Qualicoat Class 1 explained: what it covers and what to ask your supplier

What Qualicoat is

Qualicoat is a quality label for liquid and powder coatings on aluminium used in architecture. For powder manufacturers it approves specific powder systems after laboratory testing, and the approval must be renewed. Applicators and extruders hold their own Qualicoat licences for their coating lines.

What “Class 1” refers to

Qualicoat classifies powder systems by durability. Class 1 is the standard architectural class used for most window, door and facade projects. Higher classes cover more demanding durability requirements and are approved separately. A supplier with a Class 1 approval should not be described as holding a higher class unless it has that approval too.

How to read a supplier’s certificate

Check four things: the approval number, the powder system named on the certificate, the gloss category, and the validity date. Also check any extensions or exclusions — for example whether structured textures or metallic finishes are included. The approval covers the named system, not every product or colour in the supplier’s catalogue.

For example, POLYMER’s polyester system PLM100611 holds Qualicoat Class 1 approval P-2199, gloss category 3, valid until 31 December 2026; it has no structured-texture or metallic extension.

Questions to ask before you specify

Which product codes belong to the approved system? Are the colour and gloss you need within it? Is the certificate valid for the duration of your project? Can the supplier provide the certificate itself for your project file? And does your applicator’s own Qualicoat licence cover the line that will coat the profiles?

When Qualicoat is not required

Outdoor furniture, lighting, machinery and many industrial parts need weather-resistant polyester but not necessarily a Qualicoat label. In those cases the decision is about performance on your parts, which panels and line trials confirm.