GB2586041A - Cladding board - Google Patents

Abstract

The cladding board 100 comprises an upper channel 106 which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the cladding board. The upper channel is defined by upwardly extending front and rear walls 108, 110. The upwardly extending rear wall further extends to a fixing plate 111. A lower channel 116 extends longitudinally along a lower edge of the cladding board, with the lower channel being defined by downwardly extending front and rear walls 118, 120. When a lower edge of an upper cladding board 100 is placed adjacent an upper edge of a lower cladding board 100, the upper cladding board 100 overlaps the fixing plate 111 of the lower cladding board 100 and interlocks with the lower cladding board 100, with the fixings or fasteners for the lower cladding board 100 being covered by the upper cladding board 100.                 

Description

CLADDING BOARD

The present invention relates to cladding boards and to arrangements incorporating cladding boards.

Cladding is typically applied to the outside of a building to provide protection from inclement weather and/or to provide a decorative finish.

Cladding is traditionally constructed from timber boards. However, over time, the timber boards can begin to deteriorate and may need repairing or replacing entirely. It is known to use wood-plastic composite boards in place of traditional timber boards. Cladding formed of composite boards can be highly durable and extremely low maintenance. In order to reduce the weight of the composite boards whilst maintaining sufficient strength, the boards may be provided with a relatively deep but hollow structure having one or more voids. However, these composite boards can still be heavy and thus difficult to handle. The known composite boards also do not meet high fire safety standards, such as those of high-rise buildings (e.g. BS EN 13501 A2 and above). The importance of reaching sufficiently high fire safety standards has become even more apparent in recent years following the severe fire which occurred in June 2017 at Grenfell Tower, London.

It is desired to provide improved cladding boards and improved arrangements incorporating cladding boards.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a cladding board comprising: a cladding plate having a substantially planar front facing surface and a substantially planar rear facing surface; an upper channel -2 -which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the cladding board, the upper channel being at least partially defined by an upwardly extending front wall and an upwardly extending rear wall, the upwardly extending rear wall further extending to a fixing plate having a substantially planar fixing surface for receiving one or more mechanical fixings therethrough; and a lower channel which extends longitudinally along a lower edge of the cladding board, the lower channel being at least partially defined by a downwardly extending front wall and a downwardly extending rear wall; wherein the cladding board is configured such that, when a lower edge of an upper cladding board is placed adjacent an upper edge of a lower cladding board, the upper cladding board overlaps the fixing plate of the lower cladding board and interlocks with the lower cladding board, with the downwardly extending rear wall of the upper cladding board being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls of the lower cladding board, and with the upwardly extending front wall of the lower cladding board being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls of the upper cladding board.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can allow cladding to be installed quickly and easily. For example, mechanical fixings (e.g. screws, bolts, nails, etc.) can be provided through the fixing surface of the fixing plate of the cladding board itself in order to attach the cladding board to an underlying support, and this can avoid the need for separate specialised fixing clips. The mechanical fixings for a lower cladding board can also be covered by an upper cladding board, and this can improve the visual appearance of the cladding. Furthermore, the interlocking nature of the upper -3 -and lower channels of the cladding boards can securely hold the cladding boards to one another and can help to prevent the cladding plate from flexing outwards. This in turn means that the cladding board does not need to have a hollow structure comprising one or more voids, which would be relatively deep and heavy, and can therefore be relatively thin and lightweight.

In embodiments, the cladding board may be of unitary construction. The cladding board may be formed of, and from, extruded material. The cladding board may have a substantially uniform cross-section in planes orthogonal to the upper edge and/or lower edge (e.g. the direction of extrusion). The cladding board may comprise or be formed of a metallic material, such as aluminium or aluminium alloy. For example, 6063 T6 Grade aluminium alloy may be used. These embodiments can provide a cladding board which is strong, lightweight and durable, and which meets high fire safety standards (such as BS EN 13501 A2 s1 d0). The cladding board may have a (sand) powder coating. This coating can help to provide UV protection and/or a matte finish.

