Metal Cladding
Metal cladding delivers a durable, low-maintenance external wall finish with strong fire performance, making it a common specification for architectural facades, commercial builds and bushfire-prone sites.
Big River Group’s metal cladding range includes MODAL Premium Wood-Grain Aluminium Cladding, an AAMA2604-rated aluminium system that combines the appearance of natural timber with the durability, fire safety and low maintenance of a metal facade.
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MODAL Premium Wood-Grain Aluminium Cladding
Premium wood-grain aluminium cladding combines natural timber beauty with high-grade aluminium's architectural durability, fire safety, and low-maintenance performance
How to Choose the Right Metal Cladding
Start with the finish you need. For projects wanting a natural timber appearance without timber's maintenance burden, wood-grain aluminium cladding such as MODAL replicates the look of timber battens or boards while offering the fire resistance and durability of aluminium.
For bushfire-prone sites, metal cladding is generally non-combustible or has a high resistance to ignition, making it a strong option for high-BAL construction - confirm the specific product's fire testing (AS/NZS 1530.1 and 1530.3) against your site's BAL rating.
For coastal and marine environments, check the cladding's corrosion coating specification (such as AAMA2604 for aluminium finishes) to ensure it's rated for the site's exposure category, and use matched fixings to avoid galvanic corrosion at joins.
For commercial and architectural facades, aluminium cladding panels offer long, consistent runs with minimal visible fixing and a factory-finished surface that holds its colour over time.
Why Specify Metal Cladding?
Where Is Metal Cladding Used?
Metal cladding is widely specified for architectural residential facades, commercial buildings and multi-residential developments where durability, fire performance and a clean, contemporary finish are priorities.
Wood-grain aluminium products are commonly used as feature cladding on entryways, screening, fencing and full facade applications where a natural timber look is desired without ongoing maintenance.
In bushfire-prone areas, metal cladding’s fire performance makes it a practical option for external walls and screening elements on higher-BAL sites, subject to confirming the specific system’s compliance for the site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is metal cladding made from?
Metal cladding is most commonly aluminium or steel, factory-finished with a protective and decorative coating. Big River’s MODAL range uses aluminium with a wood-grain finish, offering a timber look with a metal substrate’s durability and fire performance.
Is metal cladding fire resistant?
Metal cladding products are typically tested to AS/NZS 1530.1 (ignitability) and AS/NZS 1530.3 (early fire hazard), and are often specified in bushfire-prone areas for this reason. Always confirm the specific product’s fire test results and compliance against your site’s BAL rating and AS 3959.
How does wood-grain aluminium cladding compare to real timber?
Wood-grain aluminium cladding is designed to replicate the appearance of natural timber battens or boards, but with the fire resistance, corrosion durability and low maintenance of a metal substrate – avoiding the sealing, staining and pest-resistance maintenance that timber cladding requires.
Is metal cladding suitable for coastal areas?
Aluminium cladding with an appropriate protective coating (such as one meeting the AAMA2604 standard) is generally well-suited to coastal environments, but corrosion resistance should always be checked against the manufacturer’s specification and the site’s specific exposure category.
Where can I buy metal cladding?
Big River stocks metal cladding, including MODAL Premium Wood-Grain Aluminium Cladding, available for pickup or delivery from our trade centres & commercial sites nationally.
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