Alexei Volkov
Cladding is an external layer that helps to insulate and protect a house from the elements, enhancing its appearance. It can be made from a variety of materials, including brick, stone, render, timber, vertical tiling, flint, metal, and modern synthetic materials. When cladding a wall with plastic, there are several steps to follow. First, prepare the wall by ensuring it is clean and free from any grease or dust. If the wall is uneven, fix battens in place to create an even surface. Then, cut the plastic cladding to the desired size and shape, using a jigsaw or compound mitre saw if necessary. Stain or paint the cladding if desired, and allow it to dry. Finally, attach the plastic cladding to the wall using adhesive or fixings such as nails, screws, or staples. It is important to follow building regulations and seek professional advice when undertaking cladding installation, especially when working with electrical fixtures or fittings.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic, PVC, timber, stone veneer, brick, stone, render, wood, metal |
| Installation | Stick panels straight to the wall with an impact adhesive such as PinkGrip, or use nails, screws, or staples |
| Wall preparation | Ensure the wall is free from grease or dust, fix battens in place if the wall is uneven, reroute any plumbing, remove skirting boards, dado rails, and picture rails |
| Safety | Do not clad over electric fixtures or fittings, always use a qualified electrician if in doubt |
| Design | Exposed bricks are the most popular choice, but timber is cheaper; combining different types of cladding is fashionable but more complex |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the wall
Uncover the Wall
Remove any existing features that may interfere with the cladding installation. This includes skirting boards, dado rails, picture rails, and coving. If the wall has crumbling plaster, use a chisel and club hammer to remove it completely. You may also need to reroute plumbing or electrical fixtures, seeking professional advice if needed.
Clean and Prepare the Surface
Use a wire brush to clean the wall and ensure it is free from dust and grease. If you plan to use adhesive, this step is essential to ensure a strong bond. For a smoother finish, sand the wall and vacuum away the dust. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove any remaining debris. If using a water-based finish, dampen the cloth with water. Alternatively, use white spirit for other finishes.
Install Battens
Attach battens to the wall, ensuring they are secure and level. Position them at 250mm to 400mm intervals, depending on the evenness of your wall. For walls with tiles or uneven surfaces, use shorter intervals to ensure a secure base for the cladding. If attaching battens to a ceiling, ensure they are securely fastened to the joists, marking the position of each joist to guide your installation.
Prepare the Cladding
Before fixing the cladding to the battens, prepare the surface of the cladding material. Sand the outward face and vacuum off the dust. Then, apply your chosen finish to the front and back of the cladding boards, avoiding the inside of the groove or back of the tongue. This will help prevent the timber from distorting. If you're cladding a kitchen or bathroom, use exterior-grade paint or varnish for added protection.
Plan Your Layout
Determine your starting point and use a spirit level to ensure the first board is level. If joining boards end-on, position the joint over a batten and stagger the joints across the rows for a stronger installation. Use a piece of cardboard as a shim to ensure consistent spacing between the boards.
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Using adhesive
If you're looking to clad a wall with plastic, there are a few different adhesive options you can use, depending on the type of cladding and the condition of the wall.
For plastic wall panels in bathrooms and kitchens, an impact adhesive such as PinkGrip is often used. This method works best on flat, true walls, and can be applied directly over existing tiles, as long as they are securely fixed and relatively flat. Before applying the adhesive, ensure that the wall is free from grease or dust, and support the panels as necessary while the adhesive sets.
For PVC panels, if the wall is uneven, it is recommended to first fix battens to the wall to ensure an even finish. The panels can then be attached to the battens using non-corrosive nails, screws, or staples. Hygiene Cladding, which comes in larger sheets, typically uses Stormgrip panel adhesive.
When working with stone veneer panels, construction adhesive is used to attach capstones to the top of the wall and the edges of the veneer. Before applying the adhesive, drill pilot holes and secure the veneer with masonry screws. Cover the screwheads with caulk and dust to camouflage them.
For wood cladding, plastic trim pieces can be attached vertically to the wall using trim screws. It is recommended to stain the wood before hanging, allowing for expansion and contraction between boards.
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Drilling and screwing
Preparing the Wall
Before beginning the drilling and screwing process, it is crucial to prepare the wall properly. This includes removing any existing features such as skirting boards, rails, and coving. If the wall has crumbly plaster or sounds hollow, it is advisable to remove it completely using a chisel and hammer. The wall should then be brushed and cleaned to ensure a smooth surface. If the wall is made of tiles and is uneven, it is necessary to fix battens in place first. The battens should be attached at 90-degree angles to the cladding planks, usually at intervals of 250mm to 400mm to ensure an even finish.
Choosing the Right Tools and Materials
Selecting the appropriate tools and materials is essential for a successful cladding installation. When drilling and screwing, consider the type of wall you are working on. If it is a solid wall, you will need a masonry bit and wall plugs. For stud and plasterboard walls, good quality wood screws are more suitable. Additionally, if your house has a steel frame, ensure you use the appropriate metal screws. The length of the screws is also crucial. For timber, a 30mm screw may be adequate, but remember to account for the thickness of the plasterboard. It is recommended to select screws that are at least 10mm longer than usual.
