Author: Studco | Read time: 5 mins
When it comes to delivering precision, durability and performance in external wall systems, Studco’s top hats and cladding systems are setting the standard. Engineered for strength and versatility, our top hat sections are trusted by architects, builders, and engineers who demand results on high-rise facades or commercial exteriors. Studco understand that every project demands more than compliance, it needs speed, reliability and a system that really works. That’s why our top hats are designed to integrate seamlessly with a variety of cladding materials, promoting clean lines, integrity and ease of installation.
What are Top Hat Sections?
Top hats are a popular way of fixing facade linings to the exterior structure of a building in both commercial and domestic applications. They are suitable for use with a wide variety of lining materials such as fibre cement sheet, aluminium composite panels, AAC panels and timber feature linings, and can be installed in both a horizontal and vertical orientation depending on the needs of the structure. Studco top hats may also be used for internal applications where heavier loads are used or greater design pressures are specified. Top hats are generally screw-fixed directly to the structure on the outer legs and the lining material is fixed to the wide face of the profile, using various fixing methods as specified by the lining board manufacturers.
Why Choose Studco Top Hats?
For projects that demand sharp finishes, consistent alignment and robust support, Studco’s Top Hats – Square Leg offer a reliable framing solution that goes beyond the standard. Engineered with a distinctive square leg profile, these top hats provide a clean flush fit that’s ideal for both wall and ceiling applications.
Key Features:
- Delivers a neater edge and snug fit to structural elements
- Corrosion-resistant and suitable for internal and external use
- Compatible with Studco’s top hat brackets and wide range of cladding systems
- Ideal for commercial cladding systems that requires strict cavity depth control, residential builds needing concealed ceiling battens and lightwight panel support on steel or timber frames
Find out more about Studco’s Top Hats
V-Groove
All Studco top hats have a centrally located V-groove on the fixing leg, so your self-drill screw can easily find the centre of the leg.
Strengthening Rib
A strengthening rib on the 24mm, 35mm and 50mm high top hats provides added stiffness and improved structural performance.
Expansion Zones
The 120mm wide top hat is supplied with expansion zones in the fixing face to allow limited expansion and contraction to occur where two lining boards join.
Weather-tight Seal
For a weather-tight seal in express jointed facade systems, the central portion of the fixing face is recessed to allow for a self-adhesive foam backing strip.
Why Use a Top Hat Bracket?
Top hat brackets allow for a flat and even installation of top hats. These brackets are used to overcome uneven structures when creating a façade or cladding. There are many ways which these results can be achieved, however many are labour intensive and costly. Often installers will use additional top hat tracks to create a gridwork, forming an even surface. In other situations, they may have used packers to achieve a similar result. Studco is answering the call for a better, more cost-effective solution with its range of top hat brackets.
Size Matters: Studco has Expanded its Range of Top Hat Brackets
Studco’s range of Top Hat Brackets are designed with an updated fixing hole array. They offer flexibility for attachment to various substrates. After listening to installer feedback, Studco has developed a range of Top Hat Brackets in various sizes to provide a faster and more efficient way of fixing top hats to an uneven surface. The brackets are available in seven size options and fully compatible with Studco’s 50mm, 75mm and 120mm top hats. These brackets help overcome uneven surfaces with added adjustability to create a plumb surface for fixing cladding.
Studco’s Top Hat Bracket range help achieves various stand-off distances when fixing to a façade. These cavity depths can be created from a minimum of 24mm to a maximum of 84mm depending on the selected bracket (see below for more details). This cavity can also act as the gap in external and some internal applications where thermal insulation is required, as per the NCC Code.
The attention to detail during the research and development process also extended to safety. Studco’s steel top hat brackets now have rounded corners for more comfortable and safer handling.
Studco’s top hat brackets are engineered to simplify and strengthen the installation of tophat selections, particularly in ventelated cladding and façade systems. Secure adjustable and code-compliant, these brackets eliminate the hassle of shims and packers while ensuring accurate cavity spacing.
Features:
- Seven available sizes designed for compatibility with Studco 50mm, 75mm and 120mm top hat profiles.
- Adjustable built-in tolerance offers approximately 20mm of on-site adjustment, reducing the need for manual packing.
- Non-combustible, ideal for fire-rated external facades, meeting NCC Spec J1 requirements.
- Crafted from high-quality, Australian-made galvanized steel, durable and corrosion-resistant.
Studco Top Hat Brackets Are…
Faster and Easier to Install
Top hat brackets are designed to be fast and easy to install. They can be fixed to a variety of surfaces through their mounting holes. Studco Steel top hat brackets are also designed to work in conjunction with our range of square leg top hats and simply require the top hat to be slipped into position and fixed.
Other solutions can be time consuming. Some require crude connections in place of products that are not designed to be connected and others require layer upon layer of products to be added to create the necessary cavity between wall and façade. The flow-on effect from this can severely impact a project’s budget and timeline.
Cost Effective
When using alternate methods to create a required stand-off distance from a structure, top hats are often installed one on top of another. This is a costly exercise, requiring materials that are more expensive than brackets, in larger quantities and with greater labour costs.
Using steel top hat brackets provides you with greater flexibility in the top hat you use. These brackets allow you to use a smaller and more cost-effective top hat to create the required stand-off distance required.
NCC Compliant
The National Construction Code (NCC) have recently outlawed the use of combustible materials, such as plastic packers, in facades and some internal fire rated walls. Steel top hat brackets are non-combustible and unaffected by the updates released by the NCC.
Engineered Framing Solutions Back by Performance
From heavy-duty top hats and precision-fit brackets to versatile roof battens and high-performance angle profiles, Studco offers a complete top hat and cladding range, engineered to meet the needs of modern construction. Each product is designed with durability, precision and compliance in mind from design to installation.
Whether you’re working on a high-rise façade, residential soffit, or complex wall system, Studco’s steel top hat components deliver the structural integrity, aesthetic finish, and long-term reliability your project demands. Backed by expert support and engineering experience, Studco is the trusted partner for architects, builders and engineers across Australia.
Explore our full range of products or contact our team to discuss how Studco can support your next build.
Call: 1300 255 255
Email: sales@studcosystems.com.au
