interloQ is an interlocking aluminium rainscreen cladding system designed for NCC-compliant facade applications across residential, commercial, and institutional projects. This guide covers the technical specifications, compliance evidence, finish options, and design considerations that specifiers need for confident specification. It is intended as a working reference — the kind of document you keep open while writing a facade schedule.
What is the interloQ rainscreen principle?
interloQ functions as a ventilated rainscreen system. The interlocking aluminium panels form the outer weather screen, while a drained and ventilated cavity sits between the cladding face and the building’s weather-resistant barrier.
This cavity is the core of the rainscreen principle. It serves three functions:
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Moisture management. Any water that penetrates past the outer screen drains down the cavity and exits at the base. The cladding is not relied upon as the sole line of waterproofing — it is the first line, with the cavity and membrane behind it providing redundancy.
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Pressure equalisation. The ventilated cavity allows air pressure behind the panels to equalise with external wind pressure, significantly reducing the pressure differential that drives rain through joints. This is a fundamentally different approach from face-sealed or direct-fix systems, which rely entirely on the outer skin remaining watertight.
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Thermal movement. The cavity accommodates the natural expansion and contraction of the aluminium cladding without transferring stress to the building structure or adjacent panels.
The distinction matters for specification. A rainscreen system is not the same as a direct-fix panel. The substrate, membrane, cavity depth, and drainage detailing all form part of the tested system and should be specified accordingly.
Material and structural specifications
The following data is what a facade engineer needs for structural calculations and material verification.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | Extruded aluminium |
| Alloy | 6060/6063, T5 temper |
| Thickness range | 1.8 - 3.5mm |
| Density | 2,680 kg/m³ |
| Tensile strength (ultimate) | 180 MPa |
| Tensile strength (yield) | 140 MPa |
| Modulus of elasticity | 68 GPa |
| Coefficient of thermal expansion | 23 um/m/K |
| Melting range | 616 - 654 degrees C |
| Sound absorption (NCR) | 0.05 |
| Sound reflection | 95% |
| Design standard | AS1170 |
| Extrusion tolerances | AS/NZS 1866:1997 |
The alloy range (6060/6063) is a standard architectural extrusion grade — good corrosion resistance, excellent extrudability, and well-suited to both powder coating and anodising. The T5 temper indicates the profiles are cooled from an elevated temperature shaping process and then artificially aged, providing a balance of strength and workability.
For structural design, interloQ panels are designed in accordance with AS1170 (Structural design actions). The extrusion tolerances comply with AS/NZS 1866:1997, which governs dimensional accuracy of aluminium extrusions used in structural and architectural applications.
What compliance evidence is available?
Two independently tested results underpin interloQ’s NCC compliance. Both are conducted by NATA-accredited laboratories.
Non-combustibility — AS1530.1:1994
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | AS1530.1:1994 (referenced by NCC Volume 1, Specification C1.8) |
| Testing authority | CSIRO (NATA accreditation #165) |
| Report number | FNC12595 |
| Result | Non-combustible |
AS1530.1 is the definitive test for non-combustibility under the NCC. The test subjects the material to a furnace at 750 degrees C and measures whether it ignites, produces flaming, or raises the furnace temperature beyond defined thresholds. A non-combustible classification under this test means the material itself will not contribute to fire spread — a binary pass/fail that is distinct from fire resistance ratings or spread-of-flame indices.
This is particularly relevant for Class 2-9 buildings where the NCC mandates non-combustible external wall cladding. The CSIRO report (FNC12595) is the primary evidence document for certifiers.
Weather performance — AS/NZS 4284:2008
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Standard | AS/NZS 4284:2008 (referenced by NCC Volume 1, Specification C1.8) |
| Testing authority | Ian Bennie & Associates (NATA accreditation #2371) |
| Report number | 2022-031-S1 |
| Result | Pass at plus/minus 1500Pa serviceability limit state (SLS) |
AS/NZS 4284 tests a facade system’s resistance to water penetration under simulated wind-driven rain conditions. The test pressures represent the serviceability wind loads the facade is expected to experience during its design life. A pass at plus/minus 1500Pa SLS demonstrates the system manages water effectively under sustained pressure cycling in both positive and negative directions.
Valmond & Gibson supplies a 38-page compliance pack that includes both test reports, certificates, and supporting documentation. This is the package certifiers and building surveyors typically request at the approval stage.
What finish options are available?
interloQ is available in four finish categories, each with different performance characteristics, lead times, and cost profiles.
Powder coat is the most commonly specified finish. Valmond & Gibson’s standard powder coat is Interpon D2525, a superdurable polyester powder formulated for exterior architectural use. The D2525 range includes a broad palette of solid and metallic colours. For projects requiring a tactile, low-sheen surface, the Structura texture range provides a natural, stone-like finish that is particularly effective at concealing minor surface marks over time.
