Standards Australia · Published 2018 · Active
AS 1562.1:2018 is the Australian Standard for the design and installation of sheet metal roof and wall cladding. It gives building designers, roofers and cladding installers a practical framework for how metal cladding should be designed, fixed and installed so it can perform properly under Australian conditions.
As part of the broader framework of construction Standards used across building projects, it helps support compliant work on both new builds and reroofing jobs.
📖 What Is AS 1562.1:2018?
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Covers self-supporting metal roof and wall cladding design and installation.
- ✓ Includes corrugated and trapezoidal profiles for residential and commercial use.
- ✓ Replaces the earlier AS 1562.1-1992 edition.
AS 1562.1:2018 sets out the requirements for the design and installation of self-supporting metal roof and wall cladding. In simple terms, it explains how sheet metal cladding should be selected, supported and installed so it can handle things like wind pressure, thermal movement and everyday weather exposure.
It covers common types of profiled metal sheeting used in Australian construction, including corrugated and trapezoidal profiles. These systems are used across both domestic and non-domestic buildings, which is why the Standard is relevant to everyone from residential roofers to commercial designers and cladding contractors.
The current edition of the Standard is AS 1562.1:2018, which replaced the earlier AS 1562.1-1992.
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📖 Scope and Application
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Applies to steel and aluminium sheet cladding systems.
- ✓ Used for both new builds and reroofing projects.
- ✓ Used by architects, roofing contractors, installers and product manufacturers.
AS 1562.1:2018 applies to self-supporting sheet metal roof and wall cladding used in Australian buildings. That means metal cladding systems made from materials such as steel and aluminium, including common profiled sheeting used on roofs and external walls. It’s relevant to both residential and commercial projects, which is why it’s used across a wide range of building types.
The Standard is used for both new buildings and reroofing work on existing buildings. That makes it useful not just for new construction, but also for upgrade and replacement projects where roof sheeting or wall cladding needs to be designed and installed in line with current requirements.
It’s commonly used by architects, building designers, roofing contractors and cladding installers when planning or carrying out metal cladding work. Product manufacturers can also use it as a reference point when developing systems meant for use in the Australian market. The Standard is important because it helps create a consistent and safe approach to cladding design, fixing and installation.
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
📖 Design Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Wind actions determined using AS/NZS 1170.2.
- ✓ Span limits depend on profile, thickness and design loads.
- ✓ NCC sets minimum pitch requirements for metal sheet roofing.
Design starts with the loads the cladding will need to resist. Under AS 1562.1:2018, sheet metal roof and wall cladding is designed for actions like wind pressure, thermal movement and other relevant loads acting on the system. Wind design is a key part of that process, and wind actions are determined using AS/NZS 1170.2.
That matters because cladding cannot be designed on appearance alone. The sheet profile, metal thickness, support spacing and fixing layout all need to work together so the cladding can resist calculated wind pressures for the site. In practice, that means span limits are not one-size-fits-all. They depend on the cladding profile being used, the thickness of the sheet, and the design loads the system needs to carry.
For roofing, drainage also matters at the design stage. The National Construction Code (NCC) includes minimum pitch requirements for metal sheet roofing profiles, so the roof profile and slope need to be selected together rather than treated as separate decisions.
A simple way to think about the design side is:
This is why AS 1562.1:2018 is more than an installation guide. It links the design of the cladding system to the site conditions and the way the material will actually perform once it’s fixed in place.
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
📖 Installation Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Minimum lap requirements for end and side laps between sheets.
- ✓ Properly formed flashings and cappings for weatherproofing.
- ✓ Drainage design must work with falls and roof cladding.
Good design still depends on correct installation. AS 1562.1:2018 covers a range of installation details that affect how well sheet metal roof and wall cladding performs once it’s in place. It isn’t just about fixing sheets to a structure. It also deals with the practical details that help the system stay weatherproof and drain properly over time.
