Where should you start when installing sandwich panel cladding?

In a room with a lot of steam, the continuity of the sealing layer is important. In a cold store, the ingress of warm, humid air must be limited. These tasks affect the details already during installation. They cannot be fully compensated later with a layer of silicone.

Check the support spacings, verticals, horizontals and diagonals. Measure the openings for doors and windows. Compare the results with the panel layout drawings. A structure erected with a slight deviation can change the width of the final strip or the distance of the opening from the lock.

Record the results before confirming the final lengths. In a series of similar buildings, do not transfer one measurement to all. Differences in the foundation and columns only become apparent on site. They must be resolved without weakening the panel edge by random cutting.

Draw up a schedule by installation location. Separate walls, roof, flashings and sealing elements. The lengths should have clear markings in the documentation. If the order of the packs matches the order of work, you move heavy elements around the site fewer times.

At acceptance, count the pieces and inspect the condition of the packaging. Materials stored outdoors require protection in accordance with the instructions. The protection should limit water but not create a trap for moisture. Protective film is not left on the cladding indefinitely.

For packs intended for the roof, also check the weight of the load lifted at one time. Unloading and subsequently lifting individual panels are two different tasks. Equipment must be planned for both.

Determine the position of the first element and the level of the plinth. Check the details that will later be inaccessible. These include, among others, the support, sealing and water drainage at the lower edge. The laying of the first panel sets the rhythm for subsequent joints.

For vertical installation, check the vertical alignment. For horizontal installation, monitor the level of successive courses and the support of the ends. The edges must meet the intended positions on the structure. Do not shift a joint beyond its support merely to improve the appearance of the colour arrangement.

Panels with mineral wool and with foam may differ in weight, interlock and handling method. Wall fasteners do not necessarily fit the roof. The variant with concealed fixing requires proper access to the joint. Good organisation takes these differences into account before work begins.

There is no single screw spacing for every panel and building. The number of fastenings is determined for the project and load zones. The substrate into which the fastener is driven also matters. Denser screws will not compensate for a support that is too thin or poorly positioned.

Plan penetrations, brackets and equipment before closing the walls. An opening may alter the load-bearing capacity or the required fire resistance. The weight of an air-conditioning unit, cables or shelves should be transferred to appropriately designed elements. The cladding alone is not an arbitrary suspension point.

After cutting the opening, protect the core and execute the correct detail. Also check the performance of the seals under temperature changes. The installer should not cut into a finished interlock without agreement. The cost of a minor change is considerably lower before the panel is installed.

Assess the geometry, seals, fastenings and flashings. Inspect the corners and the areas around openings. Remove swarf and packaging remnants. Assess scratches before touching up. Serious edge damage should not be hidden with paint, as it may also affect the joint.

Finally, hand over the rules for cleaning, inspections and moving on the roof. Document the details before they are covered. For successive identical pavilions, keep a separate record for each delivery and crew. This makes it easier to detect recurring errors.