Phenolic vs. ACM Panels
Phenolic panels and ACM are both used for rainscreen cladding, but they're very different materials. Here's a short comparison. Sure-Panel®'s focus is ACM and aluminum plate, and we fabricate phenolic when a project calls for it.
The materials
ACM: aluminum skins bonded to a PE or FR core; metal look, PVDF or anodized finishes; rout-and-return panels up to 59" × 193".
Compact phenolic (HPL): a solid, dense panel with a decorative surface, often in wood grains and solid colors.
Side by side
Look: ACM: Metal: solids, metallics, anodized; Phenolic: Solid colors and decors such as wood grains
Edges: ACM: Folded returns (rout and return); Phenolic: Solid panel edges
Typical attachment: ACM: Concealed extrusion (rainscreen) or clips (wet seal); Phenolic: Open-joint rainscreen, often exposed fasteners
Shapes: ACM: Flat, radius, faceted; Phenolic: Flat
Examples
North Branch High School: about 10,000 sq ft of FunderMax Max Exterior F-Quality phenolic in Medium Gray Metallic, Ecuador and Dark Red.
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum: phenolic panels on an open-joint rainscreen with exposed fasteners.
Eden Prairie Central Middle School: 5,400 sq ft of 4 mm ACM in Sure-Panel Rainscreen.
Which one?
For a metal facade, crisp folded edges and concealed fasteners, choose ACM rainscreen. For a wood-look or decor surface, phenolic may fit; see our phenolic panels page.