Some of the main installation areas covered by AS 1562.1:2018 include:
1 End laps and side laps
The Standard sets minimum lap requirements for end and side laps between sheets, so water is shed properly, and wind-driven rain is less likely to enter the system.
2 Flashings and cappings
Penetrations, ridges, hips and valleys need properly formed flashings and cappings to help keep the roof or wall weatherproof.
3 Gutters and downpipes
The Standard also covers requirements for gutters, downpipes and related drainage details so water can drain away effectively from the roof.
4 Drainage design
Roof cladding, falls, and drainage design need to work together so water does not back up or overflow where it should not.
These details might seem small, but they play a major role in how the finished cladding performs.
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
📖 Fastener Requirements
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Type, size and spacing must suit cladding system and wind loads.
- ✓ Spacing varies between general field and edge areas.
- ✓ Material compatibility prevents corrosion between components.
Fasteners are a key part of cladding performance under AS 1562.1:2018. Their type, size and spacing all need to suit the cladding system and the loads acting on it, particularly wind loads.
Some of the main fastener requirements covered by AS 1562.1 include:
1 Type and size of the fasteners
Fasteners need to be suitable for the sheet profile, supporting structure and installation method being used.
2 Fastener spacing
Spacing isn’t the same on every project. It depends on the wind pressure at the site, the cladding profile and where the fixing is located on the building, such as the general field area or more highly loaded edge areas.
3 Material compatibility
Fasteners need to be compatible with the cladding material and surrounding components to help reduce the risk of corrosion.
4 Edge distance and fixing limits
Screw fasteners need to be positioned within acceptable edge distances and spacing limits so the cladding can perform as intended without damaging the sheet or weakening the fixing point.
These requirements play a big role in whether the cladding system performs as intended. If the wrong fasteners are used or the spacing is off, the cladding may not cope properly with wind loads or long-term exposure.
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
📖 Buy the Full AS 1562.1:2018 Standard
✦ KEY TAKEAWAYS
- ✓ Available at Intertek Inform in PDF and hardcopy formats.
- ✓ Essential for designers, roofers and cladding installers.
- ✓ Backed by Intertek’s cladding product testing services.
If you work with metal roofing or wall cladding, AS 1562.1:2018 sets out the requirements for designing and installing sheet metal roof and wall cladding. Having access to the Standard makes it easier to understand what’s required and apply those requirements consistently across a project.
At Intertek Inform, AS 1562.1:2018 is available in PDF and hardcopy formats. We also offer cladding product testing services for manufacturers that need to assess performance under weather, structural and related building envelope conditions.
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
📖 Related Articles and Standards
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Access the full AS 1562.1:2018 Get the official AS 1562.1:2018 Standard. Buy AS 1562.1:2018 PDF → |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Common questions about AS 1562.1:2018
AS 1562.1:2018 covers the design and installation of self-supporting sheet metal roof and wall cladding in Australia. That includes design issues such as wind actions, thermal movement and span considerations, along with installation details like laps, flashings, fixings and drainage performance. The Standard is used to guide how these systems are designed and installed so they can perform properly under Australian conditions.
AS 1562.1:2018 is referenced by the National Construction Code as a Deemed-to-Satisfy pathway for metal sheet roofing and some solid metal wall cladding applications. That being said, it isn’t the only possible pathway to compliance, as a Performance Solution may also be used where appropriate under the NCC.
AS 1562.1:2018 applies to self-supporting metal roof and wall cladding. In practice, that commonly includes steel and aluminium sheet cladding systems used in Australian construction, but the full Standard should be checked for the exact material, profile and application requirements that apply to a specific project.
Fastener spacing depends on the design conditions of the project. That includes wind actions at the site, usually determined using AS/NZS 1170.2, as well as the sheet profile, support arrangement and where the fixing sits on the building.
AS 1562.1:2018 is available from Intertek Inform in PDF and hardcopy formats. This gives building designers, roofing contractors and cladding installers a choice depending on how the Standard will be used, whether that’s for design reference, project documentation or work on site.