Fiber Cement Board Installation (Wall/Ceiling)
1. Substrate and Keel Preparation
Keel Selection: Light steel keel or fire-resistant wood keel is commonly used.
Spacing Control: The center-to-center spacing of the keel is generally 600mm; if the wall height exceeds 4m, additional horizontal bracing keels are required according to the design.
Leveling and Correction: Before installation, the verticality and flatness of the keel must be corrected using a laser level or plumb line. The error must be controlled within the allowable range; otherwise, the board surface is prone to deformation.
2. Board Cutting and Pre-treatment
Fiber Cement Board Cutting Tools: Use a handheld toothed circular saw or a dedicated cutting machine. Protect yourself from dust generated during cutting.
Sealing Treatment: Before installation, it is recommended to apply a coat of white sealing paint to both sides of the board to prevent moisture-induced deformation and improve the adhesion of the surface coating. Chamfering: If the edges of the panels are not chamfered at the factory, the joints must be chamfered (V-groove) on-site for subsequent caulking.
3. Fixing Installation
Fixing Sequence: Fix gradually from the center of the panel outwards to avoid unevenness caused by internal stress.
Screw Specifications: Use dedicated self-tapping screws. The screw distance from wall panels is generally 200-300mm, and from ceiling panels is 150-200mm.
Edge Distance Requirements: The center of the screw hole should be 10-15mm from the edge of the panel, and at least 50mm from the corner to prevent edge chipping.
Counterhead Treatment: After screwing in, the screw should be 0.3-0.5mm below the panel surface, and an anti-rust primer should be applied to the screw head immediately.
4. Joint Treatment
Gap: A gap of approximately 5mm should be left between boards (5mm recommended for exterior walls, 3mm for interior walls) to prevent cracking due to thermal expansion and contraction.
Catalyzing: After cleaning the gap, fill it with a special elastic caulking compound or adhesive-modified putty, then attach anti-crack mesh tape. After drying, sand it smooth.
II. Installation of Wooden Strip Wall Panels (Decorative Wall Panels/Glattice)
1. Base Layer Inspection and Leveling
Smoothness Requirements: The wall surface flatness error should not exceed 4-5mm. Areas exceeding this limit must be repaired with plaster or leveling mortar; otherwise, the wooden strips will develop wavy patterns.
Moisture-proofing Treatment: The original wall surface needs to be coated with moisture-proof paint. The back of the wooden framing or strips needs to be coated with anti-corrosion, insect-proof, and fire-retardant paint and allowed to dry. 2. Keel System Construction
Keel Spacing: Adjusted according to the width of the wood strips. Typically, the vertical keel spacing is 300-400mm, and the horizontal keel spacing is 400-600mm.
Fixing Method: Use expansion bolts to fix the wood keel to the wall, ensuring the keel surfaces are on the same plane (error ≤2mm).
Alternative Solution: If the wall surface is relatively flat, you can directly use nail-free adhesive + pneumatic nails to fix the wood strips. However, for large-area construction, it is recommended to first build a keel framework to ensure breathability and flatness.
3. Wood Strip Installation Techniques
Layout Rehearsal: Before formal installation, re-lay out the wood strips on the ground, adjusting color differences, and placing wood strips with significant grain variations in corners or inconspicuous areas.
Fixing Method:
Exposed Nail Method: Drive pneumatic nails into the side of the wood strips at a 45-degree angle. Repair the nail holes later with putty of the same color.
**Snap-on/Concealed Nail Method:** Uses specialized clips or side grooves to conceal fixing points, resulting in no nail holes and a more aesthetically pleasing finish.
**Gap Control:** A uniform gap of 5-15mm should be left between wood strips (depending on the design style). Use positioning blocks to ensure consistent spacing.
4. Edge Finishing and Protection
**Corner Treatment:** Internal corners should be butted at a 45-degree angle. External corners can be edged or covered with pre-finished decorative strips.
**Surface Coating:** After installation, clean away sawdust and apply wood wax oil or varnish for protection. Avoid direct air conditioning exposure during the first year to prevent cracking.