Reading Specifications for NewTechWood Outdoor Surfaces Before Placing an Order

What are NewTechWood Outdoor Surfaces?

NewTechWood offers composite products designed for exterior applications, providing a wood-look finish with the benefits of a composite material. These systems are used for cladding, siding, and various outdoor surfaces. The core appeal of NewTechWood lies in its aim to offer a low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood, suitable for a range of architectural styles.

Lumber Plus works to match specific NewTechWood profiles and local availability to your project's needs. The product line includes options for both wall systems and coordinated outdoor areas, allowing for a consistent aesthetic across different elements of an exterior design.

Key characteristics of NewTechWood products include their composite material composition and wood-look surface. These products are generally considered for projects seeking a durable exterior finish that requires less routine upkeep compared to some natural wood options.

Distinguishing Profiles and Dimensions

NewTechWood products come in various profiles, each with distinct dimensions and intended applications. A 'profile' refers to the cross-sectional shape of the board, which dictates its appearance, how it interlocks or attaches, and the shadow lines it creates when installed.

For cladding and siding, profiles often include tongue-and-groove, shiplap, or open-joint designs. Each profile will have specific measurements for width, thickness, and length. These dimensions are crucial for calculating material quantities, planning the layout, and ensuring compatibility with your substructure and fastening methods. For example, a board's effective coverage width might be less than its nominal width due to overlapping features.

It is essential to consult the specific product data sheets or installation guides for the exact dimensions of the profile you are considering. These documents will provide the precise measurements needed for accurate project planning.

Approved Applications and Limitations

Beyond dimensions, NewTechWood specifications detail the approved applications for each product. While NewTechWood is broadly categorized for "Walls + Outdoors" applications, specific profiles may be designed for particular uses, such as vertical cladding, horizontal siding, or a specific type of outdoor surface.

Understanding approved applications is vital for product selection. For instance, a profile designed for vertical cladding might not be suitable for horizontal decking, and vice-versa, due to differences in structural requirements, drainage, or surface wear resistance. The material is a wood-plastic composite, and its performance characteristics are tailored to its intended use.

It is also important to note any stated limitations or conditions for use. These might include specific requirements for ventilation in a rainscreen assembly, minimum clearances from grade, or environmental considerations. Always verify that your intended project aligns with the manufacturer's specified applications to ensure long-term performance and maintain product integrity.

Worked Example: Selecting Cladding for an Accent Wall

Consider a hypothetical project: you are planning to clad an exterior accent wall that is 10 feet wide and 8 feet tall. You are interested in a specific NewTechWood cladding profile that is listed with a nominal width of 6 inches and an effective coverage width of 5.5 inches, with standard lengths available in 16-foot sections.

To cover the 10-foot (120-inch) width, you would need 120 inches / 5.5 inches per board = approximately 21.82 boards. This means you would round up to 22 boards for each 8-foot-tall course. Since the wall is 8 feet tall and the boards are available in 16-foot lengths, each 16-foot board can be cut in half to yield two 8-foot sections, assuming cuts are clean and waste is minimal.

Therefore, for each course, you would purchase 11 (22 boards / 2 sections per board) of the 16-foot boards. The total number of 16-foot boards needed for the accent wall would be 11 boards for the width, repeated for the height. However, as the accent wall is 8 feet tall, and the board length is 16 feet, each 16-foot board can be cut into two 8-foot pieces. So, to cover the 10-foot width with 22 pieces, you would need to purchase 11 of the 16-foot long boards. This example assumes no offcuts are reusable for other sections of this specific accent wall, and accounts for the effective coverage, not just the nominal size. This calculation is a starting point; always account for waste, trim, and potential miscuts by ordering a small percentage extra.

Reviewing Accessory and Fastening Specifications

NewTechWood systems often require specific accessories and fastening methods to ensure proper installation and performance. The specifications will typically outline recommended clips, fasteners, trim pieces, and possibly even starter strips or ventilation components. These are not optional additions but integral parts of the complete system.

For example, a rainscreen cladding system will have specific requirements for furring strips, drainage planes, and ventilation gaps, all of which impact the overall wall assembly. Fastener specifications will detail the type of screws or clips to use, their spacing, and any allowances for material expansion and contraction. Using unapproved fasteners or installation methods could compromise the system's integrity and appearance.

Always confirm the complete system requirements, including all coordinating accessories and the recommended fastening method, with the product documentation or a Lumber Plus representative. This ensures that all components work together as intended.

Before you order

• Confirm the desired NewTechWood product line (cladding, siding, outdoor surfaces).
• Identify the specific profile that meets your aesthetic and functional needs.
• Verify the exact dimensions of the chosen profile, including effective coverage.
• Cross-reference your project's intended use with the product's approved applications.
• Review any stated limitations or conditional suitability for your project environment.
• Identify all required coordinating accessories (trim, fasteners, clips, ventilation components).
• Account for waste factor in your material quantity calculations.
• Consult current physical samples to confirm color and texture.
• Prepare your project dimensions and desired profile for a material quote.

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

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