Nail Type
Kleer™ can be nailed just like wood. Hand nailing or power nailing is acceptable. Nails should have sufficient tensile strength in the shaft to resist bending during seasonal movement (a 6,7 or 8D nail is recommended). As a general rule of thumb if you can bend the nail with your bare hands then the material will also be able to bend it causing excessive expansion and contraction. For best results, a selection of smooth shank, screw, annular threaded or spiral type nails that are stainless steel are recommended. Hot dip galvanized nails may also be used if the nails are to be set and the nail holes filled. If a hot dip galvanized nail is not covered it may cause staining of the material. Standard nails that are not protected from rusting will also cause staining on the material.
Recommended Fasteners for Kleer™ PVC Boards & Sheets
Kleer Lumber LLC is recommending that ring shank nails NOT be used when hand nailing Kleer™ PVC boards and sheets. Rings on the shank of the nail create excess frictional heat when penetrating the product which can lead to some melting of the PVC. Repetitive strikes of a hammer or nail gun in colder weather can cause the PVC to soften or melt; rapid cooling allows for additional material to build up on the nail. If the cooling happens before the nail passes completely through the board into the substrate, the melted PVC can form into an awkward shape that cannot efficiently exit the smooth surface of the board. The result can be excess material break out at the point of impact and possibly some hairline cracking.
Kleer Lumber LLC strongly recommends, that if Kleer™ boards and sheets are hand nailed they be fastened with smooth shank fasteners. Ring shank fasteners are not required for a secure hold into the substrate. The shanks on the nails are designed to withstand the pressure of wood swelling and shrinking with fluctuating moisture content. The seasonal movement of wood is primarily in the thickness, and the shanks create additional holding power into the substrate against this outward force. Expansion and contraction of Kleer™ PVC is almost entirely in the length. Any variation of thickness will be insignificant, and measured in thousandths of an inch. There is no outward pressure away from the substrate to be considered in the choice of a fastener. The holding power of a smooth shank nail is more than adequate for PVC boards, sheet, and trim. Potential problems associated with hand nailed ring shank nails were discovered and confirmed from various Kleer Lumber LLC field and in house tests.
Proper fastening of Kleer™ PVC products can be achieved with a variy of nails, screws, and adhesives. Kleer Lumber LLC has always recommended an aggressive nailing schedule (minimum 16" on center) for secure holding, and the mitigation of excessive expansion and contraction. Be sure to install Kleer using even nailing patterns, across the width it is recommended to nail no more than 4” apart. If possible 3” nailing patterns will help to reduce expansion and contraction. The use of construction adhesive across the back of the product in addition to aggressive nailing patterns will allow for additional hold. Ring shank fasteners are not required; nor are they recommended for hand nailing.
Continue checking out our web site for complete instructions on fastening Kleer™ boards, sheets, and our many other PVC products.
Glue
Adhesives [formerly Glues]
Kleer is a solid free-foam PVC product. Kleer recommends using Bond&Fill® STRUCTURAL™ adhesive/filler specially formulated for PVC for all gluing and bonding of Kleer PVC trimboard. STRUCTURAL offers some unique benefits over other adhesives. It is sandable and paintable and available in either Fast Cure (5-8 minutes) or Slow Cure (45-60 minutes). For more information on the Bond&Fill® family of products please visit www.bondfill.com .
Kleer recommends using Bond&Fill® STRUCTURAL™ when bonding short runs of trimboard for windows and doors or longer runs, such as facias, soffits and rakes. For seams and gaps where the trimboards are subject to expansion and contraction, Kleer recommends Bond&Fill® FLEX™, which is specially formulated for PVC expansion and contraction joints. It moves over eight times its size and is paintable. If no room is left for expansion and contraction, there may be joints that will break or the product can buckle.
For best results surfaces should be smooth, clean and the joints should be tight to each other. Bond&Fill® STRUCTURAL™ will allow a work time of up to one hour and will cure in 24 hours.
Kleer is a solid free-foam PVC product and can be glued using PVC cements. Kleer recommends using Gorilla Brand PVC cement, available through your local dealer in 8oz. and 16 oz. cans. Although any PVC cement will work Gorilla Brand offers a few unique benefits. It dries white, has a low odor, and a medium set time, regular PVC cement will set up quickly sometimes too quick.
Kleer recommends using a PVC cement when building short runs of trim, ex. around windows and doors. With longer runs such as facias, soffits, and rakes the joints can be glued as long as there is room at the ends to allow for expansion and contraction. If no room is left for expansion and contraction there will be joints that will break or the product can buckle. All joints should be cut at a bevel and either glued or caulked. 1/8” over 18’ should be left for expansion and contraction.
For best results surfaces should be smooth, clean and the joints should be tight to each other. Gorilla Brand PVC Cement will allow a working time of about 10 minutes and will cure in 24 hours. Regular PVC cement will set fast and may reduce the overall strength of the joint.
Bonding Kleer to other substrates can be achieved using various different adhesives. As a general rule of thumb, any product that is either Acrylic or Urethane based will adhere to Kleer. Consult your local dealer or adhesive manufacture to determine what products are best suited for a particular application.
