Architectural Cladding

Architectural Cladding

Architectural Cladding

Highly durable vitreous enamel cladding solutions.

What are Vitreous Enamel Cladding Panels?

Our architectural cladding panels are made from decarbonised steel with a vitreous enamel coating, and are completely fire-resistant. The panels are virtually indestructible, and more durable than any other architectural cladding solution available. These exterior cladding panels are fully customisable, extremely strong, and form a fire-resistant cladding solution that is non-combustible, with a 0-fire rating and 0-smoke rating. The cladding can also be used as rain screen systems when combined with a special carrier system.

Architectural Vitreous Enamel Cladding London Underground

Why would you specify Vitreous Enamel Architectural Cladding Panels?

Architects specify vitreous enamel cladding panels due to their impressive levels of performance, long lifespan, and the aesthetic appeal of vitreous enamel. Vitreous enamel architectural cladding is regularly specified for commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Their durability, resistance to impact, UV resistance and fire retardancy makes them suitable for specification in train stations, tunnels, and shopping malls as well as use as exterior cladding on corporate and institutional buildings with high pedestrian traffic at ground level.

The panels are fully customisable and can be curved in shape. They can be screen printed as part of the panel production process to match branding colours, or can be designed to be decorative as public works of art.

The panels can be easily fitted to industry standard Unistrut structures using our cleat fixed cladding system.

Download Our Technical Guide

Vitreous Enamel Cladding at Wapping Station London Underground

Key advantages of Vitreous Enamel panels over other cladding materials


Fire retardantArchitectural vitreous enamel cladding panels are fire retardant with a 0-fire retardant rating and they also have a 0-smoke rating.
DurableImpact proof, non-combustible, weather resistant and colour fast panels that have a long life and are extremely robust.
Graffiti resistantNot damaged by chemicals and graffiti is easily removed.
CustomisableCan be curved and produced in a range of shapes and dimensions and in a vast range of colours.
Weather resistantUndamaged by extreme weather conditions and UV rays.
Colour fastAlmost any colour can be matched as part of the firing process, resulting in a colour fast panel that has a long life.
DecorativePanels can be decorative and are glossy in finish and can be colour matched to a wide range of colours.
Can vitreous enamel panels be used as a rain screen system?

Our vitreous enamel exterior panels can be used to create rain screen cladding when combined with an “off the shelf” rain screen carrier system.

Design and Installation of panels

Links Signs’ architectural cladding panels can be designed to co-ordinate with brand colours, can be purely decorative, or can double as information panels e.g., maps and timelines.

The panels can be shaped and curved and can be used to protect pillars, balconies, lift shafts, door, and window linings.

The bespoke panels are custom made to your exact requirements and are delivered to site ready-shaped and completely fabricated, with an enamel coating in place. A bespoke carrier system is also manufactured by Links Signs so that installation is straightforward and can be undertaken by contractors on site. Alternatively, the panels fit to industry standard Unistrut structures.

How is Vitreous Enamel Cladding made?

 Vitreous comes from the Latin vitreum, meaning “glass”. The craft dates to 13C BC and antiques that were produced during that period still show vibrant colours that haven’t faded. 

Vitreous enamelling is a specialist skill – a labour-intensive artisanal craft.

Vitreous enamel panels are made by fusing powdered glass to a steel panel, by heating it in a specially-designed furnace. Different colours of powdered glass fire at different temperatures between 750 and 850 °C. To create a panel with many colours of enamel is an incredibly detailed and exact process that takes time, experience and skill to create.

The powdered glass on the steel panel melts in the furnace and becomes molten glass. It flows across the surface of the steel panels and when cooled forms an extremely durable vitreous enamel coating.

    Please accept ourprivacy policy.