If you’ve ever walked through a hospital, shopping centre, or multi-storey carpark, you may have seen slim gaps in the floors, walls, or ceilings covered with metal or aluminium plates. These are expansion joint covers, and while they might look simple, they perform a critical role in keeping buildings safe and durable.
An expansion joint cover is designed to bridge the gap of an expansion joint—the space intentionally built into structures to allow for movement. Buildings naturally expand and contract due to temperature changes, seismic activity, vibration, or settlement. Without covers in place, these joints could become tripping hazards, collect debris, or allow water infiltration that damages the structure.
How Permanent Movement Joints Work
Heard Group’s Medium Duty Floor Expansion Joint shows how these systems function in practice. Beneath the surface, two aluminium base plates are connected by a stainless steel centre bar with nylon bearings, allowing up to ±30 mm of movement (a total of 60 mm).
On top, a flush cover plate conceals the joint gap, blending neatly with the floor finish while protecting the structure. The result is a joint that’s both aesthetically discreet and highly functional.
Why Expansion Joints Are Important
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Protect Structural Integrity: Prevent cracking and warping caused by stress.
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Ensure Safety: Reduce trip hazards and block water or debris from entering.
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Support Durability: High-quality materials like aluminium and stainless steel withstand heavy use.
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Blend Design with Performance: Covers integrate seamlessly into modern architecture.
Expansion joint covers may go unnoticed, but they are essential to the long-term safety, function, and design of every major building project.
Learn more about our full range of expansion joint covers or explore Standards Australia for compliance guidelines.
