Why use a timber look for exterior or façade cladding?
Timber has recently been associated with Japanese design, bringing images of tranquil and minimalist structures to mind. However, it’s a material that lends itself to many building styles and cultures.
For example, timber is also used to reflect elements of Māori and Scandinavian culture.
While in many cases an architect may require the look of cladding or exterior panelling in the form of large panels or butt jointed slats, a more popular look is developing for commercial buildings of vertical timber look cladding components with clear vertical articulation lines.
Often referred to as a batten style cladding, this typically involves fitting a clip-on aluminium batten over a non-combustible surface such as fibrous cement sheeting.
This allows the creation of 3D or textured facades by using different size battens, slats, beams or blades. For more information on our non-combustible product range, suitable for exterior building applications, download the brochure.
Why aluminium cladding panels or battens?
While all metal external cladding types are deemed non-combustible according to NCC 2019 Part C1.9, aluminium is by far the most popular due to its light weight, easy workability, cost effectiveness, low maintenance (no rusting), and its recyclability.
Durability of external cladding elements is important these days due to the high cost of maintenance. Apart from the inconvenience of having to do any maintenance to your external building façade, labour, access equipment and even traffic control measures are pricy and to be avoided.
Aluminium blades do not warp, crack or splinter like solid timber and do not require refinishing or maintenance apart from cleaning with hot soap and water.
The special powder coating system consists of powder that is electrically charged then baked in an oven, fusing the powder into a smooth and permanent finish. The result is a consistent, durable and rich coloured finishes. However, with regards to timber-look painted finishes, these have a textured look and feel that helps with the illusion of real woodgrains.
This makes aluminium and its finishes suitable for all parts of Australia and Australian conditions.
Sustainability
Aluminium has one of the highest recycling rates of any metal and is an environmentally sustainable material. Recycling of aluminium only requires 5% of the initial energy consumed to create it.
90% of the aluminium used in the building industry is recycled after demolition.
NON-TOXIC
Aluminium products are non-toxic. This means that when recycled or a fire, no harmful gasses or chemicals are released into the atmosphere. This is better for us and the environment.
Powder coating contains negligible VOC’s. It also contains no Red List or WELL listed chemicals.
WOOD EFFECT
Aluminium is available in a powder coat with the most life like wood grain colours that can also be textured to feel like real wood.
This gives you the natural beauty and timeless appeal of wood with the capabilities of aluminium, assisting biophilic design where non-combustibility is required.
In what configurations can aluminium be used on a building façade?
- Easy install self-clipping systems of ceiling and wall wood look
- battens
- Flat sheets
- Laser cut and perforated screens
- Large, fabricated blades or fins
- All above materials with matching wood finish fixings and end caps
How to install external timber wall cladding
While different systems have different install sequences, the following sequence is common across most external aluminium cladding systems:
- Apply building wrap over framing or substrate
- Batten over the building wrap
- Ensure or create a gap to let moisture out
- Install the cladding including any jointing strips
- Finish wall ends, corners, doors and windows
Aluminium modular systems are versatile, durable and require effortless installation. From a simple cladding panel to sophisticated architectural designs, the possibilities are up to your imagination.
The click-on installation process drastically reduces time-on-site while allowing architects to customise the look of their facade to suit the project.
Building Standards & Compliance
Aluminium and other metals are deemed to be non-combustible in accordance with National Construction Code C1.9, and hence comply with Australian Standards AS1530.1 – Combustibility test for materials.
Aluminium is also suitable for use in bushfire prone areas to help resist bushfire attack. It is a perfect alternative to ACP (aluminium composite panel).
For interior and some external soffit requirements, as a non-combustible product, aluminium will always comply when you need to achieve Group 1 fire ratings on your project.
Aluminium finishes must be tested to AS/NZS1530.3 – Methods for fire tests on building materials, components and structures – Simultaneous determination of ignitability, flame propagation, heat release and smoke release. These finishes must be 1mm thick or less and the fire test result must have a Spread-of-Flame Index of 0.
Wind loading and seismic requirements must also be met as per AS 1170 Parts 2 and 4.
Wind loading & long spans
Any exterior decorative timber or cladding system needs to be approved by an engineer. This is especially the case where you have high wind loads and/ or long spans between framing members. Supawood has had its ALUCLICK product thoroughly tested so that it can even be used in Cyclonic and Severe Cyclonic areas and also be installed on framing members as far apart as six metres.
SUPAWOOD’s tests include testing for crowd loading in balustrade situations as per AS1170 Part 1.
Explore real project examples where the warmth and aesthetic of natural timber was delivered in a compliant, low maintenance product for exterior use:
Waves Fitness & Aquatic Centre
Location: Baulkham Hills NSW
Architect: NBRS, Donovan Payne Architects
Builder: ADCO Constructions
Photography: Alexander Mayes Photography
Product: SUPALINE Aluminium and SUPACOUSTIC in Hoop Pine Limed SUPAFINISH
UNSW CoFA, Block D, Paddington NSW
Location: Oxford St and Greens Rd, Paddington NSW
Builder: Belmadar
Installer: Metric Interiors
Photography: Courtesy of MCA Architects
Product: ALUCLICK and SUPASLAT in Hope Pine Classic SUPAFINISH
109a Wigram St – new build
Location: 109a Wigram St, Harris Park NSW
Architect: CDA Architects
Builder/Installer: Hiban Group
Photography: Courtesy of Hiban Group
Product: ALUCLICK in SUPAMETAL American Oak