Cladding

Fixed Gap Cladding

Aluminium Fixed Gap Cladding

Features

Overview

Fixed gap cladding, also called open joint or rainscreen cladding, is a system where boards are set with a deliberate, consistent gap between them rather than locked tight. Knotwood’s Fixed Gap Board holds a uniform 15mm spacing across the run, giving a crisp architectural line while letting moisture drain clear and air move behind the face. Available in a 150mm board across our aluminium cladding range.

Where It Fits

Built to Perform

Sizes & Options

Take a Closer Look

Horizontial Install

Each Fixed Gap board hooks onto a tab-lock starter at the base and swings flush against the substructure, secured with a concealed cladding clip. Installation works from the bottom up, one board locking into the next, finishing with a cover trim pressed over the base trim to close the perimeter.

Vertical Install

Starter

Trims

Corners

Profiles

Suite

Tab - Lock
Starter

KECTS

Cladding - Clip
45mm

KACC

Base Trim
(F)

KECFF

Cover Trim
(M)

KECFMM

Base Joiner Trim
(F)

KECJF

Cover Joiner Trim
(M)

KECJM

Reversible Corner Base Trim
(M)

KECCML

Base Corner Trim
135º (F)

KECCFA

Reversible Corner Cover Trim - Rounded
(F)

KECCF

Reversible Corner Cover Trim - Square
(F)

KECCF-02

Standard Profile - Top Hat
90 x 25mm

KECT9025

Fixed Gap Tab - Lock Board
150mm

KECT150

Tab - Lock - Starter

KECTS

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PDF

DWG

Customisation

Downloads

Specification

Product Details:

Material

6063 T6 Temper Extruded Aluminium Alloy

Country of Origin

Australia

Australian resourced and produced from local supply chains, which adds to our quality and minimises disruption from logistics and manufacturing delays.

Length

6500mm

Finish

Traditional Solid Powder Coated Colours or Sublimated Timber Grain

Availability

Lead times can vary between 2–4 weeks, depending on the time of year. Contact us for an accurate estimate.

Warranty Life

Backed by a standard 15 year warranty and up to 25 years on selected finishes. See our warranty page for the terms that apply to this profile.

Maintenance

Periodic washing with a soft broom and water, using a pH neutral detergent.

Sustainability

Recyclable Aluminium
Non-Chromate Pre-Treatment
VOC free Powder Coat

Performance Requirements:

Fire Standards

AS 1530.1-1994 - Combustibility testing for materials.

AS/NZS 1530.3-1999 - Methods of fire testing on materials.

AS 3959 (BAL40) - Building construction in bushfire prone areas.

Performance Standards

AS/NZS 1866 - Aluminium alloy extrusions.

AS 3715-2002 - Metal finishing surface coating.

FAQs

What is fixed gap cladding?

Fixed gap cladding is a facade system where boards are fixed with a deliberate, consistent gap between them rather than sitting flush against each other, also known as open joint cladding. Knotwood’s Fixed Gap Board maintains that gap precisely along the full run, creating a structured, contemporary look that is a clear step away from close-fitted cladding. The open joint is a recognisable feature of architect-led contemporary Australian builds.

Is fixed gap cladding the same as rainscreen cladding?

They overlap but are not identical. Rainscreen describes the wall build-up: an outer skin set forward of a drained, ventilated cavity. Fixed gap describes the board profile and the open joint between boards. A fixed gap board is the outer skin commonly specified in a rainscreen wall, which is why the terms are often used interchangeably. Knotwood’s Fixed Gap Board suits rainscreen applications, though the cavity, battens and membrane behind it are part of the wall design rather than the cladding product.

What is the difference between fixed gap cladding and standard cladding?

In a standard close-fitted cladding system, boards butt together or interlock to create a continuous surface with no visible gap. Fixed gap cladding, also called open joint cladding, deliberately maintains a consistent space between boards instead. This changes the visual character of the facade, the drainage and ventilation behaviour behind the cladding, and the way the system is fixed. Knotwood’s Fixed Gap Board is engineered specifically to hold that gap consistently as the building moves through temperature and humidity cycles.

Does fixed gap cladding provide drainage and ventilation benefits?

Yes. The consistent gap in a fixed gap board system allows moisture that penetrates the outer face to drain clear rather than sit against the substrate. It also allows airflow behind the cladding. For architects specifying in rainscreen wall situations, this drainage and ventilation behaviour is a functional consideration alongside the visual one. Knotwood’s aluminium Fixed Gap Board is engineered to hold the gap consistently as the building moves through normal temperature and humidity cycles.

