The Deckorators Decking as Cladding Installation Guide (PDF) provides full installation instructions for using Deckorators Surestone Technology deck boards in exterior cladding applications. The guide covers structural prep, furring strip spacing, temperature-based gapping, approved fasteners, and step-by-step installation for horizontal, vertical, and diagonal layouts.
The document begins with essential preparation guidelines. Installers must ensure the building envelope is fully weather-tight before work begins, as Deckorators cladding is not designed to act as a water barrier. The wall must be structurally sound, flat, and free of protruding fasteners. Deckorators boards are one-sided products and must be installed with the grain side facing out. Stud spacing may not exceed 16″ on-center, while furring strips must be spaced no more than 24″ apart.
Gapping tables outline side-to-side, end-to-end, and abutting-object spacing based on installation temperature. These gaps support ventilation and accommodate the slight expansion and contraction of the material. A minimum of ½” clearance is required at the base of the wall to prevent moisture buildup and allow airflow behind the cladding.
Fastener guidance includes approved options for attaching furring strips to sheathing and for securing cladding to the furring layer. Installers may use the Pro Plug® System, Cap-Tor® fasteners, or Stowaway™ hidden fasteners depending on board profile and orientation. Hidden fasteners are approved only for horizontal installations, with diagrams showing placement inside the board groove.
Step-by-step instructions detail how to set the first course, establish level lines, maintain consistent gapping with spacers, and stagger butt joints across the wall. Additional blocking is required at all butt joints to support the board ends. Vertical and diagonal installations require face-fastening only, with screws placed 1″ from the board edge. Notching around doors and windows is demonstrated in the guide’s diagrams.
Download the full Deckorators Decking as Cladding Installation Guide (PDF) for diagrams, spacing rules, and fastening details. If you need help planning a Deckorators cladding project, your TimberTown team is always here to help.
Download Resource
