Build a NewTechWood Outdoor Surfaces Mock-Up Before Committing to the Elevation

Why a Mockup is Essential for NewTechWood Outdoor Surfaces

NewTechWood composite products offer wood-look options for cladding, siding, and outdoor surfaces. While digital images and small samples provide an initial impression, a mockup offers a more complete visual and tactile experience. It addresses common project planning uncertainties, such as how shadows will play across the profile, how the material will look at different times of day, and how it will coordinate with existing elements like windows, doors, and adjacent finishes.

The benefit of a mockup is particularly pronounced for exterior applications where natural light and environmental conditions significantly influence appearance. It helps confirm that the chosen profile and color meet your aesthetic expectations in real-world conditions, preventing potential dissatisfaction after installation. This step is a proactive measure to ensure your investment aligns with your vision for the finished project.

Planning Your Mockup: Key Considerations

Start by identifying a representative section of your project that includes critical junctions or features. Common areas for a mockup include a wall corner, a section around a window or door frame, or where the NewTechWood material meets another finish like stone or stucco. This helps you evaluate transitions and trim integration.

Gather actual samples of the NewTechWood profiles you are considering. Ensure these samples are large enough to convey the full texture and color variation. You will also need any coordinating trim pieces, fasteners, and potentially a section of the planned substructure to accurately represent the installation method. Confirm current profiles and colors with your Lumber Plus branch, as availability can vary. This ensures your mockup uses the exact materials you intend to purchase.

Consider the orientation of your mockup. If your project involves both horizontal and vertical applications, or different elevations, create separate mockups for each to assess the distinct visual impact.

Materials for a NewTechWood Mockup

To build an effective mockup, you'll need the following:

1. **NewTechWood Cladding/Siding Samples:** Obtain several pieces of the exact profile and color you intend to use. Small hand samples are useful for initial color checks, but larger pieces (e.g., 2-3 feet in length) are better for a mockup to see the full effect.

2. **Coordinating Trim and Accessories:** If your project involves specific corner trims, J-channels, starter strips, or other accessories, include these in your mockup to verify fit and finish.

4. **Substructure Representation:** A small section of furring strips or sheathing, if applicable, can simulate the underlying structure, helping to visualize depth and installation clearances.

5. **Adjacent Materials:** If the NewTechWood will meet another material (e.g., a window frame, stone veneer, painted siding), include a sample of that material in your mockup to assess coordination.

Lumber Plus offers various siding and cladding options, including thermally modified wood and other composite brands like Norx, which might also benefit from a similar mockup process for comparison. For specific NewTechWood profiles and colors, contact your local Lumber Plus branch.

Assembling Your Mockup: A Worked Example

Let's consider a hypothetical project: cladding a home exterior with NewTechWood horizontal siding around a window. The goal is to evaluate the appearance of the chosen profile, the corner detailing, and the integration with the window trim.

**Assumptions:**

- NewTechWood cladding profile: US4-01 (hypothetical, for illustrative purposes)

- Color: Coastal Gray (hypothetical)

- Window trim: White PVC trim, 4 inches wide

- Corner detail: Outside corner trim piece

- Installation: Horizontal orientation with hidden fasteners

**Mockup Assembly Steps:**

1. **Build a Small Frame:** Construct a simple wooden frame, approximately 3 feet by 3 feet, representing a section of the wall. This frame will serve as your mockup's backing.

2. **Install a Window Section:** Attach a small section of a window frame (e.g., 18 inches by 18 inches) with the intended white PVC trim to the wooden frame. This creates the window junction you need to evaluate.

3. **Apply NewTechWood:** Cut several pieces of the US4-01 Coastal Gray NewTechWood cladding to lengths that will fit horizontally around your window section. Install them using the hidden fasteners, mimicking the actual installation process. Pay close attention to the spacing and alignment.

4. **Install Corner Trim:** On one side of your frame, integrate the outside corner trim piece to see how it finishes the edge and transitions with the cladding.

5. **Observe and Evaluate:** Place your mockup outdoors in different locations and at various times of the day. Observe how light and shadows affect the appearance of the Coastal Gray cladding, how it coordinates with the white window trim, and if the corner detail meets your expectations. Take photos for later reference and comparison.

This worked example demonstrates how a focused mockup can provide critical insights into material interaction and final appearance, helping to confirm design choices before a full commitment.

Evaluating Your Mockup and Making Decisions

Once your mockup is assembled and placed in a representative location, take time to evaluate it critically. Consider the following aspects:

**Color and Texture:** Does the NewTechWood color appear as expected in natural light? Does the wood-look texture enhance the overall aesthetic?

**Shadow Lines and Depth:** How do the profiles create shadows? Does the depth of the material contribute positively to the facade's appearance?

**Trim Integration:** Do the trim pieces seamlessly integrate with the cladding? Are there any unexpected gaps or misalignments?

**Overall Harmony:** How does the NewTechWood interact with adjacent materials, such as window frames, doors, or existing masonry? Does it achieve the desired architectural effect?

**Daylight and Weather:** Observe the mockup under different lighting conditions (morning, midday, evening, overcast). If possible, observe it during varied weather to anticipate how moisture might affect its appearance. For coastal or cold climates, consider how these conditions might influence the visual perception of the material.

Use this evaluation to confirm your material choices or identify areas where adjustments might be needed. It's a low-cost way to prevent costly changes later in the project.

Before you order

• Have I selected a representative section of my project for the mockup?
• Do I have actual samples of the NewTechWood profiles and colors?
• Are all coordinating trim pieces and fasteners included in the mockup?
• Have I simulated the substructure and adjacent materials (e.g., window trim)?
• Have I placed the mockup in natural light and observed it at different times of day?
• Does the mockup confirm my aesthetic choices for color, texture, and profile?
• Are the junctions and transitions clean and well-integrated?
• Are there any unexpected visual issues that need addressing before ordering?

Confirm installation details, approved uses and warranty terms in the current instructions for the exact product and profile. Your installer should verify the substrate, structure and applicable project requirements.

Questions to help you decide

Keep planning your project