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Sign material

Aluminium Composite

Standard for long-life external UK signage. Aluminium-plastic-aluminium sandwich panel — typically 3mm thick. Resists weathering, doesn't bow, accepts screws and rivets.

Aluminium composite — sold under trade names like Dibond, Alupanel, and Sirius — is a sandwich panel: two thin aluminium skins bonded to a polyethylene core. The result is a light, rigid, weather-resistant board that is the standard for long-life external signage.

Direct Signs supplies aluminium composite in 3mm standard, 4mm for larger signs. Sheets are CNC-cut, printed or vinyl-faced, and supplied ready to install. Mounting via screws, rivets, or VHB tape on smooth metal substrates.

Lifespan: 7-10 years outdoor with our standard finish. Can extend to 12-15 years with specialist coatings for marine or industrial chemical environments.

Best for

  • External gates, hoardings, building fascia signage
  • Long-life perimeter signs
  • Construction site signage
  • Water industry external markers
  • Energy infrastructure perimeter signs
  • Any outdoor signage needing 7+ years

Avoid for

  • Indoor signage where rigid PVC will do (cost premium)
  • Areas with extreme chemical exposure (use aluminium + chemical overlaminate)

Available thicknesses

  • 3mm (standard)
  • 4mm (larger signs / extra rigidity)

Lifespan

7-10 years outdoor; 12-15 years with specialist coatings

Common questions

Aluminium Composite FAQs

Why aluminium composite over solid aluminium?
Lighter (about half the weight), easier to mount, less expensive. The composite construction provides equivalent rigidity to solid aluminium of similar thickness. For most external signage, composite is the right choice.

How is aluminium composite mounted?
Screws or rivets through pre-drilled holes. For wall-mounting, VHB double-sided tape on smooth surfaces. For posts and gates, drill through and bolt. Mounting kits supplied.

What about graffiti or vandalism?
Aluminium composite cleans easily of most graffiti with appropriate solvents. For high-vandalism areas, specify a graffiti-resistant overlaminate or upgrade to pressed aluminium.

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