Facades

Aluminium Facade Cladding

Aluminium facade cladding is the external skin of a building, fixed over a substructure to weatherproof and finish the elevation. Knotwood supplies two facade system types in Australia: cladding boards for continuous coverage, and battens for shadow line and texture, both non-combustible and available in timber-look finishes.

A facade is a long-term commitment. The finish has to look right on day one and hold up long after the scaffolding comes down. Architects specify Knotwood systems for a considered exterior on commercial builds, builders use them to match an existing facade or deliver a consistent finish across a new estate, and homeowners choose them when a front elevation needs to perform for decades. The profiles and the performance are the same for all of them.

Aluminium systems for every facade

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Cladding Systems
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Knotwood Cladding Systems form a continuous, finished wall surface. They work well for full elevation coverage where a clean, timber-look finish is the priority.

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Batten Systems
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Knotwood Batten Systems layer up with shadow lines and depth. They work well for features, entryways and any exterior where rhythm and texture matter to the design.

FAQs

What is facade cladding?

Cladding is an external skin applied to the outside walls of a building. It provides weather protection, defines the building’s appearance and can add an insulating layer to the structure. Aluminium cladding systems use extruded aluminium profiles fixed to the building’s exterior framing, available in flat cladding panels or batten arrangements that create shadow lines and depth.

What is the difference between cladding and a facade?

The facade is the building’s exterior face as a whole, the elevation you see from the street. Cladding is a material fixed to it. So the facade is part of the building and cladding is one of the things that finishes it, which is why a single facade can combine cladding boards, battens, glazing and render. Knotwood supplies the cladding and batten systems within a facade rather than the structure behind them.

What is the difference between aluminium facade cladding and battens?

Cladding creates a continuous, finished wall surface suited to projects that want a clean, monolithic look with a timber-look warmth. Battens layer up with shadow lines and depth, working well for feature facades, entryways and any exterior where rhythm and texture matter to the design. Both use the same aluminium profiles with concealed fixings and architectural-grade finishes.

Are Knotwood aluminium facade systems non-combustible?

Aluminium is non-combustible, which is a large part of why Knotwood cladding and batten systems are specified on residential and commercial exteriors across Australia. The profiles are tested to AS 1530.1 and AS/NZS 1530.3, which measure combustibility and early fire hazard properties, and carry a Group One classification under AS 5637.1. Those are material-level results. What a specific building requires is a separate question, covered below, because fire performance is assessed on the wall assembly rather than on the cladding alone.

What compliance standards apply to aluminium facade cladding in Australia?

Facades in Australia are governed by the National Construction Code and the relevant Australian Standards. On bushfire-prone land the site is assessed and given a Bushfire Attack Level, which sets what the external envelope has to withstand. CodeMark certification is one way a manufacturer demonstrates a product meets those requirements. Compliance is assessed at system level rather than by material alone, so ask us for the documentation covering the exact system and finish you are specifying.

Can aluminium facade cladding be used on commercial buildings?

Yes. Knotwood cladding and batten systems are used across both residential and commercial projects. Architects use them to specify a considered exterior on commercial builds, while builders use them to match an existing facade or deliver a consistent finish across a new estate. The profiles and performance specifications are the same regardless of project type.

What finishes are available for aluminium facade cladding?

Knotwood profiles come in architectural-grade finishes, including a range of timber-look wood grains alongside solid colours. Unlike timber, they do not need resealing, oiling or repainting to keep their appearance. The full current range is on our finishes page.

How are Knotwood facade systems fixed to a building?

Knotwood profiles fix with a concealed system, so the installed face has no visible fastener heads. The right fixing method depends on the profile and the substrate you are fixing to, so check the installation guide for your system before setting out. All current guides are in our resources section.

Are Knotwood facade systems made in Australia?

Yes. Knotwood aluminium cladding and batten systems are made in Australia, by a family-owned business with a track record across residential and commercial projects. Manufacturing locally means shorter lead times for Australian projects and direct access to the technical team when a detail needs resolving mid-project. The profiles are designed for Australian conditions, including high UV and temperature variation, and the same finish range runs across the full product line, so a facade can be matched to soffits, garage doors or interior work on the same build.

