The best cladding options for schools and other educational facilities are not just fire safe, durable, and easy to maintain, they also provide architects with the versatility they need to create spaces that are conducive to learning.

When specifying cladding for educational projects like schools, universities, and colleges, there are several key factors to consider.

Safety and compliance are, of course, the most important of these. Paramount in all public buildings, fire safety is a non-negotiable for environments in which children and young people spend so much of their time.

Beyond this, as Fairview points out, durability and cost effectiveness are also high on the priority list. Considering the ever-present budget constraints associated with projects of this type, materials and products that can handle the demands of high traffic environments are always welcome, as are those with low maintenance requirements and a capacity for weather resistance.

Given the role aesthetics plays in creating a positive, productive learning environment, design flexibility is another plus.

Indeed, as Fairview points out right now biophilic design principles are informing the design of educational facilities. Increasingly, specifiers are being drawn to cladding materials with a natural-look and tactile finishes that bring a sense of warmth and texture to learning spaces.

An organisation dedicated to the manufacture and supply of aesthetically pleasing and compliant cladding panels, Fairview offers several products that are suitable for projects of this type.

The first of these, Genesis offers excellent impact resistance, is non-combustible and compliant for large-scale building insurance. Available in a variety of profiles and colours, it is a reliable, low-maintenance option for both interior and exterior applications.

Clayton, another option from Fairview is a terracotta tile system intended to bring warmth, texture, and natural character to learning environments; while Vitradual, a solid aluminium cassette system, offers high durability and UV stability in a non-combustible format. As the company notes, it is well suited to applications in which both design flexibility and long-term performance are priorities.

Finally, Vitracore G2 is an engineered aluminium panel with a proven track record in the education sector. Lightweight yet robust, it provides a cost-effective cladding solution with crisp detailing and a broad colour range.

According to the company, all four systems are fully compliant and non-combustible. As such, they provide confidence and long-term assurance for education sector projects.

Design, sustainability, and performance

According to Network Architectural, while the shift toward non-combustible cladding is now an essential baseline, the real evolution associated with this change lies in how architects are using compliant materials to unlock broader design, sustainability, and performance outcomes.

In addition, according to the company, there has been a rise in customisation, with schools and universities wanting to reflect their identity through tailored colours and finishes; and a move toward multi-functional cladding systems that can deliver aesthetic impact, ease of installation, durability, and thermal performance in a single solution.

In terms of products, Network Architectural offers ALPOLIC NC/A1, a non-combustible mineral core aluminium cladding that offers a range of benefits, including safety, performance, and design flexibility.

Manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co. Ltd., it has achieved a Euroclass A1 fire rating and is therefore ideal for projects in the educational sector.

Above: ALPOLIC NC/A1 by Mitsubishi Chemical Infratec Co. Ltd.

Beyond compliance, ALPOLIC NC/A1 offers an ultra-flat finish that resists oil canning, a wide range of colours and finishes (including timber, stone, and custom hues), and a 20-year full cover manufacturer’s warranty.

However, according to Network Architectural, what sets ALPOLIC NC/A1 apart is its low lifecycle cost. Unlike many other façade materials, it doesn’t require ongoing maintenance to uphold its 20-year full cover manufacturer’s warranty, a major cost-saving advantage for schools with limited operational budgets.

Its ultra-flat finish ensures a consistently clean appearance across large surfaces and it comes in a wide range of colours and finishes, including timber-look and custom options to reflect school branding or design intent. It’s also lightweight and easy to install, helping minimise on-site disruption during construction or upgrades.

Manufactured in Japan under an ISO-certified process, the product’s mineral core contains zero polyethylene and is therefore safer and more stable than alternatives when heated. Its excellent rigidity, fire performance, and visual consistency make it a go-to choice for projects, like those in the educational sector, where quality and compliance cannot be compromised.

The importance of product selection

Beginning with an understanding that, when it comes to cladding for educational buildings, durability, compliance, and aesthetic versatility are all key, HVG Facades works closely with architects and specifiers to ensure the right material is selected for each project brief.

This is the case regardless of whether the focus of the project in question is on performance, cost-effectiveness, creative design, or any other consideration.

As such, HVG Facades offers a range of cladding solutions that are suited to the unique demands of the education sector.

The company recommends MondoClad – a premium 3mm solid aluminium panel known for its fire performance, weather resistance, and long-lasting finish – for external facades and school entrances that need to stand the test of time; and Nucleo – a product that combines a clean, prefinished look with flatness and high performance in terms of both fire safety and sustainability – as a good fit for those aiming to meet Green Star or WELL certification targets.

Above: Charles Darwin University / HVG Facades

Alternatively, those looking for a product for installation in busy school environments may be attracted to Vetérro – a fibre cement product that has high impact strength and doesn’t require painting or repainting.

