Tropical Darwin and alpine Tasmania could not be more different. Here is how to think about cladding across Australia's climate zones.
Tropical north
In Darwin, Cairns and the Top End, humidity, monsoon rain and cyclones dominate. Non-porous aluminium will not rot or grow mould the way timber does in the wet, and marine-grade alloy handles the coastal salt.
Temperate south-east
Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra see real seasonal swings. Aluminium's dimensional stability means joints stay tight and lines stay straight through the wet winters and dry summers.
Mediterranean west and Adelaide
Perth and Adelaide bake in dry summer heat and UV. UV-stable finishes hold their colour where oiled timber bleaches and cracks - and on hot elevations a mid or lighter tone manages heat.
Arid inland
In the outback, big daily temperature swings and dust are the challenge. Aluminium handles the hot-cold cycle without splitting and hoses clean of red dust.
Cool Tasmania and the highlands
Cold, damp conditions rot the back of timber boards. Non-porous aluminium gives damp and frost nothing to grip, so there is no rot and nothing to repaint.