How to Fit UPVC Cladding

When it comes to replacing your cladding, UPVC is a great option thanks to its durability and low maintenance requirements. If you’re looking to install UPVC cladding yourself, then good news; it is a relatively easy job to do provided you know what you’re doing.

Health and Safety Notice: Always ensure that you follow all health and safety guidelines and use the appropriate tools for the job.

Step One: Remove existing gladding using a crowbar and ensure that the area is clear of debris and that the timber stud frame or masonry/block substrates are prepped for the cladding.

Step Two: Place fixing trims on the area you wish to clad – using cladding pins to secure – with a breathable moisture barrier behind them. These battens should be no more than 600mm apart for while cladding and 400mm for woodgrain or coloured cladding. It is important that you use the correct trim for the intended application, i.e. U-channel cladding trim or external corner trim.

Step Three: Using specified cladding pins, attach a starter trim to the bottom of the area that you’re looking to clad.

Step Four: Once the trim has been completed, engage the back lip of the cladding board into the starter and vertical fixing trims and secure it into place with the pins. It is a good idea to start in the centre and work outwards, cutting planks (if necessary) with a fine-toothed saw.

Step Five: Continue step four using the tongue and groove joints – if using cladding without this feature, use joint trims to connect – to attach the new lengths of cladding to the ones already installed. It is important that you leave 5mm gaps at each end to allow for expansion.

Step Six: When fitting the top cladding board, use packing behind the board to ensure that the face of the cladding is aligned. Upon fitting the last board, use the universal U trim along the board to give it the most aesthetically pleasing finish.

For a more detailed description of the fixing process relating to UPVC shiplap cladding, please do not hesitate to contact Speedy Plastics and Resins on local number (0844) 8586670, and our team will do our best to help you.

If you’re embarking on any other DIY project, browse our range of products. If you find the same product anywhere else for less, we’ll refund the difference.