Anodised finishes are available in natural, bronze, and black. Anodising is an electrochemical process that converts the aluminium surface into a durable oxide layer — it becomes part of the metal rather than sitting on top of it. This gives anodised finishes a distinctive metallic depth that powder coat cannot replicate. Anodised aluminium also develops a natural patina over time, which some architects value for its evolving character.
Woodgrain finishes deliver timber-effect aesthetics with the fire performance and durability of aluminium. These are sublimation-printed finishes applied over a powder coat base, offering the warmth of wood without the maintenance, combustibility, or dimensional instability.
Custom colour matching is available for larger projects where the standard range does not meet the design intent.
Each finish type has different weathering characteristics, maintenance requirements, and warranty implications. For a detailed comparison of powder coat and anodised performance in facade applications, refer to our guide on powder coat vs. anodised aluminium.
Design flexibility
interloQ panels can be installed in either vertical or horizontal orientation. The interlocking connection works in both directions, and the pre-punched fixing slots provide consistent alignment regardless of which way the panels run. This means the same panel profile can achieve markedly different facade expressions depending on orientation — a consideration worth exploring early in the design process.
Multiple panel widths are available, allowing designers to vary the facade rhythm across a single elevation or between different building faces. Because all panel sizes share a common interlocking connection and fixing method, there is no change in installation approach when mixing widths.
A practical advantage of the interlocking design is panel interchangeability. If a panel is damaged — during construction or years later — it can be removed and replaced individually without disturbing adjacent panels. This is worth noting in specifications, particularly for buildings with high public interface where impact damage is foreseeable.
interloQ is also compatible with the conneQt adaptor system. conneQt provides aluminium battens, fins, and screening elements that integrate with interloQ panels on the same substructure. This allows a single facade system to combine solid cladding areas with open screening, vertical fins, or projecting battens — without introducing a second supplier or fixing system.
Fabrication requirements
interloQ panels are fabricated using standard aluminium workshop equipment. No specialist tooling is required.
- Cutting: Standard aluminium cutting saws. For wider extrusion profiles, a track-guided saw ensures clean, straight cuts.
- Drilling: HSS (high-speed steel) centre point drill bits. Centre point bits prevent the drill from walking on the aluminium surface.
- Fixing: Rivets or screws, depending on the substructure and specification requirements.
Critical: do not weld interloQ panels. Welding introduces localised heat that damages the finished coating (whether powder coat or anodised) and alters the temper properties of the aluminium in the heat-affected zone. Any on-site joining or modification should be done mechanically.
Project applications
interloQ is used across a broad range of building types and project scales. To give a sense of the range:
- Domestic homes — individual residences and townhouse developments, typically $20K-$50K of interloQ supply per project.
- Multi-storey residential and build-to-rent — Class 2 buildings, often the largest interloQ projects by area, typically $150K-$200K per project.
- Commercial — offices, retail, mixed-use developments.
- Government and institutional — hospitals, defence facilities, civic buildings, courthouses.
- Education — schools, universities, childcare centres.
Valmond & Gibson’s project portfolio includes 144 completed projects on valmondgibson.com, with 64 of those featuring interloQ. That body of work covers most Australian states and a wide cross-section of building classes, which means there is likely a comparable reference project for most specification scenarios.
Specification checklist
When writing interloQ into a facade specification, the following items should be addressed:
- Profile selection — panel width(s) and thickness
- Finish type — powder coat, anodised, woodgrain, or custom
- Colour — specific colour code (Interpon reference for powder coat, anodise grade for anodised)
- Orientation — vertical or horizontal installation
- Fixing method — rivets or screws, with fastener specification
- Substructure — material, spacing, and fixing back to primary structure
- Cavity depth — minimum ventilated cavity behind panels
- Compliance references — AS1530.1 (CSIRO FNC12595), AS/NZS 4284 (Ian Bennie 2022-031-S1)
- Design standard — AS1170 for wind load design
- Warranty requirements — up to 20 years when installed by a qualified installer
Documentation and support
Valmond & Gibson provides comprehensive technical documentation for interloQ:
- Technical Manual (67 pages) — full installation guidance, details, and specifications
- Compliance Pack (38 pages) — test reports, certificates, and NCC compliance evidence
- Product Introduction (28 pages) — overview for design teams and project stakeholders
- CAD files (.dwg) — standard details for integration into project drawings
All documents are available for download from valmondgibson.com/products/interloq, or contact the Valmond & Gibson team directly for project-specific technical support.
Related Reading
- element13 Specification Guide: Solid Aluminium Cladding for Australian Projects
- 165CW Curtain Wall System: Australian-Designed Specification Guide
- Choosing the Right Aluminium Facade System for Your Project
- Rainscreen vs Direct-Fix Cladding: Which Approach Suits Your Project?
Last updated: 3 April 2026