In embodiments, the features of the cladding board (e.g. the cladding plate, walls and/or fixing plate) may each have a thickness (e.g. distance between a front facing surface and a rear facing surface) in the range 1-4mm, for example in the range 2-3mm. The thickness of the features of the cladding board may be substantially uniform along the longitudinal length of the cladding board. These dimensions can provide lightweight yet sufficiently rigid cladding. In embodiments, the cladding board (e.g. the cladding plate, the front facing surface and/or rear facing surface) may be substantially regularly shaped. The cladding board (e.g. the cladding plate, the front facing surface -4 -and/or rear facing surface) may be substantially rectangular (including square). The upper and lower edges may be substantially parallel to one another. The cladding board (e.g. the cladding plate, the front facing surface and/or rear facing surface) may have a length (e.g. in a direction substantially parallel to the upper edge and/or lower edge) in the range 1000-6000mm, for example in the range 2500-4500mm, for example in the range 3000-4000mm. The cladding board (e.g. the cladding plate, the front facing surface and/or rear facing surface) may have a width (e.g. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper edge and/or lower edge) in the range 100-300mm, for example in the range 150-250mm. These dimensions can better replicate existing conventional cladding boards and facilitate replacement of those cladding boards. It has been found that the above dimensions are generally suitable for most cladding applications. The cladding board may, however, be provided with other dimensions or shapes, or cut to other dimensions or shapes, depending on the particular cladding, as desired.

In embodiments, the fixing plate (e.g. fixing surface) may have a width (e.g. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper edge and/or lower edge) which is greater than or equal to 5mm, for example greater than or equal to 8mm. The fixing plate (e.g. fixing surface) may have a width (e.g. in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper edge and/or lower edge) which is in the range 5-15mm, for example in the range 8-12mm. These embodiments can allow sufficient space for a protruding head of most mechanical fixings to be seated on the fixing surface. The fixing surface of the fixing plate may be offset rearwardly from the upwardly extending rear wall of -5 -the upper channel. The offset may be in the range 0.5-2mm. These embodiments can help to allow sufficient space for a protruding head of a mechanical fixing to be seated on the fixing surface. The cladding board may comprise a forwardly protruding elongate ridge which extends longitudinally 5 along an upper edge of the fixing plate. The elongate ridge may protrude by a distance in the range 0.5-2mm. The elongate ridge can help to define the extent of the fixing surface and thus indicate where to position the mechanical fixings. In embodiments, the downwardly extending front wall may form part of a lower section of the cladding plate. The downwardly extending front wall may 10 extend downwardly beyond the downwardly extending rear wall. This can allow the downwardly extending front wall and/or the lower section of the cladding plate of an upper cladding board to suitably overlap the upper channel of a lower cladding board. The upper channel and/or lower channel may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The walls of the upper channel and/or lower channel may be substantially parallel to one another. The base of the upper channel and/or lower channel may be substantially perpendicular to the walls of that channel. The upper channel and/or lower channel may each have a lateral span in the range 1-4mm, for example in the range 2-3mm. The upper channel and/or lower channel may each have a depth in the range 3-10mm for example in the range 5-8mm. The upper channel and lower channel may have substantially the same depth and/or lateral span as each other. The upper channel may have a depth which is substantially the same as the height of the downwardly extending rear wall. The upper channel may have a lateral span which is substantially the same as the thickness of the downwardly extending -6 -rear wall. The lower channel may have a depth which is substantially the same as the height of the upwardly extending front wall. The lower channel may have a lateral span which is substantially the same as the thickness of the upwardly extending front wall. These embodiments can provide secure interlocking between two cladding boards.

In embodiments, the cladding board may comprise a shoulder section which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board. The shoulder section may connect the cladding plate to the upper channel. The plane of the shoulder section may be angled relative to the front facing surface of the cladding plate. The angle may be in the range 25°-65°, for example in the range 35°-55°, for example in the range 40°-50°. The cladding board (e.g. the shoulder section) may be configured such that, when an upper cladding board is placed adjacent a lower cladding board, the front facing surface of the upper cladding board is adjacent the front facing surface of the lower cladding board.

The cladding board (e.g. the shoulder section) may be configured such that, when an upper cladding board is placed adjacent a lower cladding board, the front facing surface of the upper cladding board is substantially co-planar with the front facing surface of the lower cladding board.

In embodiments, the cladding board may comprise an upper slot which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board and opens onto the rear facing surface of the cladding plate. The cladding board may comprise a lower slot which extends longitudinally along the lower edge of the cladding board and opens onto the rear facing surface of the cladding plate. The upper and lower slots may be configured to receive a joining plate slidably -7 -therebetween and then retain the joining plate adjacent the rear facing surface of the cladding plate. This can allow terminal edges of adjacent cladding boards to be retained relative to one another with a joining plate. The upper slot may be at least partially defined by a wall that forms part of a or the shoulder section of the cladding board and/or by a wall that forms part of an upper section of the cladding plate. The upper slot may be at least partially defined by a downwardly and/or forwardly extending rear slot wall. The lower slot may be at least partially defined by a wall that forms part of the lower section of the cladding plate. The lower slot may be at least partially defined by an upwardly extending rear slot wall. The upwardly extending rear slot wall may be offset forwardly from the downwardly extending rear wall of the lower channel. The offset may be in the range 0.5-2mm. Again, this offset can allow sufficient space for a protruding head of a mechanical fixing to be seated on the fixing surface of an adjacent lower cladding board.

