Composite Cladding Installation
How to install Hyperion® composite cladding
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In this article we will cover:
Spacing and expansion gaps
Due to natural expansion and contraction of material with changes in temperature, please ensure the following gapping requirements for all Hyperion Cladding products:
- Butt joints need to be min. 7mm for 3.6m length boards. When boards are trimmed down, the expansion gap should be min. 0.2% of the length of the board
- Plastic lumber batten butt joints should be gapped min. 20mm end to end
- A min. 20mm gap is required when abutting walls or other fixed objects
- A min. 20mm gap is required between the lowest board edge and the ground surface
- To allow air ventilation and drainage of rainwater, a cavity of no less than 38mm must be in place
Ensure the correct sized pilot holes are pre-drilled before screwing into all composite products to avoid splitting. Pre-drilled holes in cladding boards need to be at least 2mm wider than the screw thread used to allow space for thermal expansion of the boards
Useful Information
Cladding support structure
How do you fix cladding to an external wall?
Cladding may be fixed to a property using one of the following methods:
- Preferably screwed to battens attached to subframe battening that is fixed separately to the wall.
- Screwed to battens fixed directly to the outer wall once a waterproof membrane/vapour barrier and non-compressible insulation is in place.
- For uneven or non-load bearing walls, the cladding may be fixed to battens on a self-supporting frame.
Waterproof Membrane
- A water repellent coating or breathable membrane must be installed before battens are fixed, to protect walls from water penetration.
- However if water repellent insulation is used, it is not essential to use a breather membrane between battens fixed to a cavity wall.
What are cladding battens?
Battens are strips of lumber (either plastic or timber), which are used to create a framework that sits underneath your cladding to provide structural support.
- Each batten must be fixed in a minimum of 3 places.
- Insect mesh should be used on cavity openings.
What kind of battens should be used for cladding?
Cladding can be fixed on either recycled plastic battens or treated timber battens.
- Never use plastic battens for general construction.
- Any timber used must be pre-treated by an industrial process in accordance with BS8417 for a BSEN335:1. Use Class 3 application - Wood Protection Association Commodity Specification Code: C6 (NBS as Z12/120).
Does cladding need an air gap?
A ventilation cavity of minimum 38mm must be in place behind the cladding boards (use battens at least 38mm thick) to allow air ventilation and unrestricted drainage of rainwater that may penetrate cladding.
Installing Cladding Support Battens
Step 1
Fix either recycled plastic or treated timber battens at a maximum of 600mm intervals to the supporting wall or structure
- Consult a building professional regarding vapour barriers and insulation for your project.
- Where a vapour barrier is to be used, it should be breathable and positioned behind the battens to allow the cladding a minimum 38mm airflow.
Step 2
The first batten should be installed minimum 20mm from the ground (no starter tray required)
- Using suitable A2/A4 stainless steel countersunk screws, fix the battens into position at maximum 600mm centres.
- Ensure all battens are level to the wall surface, using packers where appropriate.
- A double batten structure should be installed for cladding board ends (butt joints).
Step 3
Install additional wall battening around windows and doors:
- To use edge board installation, double battening is required around corners and openings.
- For vertical cladding, we recommend using counter battening to allow sufficient airflow.
Horizontal Cladding Installation
Hyperion Pioneer Cladding boards can be installed using screws alone (option 2), however for extra security you can also install the cladding using starter fasteners on the first board (option 1).
Please note: Edge boards must be fitted before you install cladding.
Option 1
Installing the first board using starter fasteners
If you are not using starter fasteners please move to Option 2
Step 1
Mark level lines on the battens for the starter clips installation, we recommend the bottom of the starter clip is installed 30mm or above the ground surface to ensure the board will sit a minimum 20mm above the ground.
- Ensure the starter clips are level.
- Install one starter clip per batten.
Step 2
Once the starter clips have been installed slide the cladding board into the clips.
Step 3
Secure the top of the board:
- Pre-drill the screw holes in the cladding board 2mm wider than the thread of the screws used (to allow for material expansion). These holes should line up with the supporting battens.
