DecoClad®

After several severe cladding fires globally, the construction industry re-evaluated façade safety and compliance, introducing non-combustibility requirements and requiring combustible materials such as composites and timber to be replaced. Architects have searched for cladding that satisfies non-combustibility requirements on high-rises and in bushfire zones, while retaining a natural aesthetic. Also prevalent in the construction industry is the issue of durability – natural materials such as timber tend to degrade easily as a result of pollution, extreme weather or exposure to salt spray. Reducing costs associated with installation and maintenance was also vital.

DecoClad® offers a realistic timber-look product made from solid aluminium, allowing designers to achieve a natural aesthetic of timber but with a long-lasting, maintenance-free, fire-safe product. The extruded aluminium interlocking cladding boards were designed with pre-punched holes to reduce installation time, and therefore costs. The dimensionally-stable and lightweight 6.5m boards allow for fast wall coverage and minimal wastage. The marine-grade sublimated powder coat finish was chosen for its ability to further protect the aluminium from corrosion or deterioration in harsh environments, and because it would not ignite – so when combined with the non-combustible aluminium, it forms a fire-safe timber alternative.

DecoClad® offers a long-lasting, positive impact on the built environment, contributing to sustainable design, building safety and compliance, and reduced construction costs. The product ensures builders can comply with safety regulations, and the use of durable, lightweight aluminium brings multiple benefits including: reducing the need for replacement and refinishing, and therefore resource consumption; significantly reduces installation time and associated costs such as labour; easy to handle, especially at heights, improving the efficiency and safety of façade construction; provides a realistic timber alternative to applications where timber cannot be used; and, can be easily recycled at the end of its life.

DecoClad® features include: •A patented interlocking cladding board design with a concealed screw fixing system for easy attachment to subframes. •A range of accessories including internal and external corners and starter strips for a complete façade cladding system. •Made in Australia from 100% aluminium for a non-combustible cladding solution that is dimensional stable and available in long lengths to offer superior material utilisation. •DecoClad complies with the National Construction Code, AS1530.3 and AS1530.1. •DecoClad substantially reduces the cost of cladding installation because it is strong, wide and lightweight, making the product easy to handle on a building site, especially at heights. •Six different cladding board profiles, including classic weatherboard, contemporary boards with recessed shadows, v-grooves and unique Croatia board designs. •Is finished in Qualicoat Seaside approved ‘Class 2’ marine grade powder coating which has been tested in extreme exposure sites to ensure resistance against and resilience to extreme weather conditions. •Available in over 30 natural timber grain DecoWood® sublimated finishes replicating native Australian, exotic and contemporary timber species, as well as concrete-look and rust-look finishes, and solid colours. •Made with lower-carbon aluminium that is also recyclable ensuring it can be repurposed at the end of its life.