What is a feature facade, and can aluminium battens be used for one?

A feature facade is an exterior treatment that uses cladding, battens or screening to add architectural interest, rhythm or a material contrast to a building’s frontage. Aluminium batten systems are well suited to feature facades because they create shadow lines and depth. They are commonly used on entryways and key building elevations where texture and visual rhythm matter to the design.

How does aluminium facade cladding compare to other exterior cladding materials?

Aluminium does not warp, rot, swell or absorb moisture, and termites have no interest in it. Timber does all of those things, which is why it needs sealing or oiling over its life and eventually moves. Knotwood profiles carry the same wood grain look without that maintenance cycle, so the profile you install stays as it is with routine cleaning.

Are Knotwood aluminium facade systems installed as a ventilated facade?

Knotwood facade profiles fix to a substructure rather than directly to the wall, which creates a cavity behind the cladding. That cavity allows drainage and airflow behind the facade, which is how a rainscreen assembly is designed to manage water and moisture. The depth of the cavity and the substructure used depend on the wall build-up and the profile selected. Send us your wall section and our technical team will confirm what the system can accommodate on your project.

Can aluminium facade cladding be installed over an existing facade?

In many cases, yes. Because Knotwood facade systems fix to a substructure, they can often be installed over an existing wall without stripping it back, which makes them a practical option for recladding and commercial refurbishment. What matters is whether the existing structure is sound and whether it can carry the substructure and the cladding. Have the existing wall assessed before you order, and send us the details so we can confirm the right fixing method.

How does aluminium facade cladding perform in coastal locations?

Aluminium is corrosion resistant, which is why it is commonly specified near the coast where salt air accelerates the deterioration of steel and untreated timber. How the finish performs depends on how close the site is to breaking surf, the exposure of the elevation and the cleaning regime. Close to the ocean, marine-grade stainless fasteners are usually required, and how close is close enough varies with the site and the prevailing wind. Send us your site location and we will confirm the right finish and the maintenance schedule for that exposure.

What documentation is available for specifying Knotwood facade cladding?

Knotwood provides BIM and CAD files, engineering documentation and product documentation for architect and specifier use. Drawings cover product componentry through to general detailing across a range of applications, and basic 2D DWG files are available. Test reports and compliance documentation are provided on request against the building class and application for your project. Everything currently published is in our resources section, and your Knotwood representative can supply anything not listed there.

Inspiration

Nero

Nero captivates with a commanding street presence and bold architectural expression. A moody palette of Monument aluminium cladding and rendered concrete creates intrigue and sophistication, setting the tone for luxurious living.

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The Finn

The Finn is anchored in its coastal setting. Venetian render recalls the softness of sand beneath bare feet, while enduring travertine reflects the strength of the headland.

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ARA

ARA comprises six residential buildings that blend timeless form with contemporary function, respecting Leichhardt’s heritage.

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Augusta

The building’s facade is defined by a linear, wave inspired screen echoing the rhythm of the nearby beach. Spruce horizontal aluminium soffits and vertical elements create layered depth and subtle movement.

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Aluminium Facade Cladding

Aluminium systems for every facade

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FAQs

What is facade cladding?

What is the difference between cladding and a facade?

What is the difference between aluminium facade cladding and battens?

Are Knotwood aluminium facade systems non-combustible?

What compliance standards apply to aluminium facade cladding in Australia?

Can aluminium facade cladding be used on commercial buildings?

What finishes are available for aluminium facade cladding?

How are Knotwood facade systems fixed to a building?

Are Knotwood facade systems made in Australia?

What is a feature facade, and can aluminium battens be used for one?

How does aluminium facade cladding compare to other exterior cladding materials?

Are Knotwood aluminium facade systems installed as a ventilated facade?

Can aluminium facade cladding be installed over an existing facade?

How does aluminium facade cladding perform in coastal locations?

What documentation is available for specifying Knotwood facade cladding?

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Cladding Systems
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Locally Made.
Reliable Service

Free Estimations
& Support

Extensive Range of
Wood Grain Finishes