Help Is On The Way
Looking for design or pricing assistance? Nichiha representatives are on-hand to answer your questions, ensure your detailing is technically sound and that your project meets all product and design requirements.
Here at Nichiha, we’re used to getting quite a few questions regarding our products. Just like when you try anything new, from new products to new companies, a lot of questions can arise as you ensure you’re confident in your decision.
We understand that, so we’ve compiled a list of our top technical questions. Find answers below to our 12 most-asked questions, with topics covering how to pronounce our name to installation, touch-ups and more.
To start with a fairly easy one, we get a lot of questions on how to pronounce our name. Nichiha is pronounced: Ni (nee) Chi (chee) Ha (ha).
The first thing to do is to make sure your product is kept dry. You can put it in dry storage or any room that has a roof over it to protect it from rain. Or, if it’s an outside-only site, you can cover it completely with a tarp.
If you plan to let it sit for a long period of time, we recommend you take proper storing steps to prevent any damage. If your Nichiha products do happen to get wet, the panels will have to fully dry out before they are installed. Why?
The panels have a combination of materials, one of which is wood pulp. This wood pulp allows for the dexterity of the panel. If the wood pulp sits in moisture for an extended period of time, the wood pulp is going to absorb that moisture. This expands the panels, which can cause a delay in any construction timelines.
For more information on handling and storage, view page 8 of this installation guide.
Architectural Wall Panels are a finished product. Panels should be one of the last products installed on the building. All other materials going into the project should be installed first.
You can find all of our product, installation, design and educational resources in one place under our Resource Center. Guides are in English, with some offering support in Spanish or French. If you have an installation question that can’t be figured out by utilizing our Install Support resources, feel free to contact one of our representatives for further assistance.
Looking for design or pricing assistance? Nichiha representatives are on-hand to answer your questions, ensure your detailing is technically sound and that your project meets all product and design requirements.
Help Is On The Way
The most important part of starting our system is figuring out the layout. This happens before you even think about putting up a panel on any walls. Figuring out where all panels are laid out will allow installers to be more efficient, make fewer errors and keep the process moving forward.
Your starter track needs to be laser-level before starting. Benchmarks are added all around the building, established with lasers for precision.
For instructions on the importance of planning and panel layout, view page 12 of this installation guide. For more instructions on installing your starter track, view pages 17 through 19 on this installation guide.
There are three different options for a basic 90-degree outside corner: a prefab corner, a corner key and an open-outside corner. The corner key and open-outside corner are metal trims. The prefab matches our panels.
There are two different options for a basic 90-degree inside corner: Single Flange Sealant Backer or an inside corner metal trim that will look like two J-Molds coming together. Your choice will depend on your aesthetic preferences.
For tips on installing our Extruded Metal Outside Corner, watch this video. For tips on installing an inside corner with a Single Flange Sealant Backer, watch this video. For specific instructions on addressing inside and outside corners, start at page 28 and read through page 33 of this installation guide.
We address how to install around windows and doors at length in our installation guides as this is a question we get incredibly often. We offer many different options for installing our panels in our guides, but there is no one way that is the definite, 100% right way to install around them.
For example, if the window is a part of the substrate, you could terminate with a Single Flange, Sealant Backer or a J-mold. There are many options for terminations in between materials and the Nichiha products. For the best advice for your unique site, talk with your technical specialist or your sales representative.
For tips on window and door installations, watch this video. For tips on windows and door installations in Spanish, watch this video. For specific instructions on addressing inside and outside corners, read pages 28 through 33 of this installation guide.
For our vertical expansion, you’re going to go 12 feet from the corner, and then again every 30 feet on a wall longer than 30 feet.
It’s only needed if the building is 45 feet or more than three floors. If the building is a wood building, you’re going to have horizontal compression on every floor. If the building is metal or a metal-stud building, you’re going to have horizontal compression on every other floor.
For more information on horizontal compression, read page 27 of this installation guide.
We have partnered with Sherwin-Williams and The Home Depot to match our eight in-stock colors with touch-up paint. You can go into any Sherwin-Williams or The Home Depot, tell an associate you’re working with a Nichiha product and they can pull up your panel code in the system to match you. If you’re having any trouble, reach out to your sales rep and they’ll ensure you get the product that you need.
For sealant, we’ve partnered with Adfast to match silicone sealant to your panels. The sealant has a robust formula that withstands any weather condition, coast-to-coast for many years.
For more information on paint touch-ups, view page 42 of this installation guide. For more information on sealants, view page 16 of this installation guide.
This process is going to entail face fastening. During the installation process, there could be several occasions where you’ll need to cut the top shiplap of a panel in order for it to fit into your space. By doing this, you’ll need to face fasten it to the wall for a secure fit.
For instructions and tips on face fastening, check out this video. For tips on face fastening in Spanish, check out this video. For face fastening best practices, view page 15 of this installation guide.
We do have stocking dealers in some parts of the country. Connect with your sales representative for an accurate answer on where your closest dealer is located. If you’re running short on material, we can help you find the closest dealer to try and keep your project on track.
Nichiha’s commitment to customer service means our clients have support for their projects, no matter what Nichiha product is purchased. From free technical design reviews to cost estimation tools, every Nichiha customer has access to the support they need for their project.
For any more technical questions, contact one of our sales representatives today.