Cladding with the profile running horizontally is far more susceptible to apparent changes in colour, gloss and reflectivity. This effect is even greater on long buildings and is particularly noticeable to eye level. When installing long lengths of cladding with a horizontal profile it is wise to incorporate regular vertical features into the façade to break up the continuous profile into shorter sections

This blog provides guidance on how to install a horizontal Trisobuild^® system to a regular horizontal cladding rail arrangement using a vertical liner and vertical Instaloc^® HW spacer system.

The steps given below are instructions for a typical construction and should be used only as a guide. Specific technical details, method statements and site-specific risk assessments should be produced and applied for each building. An extended list of construction details is available from Tata Steel, and advice can be given via our Technical Department on any bespoke details that may be required.

Standard installation guidance for installing Trisobuild^® horizontally

• Firstly, checks should be carried out to make sure that the base rail is adequately supported and level along its full length and that the flanges of all rails are within the specified vertical datum tolerance. If satisfactory carry out preparation work on cill trims and internal corner flashing etc, and ensure these are lined, levelled and sealed as specified.   Checking of the secondary steelwork is essential otherwise misalignment will transmit to the external profile shape causing a slight wave to been seen along/across the cladding. 
• Install vertical liner in tiers over part or all of the elevation, ensuring alignment and cover is maintained. Seal liner laps as shown on page 46 of our updated Trisobuild^® brochure.
• Install and align the vertical Instaloc^® HW system by positioning the spacer brackets at secondary rail positions and running the bar over these brackets and securing using fasteners to both sides. Ensure that the spacing and fastener frequency is to the specification and has been checked for design loadings.
• The insulation and external sheet should then be laid in sequence from the base of the elevation to the eaves in rows the full length of the elevation. This sequence will ensure the correct lapping arrangement and maintain profile alignment. When 3 metres off floor level it may be more efficient to continue in tiers with a platform lift, if this is preferred, make sure subsequent tiers are aligned and top corner of sheet is lapped correctly with previous tier (ie as if you were cladding in rows).
• Before installing the insulation, ‘stick pins’ should be positioned to the liner face at mid-span between vertical rails, and then the insulation should be run horizontally and tucked behind the vertical spacer system and over the ‘stick pins’ so that it is held in place.
• Each row of insulation should be compressed tightly with the previously row to make certain there are no gaps. If there are two layers of insulation; the joints in each layer should be offset.
• The end and side laps of the external sheet should be sealed as specified on page 46 of our updated Trisobuild^® brochure. Advice should be obtained from our Technical Department on fastener frequency, as this will depend on the calculated wind load for the cladding.
• The contractor should ensure that any swarf or debris that has fallen onto the ledges of the profile ribs are removed on final inspection.

Our updated Trisobuild^® brochure provides more in-depth information and construction details for installing Trisobuild^® systems horizontally.

Please contact our Technical Department for further advice or for an extended list of construction details on horizontal wall installation or use our online specification tool to help you create the right specification for the performance that suits the needs of your project. Doing this will give you peace of mind that cladding components are compatible and perform together as a system.