete quotation request usually gets a better and faster response from suppliers. Buyers can also compare this page with our guide on how to compare supplier quotations for building materials.
How to Prepare a Good Aluminum Panel RFQ
| Information | Example |
|---|---|
| Project type | Hotel facade / office building / mall canopy / metro ceiling |
| Product type | Aluminum solid panel / honeycomb panel / perforated panel |
| Application | Exterior facade / ceiling / soffit / screen / column |
| Total area | 1,200 square meters |
| Panel size | 1200 × 2400mm or based on drawings |
| Thickness | 2.5mm / 3.0mm / custom |
| Surface finish | PVDF coating / powder coating / wood grain / stone look |
| Color | RAL code, sample, or reference image |
| Fabrication | Folded edge / perforated / curved / carved |
| Accessories | Brackets, clips, screws, trims, subframe if required |
| Packing | Export wooden crate / pallet |
| Destination | Country and port |
| Sample | Required before bulk order |
The more complete the RFQ, the more accurate the quotation.
Sample RFQ Message for Buyers
What Buyers Should Confirm Before Final Order
Before placing an order, buyers should confirm:
- Final drawings
- Panel schedule
- Aluminum thickness
- Surface coating
- Color sample
- Gloss level
- Edge return
- Stiffener
- Installation accessories
- Packing method
- Quantity
- Production time
- Shipping term
- Test reports if required
- Sample approval
- Payment terms
This helps reduce disputes during production and delivery.
FAQ
Why can’t suppliers give an accurate aluminum panel price without drawings?
Because aluminum panel price depends on thickness, panel size, edge return, coating, fabrication method, stiffeners, accessories, packing, and quantity. Drawings help calculate these details.
What affects aluminum facade panel price the most?
Main factors include aluminum thickness, surface coating, panel size, fabrication difficulty, edge return, stiffener, quantity, packing, and shipping term.
Is PVDF coating more expensive than powder coating?
Usually yes. PVDF coating is often selected for exterior facade projects, while powder coating is commonly used for interior or selected semi-exterior applications. The final cost depends on coating specification and project requirement.
Do I need shop drawings before production?
For custom aluminum facade panels, shop drawings are strongly recommended before production to confirm panel size, edge detail, installation system, and panel numbering.
Should I ask for panel price or full system price?
It depends on your project. If you only need panels, ask for panel price. If you need accessories, subframe, brackets, clips, or ceiling system components, ask whether these are included.
What information is needed for quotation?
Buyers should provide project type, drawings, total area, panel size, thickness, coating, color, fabrication details, accessories, packing requirement, and destination port.
If the facade quotation includes wood grain, stone look, marble look or other decorative finishes, check the wood grain and stone look finish requirements before preparing samples, drawings and color references.
MOQ, sample and export packing requirements can also affect the final aluminum panel quotation. Before placing a trial or project order, review the aluminum panel MOQ, sample and export packing guide.
Request Aluminum Panel Quotation
Send your drawings, panel size, thickness, surface finish, quantity and destination port. We can help check suitable aluminum panel options, fabrication details, packing method and factory quotation.
Before comparing quotation items, it is also useful to understand the wider process of importing aluminum panels from China, from RFQ and samples to packing and shipping.