Lining Boards Installation Guide OVERVIEW This guide covers installing Intrim® tongue & groove lining boards. Made from responsibly sourced, fingerjointed Radiata pine, the boards come primed and ready to paint. Suitable for indoor and sheltered outdoor areas like porches and alfresco spaces.
ON-SITE Upon delivery, store Intrim® lining boards in a covered area, away from sunlight and inclement weather. Unload by hand, crane or forklift, and stack boards on timber gluts spaced 450mm apart and at least 150mm above the ground. Cover boards loosely with plastic for rain protection and airflow; this helps them reach moisture equilibrium. Carry boards on their edge to avoid damage to the primer or substrate, and do not drag them. If damaged, sand the area and apply wood sealer or primer to primed or pre-oiled boards to prevent moisture ingress.
MOISTURE AND MOVEMENT All Intrim® lining boards are kiln-dried during production to a moisture content of between 12 and 15 per cent, which is designed to minimise the potential for expansion and contraction following installation. Nevertheless, timber is hygroscopic and will react to seasonal changes in weather conditions during the service life of the installation despite pre-seasoning efforts by the manufacturer. Consideration should therefore be given to the way that boards will interact with their environment by absorbing moisture from or releasing moisture into the local atmosphere over time.
ACCLIMATISATION The transition of dry lining boards from storage in controlled environments – such as a warehouse or distribution centre, to installation in uncontrolled settings, typically within buildings under construction, presents several challenges. It is therefore essential to begin preparing Intrim® lining boards for potential expansion and contraction immediately upon delivery to the job site. Intrim® lining boards are seasoned to a moisture content of 12 to 15 percent, which is suitable for the mild conditions prevalent across much of coastal Australia. When these boards are installed in more humid regions, such as tropical North Queensland, they will absorb atmospheric moisture and expand in width. Conversely, when installed in arid inland areas, the boards tend to lose moisture and contract in overall width. These changes generally occur within weeks of installation as the timber seeks to reach equilibrium with the ambient relative humidity – a state known as equilibrium moisture content (EMC). At EMC, the timber remains stable, neither expanding nor contracting, and is in harmony with its environment. To mitigate issues associated with board expansion or contraction, it is advisable to allow the boards to achieve EMC prior to installation. Industry best practice recommends acclimatising lining boards on site, near their intended installation location, for one to two weeks before fixing them into position. Longer acclimatisation periods may be necessary in conditions that are exceptionally dry, hot, or wet. Products intended for external applications may also require extended acclimatisation compared to those used in controlled interior environments. Prior to installation, ensure that the lining boards are ready by using a moisture meter to record readings from multiple boards within the batch. If the measurements confirm that the timber has equilibrated with the anticipated in-service moisture levels indicated in the following chart, the boards may then be installed.
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