Is there a facade, or cladding system, that has been custom-designed, specifically engineered, and exhaustively tested to provide a different version to suit the different building classifications and requirements? Particularly one for medium-density residential and low-rise commercial builds? Yes – XpressClad from Pacbld (Pacific Build Supply).

XpressClad is a negative detail, adhesive-fixed, facade or cladding or soffit system, that incorporates an extensive range of rain-screen panel options. The three types of rain-screen options include: Swisspearl high-density (+/-1,900kg/m³) through-colour fibre cement, Parklex timber veneer HPL, and Pacbld Refined medium-density (+/-1,200kg/m³) paintable fibre cement.

There are three versions of XpressClad:

XpressClad PX3-0

• Has a 20mm cladding cavity
• The system drains at every horizontal junction
• PX3-0 is BRANZ Appraised for any building up to 10m (three storeys)
• The first BRANZ Appraisal for an adhesive-fixed cladding system.

XpressClad PX20

• Has a 20mm cladding cavity
• The system ventilates from top-to-bottom, and is designed to meet MoE (Ministry of Education) guidelines.
• PX20 has been tested to AS/NZS 4284 and exceeds +/-5.5kPa wind-loading.

XpressClad PX40

• Has a 40mm cladding cavity
• The system ventilates from top-to-bottom, and is designed for high-rise buildings taller than +30m (10 stories).
• PX40 has been tested to AS/NZS 4284 and exceeds +9.75kPa, -5.5kPa, and has a BR135 classification passing BS 8414.

All three versions of XpressClad have a 120/120/120 fire-resistance rating.

Given the robustness of the XpressClad systems, and the durability and low-maintenance of Swisspearl, they are ideally suited to all medium-density residential and low-rise commercial building, in particular Housing New Zealand and Ministry of Education projects. Or as the BRANZ Assessment puts it, “for any building at any height."