Weathertex Exterior Signboard

Support structures for Weathertex^TM Signboard should comply with local building authority and other related legislation. In addition, the construction should be capable of withstanding the wind forces to which it will be exposed and be designed in accordance with Australian Standard AS 1170.2: 1989, SAA Loading Code, Part 2, Wind Forces.

The information in this manual is a guide for Weathertex^TM Signboard installations under 10m high and located in Terrain Categories 2 or 3 in Region A (normal), non cyclonic regions. It is based on the permissible stress method in accordance with AS1170.2, for a design gust wind speed of 33m/s.

Timber or metal frames should comply with regulatory requirements. They may consist of vertical studs secured to top and bottom plates as in conventional construction, posts and rails, or a system of posts with horizontal battens or furring channels.

Frames should be straight and true and provide support for the Weathertex^TM at 600mm maximum centres. The preferred spacing is 450mm.

For permanent (long term) signs, support should be provided for all sheets edges.

Existing Walls

Weathertex^TM Signboard may be applied over existing walls such as masonry, concrete fibre cement or metal, by limiting sheet sizes to 1830 mm x 1220 mm, maintaining close fixings and allowing at least 6 mm clearance between sheets. It should be noted that moisture in masonry or concrete surfaces can cause dimensional movement of the signboard, especially during adverse climatic conditions. In addition, the board durability may be affected by efflorescence from concrete and mortar.

A preferred method of installation is to allow an air flow between the signboard and wall. This may be achieved with a frame system. (Refer "Framing").

If signboard is also a cladding that is part of the building structure reference to "The Weathertex Owner/Builder Installation Guide", should be made.

Sheet layout will usually depend on the sign size and shape. Allow the bottom edge of the sign to protrude approximately 20 mm below the supporting frame. On large continuous signs arrange long sheet edges vertically.

Allow at least 150 mm clearance between the bottom edge of Weathertex^TM Signboard and paved surfaces which are exposed to the weather and at least 225 mm clearance to unprotected ground.

For best results when fixing to masonry and concrete walls, or light gauge metal frames, i.e. Less than

1.2 mm thick, the maximum sheet size should be limited to 1830 mm x 1220 mm. If installing Weatherboards in these applications the weatherboard length should not exceed 1830 mm.

Fastener spacings for signs which are not part of a building structure are given in Table 2. If the signboard is part of the building structure the instructions given in The Weathertex Owner/Builder Installation Manual must be followed. This specifies fastener spacings of 200 mm at board edges, 12 mm from the edge, and 300 mm centres throughout the body of the board.

Rigid fixings such as screws and masonry nails or anchors, should not be over-tightened into the signboard surface. Clearance holes should be drilled in the signboard to receive these fasteners and assist product performance.

The following is a guide to fastener types and their preferred maximum spacings:

Typical fasteners for fixing Weathertex^TM Signboard to masonry or concrete walls include masonry nails and washers, masonry anchors and countersunk or hexagonal head with washer, screw fixings. Plastic inserts and screws may also be used. The fasteners should be selected and applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s advice.

When fixing Weathertex^TM Signboard to masonry or concrete, space the fasteners at 450 mm maximum centres throughout the board. The number of fasteners entering the masonry or concrete can be reduced by providing a frame to support the signboard. Please refer to "Construction Considerations".

The optimum method of jointing is to provide 6 mm minimum clearance between sheets and at joins with other materials. Vertical joins may be formed using Weathertex^TM Joint Trimmers.

Notes:

1. Screws should be suitably coated to resist corrosion.

2. Fasteners should be placed at 12 mm minimum from edges of the board.

GUN NAILING

Gun nailing can be used as an alternative to specified hand driven nails. Generally, gun nails should have equivalent dimensions, head size, etc to hand driven nails and must be galvanised or suitably coated for external use. Nail guns must be fitted with a flush drive attachment and nails should not be driven below the surface. Where nails are underdriven they can then be tapped home with a hammer. The following have been tested and found to be suitable for fixing Weathertex to softwood timber frames.

Note: For hardwood timber frames use equivalent dimension screw-shanked nails.

Weathertex^TM Signboard is easy to work and machine with normal woodworking tools and equipment. Cut sheets with a fine tooth handsaw or power saw. Edges may be trimmed with a smoothing plane, power plane or sandpaper.