Aluminium cladding that resembles wood

The use of aluminium cladding that resembles wood on construction projects solves significant challenges faced by architects, designers and main contractors including fire compliance and weight restrictions.

As a building material, aluminium carries greater benefits than timber as a cladding material, giving specifiers more confidence for their build project.

Timber offers stunning aesthetics with a natural woodgrain finish, but often is questioned in terms of its durability and longevity.

Aluminium cladding brings a much more durable finish, offering impressive weather resistance and is non warping. And the fact our aluminium cladding offers a wood effect, with subtle and striking woodgrain patterns, it really does give design and construction professionals a solid choice in their project specification.

Aluminium cladding that resembles wood

Knotwood manufacture and supply stunning, durable, lightweight aluminium cladding that resembles wood.

The woodgrain effect has been on trend for some time when it comes to the design of building exteriors. Designers are keen to capture the eco aesthetic that is so popular for owners, tenants and users of buildings.

Knotwood’s aluminium cladding that resembles wood is the ideal solution for achieving the eco effect through the use of robust, lightweight and non-combustible aluminium.

Knotwood aluminium cladding is not only beneficial for designers and architects, it is also popular with property owners, tenants and contractors.

For property owners and tenants, our aluminium cladding looks great with the woodgrain effect, it is also low maintenance which makes it cost-effective.

The powder coated woodgrain finishes that are applied to the aluminium offer ease of maintenance and longevity of surfaces. They are applied using the latest in sublimation and photographic film technology we use.

Unlike timber, Knotwood aluminium cladding does not require repainting.

Contractors love to work with Knotwood aluminium cladding because it is so lightweight, durable and easy to assemble. This saves them considerable time on site and produces hardly any waste.

Cladding System

Knotwood’s aluminium cladding system is based on a simple interlock and click system that is innovative and unique. In fact, its design was based around easy installation. Crucially, the clip fixing system allows the cladding board to expand and contract which means the boards don’t warp or twist, regardless of how bad the weather conditions may be.

Knotwood cladding boards are available in 100mm, 150mm and 200mm widths. There is also a 100mm shiplap board and a 200mm dimensional cladding board.

For tackling windows, corners or joins, Knotwood has a range of extra components for ease of installation. These include dimensional clip ins, starters, clips, corner trims, slotted corner trims, joiner trims, slotted joiner trims, end trims and slotted end trims. Contractors can be advised on what to order to ensure the job is completed with a clean finish.

Each Knotwood aluminium cladding board has a 5mm adjustable shadow gap. This gap between the boards gives a defined plank style that provides a contemporary twist to traditional cladding. This allows for minimal cutting and waste which saves time during and after the installation process.

Colours and finishes

The wood-effect colours and finishes of Knotwood aluminium cladding are what make it so attractive to designers and architects. They facilitate truly unique effects for building exteriors.

Knotwood’s natural timber aesthetic is achieved through a process that has been developed over time and is unique to Knotwood. It is a sublimation process that transfers the woodgrain designs onto a powder coated surface. This results in a natural timber effect with an authentic textured, matt finish.

Our vertical powder coating system is critical in meeting our high standards of finish. It also facilitates a speedy finishing process. It is important that Knotwood continues to innovate so we regularly work in collaboration with industry experts to create unique powders that result in an exceptional range of consistent, durable, and rich colours.

The wood effect finishes of Knotwood aluminium cladding are available in woodgrain and solid colours:

Woodgrain colours – Anthracite Ash, Kwila, Light Oak, Grey Ash, QLD Walnut, Natural Oak.

Textura solid colours – White, Surfmist, Silver, Primrose, Paperbark, Dune, Jasper, Woodland Grey, Monument, Deep Ocean, Ironstone, Black.

All stock colours can be viewed here. Non stocked colours can be discussed and made available upon request.

To avoid problems with variations, Knotwood supply all materials for an order from the same batch. For this reason it is important that a sufficient quantity of materials from the same batch are ordered.

While we can top up orders at a later date, we cannot guarantee the exact colour and shade from batch to batch. We can advise any purchasers to help them order the amount needed for their projects.

 The latest fire safety requirements for cladding

Since 2018 the fire safety requirements for cladding have specified a ban on combustible materials for external facades of buildings that are 11 metres and taller that contain one or more dwelling.

Knotwood aluminium wood effect cladding is fire rated to A2-s1-d0 and classed as non combustible.

This ensures it is an excellent solution for architects, main contractors and developers who are specifying cladding for commercial or residential building applications over 11m in height, or any project where an A2 fire rating is required by law.

The EN 13501-1 fire safety standard is the fire classification of construction and building elements, including exterior wall cladding. This fire safety standard is recognised across Europe, ensuring uniformity in the fire safety ratings.

The testing that is carried out to determine fire safety performance includes ignitability, smoke production, heat release and other criteria.

Knotwood aluminium cladding is a non-combustible product that is certified as All Systems EN 13501-1 Class A fire rated.

Durability and resistance

As well as the fire safety certification, the durability and resistance to deterioration of Knotwood aluminium cladding is a significant benefit to designers, architects and property owners and developers.

• A Knotwood installation avoids durability issues associated with natural wood. It is a robust, durable material that doesn’t deteriorate or warp
• Knotwood is weather resistant, so won’t swell, grow mould or rust in wet conditions
• The top coat of exterior grade paint that is baked onto Knotwood cladding provides resistance against chipping, flaking, blistering and scratching
• Knotwood is insect proof so doesn’t require chemical treatments for protection against pests.

Why work with Knotwood?

The Knotwood brand was established in 2009. Previously, all aluminium cladding systems were welded, and powder coatings were only available in colours from the standard RAL colour chart.

Knotwood is now a global leader in architectural woodgrain patterns and colours, sold in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and South Africa.

For more information on Knotwood aluminium cladding that resembles wood, or to make an enquiry with regard to an upcoming cladding project, get in touch.