TREKKER Cladding Wood Grain Vulcan Installation Guide

: June 1, 2024
: TREKKER

Table of Contents

TREKKER Cladding Wood Grain Vulcan
FAQ
STORAGE &HANDLING
SAFETY
TOOLS REQUIRED
MATERIALS
INSTALLATION OF THE TREKKER CLADDING SYSTEM
CLADDING INSTALLATION PATTERNS
TIPS & ADVICE
HORIZONTAL CLADDING
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

TREKKER Cladding Wood Grain Vulcan

TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-product

Specifications:

Standard size panel: Thickness 16mm, Overall width 157mm, Length 3200mm

Product Usage Instructions:

Storage & Handling:

Trekker Global Composite wall cladding panels should ALWAYS be stored in a cool shaded area, on a flat and level surface which supports the whole length of the panels. Ensure they are not sat directly on wet, cold, or uneven grounds. Wear protective gloves and handle with care when lifting.

Safety:

When cutting panels and trims, wear appropriate safety gloves and goggles. Use a dust extractor attachment with a chop/skill saw. Proper safety equipment should be worn when handling deliveries from Trekker Global.

Tools Required:

Cross-adjustable laser level
Cordless drill
Chop/bench skill saw with dust extractor
Freud blade to suit skill saw – 165mm/20mm
Rubber mallet
Measuring tape
Long spirit level
Stanley folding horses/benches & spreader
Set of quick grip bar clamps
Hack saw for cutting aluminium
Drill bits – different thicknesses to suit the cladding products
Combination square
Safety goggles
Safety gloves
Pencil
Straight blade Stanley knife

Materials:

```
* Aluminium Starter rail track
```
- 2-part Aluminium external corner trim
- External screw 4mm x 40mm x 7mm head

Installation of the Trekker Cladding System:

Pre-condition structure survey of the wall.
Set out all wall areas correctly.
Ensure expansion joints are in place.
Battens should be at a maximum of 300mm centers both horizontally and vertically.

Cladding Installation Patterns:

Staggered Expansion Joints
Aligned Expansion Joints

Tips & Advice:

Contact Trekker Global Technical Department for further assistance.

FAQ

Q: What should I do if the panels get wet during storage?
- A: Ensure panels are dried thoroughly before installation to prevent any issues.
Q: Can I use any type of saw to cut the panels?
- A: It is recommended to use a chop/bench skill saw with a dust extractor for cutting the panels.

For further assistance, please contact Trekker Global TechnicalDepartment on 01483 310800 or technical@trekkerglobal.com

STORAGE &HANDLING

Trekker Global Composite wall cladding panels should ALWAYS be stored in a cool shaded area, on a flat and level surface which supports the whole length of the panels.
We recommend storing the Trekker Panels on a long pallet to ensure they are NEVER sat directly on wet, cold or uneven grounds.
Wear protective gloves when handling the panels and take care when lifting them.

SAFETY

$TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $3$$

When cutting the Trekker Global composite cladding panels and aluminium trims, appropriate safety gloves and goggles should be worn at all times. A dust extractor attachment is recommended when using a chop/skill saw.
Appropriate Safety equipment should also be worn when handling all deliveries from Trekker Global. If you are working on a main contractor/building site, all correct PPE should be in place as per your RAMS.

TOOLS REQUIRED

$TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $4$$

Cross-adjustable laser level
Cordless drill
Chop/bench skill saw with dust extractor
Freud blade to suit skill saw – 165mm/20mm.
Rubber mallet
Measuring tape
Long spirit level
Stanley folding horses/benches & spreader
Set of quick grip bar clamps
Hack saw for cutting aluminium
Drill bits – different thicknesses to suit the cladding products
Combination square
Safety goggles
Safety gloves
Pencil
Straight blade Stanley knife

MATERIALS

$TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $5$$

INSTALLATION OF THE TREKKER CLADDING SYSTEM

$TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain- Vulcan-fig $6$$

Before any installation is carried out there are 4 Golden Rules.

Pre-condition structure survey of the wall that will be receiving the Trekker Global Composite Cladding panels – the walls must be plumb and level.
Set out all wall areas correctly prior to beginning the install.
Expansion joints must be in place where required & must always fall on a double batten.
Battens should always be at a maximum of 300mm centres both horizontally and vertically.

The above 4 items are very critical factors whilst installing the Trekker Global Cladding system. All 4 items above MUST be implemented. Failure to carry out these procedures will mean the installation and performance of the Trekker Global Cladding will be affected. Trekker Global will not be held responsible if these above elements, and any of the installation guidance notes, have not been followed.

CLADDING INSTALLATION PATTERNS

Trekker Cladding can be installed in different patterns depending on preference – both horizontally and vertically $TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain- Vulcan-fig $7$$

