NICHIHA ARCHITECTURAL WALL PANELS INSTALLATION GUIDE SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS 1
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS NICHIHA ARCHITECTURAL WALL PANELS GENERAL INSTALLATION GUIDE SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS TABLE OF CONTENTS Basics Limitations, Technical Reviews, Special Applications Safety Framing & Sheathing Continuous Insulation Weather Resistive Barriers Product Inspection Storage & Handling Fasteners 3 4 4 5 6 6 6 6 7 Hardware & Accessories 8 Planning & Layout 10 Installing the Starter Track
BASICS OF THE SIX-FOOT AWP SYSTEM Nichiha six-foot AWP dimensions are 455mm (h) x 1,818 (l) x 16, 18, or 21mm(t). It is important to keep in mind the actual metric dimensions when considering panel layout, placement of control and compression joints, and with respect to sizing window and door openings. Nominal dimensions (18 inches (h) x 6 feet (l) x 5/8, 3/4 or 7/8 inches (t)) should only be used for conceptualization and general understanding purposes. (Fig.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS LIMITATIONS, TECHNICAL REVIEWS & SPECIAL APPLICATIONS SAFETY Natural limitations on product usage are inherent to any cladding product’s design, physical characteristics, and attachment system. Nichiha AWP are intended as a lowto-mid-rise cladding product and are not for use on high-rise buildings. Do not use AWP on open screen walls.
FRAMING & SHEATHING REQUIREMENTS Nichiha AWP cladding may be installed on wood or steel framing, concrete/masonry with furring, Structural Insulating Panels (SIP), and pre-engineered metal buildings (PEMB) meeting the following requirements: Prior to Nichiha installation, closely inspect exterior wall substrate and correct any problems. Walls that are out of plumb, for example, can negatively impact the installation quality of AWP.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS CONTINUOUS INSULATION PRODUCT INSPECTION Where exterior/continuous insulation is used, AWP may be installed directly over up to 1” of foam plastic insulation, depending on sheathing type. Amounts greater than one inch require a structural solution to provide attachment points for the AWP system such as a furring grid or third-party specialized system. Please contact Nichiha technical department for further assistance.
FASTENERS ALL APPLICATIONS Fasteners must be corrosion resistant. Stainless steel or corrosion resistant coated screws such as hot-dipped zinc or ceramic are recommended. Comply with all local building codes for fastener requirements. STRUCTURAL INSULATING PANELS (SIP) One inch, full-thread, corrosion resistant wood screws must be used. WOOD STUDS Fasteners must penetrate stud or sill plate a minimum of 1”.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS INSTALLATION HARDWARE & ACCESSORIES STARTER TRACK Starter Track serves as the foundational support for the AWP system while also providing faster and greater ease of installation. Horizontal Panels (6’): Starter Track FA 700 ULTIMATE CLIP Ultimate Clips sit on the panel shiplaps, securing AWP to the wall and distributing dead loads to the structure.
SEALANT BACKERS Nichiha Sealant Backers provide exact spacing for expansion and termination joints and the recommended depth of sealant (75-80%). They provide faster installation than a foam backer rod and require less sealant. At sealant joints, use a sealant that complies with ASTM C-920. Higher quality polyurethane or hybrid sealants are preferred.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS PLANNING & PANEL LAYOUT To ensure a successful installation, it is important to first plan how the panels will be laid out, where compression and control joints will be located, and line of sight regarding inside corners decided. Reminder: Six-foot AWP actual dimensions are metric: 455mm (h) x 1,818mm (l). Layout: Six-foot AWP can be installed in a stacked bond or a staggered bond application.
SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS: INSTALLING THE FA 700 STARTER TRACK ALL APPLICATIONS The Nichiha Starter Track (FA 700) must be level and attached at a minimum of 6” above finished soil grade or per local building codes (use a laser level to verify). When installing over a hard surface such as driveways or sidewalks, a 2” clearance is acceptable. Essential Starter Flashing may be installed prior to the Starter Track to conceal the clearance gap above hardscape and decking.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS GENERAL PANEL & ACCESSORY BASICS All trim, Single and Double Flange Sealant Backer should be installed before panels. Refer to Inside Corners, Doors, & Windows and Vertical Expansion Joints sections respectively. PANEL SELECTION SEALING CUT PANEL EDGES Nichiha six-foot AWP are packaged with two panels in a pack, which are placed on pallets consisting of two stacks.
