Description

The GA 1002 is an H-shaped aluminium alloy panel joint trim with a 20mm internal gap — sized for the heavier-duty end of the panel boarding and cladding market. Where thinner H-section profiles handle standard sheet materials, the GA 1002 accommodates thicker composite boards, laminated panels, and multi-layer sheet materials that exceed the capacity of narrower gap profiles.

A 20mm gap suits materials around 18–19mm thick — including standard 18mm MDF, structural plywood, thicker composite panels used in external or semi-exposed applications, and sandwich panels. The wider slot also provides useful working tolerance when panel edges are not perfectly square or where material thickness varies slightly across a batch, reducing the risk of panels binding in the slot during installation.

Manufactured from grade 6063 aluminium alloy to BS EN 755, 515, and 573 standards. Available from stock in mill (untreated) or natural anodised surface finish in 4-metre lengths. Powder coat and cut lengths available to order.

Notes. Jig marks, up to 50mm in from each end (often less than this), can be apparent on anodised items. These marks can be cut away before fixing.

Shade variations can occur with anodised surfaces due to the reactive nature of this finishing process.

Health and Safety

(Health and Safety doc. (1).pdf, 240 Kb) [View Document]

Install

(Profiles and Extrusions Install (5).pdf, 238 Kb) [View Document]

Maint.

(Maintenance of Aluminium Surfaces (1).pdf, 232 Kb) [View Document]

Tech Data

(Tech info extrusions (4).pdf, 397 Kb) [View Document]

Test Data

(Test – Extrusion Resistance to Surface Marking.pdf, 227 Kb) [View Document]

GA 1002 Aluminium H-Section Trim - 20mm Gap

Order Today to Claim Your Special Online Free Delivery Offer

Size (mm):

Surface Finish:

Clear

Product Code: Categories Aluminium H Shape, Aluminium Profiles & Extrusions Product Type: Aluminium H-Section

Please select the item and quantity required to view the Discount Structure.

Online Delivery & Pricing Details

(Values shown exclude VAT)

Next day dispatch on FREE Overnight Delivery Service

Click and Collect Service – No minimum spend

Minimum spend for delivered orders £155

Product Info & Dispatch Times

Select ‘Surface Finish’ to display product details.

In stock items are dispatched by next working day.

Availability, for out of stock items, will be advised after entering the required number of items, & clicking ‘Add to Basket’.

Specifications

Product Code: GA 1002 (Mill) / GA 1002s (Natural Anodised)

Gap Width: 20.0mm

Suitable Panel Thickness: Typically 18–19mm (18mm MDF, structural plywood, thick composite boards) — refer to the dimensional drawing for precise tolerances

Profile Type: H-Section Panel Joint Trim (open I/H-shaped extrusion)

Material: Grade 6063 Aluminium Alloy

Standards: BS EN 755, BS EN 515, BS EN 573

Anodising Standard: BS EN ISO 7599

Powder Coating Standard: BS 6496 (1984) — available to order, please contact Sales

Length: 4 metres (4000mm) standard stock length

Available Finishes: Mill (Untreated) or Natural Anodised

Finish Notes: Anodised product codes carry an ‘s’ suffix (e.g. GA 1002s). Minor jig marks within 50mm of each end are standard and can be trimmed during final fitting. Shade variations may occur between batches due to the reactive nature of anodising.

Surface Marking Test: Independent testing (Ceram / Lucideon): anodised surface achieved up to 4× greater abrasion resistance than mill finish

Key Benefits

Accommodates Panel Edge Variation & Thermal Movement: A 20mm gap provides practical working clearance for thicker panels, which are more susceptible to dimensional variation due to batch-to-batch tolerances and moisture content. In installations where composite or laminated panels may expand and contract with temperature and humidity changes, the additional slot depth in the GA 1002 helps absorb this movement without the panel binding against the web of the profile.

Suited to Structural and Load-Bearing Board Thicknesses: 18mm plywood and MDF are the standard board gauges for structural applications in fit-out: stud-fixed wall panels, workbench tops, structural shelving, and load-bearing carcass work. The GA 1002’s gap is matched to this thickness range, meaning there is no compromise on fit when joining boards that are carrying genuine structural loads.

Wider Face Width for a More Prominent Joint Detail: Compared with the narrower profiles in the H-shape range, the GA 1002’s greater gap produces a wider overall face width. In some design contexts — particularly industrial interiors, large-format wall panelling, and feature installations — a more visible joint line is desirable rather than something to minimise. The GA 1002 delivers a bolder, more defined metal joint detail that works well at scale.

Anodised Finish Withstands Heavy-Use Environments: Joints in structural or external-grade panel installations are more likely to be in locations subject to physical contact, cleaning, and environmental exposure than decorative display jointing. Independent testing by Ceram Building Technology (now Lucideon) confirmed the anodised finish resists abrasive damage at up to four times the rate of mill finish — relevant where the profile will be regularly handled, cleaned with non-abrasive cleaning agents, or exposed to outdoor or semi-outdoor conditions.

Consistent Joint Alignment Across Long Panel Runs: In installations with multiple panels joined end to end across a long wall or run, maintaining a consistent joint line requires each H-section to hold its panels firmly in plane. The GA 1002’s wider slot grips thick panel edges along the full depth of the flange, providing the lateral stability needed to keep a run of panels aligned without additional backing support at each joint.

Applications

Structural Wall Panelling & Cladding Systems: 18mm boards are the standard for wall panelling that needs to span stud centres unsupported, resist impact, or carry fixings directly. The GA 1002 joins lengths of structural plywood, MDF, or cement board cleanly, creating a controlled metal joint that is flush with the panel face and requires no filler or cover bead on the visible joint line.

External-Grade & Semi-Exposed Panel Installations: Thicker composite and aluminium-faced composite panels used in semi-sheltered external applications — such as covered walkways, reception canopies, and external soffits — are typically around 20mm. The GA 1002’s gap suits this thickness range, and the aluminium construction of the profile is corrosion resistant without any applied surface treatment, making it suitable for damp or exposed conditions.

Workshop, Studio & Industrial Interior Panelling: In workshops, recording studios, maker spaces, and light industrial interiors, 18mm plywood or MDF is the standard for wall lining boards that need to accept fixings, withstand knocks, and tolerate a more demanding environment than a typical commercial office. The GA 1002’s wider gap handles the board and the mill finish option is practical for environments where the untreated look is appropriate.

Large-Format Feature Installations & Bespoke Joinery: Where a designer or joiner is working with thicker board stock — laminated panels, veneered MDF boards, or bespoke composite panels in the 18–20mm range — the GA 1002 provides the panel-to-panel jointing detail without requiring any rebating or machining of the panel edges. The profile acts as a direct connector, cutting installation time on one-off and short-run joinery projects.