- Fix to the batten using an A2/A4 Pan Head 8 gauge 38mm screw (max. 2mm head thickness) through the pre-drilled holes; be careful not to over tighten the screws.
Step 4
Once the first board is in place you can move on to installing the remaining boards.
Option 2
Installing the first cladding board without clips
Hyperion Explorer composite cladding boards are rigid enough to be installed without the use of starter fasteners.
Step 1
Mark level lines on the battens for the first (lowest) board to be installed, ensuring the board will sit min. 20mm off the ground surface.
Step 2
Pre-drill the screw holes in the cladding board 2mm wider than the thread of the screws used (to allow for material expansion). These holes should line up with the supporting battens.
- Place the bottom cladding boards in position.
- Fix to the batten using an A2/A4 Pan Head 8 gauge 38mm screw (max. 2mm head thickness) through the pre-drilled holes; be careful not to over tighten the screws.
Step 3
Once the first board is in place you can move on to installing the remaining boards.
Installing the remaining boards
Step 1
Once the first board is secured, line up the next board and slide into place.
- Pre-drill the screw holes in the cladding board 2mm wider than the thread of the screws used (to allow for material expansion). These holes should line up with the supporting battens.
- Place the next cladding boards in position and gauge 38mm screw (max. 2mm head thickness) through the pre-drilled holes; be careful not to over tighten the screws.
Step 2
Repeat step 1, fixing all boards until the top (or side for vertical) edge of the wall.
- Check the board is level before each board is fixed. Slight adjustments may be required.
Step 3
Around objects such as doors and windows you may be required to shape boards to fit. This installation process is similar to that of a full cladding board. Slide the groove into the board below, pre-drilling and securing with a screw.
Use a wooden packer and a long screw to secure the top of the board, ensuring that the screw is drilled through the ripped board, the packer, and the substructure behind. Use colour-matched screws to make them less noticeable.
- Edge board installation must be fitted before you install cladding.
- It is suggested to install fascia boards anywhere where horizontal cladding meets a roofline, window ledge or is going to butt up against a horizontal edge/barrier.
Vertical Cladding Installation
Vertical Cladding Supports
For vertical cladding, we recommend using counter battening to allow sufficient drainage and airflow. We also recommend using battens with a 15° tilted top edge to shed water from the substructure and reduce water pooling.
Installing the boards
Step 1
Always start your installation from the corner or edge of the design.
Step 2
Mark level lines on the battens for the first board to be installed, ensuring the board will sit min. 20mm off the ground surface.
Step 3
Once secure, place the next cladding board in place and repeat this process. Fix all boards until the end of the wall.
Finishing Corners and Windows
Corner Trim and Fascia Board can be used to finish corners, doors and window frames. Edge Boards are not a suitable solution for vertical cladding.
Installing fascia boards to cover expansion gaps
Install a Hyperion Fascia Board to finish off and cover the top cladding board fixing groove (horizontally installed cladding only)
- Cut down the Hyperion Fascia boards to size.
- Place over the grove of the top cladding board.
- Pre-drill through the board and countersink.
- Screw into place with countersunk A2/A4 Stainless Steel screws.
If required, you can use Hyperion Fascia Board to cover cladding board expansion gaps.
- Cut down the Hyperion Fascia boards to size.
- Place over the expansion gap to cover.
- Pre-drill through the board and countersink.
- Screw into place with countersunk A2/A4 Stainless Steel screws.
- For any openings to the ventilation cavity insect mesh should be installed.
Installing corner trim to cover edges
- Cut down the Hyperion Corner boards to size.
- Place over the corner to cover, pre-drill through the trim and countersink.
- Screw into place with countersunk A2/A4 Stainless Steel screws.
Soffit installation
Soffit installation will largely depend on the specific technicalities of your building. Make sure you have carefully measured the length and width of each board to the section you are going to install it. You must use a starter fastener to ensure secure installation.
Follow the cladding installation instructions, drilling the cladding boards to the soffit area as you install them, ensuring to pre-drill pilot holes and countersink. Border the area with fascia boards or corner trim to cover any corners that connect the soffit and external cladded wall.