What is visible behind open joint cladding boards?

Because the boards sit with a gap between them, the substrate or cavity behind the cladding is partially visible at certain angles. The appearance of a fixed gap facade depends on what sits behind: a dark-coloured substrate or cavity batten will recede visually and emphasise the board profile, which is a common approach in contemporary facade design. The substrate also has to be selected for exposure, since it is no longer fully shielded by the cladding. Send us your wall section and our technical team will confirm the substrate and cavity detail for your project.

What is fixed gap cladding suited to?

Fixed Gap Board suits contemporary residential and commercial facades where a structured, open-joint look is part of the design brief. It is particularly common on architect-led projects where deliberate material detailing is central to the design language. It also works well paired with a close-fitted cladding profile elsewhere on the same facade, with the open-joint section acting as a considered contrast to the solid surface.

Is fixed gap cladding non-combustible?

Yes. Knotwood aluminium cladding profiles, including Fixed Gap Board, are non-combustible and tested to AS 1530.1 and AS/NZS 1530.3 for combustibility and early fire hazard properties. Group Numbers are what the National Construction Code uses to set where a lining material can be used. Open-joint systems raise their own questions on a multi-storey facade, because the cavity behind the cladding forms part of the assembly being assessed. Send us your building class and wall section and we will confirm the documentation for your project.

What warranty does Knotwood fixed gap cladding come with?

Knotwood fixed gap cladding carries a powder coat warranty to AS 3715, and the term depends on the finish you specify. Woodgrain finishes use Interpon D STF and carry up to 15 years. Standard colours carry 10 years on Interpon D1000, or 25 years on Interpon D2525, the ultra-durable coating used on prestigious commercial and high-rise projects. All warranties must be registered to take effect. Full terms and the registration form are on our warranty page.

How much does fixed gap cladding cost?

Knotwood does not publish fixed pricing, because cladding is quoted on specification. The main variables are the finish, the total area and the trims the detail requires. Fixed Gap Boards also need the substrate behind the open joint considered, since it is partly visible through the gap, and that can affect the build-up cost. Send us your elevations and we will quote it.

What are the gap and board dimensions for Knotwood fixed gap cladding?

Fixed Gap Board comes in a single 150mm board size, supplied in 6500mm lengths, with a fixed 15mm gap maintained between boards along the full run. Boards install with a tab lock fixing system, so there are no visible fasteners on the finished face.

What finishes are available for Knotwood fixed gap cladding?

Fixed Gap Board is available in traditional solid powder coated colours and in a sublimated timber grain surface, the same architectural-grade finish range used across the Knotwood cladding system. That means an open-joint section can be specified alongside a close-fitted Knotwood profile on the same facade with a consistent finish. The full range is on our finishes page.

What maintenance does fixed gap cladding need?

Very little. There is no painting, sanding or resealing cycle at any point. Periodic washing with a soft broom, water and a pH neutral detergent is all that is required, and more often on coastal installations to clear salt deposits before they sit on the finish. The consideration specific to fixed gap cladding is the open joint itself: leaves and debris can collect in the gap on a sheltered elevation or where the cladding runs close to planting, and clearing it keeps water draining the way the system is designed to. Avoid abrasive pads and solvent-based cleaners, since those can permanently mark the powder coat finish.

Why Knotwood?

Locally Made.
Reliable Service

Free Estimations
& Support

Extensive Range of
Wood Grain Finishes

CPDs & Educational Support

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Features

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Specification

Product Details:

Performance Requirements:

FAQs

What is fixed gap cladding?

Is fixed gap cladding the same as rainscreen cladding?

What is the difference between fixed gap cladding and standard cladding?

Does fixed gap cladding provide drainage and ventilation benefits?

What is visible behind open joint cladding boards?

What is fixed gap cladding suited to?

Is fixed gap cladding non-combustible?

What warranty does Knotwood fixed gap cladding come with?

How much does fixed gap cladding cost?

What are the gap and board dimensions for Knotwood fixed gap cladding?

What finishes are available for Knotwood fixed gap cladding?

What maintenance does fixed gap cladding need?

Why Knotwood?

Locally Made. Reliable Service

Free Estimations & Support

Extensive Range of Wood Grain Finishes

CPDs & Educational Support

More on Cladding

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Trusted, Tested, Compliant - Knotwoods CodeMark Certification

Is All Aluminium the Same?

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