In embodiments, the upper slot and/or lower slot may be substantially U-shaped in cross-section. The walls of the upper slot may be substantially parallel to one another and/or the walls of the lower slot may be substantially parallel to one another. The base of the upper slot may be substantially perpendicular to the walls of that slot and/or the base of the lower slot may be substantially perpendicular to the walls of that slot. The upper slot and/or lower slot may each have a lateral span in the range 1-4mm, for example in the range 2-3mm. The upper slot and/or lower slot may each have a depth in the range 3-lOmm for example in the range 5-8mm. The upper slot and lower slot may have substantially the same depth and/or lateral span as each other.

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In embodiments, the front facing surface may not have any surface features thereon. In other embodiments, the front facing surface may have a wood-grain effect thereon. In yet other embodiments, the front facing surface may have plural elongate grooves therein or plural elongate ribs thereon. The grooves or ribs may extend substantially parallel to the upper edge and/or lower edge.

In embodiments, the rear facing surface may comprise one or more rearwardly protruding elements, such as one or more elongate ribs which extend longitudinally along the cladding board. The one or more rearwardly protruding elements may extend substantially parallel to the upper edge and/or lower edge. The one or more rearwardly protruding elements may each have a height in the range 0.5-2mm. The one or more rearwardly protruding elements may each have a width in the range 0.5-2mm. Adjacent rearwardly protruding elements may be spaced apart by a separation in the range 10-40mm, for example in the range 20-30mm. These embodiments can provide cladding that is less able to flex. These embodiments can also help to hold a joining plate in place with frictional contact with the cladding board.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a cladding board, the method comprising forming (e.g. 20 by extrusion) a cladding board as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cladding kit comprising plural cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment. -9 -

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided cladding comprising plural cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a 5 method of constructing cladding from plural cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

In any of these aspects and embodiments, the cladding kit and/or cladding may comprise one or more starter trims for use with one or more cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

In embodiments, each starter trim may comprise a starter channel which extends longitudinally along the starter trim, the starter channel being at least partially defined by an upwardly extending front wall and an upwardly extending rear wall, the upwardly extending rear wall further extending to a fixing plate having a substantially planar fixing surface for receiving one or more mechanical fixings therethrough. The starter trim may be configured such that, when a lower edge of a cladding board is placed adjacent the starter trim, the cladding board overlaps the fixing plate (and, e.g., starter channel) of the starter trim and interlocks with the starter trim, with the downwardly extending rear wall of the cladding board being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls of the starter trim, and with the upwardly extending front wall of the starter trim being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls of the cladding board.

In embodiments, the starter trim may be formed of, and from, substantially the same material as the cladding board. The starter trim may be -10 -formed by extrusion. The starter trim may have at least some dimensions (e.g. thicknesses, lengths, widths, spans, depths, etc.) which are substantially the same as the corresponding dimensions of the cladding board. However, the starter trim may not have the cladding plate, lower channel, upper slot, lower slot, shoulder section, etc. of the cladding board.

The cladding kit and/or cladding may also or instead comprise one or more finisher trims for use with one or more cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

In embodiments, each finisher trim may comprise a finisher channel which extends longitudinally along the finisher trim, the finisher channel being at least partially defined by a base wall, a downwardly extending front wall and a downwardly extending rear wall. The finisher trim may be configured such that, when the finisher channel is placed over an upper edge of a cladding board, the finisher trim covers a fixing plate of the cladding board, an upper channel of the cladding board and/or at least an upper section (e.g. a shoulder section) of the cladding board.

In embodiments, the finisher trim may be formed of, and from, substantially the same material as the cladding board. The finisher trim may be formed by extrusion. The finisher trim may have at least some dimensions (e.g. thicknesses, lengths, widths, spans, depths, etc.) which are substantially the same as the corresponding dimensions of the cladding board.

The cladding kit and/or cladding may also or instead comprise one or more joining plates for use with two cladding boards as described herein in any aspect or embodiment.

