Frequently asked questions
What is a honeycomb panel?
A sandwich panel: two skins bonded to a honeycomb core. The core — usually aluminium foil formed into hexagonal cells — acts like a dense array of small columns, so the panel is stiff in both directions while weighing a fraction of a solid sheet. HYCOMB® makes the core, bonds the panels and applies the finish in-house in Foshan, China.
Which type of honeycomb panel do I need?
It follows from the face you want. Aluminium honeycomb panels for large, flat, light cladding and interiors; stone honeycomb panels when the face has to be real granite, marble or travertine; porcelain / sintered stone honeycomb panels where stain resistance and minimal batch variation matter. We make all three, so the recommendation is not steered by what we happen to stock.
What sizes can you make?
All-aluminium honeycomb panels up to 2000 × 6000 mm (12 m² per panel). Stone and porcelain faced honeycomb panels up to 1600 × 3200 mm. Large panels mean fewer joints — and the joint is where a facade usually fails first.
How heavy are they compared with solid material?
Aluminium honeycomb panels run about 5–12 kg/m²; stone honeycomb panels about 15–25 kg/m², against 50–60 kg/m² for solid stone at the same appearance. Porcelain honeycomb panels usually fall between at around 12–20 kg/m². On refurbishment that difference is often what makes the project possible at all.
What fire ratings do you hold?
A 15 mm aluminium honeycomb composite panel is classified A2-s1,d0,t0 to GB 8624-2006 (report 202110132). A stone honeycomb panel is classified A2-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1:2018 (report SDFS2002000643FF, SGS-CSTC). A 20 mm stone panel holds B1-s1,d0,t0 to JG/T 328-2011 and GB 8624-2012 with 19 tests (report WT2019B01B01371), plus BS 476 Part 6 and Part 7 (GZIN170200265CCM). Miami-Dade County NOA 25-0728.10 is valid to 20 August 2030. The reports cover different products — see the certification page for the exact scope of each.
How are honeycomb panels fixed?
In a ventilated rainscreen they hang on clips and cleats fixed to a sub-frame, with U-channels or folded returns closing the edges. Interiors and lift cars usually use concealed clips and trim. We supply the fixing package as well — U-channels and fixing accessories — and it ships with the panels.
Can you fabricate to our drawings?
Yes: cutting to size, grooving and folding, cut-outs, edge sealing, reinforcement behind fixing points and pre-installed brackets. Send the drawings and we quote panel and fabrication line by line, so you can see where the cost sits.
Do you supply samples?
Yes. For stone and porcelain we can send a sample of the actual slab facing so you can check the colour and figure, which matters more than any catalogue image. Tell us the project and the finish you are considering.
What are the minimum order and lead time?
Regular panels run from about two weeks; larger fabricated packages take longer and we will confirm a production slot against your programme. Send the sizes, quantities, drawings and the fixing package and we will quote the whole thing rather than a panel price that leaves the site to improvise.
Where are the panels made, and can we visit?
In Foshan, Guangdong, China — 10 honeycomb core lines and 3 continuous panel lamination lines, melting and bonding in-house. Customers are welcome to visit or to send a third-party inspector; tell us the timing and we will arrange it.
