How to Fix and Install your Cladding!

Now you are all clued up about ordering your cladding, thanks to our "How to Order Cladding the Right Way!" blog, it's time to discover everything you need to know about fixing and installing your cladding! So if you're stuck on what profile to choose for your project, unsure what fixings would be suitable... we have all of the answers you're searching for! 

Choosing the right profile for you.

We have a variety of different profiles you can choose from, suitable for horizontal and vertical applications. In addition, our profiles will enhance the appearance of your façade by creating channels and grooves, allowing you to mix widths on any of our ThermoWood timbers and finishes.

Our most popular cladding profile is the Nisa, also known as a shadow gap profile. This profile is very popular since it is perfect for vertical applications as the boards will not collect any dirt, due to the placement of this profile. If you were to fit your boards horizontally, using the Nisa profile, a shelf would be present, therefore dirt would be collected, potentially staining the board. 

All profiles need to be installed where they can shed water. So that when it rains, the water will just run straight off instead of collecting on the boards. The Vera and Viola are popular profiles for horizontal application. 

*The above progress picture uses our ThermoWood Hardwood Ayous.

Installing your cladding.

Generally, when installing timber cladding, you should always allow for a small gap of around 1 to 2mm between each board, especially when fitting externally.

This is to allow for possible movement due to common moisture uptake on the board. If you fit your boards tightly together and they are dry when fitted, any moisture uptake that the boards try to take on will put more pressure on the board and the fixings. This could consequently end with the boards popping out or bowing slightly.

So, always allow for a small amount of movement. This can be done by putting a small spacer on the end of each board, to create equal spaces. After doing this, you will not have any problems with your boards reacting to the ever-changing climate conditions in the UK.

Running your cladding boards horizontally Vs vertically.

If you are looking to exaggerate the height of your building we recommend running your cladding vertically. You would run them horizontally if you are planning to soften the height of the building as the human eye usually picks up on the lines of the boards which will alter the perception of the height of the building. So, it would be beneficial to think about that and the final look you are aiming to achieve. 

*The above project uses our AtelierClad® in the colour Carbonite.

Fixing your cladding.

To fix your cladding, we would always advise using stainless fixings, whether these are pins or screws. If you don’t want to see the fixings, we would recommend fixing the screws or pins through the bottom corner of the profile at a 45-degree angle.

In general, we recommend using screws as they have better holding power. However, if you particularly want to use pins, as long as these are stainless and not galvanised, and at least 50mm long, so that you have plenty of room to pin into the batten, then this is also adequate.