-11 -In embodiments, each joining plate may comprise a substantially planer front facing surface and a substantially planar rear facing surface. The joining plate may be configured such that, when inserted into a terminal end of a cladding board, an upper section of the joining plate is slidably received by an upper slot of the cladding board and a lower section of the joining plate is slidably received by a lower slot of the cladding board, the joining plate then being retained between the upper and lower slots. The upper section of the joining plate may be angled relative to the front facing surface of the joining plate. The angle may be in the range 25°-65°, for example in the range 35°-55°, for example in the range 40°-50°. The angle between the upper section of the joining plate and the front facing surface of the joining plate may be substantially the same as the angle between a shoulder section of the cladding plate and a front facing surface of the cladding plate.

In embodiments, the front facing surface of the joining plate may comprise one or more forwardly protruding elements, such as one or more elongate ribs which extend longitudinally along the joining plate. The one or more forwardly protruding elements may extend substantially parallel to the upper section and/or lower section of the joining plate. The one or more forwardly protruding elements may each have a height in the range 0.5-2mm.

The one or more forwardly protruding elements may each have a width in the range 0.5-2mm. Adjacent forwardly protruding elements may be spaced apart by a separation in the range 10-40mm, for example in the range 20-30mm. These embodiments can help to hold the joining plate in place with frictional contact with the cladding board.

-12 -In embodiments, the joining plate may be formed of, and from, substantially the same material as the cladding board. The joining plate may be formed by extrusion. The joining plate may have at least some dimensions (e.g. thicknesses, lengths, widths, etc.) which are substantially the same as the corresponding dimensions of the cladding board. However, the joining plate need only have, and may have, a shorter length than the cladding board.

In any of the aspects and embodiments, the cladding boards may be positioned adjacent one another. Adjacent cladding boards may be positioned in direct contact with each other. Adjacent (e.g. upper and lower) cladding boards may be positioned in an interlocking manner as discussed above. The cladding boards may each be fixed to one or more support structures (e.g. one or more support battens). The cladding boards may each be fixed to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings (e.g. screws, bolts, nails, etc.). One or more mechanical fixings may be provided through the fixing surfaces of the cladding boards.

For example, a first (e.g. lower) cladding board may be fixed to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing surface of that first cladding board, then a second (e.g. upper) cladding board may be positioned adjacent (e.g. above) the first cladding board thereby covering the fixing plate and the one or more mechanical fixings for the first cladding board. The second cladding board may then be fixed to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing surface of the second cladding board.

-13 -This process may be repeated for one or more subsequent cladding boards, with each subsequent cladding board being positioned adjacent (e.g. above) the previous cladding board thereby covering the fixing plate and the one or more mechanical fixings for the previous cladding board. The subsequent cladding board may then be fixed to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing surface of the subsequent cladding board.

The process may begin with fixing a starter trim to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing surface of that starter trim, then an initial cladding board may be positioned adjacent (e.g. above) the starter trim thereby covering the fixing plate and the one or more mechanical fixings for the starter trim. The process may continue by fixing one or more further cladding boards to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the fixing surface of each of the one or more cladding boards as discussed above. The process may finish with placing a finisher trim over a final cladding board and fixing the finisher trim to one or more support structures with one or more mechanical fixings provided through the finisher trim and fixing surface of the final cladding board.

In embodiments, cladding boards having terminal ends which are placed 20 adjacent one another may be held in place relative to one another using a joining plate as discussed above.

As will be appreciated, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower, "upwardly", "downwardly", "forwardly", " rearward ly", "above" and "below", etc., as used herein are based on the orientation of a cladding board in normal use, -14 -i.e. with the plane of the cladding plate being vertical, with the cladding plate extending horizontally, with the rear facing surface of the cladding plate facing a vertical support structure, and with the front facing surface of the cladding plate facing away from the vertical support structure. It will also be appreciated that the cladding board may be rotated into and used in other orientations. The terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower, "upwardly", "downwardly", "forwardly", "rearwardly", "above" and "below", etc., as used herein therefore should be construed as being relative to one another rather than as being dependent on the actual orientation of the cladding board in use.

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1A shows a perspective front view of a cladding board according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 1B shows a perspective rear view of the cladding board of Figure 1A; Figure 1C shows a cross-sectional view of the cladding board of Figures 1 A and 1B; Figure 2A shows a perspective front view of a starter trim that can be used in conjunction with the cladding board of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C; Figure 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the starter trim of Figure 2A; Figure 3A shows a perspective front view of a finisher trim that can be used in conjunction with the cladding board of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C; Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the finisher trim of Figure 3A; -15 -Figure 4A shows a perspective front view of cladding comprising two cladding boards as shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, a starter trim as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, and a finisher trim as shown in Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 4B shows a perspective rear view of the cladding of Figure 4A; Figure 4C shows a cross-sectional view of the cladding of Figures 4A and 4B when fixed to a support structure; Figure 5A shows a perspective front view of a joining plate that can be used in conjunction with the cladding board of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C; Figure 5B shows a cross-sectional view of the joining plate of Figure 5A; Figure 6A shows a rear view of cladding comprising two cladding boards as shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C and a joining plate as shown in Figures 5A and 5B; and Figure 6B shows a cross-section of the cladding of Figure 6A.