TIPS & ADVICE

Installing the Trekker Global cladding system, requires a minimum of 2 people – this depends on the height and length of the wall, more people may be required.
All timber wall joist/battens should be of a class 4 (C24) BS EN 335-1. treated standard timber. Minimum timber batten thickness of 30mm depth x 50mm wide. If you are unsure of the size battens to use,please contact Trekker Global Technical Department.
Trekker holds no responsibility for the installation of the joists/battens.
All joists/battens should be set off the ground by a minimum of 50mm
All trekker cladding must run 90 degrees against the existing fixed battens, both in horizontal and vertical installations.
Aluminium trims should NEVER be overlapped & must have a 3mm gap when meeting up with another trim.
All horizontal cladding panels must start from the bottom upwards.
All vertical cladding panels can be started from the left or right hand side. You cannot start vertical cladding from left and right sides at the same time on the same elevation.
Slight variations in the board length may occur (3200-3240mmL) – it is advisable to check that all materials are correct and the ends are perfectly square, prior to installation.
Board colours may vary from batch to batch due to natural wood content – we would recommend laying out panels to ensure any variations are accounted for.
Any single cladding panel over 3200mm long must from there on have expansion gaps in place (horizontal cladding only).
Double battens are required at the top of the vertical cladding, only if you will be using a stop end 2-part aluminium flashing.
For horizontal cladding, double battens are required if you are finishing with a stop end 2-part aluminium flashing. On all horizontal cladding external corners, double battens will be required on both returns of the corner.
On horizontal & vertical Cladding double battens are required if you are finishing with the Aluminium Stop End 2 part Aluminium flashing. On all horizontal cladding external corners, double battens will be required on both returns of the corner.

For any further assistance, please contact Trekker Global Technical Department on 01483 310800 or technical@trekkerglobal.com.

HORIZONTAL CLADDING

Prior to installation, remember the 4 golden rules as stated

Make sure all the walls, structures & joists are acceptable to receive the Trekker system. They must be in line, level & plumb with all elevations.
Ensure external & internal corners, soffits & openings are plumb/level and that there is no undulations within that build up. If there is, this will have an impact on the installation of the cladding panels. This exercise is very important.
Double battens should be installed within the setting out of the battens. This is to allow for expansion joints in the cladding system. Stick & apply the black Trekker tape completely over the double width battens wherever they are situated. Always ensure that there is a 8mm gap at the header of the battens to allow airflow.
If the above is in place, set up an adjustable cross line laser level at 35mm up from the bottom of the timber battens. If the Trekker cladding meets up with Trekker Decking, please see the Trekker Global decking guidance manual.
The laser line should be constant and true and maintained throughout the building/elevation.
Other independent buildings within the same project must follow the above process.
Pre-drill & fix the Aluminium starter rail at 300mm centres
The starter rail should be set directly on top of the laser line which is set 35mm off the bottom of the batten. $TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $11$$
FIXING EXTERNAL CORNERS
Make sure all the wall corners are plumb and straight.
Pre-drill the aluminium trims at a maximum of 400mm centres.
Leave a 3mm gap when continuous runs of aluminium are required, maintaining a plumb and straight line throughout.
Leave the bottom of the external corner trim flush with the bottom timber batten.
Installing the coloured corner finish aluminium trims is the last phase of the installation. Once all the cladding panels have been installed. See items 30-34 below.
Prior to the installation of the cladding panels, make sure all trims are plumb/straight & are in place as they should be.
INSTALLING THE TREKKER WALL PANELS
Measure and cut the correct length of the panel to fit between the aluminium trims.
Leave a 5mm gap at each end of the panel to allow for expansion. Cutting the cladding panels with a bench chop/mitre saw is highly recommended.
With assistance, position the lip on the back of the panel into place on the starter rail.
Gently push the panel downwards into the slot of the starter rail. This may take the use of a rubber mallet, gently tapping & working along the top of the panel from one side to the other.
Once the panel is sitting neatly inside the starter rail slot, place a long spirit bubble level on top of the panel to make sure the panel is level. Repeat this in different locations along the same panel.
Once the panel is level, and making sure your spacers are in place and that the panel does not move, pre-drill the top of the cladding panel screw slot at one end using a 7mm drill bit. DO NOT pre-drill the timber batten with the same drill bit, only pre-drill the Trekker Global composite cladding panel.
Gently screw into the previously pre drilled hole with a 4mm x 40mm screw using a cordless screw driver (do not use an impact drill) just until the screw bites the panel. Make sure the screw is just beyond the screw slot opening, maintaining the use of the spacer guides placed into the panel to allow for the next panel. $TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $20$$
Repeat the previous step to the other end of the same panel, then again in the middle of the same panel whilst always using/moving along the spirit level and your spacers as guidance.
If the panel is still level then repeat this operation on the remaining timber battens in that line (which is at every 300mm centre), still using the spacer guide along the way as you fix the panel that will allow the next panel to slot in.
Every cladding panel should have an expansion gap at each joint and at each end, where required, both vertically & horizontal within that panel length (seek Trekker Global Technical department if you are unsure).
All expansion joint gaps should always fall on the double batten.
When installing the Trekker cladding panels, both vertically & horizontally, some may prefer a staggered expansion gap look as below.
Trekker cladding panels MUST NEVER be butted up tight against each other.
Follow all the same procedures as in items 15-27 above with your remaining panels.
Do not fix the ends of the cladding panel into the aluminium trim leg, this must be fixed into the end timber batten. A double timber batten may be required at each internal & external corner. $TREKKER-Cladding-Wood-Grain-Vulcan-fig $24$$
Measure the aluminium coloured trims. Measure twice to make sure it is the required length to be fitted. Leave a 3mm gap between all aluminium flashing that meet up with each other.
Use a metal hacksaw to cut a straight line through the aluminium trims.
Take the cut finished/coloured corner trim and offer the trim to the receiver trim.
Make sure the aluminium trim is set and ready to be pushed/tapped into place. Gently tap the trim into the aluminium receiver track slot using a rubber mallet, if required.
Make sure to leave a neat finish where a coloured trim meets another coloured trim.
VERTICAL CLADDING INSTALLATION
Follow all the same procedures as in items 1-34, but with the panels installed vertically. The starter rail will now be set vertically at the point where you will be starting the vertical cladding installation, or you can use a stop end aluminium flashing to start from. Below picture shows a stop end flashing.