INSTALLATION-MAINTENANCE
This document serves only to recommend general installation methods but does not replace the experience and expertise of a licensed installer. Please consult with your contractor for more detailed installation instructions.
IMPORTANT! Receipt of Material
Upon delivery please inspect your product to ensure that it has arrived undamaged and is in acceptable condition. If the product has been compromised during transit, please document the damage on the carrier’s bill of lading so the Midwest Mill Co is able to file a freight claim with the carrier. If the product appears to be severely damaged to the point that most of the material is unusable, it is recommended that the shipment be rejected and returned to the point of origin. If an incident occurs, please contact your sales rep to assess the situation and begin the process of getting new material.
Inspection
Please inspect your product upon receipt to ensure that there are no production defects. Defects include incorrect finish, errors in milling, wrong species or grade of material received. If production defects are discovered take pictures and contact a Midwest Mill Co. sales rep immediately. Please do not install defective material. Installation of material deemed defective will void any existing warranty. Please also keep in mind that each board is unique and that natural variances in color, grain pattern, thickness and changes due to change in environment are not considered defects. Industry standard allows for up to 5% (10% for reclaimed products) to have milling, handling, finish and/or grade defect.
Acclimation and Environment
Upon receipt please store your wood in a climate controlled area on a level surface at least 4” from ground level, preferably laid out across ¾” - 1” spacers to allow adequate air circulation on all sides. Avoid leaving wood intended for interior use outdoors and exposed to the elements. Interior wood should be maintained at a stable temperature and humidity level in order to properly acclimate. Storage for 3-5 days at (60-70ºF (15-21ºC), degrees and (30-50%) humidity are normally acceptable conditions for most woods although this may not be the case for some exterior environments. Consult with your installer regarding acclimation times in your climatic zone. NWFA is another source for moisture levels in your area. A licensed installer should be consulted or perform the install to ensure that the substrate and cladding are at acceptable moisture levels prior to installation. We recommend that 50 boards in every 1000 sq. ft. bundle be tested for moisture content.
Installation
Avoid installing cladding over uncured plaster or masonry. Plaster and masonry should be allowed to cure for a minimum of 2 months prior to installation of paneling. For installation against an exterior facing wall a protective vapor barrier should be installed between the paneling and structure. Installation on wood sheathing should be 24” to center and 16” to center without sheathing, 16” on center for rain screen wall construction and no more than 24” on center for vertical application on furring strips or sheathing.
Fasteners
In good joinery practice, use corrosion proof metal fasteners such as 305 or 316 stainless steel.
Recommended Products:
Headcote® 305 and 316
Deckfast® Stainless 305 or 316
Smart-Bit® Pre-drilling and Countersinking Tool
http://www.starbornindustries.com/smart-bit-wood-product
Smart-Bit® Demonstration video
contact Starborn Industries: www.starbornindustries.com | 800-596-7747
for more details.
Wood finishes exposed to outdoor conditions will naturally begin to fade approximately within two years of initial application. Vibrant and rich color depth will diminish at varying rates depending on the level of sun exposure among other weathering factors. Woods such as Cypress, Doug Fir and other soft wood will sometime check, bow and twist over time. With every order we provide an approximate 5-10% overage so that boards can be replaced when needed. Please do not plan or build the 10% excess into your job. Heavily charred wood will sometimes have small defects such as chips and damaged tongues or grooves. The extra material you receive is intended to account for any defects due to the burning process and provide material for future repairs and patch jobs.
Re-coating and Touch-ups.
As stated above, wood finishes exposed to outdoor conditions will diminish over time. It is recommended that you re-coat your wood every 2-3 years or as you see fit. Midwest Mill Co. provides touch up kits for your products and will provide free advice on how to apply the coating. If you choose to restore the finish yourself, we will not be responsible for improper application. Keep in mind that these are unique products which most contractors have no experience working with, which is why we also provide onsite support. Call us to at 219-222-2222 or email our installation team at support@midwestmillco.com to receive pricing for one of our production crews to come out and restore your finish. We will warranty any outdoor finish that we apply with our products, for two years.
Maintaining Black Finished and Heavily Charred Material
Under no circumstance should you ever power wash heavily charred material such as Sable from the Arial Black Collection. These materials should be cleaned and dusted with a non-abrasive rag. Heavily charred wood which is exposed to outdoor conditions should be re-coated with a UV resistant clear coat approximately every two years. We can provide you with the materials necessary to re-coat your product or our support team can provide you with information on the types of products that can be used for restoration. If you choose to select your own finishing product, Midwest Mill Co. will not be responsible if the product does not hold up or fails to protect your wood.