Figures 1A, 1B and 1C illustrate a cladding board 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cladding board 100 is of unitary construction and is formed of extruded 6063 T6 Grade aluminium alloy, which is sand powder coated. The cladding board 100 has a substantially uniform cross-section in planes orthogonal to the direction in which the cladding board 100 extends, i.e. the direction of extrusion. In this embodiment, the cladding board 100 is compliant with BS EN 13501 A2 s1 dO.

The cladding board 100 comprises a cladding plate 101 having a substantially planar front facing surface 102 and a substantially planar rear facing surface 104. In this embodiment, the vertical width of the front facing surface 102 is approximately 150mm and the horizontal length of the front facing surface 102 is approximately 3000mm. The thickness of the cladding plate 101 between the front facing surface 102 and rear facing surface 104 is approximately 2mm.

The cladding board 100 further comprises an upper channel 106 which 5 extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board 100. The upper channel 106 is defined by an upwardly extending front wall 108 and an upwardly extending rear wall 110. The thickness of each of the upwardly extending front and rear walls 108, 110 is approximately 2mm. The depth of the upper channel 106 is approximately 6.5mm and the lateral span of the upper 10 channel 106 is approximately 2.5mm.

The upwardly extending rear wall 110 further extends to a fixing plate 111 having a substantially planar front facing fixing surface 112 for receiving one or more mechanical fixings, such as screws, therethrough. The thickness of the fixing plate 111 is approximately 2mm. The fixing surface 112 is offset rearwardly by around 1mm from the upwardly extending rear wall 110 of the upper channel 106. This allows sufficient space for a protruding head of a mechanical fixing to be seated on the fixing surface 112.

The cladding board 100 further comprises an elongate ridge 114 which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the fixing plate 111 and protrudes forwardly by around 1mm from the fixing plate 111. The elongate ridge 114 helps to define the extent of the fixing surface 112 and thus indicate where to position the mechanical fixings.

The cladding board 100 further comprises a lower channel 116 which extends longitudinally along the lower edge of the cladding board 100. The lower channel 116 is defined by a downwardly extending front wall 118 and a downwardly extending rear wall 120. The downwardly extending front wall 118 forms part of a lower section of the cladding plate 101. The thickness of the downwardly extending front wall 118 is approximately 3mm and the thickness of the downwardly extending rear wall 120 is approximately 2mm. The depth of the lower channel 116 is approximately 6mm and the lateral span of the lower channel 116 is approximately 2.75mm.

The cladding board 100 further comprises a shoulder section 122 which connects the cladding plate 101 to the upper channel 106. The plane of the shoulder section 122 is angled by approximately 45° relative to the front facing surface 102 of the cladding plate 101. The angled shoulder section 122 means that the front facing surfaces 102 of similar cladding boards 100 are substantially co-planar when interlocked with one another.

As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the cladding board 100 is configured such that, when a lower edge of an upper one of the cladding boards 100 is placed adjacent an upper edge of a lower one of the cladding boards 100, the upper cladding board 100 overlaps the fixing plate 111 and upper channel 106 of the lower cladding board 100 and interlocks with the lower cladding board 100, with the downwardly extending rear wall 120 of the upper cladding board 100 being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls 108, 110 of the lower cladding board 100, and with the upwardly extending front wall 108 of the lower cladding board 100 being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls 118, 120 of the upper cladding board 100. Mechanical fixings, such as screws, can also be provided through the fixing surface 112 of the lower cladding board 100 to fix the lower cladding board 100 to an underlying support structure, such as a batten, and the mechanical fixings of the lower cladding board 100 can be hidden from sight by the overlapping upper cladding board 100.

In this embodiment, the cladding board 100 further comprises an upper slot 124 which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board 100 and opens onto the rear facing surface 104 of the cladding plate 101. The upper slot 124 is defined by a wall that forms part of the shoulder section 122 of the cladding board 100 and by a downwardly and forwardly extending rear slot wall 126. The depth of the upper slot 124 is approximately 4mm and the lateral span of the upper slot 124 is approximately 2mm.

