Products

Storage

Correct on-site storage of SPP weatherboards products prior installation is vital!

● SPP weatherboards products are made from kiln dried timber and will absorb moisture in damp environment, and release it in a dry environment.

● Store on flat surface 150mm above the ground, supported every meter along the length of the product.

● If stored outside, there must be a moisture barrier (ground sheet) under the stack.

● Protect from the elements including direct sunlight and rain, use a secondary waterproof cover whilst allowing for a good air circulation.

● Incorrect storage and/or installation can cause the weatherboard to absorb moisture and swell.  If swelling occurs on any part of the weatherboard, halt any further painting.  Sand back to bare wood and allow the timber to dry out thoroughly (to at or below 15% moisture).  Recoat with oil base primers and undercoat before top coating.

Handling

● The Weatherboards should be unloaded by hand or if unloaded by mechanical means, ensure that
there is a minimum of 2 well-spaced load points to avoid excessive bending or sag during unloading.

● Carry profiles on their edge and avoid leaning against any vertical surface to avoid any bending.

SPP Weatherboards and Fascia's should be installed by a Licenced Building Practitioner in accordance with the provision of the Building Code E2/AS1 9.4 and NZS 3604 (2011). For further information visit BRANZ Good Practice Guide for timber cladding.

Before installation checks

● When any profile has been exposed to moisture prior installation, the moisture content should be checked. If the moisture content is above 15% then the product should not be installed until it returns to 15% or less.

● Check for any defects or damage caused during delivery or storage.

● Remove any dirt, dust or stones which may be on the product.

● On areas where a primer coat has been removed or damaged. The affected area should be sanded smooth and a primer coat applied.

● SPP weatherboards are pre-primed from factory, for best results use a oil based primer for touch up work.

● If building in sea spray or geothermal zones, ensure all specified fastenings, fittings and flashings comply with NZS 3604, S4 – Durability.

Installation

● Weatherboard and fascia should be installed as per the current building code. See E2/AS1 for a complete list of fixing options.

● Do not install weatherboards if their moisture content is over 15%.

● Ensure a quality building wrap is installed in accordance with manufacturer's specifications.

● Ensure all specified fastenings, fittings and flashings comply with NZS3604 S4 – Durability.

● Avoid joining weatherboards whenever possible, but if unavoidable use a 45 degree scarf joint directly over studs or cavity batten. Angle mitre joints away from the prevailing weather and or use flat soaker. Alternatively a butt join is acceptable using flat soakers.

● Re-prime all cut ends, mitres, notching’s, borings with two coats of brush applied oil based undercoat / primer.

● Punch nails no less than 2 mm, putty over and spot prime immediately.

● Single nail all weatherboard profiles, regardless of size. Nailing boards together will likely
result in split boards.

● Never nail through laps. Nails should be fixed as per SPP Weatherboard Installation drawings.

● Nail holes should be pre-drilled especially in areas around joins and end of boards. Pre-drill all boards 50mm from the end to avoid end splitting.

● Nail at a maximum of 600mm centres on an upwards angle of 10 degrees to avoid water entering through the fixing point and a 35mm min. penetration into stud framing.

● Leave a 2mm gap between rebated profiles (such as rusticated or shiplap) to allow for expansion and contraction.

● To avoid lap lines which may occur, particularly on wider profiles, pre-paint the top 40mm of the bevel back profiles and the top 30mm of rusticated profiles in the same colour as the intended topcoat finish.

● DO NOT use any sealants or glues between the boards or board laps, as this may inhibit the natural expansion and contraction of the cladding.

● Ensure non-rebated profiles such as bevelback have a minimum lap of 32mm - Weather grooves must line up 

● Ensure weatherboards, once installed, are at least 150mm from a paved/concrete ground surface, 225mm from an uncovered ground and 100mm from decks and terraces.

● For new homes using bevel back weatherboards use EZYSCRIBE pre-cut scriber as a story rod.

● Timber facings combined with scribers/plugs not only look good but offer additional protection against the elements.

BRANZ-BU468BRANZ-TIMBER CLADDINGE2-EXTERNAL MOISTURE

Painting

• Painting should take place a soon as possible after installation. If boards have been exposed for longer than 4 weeks, some sanding and re-priming may be required.
• Check the moisture content of the boards before painting. Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC) should be at 15% or less. Use a correctly calibrated moisture metre to check.
• Once installed, remove all loose material such as dirt from the surface. Spot prime any exposed timber with two coats of oil based primer. Punch nails, putty over and spot prime immediately. Any sealants used should be of a flexible exterior grade and suitable for over coating with acrylic paint.
• Apply one full coat of oil based undercoat.
• Once under-coated, simply apply two coats of 100% premium acrylic low gloss house paint to the manufacturer’s specification, at a rate of 12-14m2/L per coat.
• Once applied the two top coats should have a combined thickness of no less than 50 microns.
• The onus is on the painter to ensure that the primed surface remains well adhered to the timber substrate and is a suitable base for the subsequent top coats, particularly where the boards have been exposed for longer than four weeks before top coating.
• Painters should refer to the AS/NZ 2311 2009 guide to painting buildings. Please also refer to BRANZ - Good Practice Guide to Exterior Coating.
• Dark colours absorb heat from the sun and may cause excessive movement, distortion and possibly resin bleed. Light colours reflect the suns heat. SPP weatherboards and components must be painted in light colours only with a light reflective value (LRV) of greater than or equal to 45%. Refer paint colour charts for details.

Staining

Note: Weatherboards must be CCA treated to H3.2 standards if being stained

• Prior to installation apply one full coat of your chosen stain to all four sides of the product. Seal all cut ends with the stain.
• After installation apply an additional 1-2 coats on the face and bottom edge. Read the stain manufactures instructions prior to starting.

MASTERPAINTERS FACT-SHEETBRANZ-Exterior Coating

Regular cleaning maintenance of your weatherboard and exterior timber will greatly assist in the products longevity.  It is recommended that washing occurs at least once a year and more regularly in Coastal (salt spray) and where harsh conditions are present (such as geothermal steam).  

Maintenance Checklist

Wash all exterior surfaces using a low pressure wash system to remove dust, dirt and other contaminants.

• Do not uses a high pressure washing system e.g. water blaster
• If the washing does not remove stubborn areas of mould or dirt use a soft brush or broom and an appropriate cleaning agent to remove these deposits. Check with the paint manufacturer and read the directions on the product to apply the cleaning agent.

Once the building is clean and the surfaces have been inspected for damage, wear and tear, paint degradation etc, then repair should be undertaken as soon as possible.

• If the paint surface has been damaged, then:
• Remove all damaged paint, sand back as required
• Apply a quality wood sealer to any wood cracks, holes, splits etc and sand back
• Apply a quality oil base primer (two coats) and undercoat on any bare wood ensuring that it is thoroughly dry before painting.
• Once the primer and undercoat is dry apply two top coats of a quality top coat paint.

It is a general rule that timber weatherboard homes should be repainted every 10 years if the initial coating product used was of high quality, delivering a good quality coating finish. In some cases repainting may be required earlier depending on condition and exposure to harsher elements.

BRANZ-Timber cladding