NCC 2025 is changing how external walls are built in cooler climate zones across Australia – starting with Victoria from 1 May 2026, with ACT and NSW to follow.
Cladding fixed straight to the frame is out. Drained, ventilated cavities are in.
We’ve added Highwood – Australia’s most certified structural cavity batten – to the Dahlsens range so you’re ready, wherever you build.
H3-treated and engineered to drain means no trapped moisture, no rot and no mould. Just confidence behind the cladding.
Why HighFlow battens are a cut above
- Structural LVL: Straighter, lighter and dimensionally more stable than solid timbers so you can direct fix cladding and eliminate the need to cross batten
- Structurally rated: Independently tested and structurally rated for wind and cladding loads – so you can be confident in its structural capacity
- Castellated with bevelled edge: Improves ventilation and drainage by promoting airflow and helping to prevent mould, rot and moisture issues. Solid battens don’t allow for this drainage unless special spacers are used, so castellated battens are a better choice for ventilation and moisture control
- Highly durable: H3 treated LVL battens by Highwood are more resistant to splitting, and warping than solid materials
- Faster installs: As structural battens, no additional framing or cross battening is required making installation considerably faster than non-structural alternatives
- Compliant and future-proof: Meets and exceeds ventilation and moisture-management standards under NCC 2025 ventilation requirement of 2,000 mm²/m for Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8
- Cost-effective: Less material waste, reduced labour overheads
- Better end result: Healthier home, reduced risk of mould or rot, a long-lasting building envelope
- Long warranty: Highwood products carry a 25-year structural and treatment warranty
What’s in the range
The Highwood LVL product range of wall and roof ventilation battens, carries a standalone structural certification, making it compatible with a wide variety of cladding materials and with both timber and steel framing.
That outcome fuels his motivation to continually refine how the business operates.
Highwood cavity battens go with…
- Approved for use with Pro Clima Class 4 vapour permeable systems
- Horizontal, vertical and sheet claddings from brands such as James Hardie, Weathertex, Biowood, Abodo and more.
Key NCC 2025 changes for residential builders
Performance Requirement H4P7 in NCC 2025 requires management of the risks associated with water vapour and condensation to minimise impacts on occupant health and building durability.
Dahlsens have added Highwood – the most certified and highest performing batten on the market – to our range to help you confidently comply with this provision.
What you need to know:
- In Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8, external walls must incorporate a drained and ventilated cavity behind cladding
- Direct-fixed cladding systems are generally no longer permitted in these cooler climates
- Cavities must provide ventilation openings of at least 1000 mm² per metre of wall length
- The cavity must also provide a drainage path for incidental moisture
- For lightweight cladding assemblies, a drained cavity batten system is typically required to achieve compliance with these provisions
Ventilated cavity battens will be required with lightweight cladding materials such as:
- Fibre cement
- Compressed panel
- Composite panel
- Solid timber
- Rendered facades
Timing
For Dahlsens customers, NCC 2025 will apply as follows:
- Victoria: Adoption and mandatory from 1 May 2026
- ACT: Adoption from 1 May 2026 and mandatory from 1 May 2027
- NSW: Adoption and mandatory from 1 May 2027
Let’s do this
Highwood Project Battens are in stock at selected Dahlsens stores.
All Highwood products are available to order through any Dahlsens store for pick up or delivery.
Whether you’re working on a custom home, a multi-residential development or a volume housing project, we can walk you through the range and what you need to know.