How to Choose an Aluminum Cladding System for Your Building Project

Choosing an aluminum cladding system should start with the building rather than with a product name. The important questions are how the surface will be used, what appearance the project needs, how the profiles will be installed, how much exposure they will receive, and what details are required around corners, edges and openings. We offer two core installation systems: Click and Universal. The choice between them is mainly about the joint design, installation method and the level of enclosure the application requires. Knowing how to choose an aluminum cladding system early also helps with labor, sequencing and site planning. 

Start With the Application

A wall facade, interior accent wall, ceiling, fence or architectural feature may require different detailing. Our systems are used across exterior and interior applications, with accessories and profiles that help complete corners, edges and transitions. Before selecting a profile, define what the cladding is actually covering and how the finished surface will be exposed. This prevents choosing a profile simply because it looks good in a sample and then discovering that the installation method or required accessories do not suit the project.

When the Click System Makes Sense

Our Click System uses a rail-mounted, snap-on installation method. The profiles attach to the rail by pressing them into place, creating deliberate gaps between adjacent profiles. Those gaps become part of the appearance rather than something that needs to be hidden. We offer Click profiles in several widths, including Click 20, 40, 60, 120 and 180, allowing the visual rhythm of the finished surface to change with the selected profile.

When the Universal System Makes More Sense

The Universal System uses a slide-on tongue-and-groove connection. Unlike the open-gap appearance of the Click System, Universal profiles form an enclosed joint. That makes this approach worth considering where the design calls for a continuous appearance or where greater enclosure at the cladding joint is important. Our current Universal range includes Universal 2+2, 3S, 4+4, 140 and 200, giving projects several profile dimensions and visual options.

Think About the Joint Before the Finish

A common mistake is to select the color or woodgrain first and deal with the joint later. The joint affects how the entire facade reads. Click creates visible lines and spacing, while Universal closes the joint between profiles. That difference can change the appearance of a large elevation considerably. It can also influence how corners and transitions are detailed. We provide angles, U profiles, rails and other accessories for completing the installation, so the system should be considered as a complete assembly rather than as individual decorative profiles.

Profile Width Changes the Appearance

Profile width is not only a coverage calculation. It affects the number of horizontal or vertical lines visible across the finished surface. Our published specifications show Click profiles ranging from narrower profiles to the wider Click 180, while Universal includes several wider formats. A narrow profile may create a more repetitive rhythm, while a wider profile can produce broader visual bands. The right choice depends on the scale of the building, the desired appearance and how the profile works around architectural openings.

Consider the Installation Method Early

The installation method should be reviewed before the project reaches the site. We provide separate installation manuals and videos for our Click and Universal systems, along with guidance for corners and other details. Click profiles are mounted onto rails and pressed into position, while Universal profiles slide into their connection. The difference matters when planning labor, sequencing and site work. It is better to choose the system while the wall assembly and detailing are being developed rather than changing the installation approach after materials have already been specified.

Don’t Ignore the Supporting Components

The visible profile is only part of a cladding installation. Our product range includes rails, U10 profiles, angles, furring strips and other components used for different installation and finishing requirements. For example, the rail provides the base for Click profiles, while a U profile can close gaps and an angle can finish a corner or edge. The exact components depend on the installation and design. Reviewing these items with the main profile helps avoid a situation where the selected cladding works visually but the required finishing pieces have not been considered.

Account for Corners, Openings and Changes in Direction

Large uninterrupted walls are relatively simple. Real buildings are not. Windows, doors, corners, changes in plane and termination points all need a clean solution. Our installation resources include specific guidance for horizontal corners using our Y-angle with both Click and Universal systems. We also offer multiple angle profiles for finishing different conditions. These details should be reviewed during planning because they can affect cuts, quantities, orientation and the finished appearance.

Consider the Building’s Environment

The intended environment should also influence the selection. A sheltered interior feature wall does not face the same conditions as an exposed exterior facade. Our technical specifications and product documentation provide information that can be reviewed against project requirements, while our Universal documentation includes performance information for environmental and coating-related testing. Rather than assuming one system is automatically suitable for every condition, the better approach is to identify the project’s exposure and then confirm that the selected product, finish and installation details meet the specification.

Use Technical Information Before Finalizing the Choice

For an architectural or commercial project, the decision should eventually be supported by documentation, not just photographs. We provide three-part specifications, shop-drawing resources, Revit files and DWG files for selected products and systems. This gives designers and contractors a way to check dimensions and incorporate the system into project documentation before installation. Our technical library also includes resources for both Click and Universal products, making it possible to compare the systems at the specification stage rather than relying only on a product-page description.

Where GTO’s Approach Fits

Our approach is built around making the installation system part of the product rather than treating the profile as a standalone panel. With more than 30 years of work behind the Click and slide systems, the current product range combines profiles with the rails, angles and related components needed for installation. That makes the system selection less about finding one attractive aluminum profile and more about selecting an installation method, profile width and supporting components that work together for the specific application.

A Practical Selection Process

For most projects, the decision can be reduced to a practical sequence: define the application, identify the required level of enclosure, choose between the Click and Universal connection methods, select the profile width and appearance, then check corners, edges, openings and supporting components. After that, review the technical documentation and installation requirements before confirming quantities. Our product specifications and installation guides can support those final checks. This approach gives the project team a reason for every selection instead of choosing a system based solely on appearance or a general claim about aluminum. This sequence provides a practical way to understand how to choose an aluminum cladding system based on the building, installation requirements and intended appearance. 

FAQs

Is the Click System or Universal System better?

Neither is automatically better. Click creates a visible-gap appearance and uses snap-on installation, while Universal uses a slide-on tongue-and-groove connection with an enclosed joint. The right option depends on the project’s design and installation requirements.

Can I choose the profile based only on its width?

No. Width affects appearance and coverage, but the connection system, application, corners, edges and required accessories also matter. We offer different profile widths across our Click and Universal ranges, so width should be considered alongside the complete installation.

How can I verify that the selected GTO system is appropriate?

Start with the project’s drawings and requirements, then review our technical specifications, installation manuals, available CAD/Revit resources and relevant product documentation. For a project with unusual conditions, the technical requirements should be resolved before the material is ordered.