Installing Nano Six bamboo cladding: step-by-step guide
Do you want to install bamboo cladding yourself? With Nano Six bamboo cladding boards, you give a facade a sleek, natural appearance. Thanks to the special cladding Clips Nano, the boards are largely blind-fastened. This keeps screws out of sight and provides a clean, sleek facade.
A beautiful bamboo facade starts with a good sub-structure. Therefore, take enough time for the first steps. Is the base solid? Then installing the cladding boards will be much easier.
In this installation manual, we explain step by step how to install the Nano Six bamboo cladding boards.
Before you start
Check the Nano Six cladding boards before you start the installation. Store the boards in a dry place sheltered from rain and direct sunlight until installation. Do not install wet cladding boards.
Also check the facade where you are going to place the sub-structure. It must be level, stable, and strong enough. Which fasteners you need for the sub-structure depends on the existing wall.
You can mount the Nano Six cladding horizontally or vertically. The battens of the sub-structure must always run perpendicular to the cladding boards:
Horizontal cladding boards → vertical battens
Vertical cladding boards → horizontal battens
Important: Always ensure sufficient ventilation and water drainage behind the cladding.
What do you need?
To install the Nano Six bamboo cladding, you will need, among other things:
- Nano Six bamboo cladding boards
- cladding Clips Nano
- Suitable stainless steel screws for installing the first cladding board
- Battens for the sub-structure, for example Bamboo Beam Titan
- Drill/screwdriver
- Measuring tape and pencil
- Long spirit level or laser
- Saw with a sharp, fine-toothed blade
- Suitable agent, such as Bamboo Shield Nano for treating cut ends
Step 1 - Measure the facade and make a plan
Do not start sawing and screwing right away. First, measure the entire facade accurately and determine whether you want to install the Nano Six boards horizontally or vertically.
Then look at where the sub-structure battens should go and take windows, doors, inside corners, and outside corners into account.
Determine in advance how the boards will fit. This prevents you from being left with a very narrow piece of board at the end near a window frame or corner.
Are you using multiple boards in a row? Distribute the butt joints across the facade. When all joints are exactly above each other, one long line is created. By staggering the joints, you get a quieter and more natural result.
Step 2 - Make the sub-structure
A straight facade starts with a straight sub-structure. So pay enough attention to this.
Install the battens level, firmly, and in one line. Maintain a distance of approximately 400 to 500 mm between the battens.
For example, a 2500 mm Nano Six board is supported by at least six battens.
Are you installing the Nano Six horizontally? Then place the battens vertically.
Are you installing the Nano Six vertically? Then place the battens horizontally. Pay extra attention that rainwater can drain away behind the cladding and that ventilation is not blocked.
Never install the bamboo cladding boards directly against the underlying wall. Ensure a well-ventilated space behind the cladding. This allows moisture to drain away and the back of the bamboo to dry.
Step 3 - Install the first cladding board
The first board determines how straight the rest of your facade will be. So take your time for this.
Check with a long spirit level or laser that the first Nano Six board is exactly straight. For horizontal installation, check that the board is level. For vertical installation, check that it is plumb.
Secure the first board firmly to the sub-structure with a stainless steel screw every 50 cm or so. Always pre-drill the bamboo.
Preferably place the screws in a groove of the cladding board. This makes them as inconspicuous as possible after installation.
Tighten the screws firmly, but not unnecessarily deep into the bamboo.
Step 4 - Attach Nano Six cladding boards with clips
After the first board, you can proceed with the cladding Clips Nano.
The Nano Six has a special profile in which the clips are placed. This allows you to blind-fasten the subsequent bamboo cladding boards, keeping the screws almost completely out of sight.
Place one cladding Clip Nano in the profile of the board at every batten. Secure each clip to the sub-structure with one screw.
Then place the next Nano Six cladding board and ensure the profile fits well into the clips. Continue board by board.
Regularly check with a spirit level or laser whether everything is still running straight. A small deviation can become increasingly larger over several boards.
Do not force the cladding boards during installation. Bamboo is a natural material and must be able to react to changes in temperature and humidity.
Step 5 - Keep space for expansion
Bamboo cladding is exposed to rain, sun, temperature differences, and changes in humidity.
The Nano Six is a stable bamboo cladding board, but some dimensional change remains possible. Therefore, leave approximately 7-10 mm of space at the ends of the cladding boards for moisture-related expansion.
Also ensure sufficient space near walls, window frames, corner profiles, and other fixed parts. The cladding boards should not be tightly locked in anywhere.
Step 6 - Cut boards to size and make butt joints
Do two Nano Six cladding boards need to connect lengthwise? Then ensure that the connection is well supported by the sub-structure.
Try to distribute the butt joints across the facade. This prevents one long line of joints and results in a more aesthetic look.
Do you need to shorten a cladding board? Then use a sharp, fine-toothed saw blade for a clean cut.
Treat freshly cut ends before installation with a suitable finishing agent for the Nano Six, such as Nano Shield oil.
Step 7 - Finish corners, window frames, and ends
Finish outside corners, inside corners, window frames, roof edges, and ends neatly with a suitable solution or profile.
When finishing, do not just pay attention to the appearance, but especially to water and ventilation.
Rainwater must be able to run off the facade easily. Avoid places where water can remain on a horizontal cut or be trapped behind the cladding.
Also, do not block the necessary ventilation openings at the top and bottom of the facade.
Step 8 - Check the entire facade
Finished with the installation? Then walk along the facade one more time.
Check if:
- All cladding Clips Nano are securely fastened;
- The cladding boards are installed straight;
- The ends are properly finished;
- There is sufficient room for expansion;
- Ventilation and water drainage are not blocked anywhere;
- All connections and corners are neatly finished.
How many Nano Six cladding boards and clips do you need?
You don't have to calculate this yourself. Use the handy calculator on the product page and enter the dimensions of your facade. The calculator calculates how many Nano Six bamboo cladding boards and cladding Clips Nano you need for your project.
This way, you order the correct amount of material at once.