The cladding board 100 further comprises a lower slot 128 which extends longitudinally along a lower edge of the cladding board 100 and opens onto the rear facing surface 104 of the cladding plate 101. The lower slot 128 is defined by a wall that forms part of a lower section of the cladding plate 101 and by an upwardly extending rear slot wall 130. The depth of the lower slot 128 is approximately 6mm and the lateral span of the lower slot 128 is approximately 2.25mm. The upwardly extending rear slot wall 130 is offset by around 1.5mm forwardly from the downwardly extending rear wall 120 of the lower channel 116. Again, this allows sufficient space for a protruding head of a mechanical fixing to be seated on the fixing surface 112 of an overlapped lower cladding board 100.

As will be discussed in more detail below with reference to Figures 5A, 5B, 6A and 6B, the upper and lower slots 124, 128 are configured to receive sections of a joining plate slidably therebetween and then retain the joining plate adjacent the rear facing surface 104 of the cladding plate 101. This allows terminal edges of adjacent cladding boards 100 to be retained relative to one another with a joining plate.

The rear facing surface 104 of the cladding plate 101 further comprises elongate ribs 132 (for clarity, only one elongate rib is indicated). In this embodiment, the width of each rib 132 is approximately 1mm and the protruding height of each rib 132 is approximately 1mm. Adjacent ribs 132 are spaced from one another by approximately 25mm. These ribs 132 provide cladding that is less able to flex and also help to hold a joining plate in place with frictional contact with the cladding board 100.

Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a starter trim 200 that can be used in conjunction with the cladding board 100 of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C. The structure and configuration of the starter trim 200 is substantially the same as /5 the structure and configuration of the upper edge of the cladding board 100, and so a lengthy description of that structure and configuration will not be repeated.

Briefly, however, the starter trim 200 comprises a starter channel 206 which extends longitudinally along the length of the starter trim 200. The starter channel 206 is defined by an upwardly extending front wall 208 and an upwardly extending rear wall 210. The thickness of the upwardly extending front wall 208 and upwardly extending rear wall 210 is approximately 2mm. The depth of the starter channel 206 is approximately 6.5mm and the lateral span of the starter channel 206 is approximately 2.5mm. The upwardly extending rear wall 210 further extends to a fixing plate 211 having a substantially planar fixing -20 -surface 212 for receiving one or more mechanical fixings therethrough. The thickness of fixing plate 211 is approximately 2mm. The fixing surface 212 is offset by around lmm rearwardly from the upwardly extending rear wall 210 of the starter channel 206. Again, this allows sufficient space for a protruding head of a mechanical fixing to be seated on the fixing surface 212. The starter trim 200 further comprises a forwardly protruding elongate ridge 214 which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the fixing plate 211. Again, the elongate ridge 214 helps to define the extent of the fixing surface 212 and thus indicate where to position the mechanical fixings.

As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the starter trim 200 is configured such that, when a lower edge of a cladding board 100 is placed adjacent the starter trim 200, the cladding board 100 overlaps the fixing plate 211 and starter channel 206 of the starter trim 200 and interlocks with the starter trim 200, with the downwardly extending rear wall 120 of the cladding board 100 being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls 208, 210 of the starter trim 200, and with the upwardly extending front wall 208 of the starter trim 200 being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls 118, 120 of the cladding board 100. Mechanical fixings, such as screws, can also be provided through the fixing surface 212 of the starter trim 200 to fix the starter trim 200 to an underlying support structure, such as a batten, and the mechanical fixings of the starter trim 200, and indeed the starter trim 200 as a whole, can be hidden from sight by the overlapping cladding board 100.

-21 -Figures 3A and 3B illustrate a finisher trim 300 that can also be used in conjunction with the cladding board 100 of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C. The finisher trim 300 comprises a finisher channel 302 which extends longitudinally along the length of the finisher trim 300. The finisher channel 302 is defined by a base 5 wall 304, a downwardly extending front wall 306 and a downwardly extending rear wall 308. The thickness of each of these walls is approximately 1.5mm. The depth of the finisher channel 302 is approximately 18.5mm and the lateral span of the finisher channel 302 is approximately 11mm (so as to fit snuggly over the upper edge of the cladding board 100). The width of the downwardly 10 extending front wall 306 is approximately 46.5mm and the width of the downwardly extending rear wall 308 is approximately 20mm. The length of the finisher trim 300 can be selected as desired to cover the upper edge of the cladding either partially or completely.