Fig. 24 CUTTING ULTIMATE CLIPS JEL777/787 Panel Clips are 26” long. Where full length clips can be used, they are required. However, there may be conditions where clips must be cut to accommodate panels or corner pieces in smaller areas or segments such as narrow columns, pilasters, or insets, recessed openings, or small areas between windows. Notches on the upward panel engagement flanges indicate where clips can be cut evenly into thirds.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS FINISH CLIP USAGE Fig. 27 The Finish Clip requires added preparation of the panels with the use of a biscuit joiner: 1. To route grooves into the top edge of a panel, use a biscuit/plate joiner, such as Makita’s PJ7000. A carbide blade is recommended. 2. Set the biscuit joiner’s angle guide at zero degrees and height to ¼”. Fig. 28 3.
SEALANT JOINTS/CAULKING Fig. 30 Fasten Single Flange Sealant Backers at inside corners (one wall at corner), along window and door jambs, and transition points with other cladding. Fasten to framing, blocking or plywood/OSB sheathing at 12-14” o.c. with the 3/8” bump/sealant portion butting the corner or jamb. Sealant complying with ASTM C-920 is required where Single and/or Double Flange Sealant Backer is used. Refer to the sealant manufacturer’s instructions or requirements.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANEL INSTALLATION AWP installation proceeds by working from left to right. Wood, Metal, Concrete/Masonry with Furring For six-foot AWP, trim off the left side shiplapped edge so the panel will fit tightly against an already installed inside corner spacer, Sealant Backer, or outside corner trim. If starting at an inside corner, predetermine which wall will include the Single Flange Sealant Backer for an inside corner detail.
Fig. 31 Fig. 32 Fig. 33 Fig. 34 Fig.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS STRUCTURAL INSULATING PANELS (SIP) In general, the steps mirror those for stud wall applications. However, double fastening per each panel clip (minimum of 4 screws per clip) is required as there are fewer or no studs to secure the system. STACKED AND STAGGERED PANEL LAYOUTS Fig. 36 CENTERLINE OF FRAMING MEMBER OR CHANNEL (SHOWN AT 16" O.C.) FACE FASTEN AT TOP There must be about 2.
PANEL INSTALLATION INSIDE CORNERS, WINDOWS, & DOORS ALL APPLICATIONS Appropriate flashing should be used to prevent moisture penetration on all inside corners, doors, and windows. Refer to local building codes for best practices. Cut and exposed panel edges must be primed or sealed with fiber cement sealer or paint. Fig. 38 INSIDE CORNERS SINGLE FLANGE SEALANT BACKER (FHK 1017) Fig. 39 Decide primary line of sight in order to minimize visibility of the sealant joint.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS WINDOW SILLS JE310 FINISH CLIP For recessed windows, add a flashing where the panels will terminate so the top edges are covered or capped at the sill. Remove the top ship-lapped edge of the panel at the window sill, cutting the panel to the required height, and route grooves into panel top at appropriate width to coincide with framing members. (Refer to Finish Clip Usage for biscuit joiner info.) Clean any dust off the panel.
WINDOW/DOOR JAMBS A minimum gap of 1/4” is required when butting panels into windows, doors, and trim boards. SINGLE FLANGE SEALANT BACKER: Install the Single Flange Sealant Backer first, butting to the door/window jamb or trim pieces prior to installing the panels. The Single Flange Sealant Backer must be fastened a minimum of 12” to 14” o.c. to studs, blocking, or structural sheathing. Cut panel to appropriate width, at least removing ship-lapped edge.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS WINDOW/DOOR HEADERS OUTSIDE CORNERS STARTER TRACK: When starting a course of whole panels above a window or door, add flashing and Starter Track at the header, installed with fasteners at each framing member. Add flashing tape to seal flashing to the WRB. (Figure 45) There are several outside corner installation options: Fig.
Method Two (alternative): Install Nichiha Corners in sequence with panels. Plan to work an entire corner section at one time, using Vertical Control/Expansion Joints, breaks, or other termination points as starting and stopping locations. During horizontal panel installation, when reaching an outside corner, do not add the last panel. Method 1 1-1/2” Cut Ultimate Clip First, set a Nichiha Corner piece on the Starter.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS FIBER CEMENT & PVC TRIM BOARDS METAL & VINYL TRIM Nichiha manufactures a full line of fiber cement trim boards - NichiTrim™, which are available in the Southeast U.S. Refer to Nichiha.com for more information. Install trim channel, such as Nichiha Corner Key or Open Outside Corner, in accordance with manufacturer’s installation instructions.