When drilling into a wall, always prioritize safety. Use an electronic stud finder to ensure you do not drill through a power line or water pipe. If your home was built before the 1980s, be cautious as it may contain asbestos in the wall lining panels. When drilling through tiles, use a tile bit and then switch to a masonry bit of the same size for the fibre cement sheeting. Run the drill slowly and lubricate the bit with water. Avoid using the hammer setting. For PVC wall panels, it is recommended to puncture or pilot before driving the screw. This will help determine the rigidity and thickness of the panel. Remember, the screw is merely passing through the panel, and the panel itself does not provide structural support.
Securing the Panels
Once you have drilled the holes, it is time to secure the panels in place. If using wall plugs, insert them into the drilled holes and then screw into them. For PVC panels, fix the panels to the battens using non-corrosive screws. The next panel can then be pushed into place, hiding the fixing, and secured in the same manner. Optionally, you can add a dab of silicone sealant around the screw to seal the hole, especially if it is in a bathroom.
Finishing Touches
After securing the panels, it is important to consider the finishing touches. Sand the outward face of the cladding and vacuum off the dust. Wipe the surface clean with a lint-free cloth dampened with white spirit or water, depending on the type of finish you plan to use. Apply your chosen finish to the front and back of the boards to prevent timber distortion. If you are cladding a kitchen or bathroom, use exterior-grade paint or varnish for added protection.
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Sanding and staining
Before beginning the cladding process, it is crucial to prepare the wall surface. If the wall has existing tiles or an uneven surface, you will need to fix battens in place. Spacing the battens between 250mm and 400mm apart will ensure an even finish. This step provides a solid foundation for the cladding installation.
Once the battens are in place, it's time to prepare the cladding panels. Sand the outward face of the cladding to smoothen the surface. Use sandpaper or a power tool to remove any splinters or imperfections. A smooth surface will ensure a seamless finish and better adhesion for the panels.
After sanding, it is essential to clean the surface thoroughly. Use a vacuum to remove dust and debris, followed by wiping the surface with a lint-free cloth dampened with white spirit. This step ensures that the cladding is free from any residue that might interfere with adhesion or the final finish.
If you plan to stain the cladding, it is crucial to determine the type of wood and the desired finish. Different types of wood may require specific preparation methods. For example, new wood should be primed and prepared before staining, while previously painted surfaces should be sanded and properly prepared.
When staining, always follow the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations. Choose a stain that is suitable for the environment in which the cladding is installed. For exterior cladding, select an exterior stain or varnish to protect the wood from the elements. You may need to apply multiple coats for the best results and to prevent the timber from distorting.
Finally, allow the stain to dry completely before proceeding with the next steps in the cladding installation process. Remember to handle the stained panels with care to avoid any smudges or damage to the finish.
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Finishing touches
Once you have installed your cladding, there are a few final steps to take to ensure a neat and professional finish. If you have used an adhesive, make sure to wipe away any excess with a damp cloth. If you have used screws, nails, or staples, apply wood filler or caulk to conceal the fastenings. Allow this to dry, then sand the area smooth and wipe away any dust with a damp cloth. You can then choose to paint or stain the cladding to your desired finish.
If you are working with timber cladding, it is recommended to apply two coats of your chosen finish to the front and back of the boards to help prevent the timber from distorting. If you are cladding a kitchen or bathroom, use exterior-grade paint or varnish to protect the wood from moisture. When applying your finish, use a paintbrush or roller for large areas, and a small paintbrush for touch-ups and hard-to-reach areas.
If you are cladding over an existing fixture, such as a skirting board or electrical fitting, you may need to bring it forward by the thickness of the cladding. Always consult a qualified tradesperson if you are in any doubt about the safety of your installation.
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Frequently asked questions
The first step is to prepare the wall. If the wall has existing skirting, rails, or coving, these should be carefully removed. If the wall has crumbly plaster, it should be removed with a chisel and club hammer. Then, brush the wall with a wire brush and vacuum off any dust.
The next step is to prepare the plastic cladding. If the cladding is timber, it should be unwrapped and left to lie flat in the room being treated for two weeks to allow the wood to acclimatise and shrink before fixing. The outward face of the cladding should then be sanded and wiped clean with a lint-free cloth dampened with white spirit. Two coats of your chosen finish should then be applied to the front and back of the cladding to prevent timber distortion.
If the wall is flat, the panels can be stuck straight to the wall with an impact adhesive such as PinkGrip. If the wall is uneven, battens should be fixed to the wall first, with the battens spaced at 250mm to 400mm centres. The cladding can then be fixed to the battens using non-corrosive nails, screws, or staples.
If you are fixing cladding over an electric fixture or fitting, you must not clad over the top. By law, every connection must be available for inspection and maintenance, and there is a risk of arching, overheating, or electrocution if you cover the area. Always consult a qualified electrician if you are in any doubt. If you need to reroute any plumbing, talk to a qualified plumber before beginning work.
