Features of mounting Planken from Siberian Larch
Planken is a type of dry planed board, which has no dowels or grooves, and the sides are rounded or bevelled. One of the most popular cladding are the Planken range from Larch. Thanks to the resin of this wood, the product does not rot and insects do not start. In itself, it is very durable, which is why it is often compared with oak. A rich colour and unusual wood drawings give each product a stylish and original look.
The main advantage of larch planken is its connection method. It is not laid according to the spike-groove type, which exposes the product to the influence of the environment in the open air, which ultimately causes planken deformation. There are two options for laying planken: overlapping and at a short distance, which provides ventilation to the wood and positively affects the longevity of the wood.
Most often, planken is used in the construction of arbors and fences, wall and ceiling cladding, as well as for decoration, mainly of the facade.
If you are familiar with the installation of lining, then consider everything has already been done; if not, then carefully studying the steps and tips, you can do the installation yourself and not be afraid of anything!
Planken fixture
Before you begin such an entertaining process as installing Planken, you should decide on the method of fixture. You need to decide between two options:
- Outdoor, which involves the simplest method of fastening with screws to the side of the lags;;
- For the hidden version, special fasteners are required:
- “Snakes” or “Duet” are suitable for direct and beveled types.
- “Planfix” exclusively for direct boards.
- Nail PRO – the best option for a terrace or deck board.
Also, attention should be paid to the choice of self-tapping screws. Larch is a little finicky, so an ordinary self-tapping screw may not take or even split the “Siberian”. Again, you have a choice: either pre-drill, or buy special self-tapping screws designed for solid varieties of wood, which come in like clockwork and heat the head, without drilling anything
There are three ways to install Planken: horizontal, vertical and diagonal.
For the decoration of the facade, they prefer a vertical crate, when decorating a fence – more often horizontal; and in other cases, the direction of the board is not so important.
Installation of Planken generally takes place in
four stages:
Stage 1: Installation of the battens
The battens serves as the basis for Planken. It can be presented both in the form of wooden bars or using a metal profile.
Do not forget to treat the battens with special mixture that will protect the base from moisture and mold.
Expert Opinion:
It is better to attach the battens of the crate at a distance of 40-60 cm from the edge, depending on the direction of planking: If it is laid horizontally, then the battens are vertical, and vice versa.
В In the case of unevenness, there are two ways to align:
- Place chips in a place that has become lower than the surface level;
- Use a planer to remove a layer of wood that is above the level.
Stage 2: Installation of insulation and wind protection.
If you do not leave a gap between the wall and the planken, then the appearance of fungus or mold is ensured for you, since the concentration of water vapour will accumulate in this place. Therefore, a gap is necessary for air circulation, even if you do not plan to install thermal insulation.
Windproof film (Vapour barrier) protects the walls of the building from blowing. By the way, it must be installed even if you use thermal insulation.
Stage 3: Go to the planken itself!
Here it all depends on the profile: straight or bevelled. The installation is carried out lapped or butt.
Laying can be done in two ways:
- Open. Such installation will be the simplest and not so costly. It consists in the fact that the planken is attached to the crate with screws The disadvantage being visible mounting material.;
- Hidden. As a result, after all installation work you will have a perfect wooden surface without visible fasteners. But this method is more costly, since special fasteners are used for fixing, and more complicated.
Stage 4: Varnish, paint or oil.
Planken is considered a more durable material than lining. So that they will serve you even longer, varnish, paint or oil them.
Many experts call this stage almost the most important, because varnish, like oil or paint protects the product from all kinds of adverse environmental influences: biological destruction, rotting, the formation of fungus and mold.
By covering the product with one of the proposed options, you will keep the natural pattern of the product in good condition for many years to come.
But the coating technique depends on the type of oil or varnish that you are going to use.
Every four years, the decorative coating is best changed. This will help extend the life of the Planken for many more years and refresh the appearance of the product!