Or others may choose Zintl – a cladding option that features interlocking aluminium boards that can be laid in different styles and has the capacity to provide a more architectural finish.

Significantly, all these products are manufactured with sustainability as a key priority. MondoClad carries an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), a GreenTag PHD PlatinumHEALTH and GreenRate Level A; Nucleo is certified with GreenTag PHD PlatinumHEALTH and GreenRate Level A (with an EPD to soon follow); and Vetérro is EPD-certified.

Financial considerations

Financial considerations and the need to cut the costs of educational projects have resulted in increased usage of prefinished cladding materials.

Products like Cemintel’s prefinished CFC materials, namely Surround Prefinished Cladding and Barestone Original Cladding, deliver the benefits of reduced site time, reduced maintenance requirements, and increased coating life expectancy. In this way, according to the company, they help lower overall costs.

A bold and sophisticated collection that enhances architectural lines, adding depth and visual appeal, Surround Prefinished Cladding represents a solid choice not just as an exterior cladding solution, but also for interior walling, foyers, reception areas, and so on.

Using express joints and a top hat system, it provides a familiar installation method for commercial cladding, enabling the creation of dynamic geometric patterns with playful colour variations.

According to the company, the prefinished panels feature a smooth, flat texture and are colour-bodied, offering a more natural appearance and richer colour depth than standard painted finishes.

Meanwhile, Barestone Original Cladding, which combines the natural beauty of concrete with the durability of fibre cement, is ideal for façades and interior walls in schools and other educational facilities.

A versatile cladding product, it features express joints that provide clean lines and dynamic patterns. Panels can be oriented vertically or horizontally and arranged according to desired results – randomly, in a linear formation, in a grid layout, and so on.

Available in three products – two exterior options featuring Ceminseal and one interior option with stain resistance – each panel is unique and offers natural variation in terms of colour and pattern.

Low VOC options

According to Deco, architects are currently introducing a lot of curves to façades. The introduction of organic shapes and silhouettes is gaining prominence and designers are exploring rounded edges and sculptural contours to add depth and interest to exterior spaces.

In this context, its DecoClad and DecoBatten systems, which feature the company’s DecoWood timber-look finishes, are right on trend. Both options offer the flexibility to achieve elegant curvature without compromising in terms of durability, precision, or material integrity.

Non-Combustible, and weather resistant, both systems require no sanding, painting, or staining. Thanks to their strength and versatility, they are ideal for high traffic areas, in schools, colleges, and so forth.

As is the case with Deco’s other powder coat finishes like DecoCoat and DecoVogue, DecoWood finishes do not emit harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs). As such, they are safe for installation in interior spaces, where safety considerations are paramount.

Installed at the Hunter Sports High School redevelopment, DecoClad Shadowline cladding (in the DecoWood Curly Birch finish) introduces a warm, natural aesthetic. Incorporated prominently across the office building and soffit lining of the outdoor amphitheatre, the cladding establishes a seamless visual connection across the campus.

Additionally, matching DecoBatten and DecoSlat elements were used across balconies, serving both functional and aesthetic purposes; and providing sunshade while complementing the contemporary architectural style.

With their solid aluminium construction, the Deco products present as non-combustible, low-maintenance alternatives to traditional timber; and prove themselves to be an ideal choice for educational environments.

Visual creativity meets sustainability

For its part, in terms of recent developments, INSPIRE points to a growing demand for materials that merge visual creativity with environmental responsibility. Trends include the use of perforated metal screens for solar shading and visual interest, integrated façade systems for thermal performance, and an emphasis on transparency and natural light.

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Above: Monash University / VMZINC by INSPIRE.

The company says that customisation is also becoming more popular, with architects wanting materials that can be tailored through perforation patterns, patinas, or custom finishes.

In line with all of this, INSPIRE offers VMZINC’s range of architectural zinc cladding products that are ideally suited to educational settings. More specifically, the range features both natural zinc options such as Azengar and Natural-Zinc, as well pre-weathered products such as Quartz-Zinc, and Anthra-Zinc supplied with pre-patinated surfaces.

The natural zinc options are appealing to purist architects seeking natural metals which evolve over time, from light silvery grey to a darker matte aesthetic. Pre-weathered zinc finishes are supplied with a more stable finish, which remain more consistent throughout their lifespan.

A pure-zinc material, VMZINC is an excellent choice for perforated screens. Its exposed edges naturally develop a protective patina, eliminating concerns about delamination of paint or coatings.

On top of that, in educational settings, perforated façades can manage daylight, reduce glare, and contribute to acoustic comfort – all while creating a distinctive architectural identity that inspires learning and engagement.

Main image: Lilydale High School in Victoria's east features HVG Facades ZINTL interlocking cladding in Shiplap 150 profile.

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Mathew MacDonald

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