NON-90 DEGREE CORNERS & RADII Corners other than 90 degrees can be achieved with custom metal trim, butting panels to trim board with a minimum ¼” sealant gap, or with the use of Double Flange Sealant Backer (refer to Vertical Control/Expansion Joint section) to set cut panel edges at the desired corner angle. The Double Flange Sealant Backer detail can be utilized to accommodate use of AWP on radius walls. Do not attempt to curve AWP. Contact the Nichiha Technical Department for assistance.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS HORIZONTAL/COMPRESSION JOINTS ALL APPLICATIONS For any buildings of three or more stories or 45 feet, horizontal compression joints are required. For metal framing, add a joint every 25 feet for projects of more than three stories. For wood framing, a joint is required at each floor for projects of three stories or more. Avoid spanning floor lines with panels at joints. Please contact the Nichiha Technical Department for assistance.
GARAGE DOORS & OTHER LARGE OPENINGS ALL APPLICATIONS PENETRATIONS, RAILINGS, & SIGNAGE Install Starter Track 1” above garage door casing. Openings for small penetrations for pipes or conduits may be cut through a panel with the hole sealed with ASTM C-920 compliant sealant. For larger penetrations greater than 1.5”, it is best to block or frame out the opening. Establish a level line from the bottom of the Starter Track out to the side on both ends with a laser level.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS LAST COURSE ALL APPLICATIONS Fasten Spacer (FS 1010) to studs at the top of the last panel course. This is needed to maintain the rainscreen without using the clips. Cut panels (horizontally) to properly fit at the roof line (or at the proper transition point). Face-fasten panels at the studs and through the green Spacer (FS 1010) all along the top.
Use Joint Clip segments to join main segments together. After first piece is secured, add a Joint Clip, fastening through both it and the first main segment. The next main piece will slide behind the Joint Clip. Position Overhang Flashing so that its bottom/ return flange butts to or overlaps soffit. The bottom return portion must extend beyond the face of the facia substrate (Figure 57). Essential Overhang Flashing & Joint Clip Outside Corner Inside Corner Fig.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS CLEANING PANELS REMOVAL OF EXTERIOR ACRYLIC LATEX PAINT After completion of the installation or for periodic maintenance, it may be necessary to clean panels. Wet Paint Removal - While the paint is still wet, flush the area with clean water. Use mild abrasion with a clean cloth or soft brush. When washing panels, use no more than 400 psi of water pressure at 10” to 12” away.
OTHER PAINT & GRAFFITI REMOVAL REPAIRING MINOR DAMAGE The following products have been tested on Nichiha panels* to aid in the removal of graffiti type markings. These citrus-based products can also be used for basic panel cleaning purposes. The panels were sprayed with an indoor/outdoor aerosol spray paint and left to dry overnight, and then the paint removal products were applied following the manufacturer’s guidelines. Isolate the blemish with a low adhesive tape such as painters tape.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS PANEL REPLACEMENT Set the depth of the circular saw blade slightly deeper than the panel so the saw blade does not cut into the building wrap or sheathing. Make additional cuts into the damaged panel and break into pieces for easier removal of the damaged panel. Remove damaged panel. Cut 3/16” off the back ship-lapped edge at bottom of panel.* Cut the right side ship-lapped edge off the panel.
Fig. 60 Fig. 61 Fig. 62 Fig. 63 Fig. 64-A Fig. 65-B Trim this edge Fig. 66 Fig.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS EASY INSTALLATION: Timesaving Clip Installation System that reduces construction time and EASY INSTALLATION: minimizes System mistakes. Timesaving Clip Installation that reduces construction time and minimizes mistakes. PROTECTION: Backed by some of the best warran- ties in the industry. Strong 50-year PROTECTION: lifetime warranty. Backed by some oflimited the best warranties in the industry. Strong 50-year limited lifetime warranty.
STACKABLE ENGINEERED MOUNTING SYSTEM is OISTURE designed to support panel lateral M stability, helping vertical joints stay tightly MANAGEMENT closed. The tab fits in place easily and isSfastened YSTEM to the Ultimate Clip with ENGINEERED ARCHITECTURAL WALL PANEL provided screw.
NICHIHA INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR SIX-FOOT HORIZONTAL PANELS Report No. ESR-1694 Report No. ESR-2894 Report PER-14088 2.
