Interlocking Channel System

RECOMMENDED TOOLS

  • Screw Gun
  • Pliers to cut shims
  • Drill with bits
  • 48” level & 24” level
  • Dead Blow Hammer
  • Circular Saw with drydiamond tipped blade
  • Screw Drivers (pry panels when shimming)

INSTALLATION MATERIALS

  • Glazier’s horseshoe shaped shims 1/16?, 1/8” & ¼” thickness by 2 1/2? long minimum
  • No. 10 Hex Head Tek Screws
  • Interlocking Channel Extrusionsandclips provided by HyCOMB USA
  • Spray mixture of 75% water and 25% mild dish soap
  • Masking tape
  • Various gauge wire and metal strips to shim inside the interlocking channel system.

FRAMING CONSTRUCTION

Steel stud or furring should be true and plumb and must have a maximum deflection limited to L/240, and not to exceed allowable stresses. Lateral support and bridging should be installed.

This does not provide lateral support for wall framing. The steel stud framing should have a maximum variation from a true plan of 1/8 inch in 10 feet. Defects must be corrected prior to proceeding with HyCOMB panel installation. Framing studs must be located with studs at panel joint locations.

JOBSITE STORAGE

Panels must be stored in a clean dry area, free from contaminates. The panels must be placed on a shock absorbent support such as expanded polystyrene to protect the edges, upon removal from the packaging crate.

HyCOMB panels are impact resistant and extremely durable, but, as with any Natural Stone facing, it is susceptible to chipping on theedges and the face surfaces ( especially with softer stones: Limestone, Travertine, etc…) Special care and protection should be taken in handling and staging of the product.

To be efficient all panels should be arranged in the order needed for installing.

INSTALLATION

The following instructions are intended for vertical wall panels only.

  • Coordinate with the shop drawing to laser lever to mark the exact panel location and the position of panel edges at the base of the wall. Assure that each panel edge will have framing support.
  • Use a laser or level to establish the most outward point of the framing. Create a mark to determine the installation “plane” and the amount of shimming required. Use a string line from the top of the elevation to the bottom of the elevation. The string line should be set at least 2 inches from the most outward point of framing. This will be your reference line from where you will measure back from to establish the plane for all of the HyCOMB USA panel faces.
  • A plumb line or laser must be set at the location where installing will begin. Position the vertical edge of the interlocking channel system section as indicated by shop drawings, flush with the line. Clamp the interlocking channel sections in place, then screw the channel to the framing through the groove in the section at each end and at 24 inches maximum. Please refer to your HyCOMB USA Inc shop drawings. Excess interlocking channel system should be removed.
  • A “Story-pole” (length of narrow board, usually 1 x 4 cut to the length of a story) should be used to locate interlocking channel system sections above the bottom row of extrusions. Interlocking channel sections will be located near the top and near the bottom of every horizontal panel joint and spaced at a maximum of 24 inches shown on the shop drawings. Set interlocking channel extrusions using string lines or a laser to achieve a flat plane. insert Horseshoe Shims between the system section and the backup as necessary to obtain a flat plane. Again, clamp the interlocking channel extrusions in place and screw the attachment system through the groove at 24 inches maximum at each end. Please refer to your HyCOMB USA shop drawings.
  • If needed you may spray the system sections after installation with soapy water or apply silicone for lubrication to assist with panel installation. Install panels using shims as necessary to keep the spacing between the panels and channels equal.   
  • Installation may progress vertically or horizontally depending on how the panels have been staged. Please take special attention when aligning panel joints as the panels are installed, shimming as necessary to maintain joint spacing.
  • At the end of each day remove any dirt or debris from the face of the stone to protect the surface.