Planning NORX Cladding with Your Contractor: A Pre-Order Checklist

Confirming the Chosen NORX Collection and Color

The first step in finalizing your order is to confirm the specific NORX Collection and color chosen for your project. NORX offers seven collections, each named after a city, with unique board profiles and color options. For instance, the Paris Collection features Elastic Surface™ technology with colors like Elysees and Eiffel, while the London Collection provides wide slat panels in shades such as Hyde Park and Big Ben.

It is important to review physical samples to confirm the chosen color and texture, as digital representations can vary. Each collection's characteristics, such as the number of capped sides (3 or 4), may also influence the final decision, especially for exposed edges or specific installation details.

Ensure your contractor is aware of the exact collection and color selection, as this dictates the specific product code for ordering. This detail also impacts the aesthetic outcome and any specific installation considerations tied to a particular collection's profile or material composition.

Verifying Project Dimensions and Layout Plan

Accurate measurements are fundamental to ordering the correct quantity of NORX Cladding. Your contractor should provide a detailed layout plan that includes all wall areas, ceiling sections, and soffits where NORX boards will be installed. This plan should account for openings such as windows and doors, as well as any transitions or corner details.

NORX boards are designed for consistent application across walls, ceilings, and soffits, using a single hidden clip system. This means that while the same board can be used, the cutting plan and required accessories might vary depending on the specific application area. Discuss with your contractor how field cuts will be managed and if any offcuts can be reused to minimize waste. A detailed cut list, even a preliminary one, can significantly improve order accuracy.

For complex geometries or accent areas, consider providing your contractor with scaled drawings or sketches. This visual aid can help clarify intentions and ensure that the ordered material quantity aligns with the design vision, taking into account any specific patterns or orientations (e.g., vertical vs. horizontal layouts).

Accounting for Fastening Systems and Substructure

NORX Cladding utilizes a hidden clip fastening system designed for installation on furring. Before ordering, confirm with your contractor the type and quantity of clips required, as well as the specifications for the furring strips and any other substructure components. The integrity of the entire cladding system depends on proper support and fastening.

The fastening system is integral to the appearance and performance of NORX boards. Ensure that the contractor has reviewed the manufacturer's installation guidelines for the hidden clips and furring requirements. This includes understanding appropriate spacing, ventilation gaps, and methods for attaching the furring to the structural wall.

Do not overlook the need for starter clips, end clips, or specialized clips for corners and transitions, if applicable to the chosen NORX profile. These small but essential components are often overlooked in initial material takeoffs and can cause delays if not ordered alongside the main cladding boards.

Planning for Trim, Corners, and Accessories

A complete NORX Cladding project often requires more than just the primary boards. Discuss with your contractor how corners, edges around windows and doors, and other transitions will be finished. This might involve specific trim pieces, corner profiles, or careful mitered cuts of the cladding boards themselves.

While NORX provides a cohesive system, the details for finishing exposed edges, soffit-to-wall connections, or base-of-wall clearances need to be clearly defined. Confirm if standard trim pieces are part of the NORX collection or if complementary materials will be used. For example, some designs may integrate metal trims or other accent materials to achieve a desired aesthetic.

Ensure that all accessories, including any required sealants, ventilation strips, or insect screens for rainscreen assemblies, are specified and included in the material order. Missing these components can halt installation progress and lead to additional costs or design compromises.

Worked Example: Ordering NORX London Collection for a Feature Wall

Consider a hypothetical project for an exterior feature wall measuring 10 feet wide by 8 feet high, using NORX London Collection, color Big Ben. The contractor has confirmed a horizontal installation with wide slat panels, and a standard hidden clip system on vertical furring strips.

1. **Area Calculation:** The wall area is 10 ft * 8 ft = 80 square feet.

2. **Board Coverage:** Assuming NORX London Collection wide slat panels are approximately 6 inches (0.5 feet) wide and come in 16-foot lengths, each board covers 0.5 ft * 16 ft = 8 square feet. (Note: Always confirm actual board dimensions and coverage per piece from product specifications.)

3. **Initial Board Count:** For 80 sq ft, you would theoretically need 80 sq ft / 8 sq ft/board = 10 boards.

4. **Waste Factor:** It is prudent to add a waste factor for cuts, mistakes, and future repairs. A common waste factor for cladding is 10-15%. For this example, we will use 10%: 10 boards * 1.10 = 11 boards.

5. **Furring Strips:** For horizontal cladding, vertical furring strips are needed. Total furring length: 9 * 8 ft = 72 linear feet.

6. **Hidden Clips:** Each 16-foot board will require clips at each furring strip. With 9 furring strips, each board needs 9 clips. For 11 boards, this means 11 boards * 9 clips/board = 99 clips. It's advisable to order a small surplus of clips.

7. **Corner/Edge Details:** If this wall meets another material at its vertical edges, specific corner trims or edge profiles may be needed. For a clean finish, the contractor might plan mitered corners or a simple edge trim. Assume for this example, two 8-foot vertical edge trims are required.

Final order list for this hypothetical example includes: 11 NORX London Collection Big Ben panels (16 ft length), 9 furring strips (8 ft length), 100 hidden clips, and 2 edge trim pieces (8 ft length). This example highlights how the contractor's input on layout and fastening details directly influences the final material list.

Before you order

• Have I confirmed the exact NORX Collection and color with physical samples?
• Does my contractor have the final project dimensions, including all cladding areas (walls, ceilings, soffits)?
• Is there a clear layout plan indicating board orientation and any special patterns?
• Have we accounted for all openings (windows, doors) and potential waste from cuts?
• Has the type and quantity of hidden clips and other fasteners been confirmed?
• Are the specifications for furring strips and substructure clearly defined?
• Have all necessary trim pieces, corner profiles, and edge finishes been selected?
• Are there any specific accessories (e.g., ventilation strips, sealants) required for the installation?
• Has the contractor reviewed the NORX installation guidelines for the chosen profile?
• Have we discussed and agreed upon the process for handling field cuts and potential material reuse?

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