As will be explained in more detail below with reference to Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the finisher trim 300 is configured such that it can be placed over an upper edge of one or more cladding boards 100, thereby covering the fixing plate 111, upper channel 106 and an upper section (including the shoulder section 122) of the one or more cladding boards 100. Mechanical fixings, such as screws, can also be provided through the finisher trim 300 and fixing surface 112 of the one or more cladding boards 100 so as to fix the finisher trim 300 and one or more cladding boards 100 to an underlying support structure, such as a batten.

Figures 4A and 4B illustrate low-profile cladding 400 comprising two cladding boards 100a, 100b, a starter trim 200, and a finisher trim 300, as -22 -described above. Figure 4C illustrates the cladding 400 when mounted to an underlying support structure. The cladding 400 is constructed by fixing the starter trim 200 in place with mechanical fixings 402 provided through the fixing surface 212 of the starter trim 200 and into vertical supports structures 408, such as battens (one such batten is visible in Figure 4C). Next, a lower cladding board 100a is interlocked with the starter trim 200 thereby covering the fixing surface 212 and mechanical fixings 402 for the starter trim 200. Next, the lower cladding board 100a is fixed in place with mechanical fixings 404 provided through the fixing surface 112a of the lower cladding board 100a and into the support structures 408. Next, an upper cladding board 100b is interlocked with the lower cladding board 100a thereby covering the fixing surface 112a and mechanical fixings 404 for the lower cladding board 100a. Finally, a finisher trim 300 is placed over the upper edge of the upper cladding board 100b, and the finisher trim 300 and upper cladding board 100b are fixed in place with mechanical fixings 406 provided through the finisher trim 300 and the fixing surface 112b of the upper cladding board 100b and into the support structures 408. It will be appreciated that different shapes and areas of cladding can be provided with different numbers and lengths of cladding boards.

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate a joining plate 500 that can also be used in conjunction with the cladding board 100 of Figures 1A, 1B and 1C. The joining plate 500 comprises a substantially planer front facing surface 502, a substantially planar rear facing surface 504, an upper section 506 and a lower section 508. In this embodiment, the thickness of the joining plate 500 is approximately 1.2mm, the width of the joining plate 500 is approximately -23 - 140mm, and the length of the joining plate 500 is approximately 150mm. The upper section 506 is angled relative to the front facing surface 502 of the joining plate 500 by approximately 45°. The front facing surface 502 further comprises an elongate rib 510 which extends longitudinally along the length of the joining plate 500. In this embodiment, the width of the rib 510 is approximately 1mm and the height of the rib 510 is approximately 1mm. The rib 510 helps to hold the joining plate 500 in place with frictional contact with a cladding board 100 when slidably received therein.

Referring now to Figures 6A and 6B, the joining plate 500 is configured 10 such that it can be inserted into the terminal ends of adjacent cladding boards 100c, 100d, with the upper section 506 of the joining plate 500 being slidably received by the upper slots 124c, 124d of the adjacent cladding boards 100c, 100d, and with the lower section 508 of the joining plate 500 being slidably received by the lower slots 128c, 128d of the adjacent cladding boards 100c, 100d. The joining plate 500 is then retained adjacent the rear facing surfaces 104c, 104d of the cladding plates 101c, 101d with the assistance of friction provided by the ribs 132c, 132d of the cladding plates 101c, 101d and by the rib 510 of the joining plate 500. The terminal edges of the adjacent cladding boards 100c, 100d are thereby retained relative to one another by the joining plate 500.

Claims (25)

