Different methods of installing wooden facade cladding
The installation of wooden facade cladding can be done in different ways. In this expert article we explain which methods are most commonly used and the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
Countersunk head screw nails (stainless steel)
The most common method is to use countersunk head screw nails. These nails are attached in two ways.
Manual: They can be installed in the traditional way with a hammer. This is the most common and easiest method and also the most cost-effective. The disadvantage is that it is a bit slower and therefore takes more time. Additionally, they are more susceptible to damage when installed in softer types of wood such as thermally modified wood. If you hit the hammer wrong, it can cause dents in the wood more quickly.
Nail gun or stapler: This can be done with compressed air via a compressor or with battery operation. The advantage is that this can be done much faster than by hand. A possible disadvantage is that wood is never equally hard or soft everywhere, so there may be places where the nails stick out or, in the worst case, even stick too deep into the wood, causing damage to the wood.
Note, do not use nails with lost heads or large nails that completely disappear into the wood. These can easily damage the wood at the points where they penetrate the wood, and here the weathering of the wood will progress locally more quickly because moisture can penetrate.
Advantages:
- Simple: No expensive equipment required. You can easily assemble them yourself with a hammer.
- Aesthetically appealing: The nails give the facade a clean appearance.
- Cost-effective: The number of nails required is approximately 15 per square meter, depending on the profile of the cladding. As a result, the cost of Bolkopnagels is generally low, less than €1.5 per square meter before taxes.
Disadvantages:
- Risk of damage: There is a possibility of damage to the wood, especially with softer types of wood. If you mishandle when hammering, dents can occur.
- Time Required: Inserting the nails manually may take more time, which may increase labor costs if the installation is done by a company.
Screws (stainless steel)
Bolt-on is definitely an emerging form of assembly. The big advantage is that they are less final than nails. The wood can be easily removed from each plank, replaced or treated if necessary and then reattached to the facade. For tongue-and-groove connections, you can proceed by loosening some boards and removing them from the facade.
Advantages:
- Simple: no expensive equipment required. Can be easily installed by yourself with an electric screwdriver.
- Flexible: Easily remove and treat or replace a shelf.
- Cost-effective: Depending on the profile, around 15 screws are required per square meter, which means the price is 2.50 euros per square meter without VAT.
Disadvantages:
- Time: Installation takes longer and may therefore be more expensive if carried out by a company.
WARNING: When using screws or nails, it is extremely important to use stainless steel nails. Using non-stainless steel or false stainless steel nails may cause the wood to “weep”. Rust from nails can cause downward stains.
From the picture above you can clearly see what happens if you don’t work with the right stainless steel material. The screws in the photo are made of stainless steel, but the washers behind them are not. Due to the formation of rust, the effect this has on the facade cladding (in this case Western Red Cedar) is clearly visible.
Installation tip: Pull a string across the entire facade so that the nails are placed exactly in a line. This can be clearly seen in the photo below. The wood in the picture below is Red Cedar with knots, also known as “Tight Knotty” or “WRC STK”.
Clips (invisible fastening)
“Clips” is a type of mounting method commonly used when assembling floorboards. It can also be used when assembling facade wood, but requires special attention when planing. Additional grooves are added to the sides of the boards to attach the clips.
Invisible fastening of wooden parts using a clip system.
Advantages:
Clean appearance of the facade: This results in a smooth and attractive appearance of the facade.
Quick assembly: Assembly is quick and saves time.
Flexibility: Easy to dismantle: The attachment is flexible and can be easily dismantled again if necessary.
Disadvantages:
Difficult to obtain: The wood must be specially processed in advance. Self-sharpening or subsequent editing is a tedious task.
Price: A clip system like B-fix can increase the cost of the facade by 15-20 euros per square meter, depending on the width of the boards.
Difficult finishing with corners and edges: Finishing with corners and edges can often be complicated. Using special start and end clips is one solution, but can be cumbersome.
Danger of breakage: In facade wood with a thickness of around 18 mm, the grooves are sensitive. The wood can be easily damaged if not handled carefully when screwing, which can immediately cause damage to the entire board.
There are several companies that also offer click systems for installation. In this process, a groove is milled into the wood. Through this groove in the wood, the facade element can then be clicked onto a clip located behind the wood on aluminum rails.
Advantages:
- Flexibility: After installation, it is possible to dismantle the boards easily. You can then replace them or treat and reattach them.
Disadvantages:
Price: The system is quite expensive. The additional costs amount to around 25 to 30 euros per square meter.
Difficult to Obtain: The wood must be specially processed in advance, which can be a time-consuming task.
Danger of breakage: In facade wood with a thickness of around 18 mm, the grooves are sensitive. When the boards snap into place, the wood can easily be damaged.
