Would you like to install bamboo cladding yourself? Thermo Triple bamboo cladding boards give a facade a sleek, natural look. Thanks to the special Thermo Cladding Clips, the boards are largely blind-fastened. This keeps screws out of sight and results in a calm, sleek facade.
A beautiful bamboo facade begins with a solid substructure. Therefore, take sufficient time, especially for the first steps. Is the foundation set correctly? Then installing the facade boards will be much easier afterward.
In this installation guide, we explain step by step how to install the Thermo Triple bamboo facade boards.
Before you begin
Check the Thermo Triple cladding boards before you start the installation. Store the boards in a dry place, protected from rain and direct sunlight, until installation. Do not install wet facade boards.
Also, check the wall on which you are going to place the substructure. It must be level, stable, and firm enough. Which fasteners you need for the substructure depends on the existing wall.
You can install the Thermo Triple cladding horizontally or vertically. The battens of the substructure should always run perpendicular to the facade boards:
Horizontal facade boards → vertical battens
Vertical facade boards → horizontal battens
Important: Always ensure sufficient ventilation and water drainage behind the cladding.
What do you need?
To install the Thermo Triple bamboo cladding, you will need, among other things:
Thermo Triple bamboo cladding boards
Thermo cladding Clips
Suitable stainless steel screws for installing the first cladding board
Battens for the substructure, 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 Thermo for treating cut end grains
Step 1 - Measure the facade and make a plan
Do not start sawing and screwing immediately. First, measure the entire facade accurately and determine whether you want to place the Thermo Triple cladding horizontally or vertically.
Next, see where the substructure battens should go, taking windows, doors, inside corners, and outside corners into account.
Determine beforehand how the boards will fit. This prevents you from being left with a very narrow piece of cladding at a frame or corner at the end.
Are you using multiple boards in succession? Distribute the end joints across the facade. When all joints are exactly above one another, one long line is created. Distributing the joints results in a calmer and more natural appearance.
Step 2 - Build the substructure
A straight facade starts with a straight substructure. Therefore, pay sufficient 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 Thermo Triple cladding of 2500 mm is thus supported by at least six battens.
Installing the Thermo Triple horizontally? Place the battens vertically.
Installing the Thermo Triple vertically? Place the battens horizontally. When doing this, take extra care that rainwater can drain from behind the cladding and that ventilation is not blocked.
Never install bamboo cladding boards directly against the underlying wall. Ensure a well-ventilated space behind the cladding. This allows moisture to drain and the back of the bamboo to dry.
Step 3 - Install the first cladding
The first board determines how straight the rest of your facade will be. Take your time for this.
Check with a long spirit level or laser whether the first Thermo Triple board is perfectly straight. For horizontal installation, check whether the board is level. For vertical installation, check whether it is plumb.
Fasten the first board firmly to the substructure 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. This makes them as inconspicuous as possible after installation.
Tighten the screws firmly, but not unnecessarily deep into the bamboo.
Step 4 - Attach Thermo Triple cladding boards with clips
After the first board, you can continue with the Thermo cladding Clips.
The Thermo Triple has a special profile in which the clips are placed. This allows you to blind-fasten the subsequent bamboo cladding boards, leaving the screws almost completely out of sight.
Place one Thermo Cladding Clip in the board's profile at each batten. Attach each clip to the substructure with one screw.
Then place the next Thermo Triple Cladding and ensure the profile fits well into the clips. Continue board by board.
Regularly check with a spirit level or laser to ensure everything is still running straight. A small deviation can become larger over multiple 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 - Leave room for expansion
Bamboo cladding is exposed to rain, sun, temperature differences, and changes in air humidity outdoors.
The Thermo Triple is a stable bamboo cladding, but some dimensional change remains possible. Therefore, leave approximately 7-10 mm of space at the end of the facade board for moisture-related expansion.
Also, ensure sufficient space at walls, frames, corner profiles, and other fixed parts. The facade should never be tightly enclosed.
Step 6 - Cut boards to size and create end joints
Do two Thermo Triple Cladding boards need to join together lengthwise? Then ensure that the joint is well supported by the substructure.
Try to distribute the end joints across the facade. This prevents one long line of joints and results in a more attractive overall look.
Do you need to shorten a cladding board? Use a sharp and fine-toothed saw blade for a neat cut.
Before installation, treat freshly cut end grains with a suitable finishing agent for the Thermo Triple, such as Thermo Shield oil.
Step 7 - Finish corners, frames, and ends
Neatly finish outside corners, inside corners, window frames, roof edges, and ends with an appropriate solution or profile.
When finishing, pay attention not only to the appearance but especially to water drainage and ventilation.
Rainwater must be able to drain easily from the facade. Avoid spots 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 installing? Walk along the facade one more time to check it completely.
Verify that:
All Thermo Cladding Clips are properly secured;
The Cladding boards are installed straight;
The end grains 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 Thermo Triple Cladding boards and clips do you need?
You do not need to calculate this yourself. Use the handy calculator on the product page and enter the dimensions of your facade. The calculator will calculate how many Thermo Triple bamboo Cladding boards and Thermo Facade Clips you need for your project.
This allows you to order the correct amount of material at once.