1. -24 -CLAIMS1. A cladding board comprising: a cladding plate having a substantially planar front facing surface and a substantially planar rear facing surface; an upper channel which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the cladding board, the upper channel being at least partially defined by an upwardly extending front wall and an upwardly extending rear wall, the upwardly extending rear wall further extending to a fixing plate having a substantially planar fixing surface for receiving one or more mechanical fixings therethrough; and a lower channel which extends longitudinally along a lower edge of the cladding board, the lower channel being at least partially defined by a downwardly extending front wall and a downwardly extending rear wall; wherein the cladding board is configured such that, when a lower edge of an upper cladding board is placed adjacent an upper edge of a lower cladding board, the upper cladding board overlaps the fixing plate of the lower cladding board and interlocks with the lower cladding board, with the downwardly extending rear wall of the upper cladding board being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls of the lower cladding board, and with the upwardly extending front wall of the lower cladding board being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls of the upper cladding board.
2. 2. A cladding board as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cladding board is of unitary construction.
3. 3. A cladding board as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the cladding board is formed of a metallic material. 4.
4. A cladding board as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the cladding board is formed of aluminium or aluminium alloy.
5. 5. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding board is powder coated.
6. 6. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fixing surface of the fixing plate is offset rearwardly from the upwardly extending rear wall of the upper channel.
7. 7. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding board comprises a forwardly protruding elongate ridge which extends longitudinally along an upper edge of the fixing plate.
8. 8. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the downwardly extending front wall forms part of a lower section of the cladding plate.
9. 9. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding board comprises a shoulder section which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board, the shoulder section connecting the cladding plate to the upper channel.
10. 10. A cladding board as claimed in claim 9, wherein the plane of the shoulder section is angled relative to the front facing surface of the cladding plate.
11. 11. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding board is configured such that, when an upper cladding board is placed adjacent a lower cladding board, the front facing surface of the upper cladding board is substantially co-planar with the front facing surface of the lower cladding board.
12. 12. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding board comprises an upper slot which extends longitudinally along the upper edge of the cladding board and opens onto the rear facing surface of the cladding plate, and a lower slot which extends longitudinally along the lower edge of the cladding plate and opens onto the rear facing surface of the cladding plate, the upper and lower slots being configured to receive a joining plate slidably therebetween and then retain the joining plate adjacent the rear facing surface of the cladding plate.
13. 13. A cladding board as claimed in claim 12, wherein the upper slot is at least partially defined by a wall that forms part of a shoulder section of the cladding board and/or by a wall that forms part of an upper section of the cladding plate.
14. 14. A cladding board as claimed in claim 12 or 13, wherein the upper slot is at least partially defined by a downwardly and/or forwardly extending rear slot 15 wall.
15. 15. A cladding board as claimed in claim 12, 13 or 14, wherein the lower slot is at least partially defined by a wall that forms part of a lower section of the cladding plate.
16. 16. A cladding board as claimed in any one of claims 12-15, wherein the lower slot is at least partially defined by an upwardly extending rear slot wall.
17. 17. A cladding board as claimed in claim 16, wherein the upwardly extending rear slot wall is offset forwardly from the downwardly extending rear wall of the lower channel.
18. 18. A cladding board as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rear facing surface comprises one or more elongate ribs which extend longitudinally along the cladding board.
19. 19. A method of manufacturing a cladding board, the method comprising forming a cladding board as claimed in any one of claims 1-18.
20. 20. A cladding kit comprising plural cladding boards as claimed in any one of claims 1-18.
21. 21. Cladding comprising plural cladding boards as claimed in any one of claims 1-18.
22. 22. A method of constructing cladding from plural cladding boards as claimed in any one of claims 1-18.
23. 23. A cladding kit, cladding or a method as claimed respectively in claims 20, 21 or 22, wherein the kit or cladding further comprises one or more starter trims, each starter trim comprising a starter channel which extends longitudinally along the starter trim, the starter channel being at least partially defined by an upwardly extending front wall and an upwardly extending rear wall, the upwardly extending rear wall further extending to a fixing plate having a substantially planar fixing surface for receiving one or more mechanical fixings therethrough, the starter trim being configured such that, when a lower edge of a cladding board is placed adjacent the starter trim, the cladding board overlaps the fixing plate of the starter trim and interlocks with the starter trim, with the downwardly extending rear wall of the cladding board being received between the upwardly extending front and rear walls of the starter trim, and with the upwardly -28 -extending front wall of the starter trim being received between the downwardly extending front and rear walls of the cladding board.
24. 24. A cladding kit, cladding or a method as claimed respectively in claims 20, 21 or 22 or as claimed in claim 23, wherein the kit or cladding further comprises one or more finisher trims, each finisher trim comprising a finisher channel which extends longitudinally along the finisher trim, the finisher channel being at least partially defined by a base wall, a downwardly extending front wall and a downwardly extending rear wall, the finisher trim being configured such that, when the finisher channel is placed over an upper edge of a cladding board, the finisher trim covers a fixing plate of the cladding board, an upper channel of the cladding board and/or at least an upper section of the cladding board.
25. 25. A cladding kit, cladding or a method as claimed respectively in claims 20, 21 or 22 or as claimed in claim 23 or 24, wherein the kit or cladding further comprises one or more joining plates, each joining plate comprising a substantially planer front facing surface and a substantially planar rear facing surface, the joining plate being configured such that, when inserted into a terminal end of a cladding board, an upper section of the joining plate is slidably received by an upper slot of the cladding board and a lower section of the joining plate is slidably received by a lower slot of the cladding board, the joining plate then being retained between the upper and lower slots.