ATI Cavi-Vent®

All ATI products are manufactured from XPS that does not absorb moisture, rot, swell or twist. Once installed, they maintain thermal separation and cavity depth passively with no maintenance required. Minimum 50-year lifespan.

Major cladding manufacturers recommend or require a defined cavity behind their products to support drainage and ventilation. Cavi-Break and Cavi-Vent create that cavity depth while providing thermal separation at the framing interface, making it easier to align with cladding manufacturer installation requirements and support warranty conditions.

All ATI wall products are compatible with both steel and timber framing across residential and commercial wall assemblies. For steel-framed construction, they outperform the NCC thermal break requirement. For timber-framed construction, they create a defined cavity that supports condensation management as standards continue to tighten.

Cavi-Break and Cavi-Vent are supplied in 1,200mm lengths to align with standard framing layouts without cutting in most applications. Reduces waste on site and cuts to length with standard hand tools where needed.

All ATI wall products feature self-adhesive backing that holds the strip in place over the wall wrap or membrane while cladding is fixed through into framing as normal. No power tools, no extra fixings, straightforward enough for a single installer.

Cavi-Break and Cavi-Vent are manufactured from high-density extruded polystyrene (XPS) with high compressive strength to resist deformation under cladding loads. Maintaining dimensional stability is critical for two reasons: it keeps cladding lines straight and preserves the defined cavity depth over the service life of the building. Unlike lower-density foam products, they do not compress or creep under sustained load.

NCC Part 13.2.5 requires a minimum R0.2 thermal break between steel framing and external cladding in steel-framed construction. Independent test data referenced to AS/NZS 4859.1 is available to support compliance documentation and Energy Efficiency Aspect certification.

Cavi-Break and Cavi-Vent are each available in four independently tested R-values: R0.28 (X10), R0.34 (X12), R0.58 (X20) and R0.90 (X35). All variants outperform the NCC Part 13.2.5 minimum thermal break requirement of R0.2 for steel-framed construction, starting at 40% above the minimum. Higher R-values contribute more significantly to Total Wall R-Value, supporting stronger energy efficiency outcomes without increasing wall depth.

Cavi-Vent is not a substitute for vapour control or membrane strategy. Vapour control requirements remain dependent on climate zone, building use and overall wall design under NCC and AS 4200.2. Cavi-Vent works alongside membrane and vapour control elements in the wall assembly, contributing to a complete moisture management strategy rather than replacing any single component of it.

Demonstrating condensation management and thermal performance requires documentation, including the Energy Efficiency Aspect Certificate (Form 43). A defined drained and ventilated cavity system using Cavi-Vent helps demonstrate that both cavity depth and thermal bridging have been addressed within the wall build-up.

Cavi-Vent is designed for horizontal installation across framing, which keeps the castellated drainage channels unobstructed along the full length of the wall. When used alongside Cavi-Break applied vertically over studs, the two products form a complete cavity system that addresses both thermal bridging and condensation management.

NCC 2025 introduces a mandatory 12mm minimum drained and ventilated cavity in Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8, with Victoria adopting from 1 May 2026 and other states expected to follow. This requirement applies to both steel and timber framed construction. Cavi-Vent X12 has been developed specifically to meet this requirement, delivering a consistent 12mm cavity with tested thermal performance of R0.34. It is engineered for both vertical and horizontal application.

NCC Part 10.8 sets out condensation management requirements for wall assemblies. Cavi-Vent directly supports these provisions by creating a drained and ventilated cavity that allows moisture movement behind cladding. Importantly, the NCC Explanatory Notes to Part 10.8 acknowledge that full code compliance alone may not prevent condensation in all circumstances. A defined drained and ventilated cavity provides an additional layer of moisture management beyond minimum requirements.

Cavi-Vent's geometry is specifically engineered to support drainage and airflow within the cavity. The castellated outer face provides continuous vertical channels for moisture to drain downward and out at the base of the wall, while the tapered top edge supports airflow entry without creating an unobstructed gap. This defined geometry removes the variability associated with improvised cavity solutions and ensures consistent performance across the wall.

A drained and ventilated cavity is a defined air space behind cladding that allows moisture to drain out and air to circulate, reducing the risk of condensation and moisture damage within the wall assembly. Major cladding manufacturers strongly recommend drained and ventilated cavities behind their products, and NCC 2025 introduces a minimum 12mm requirement in Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8 with Victoria adopting from 1 May 2026 and other states expected to follow. Cavi-Vent creates that cavity while simultaneously providing thermal separation at the framing interface.