External and internal wall cladding system

Abstract

A wall cladding and wall cladding system each comprising a plurality of panels, wherein opposing ends of each panel are substantially aligned with corresponding opposing ends of adjacent panels to form respective edges of an array of panels. Each panel includes at least one first recess in its first major face adjacent a first major edge configured in use to resemble a recessed mortar joint.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wall cladding comprising:
 a first fiber cement panel, wherein the first fiber cement panel comprises a first center portion and a first longitudinal edge portion, wherein the thickness of first center portion is greater than the thickness of the first longitudinal edge portion;   a second fiber cement panel, wherein the second fiber cement panel comprises a second center portion and a second longitudinal edge portion, wherein the thickness of the second center portion is greater than the thickness of the second longitudinal edge portion; and   wherein the first longitudinal edge portion is positioned in an abutting relationship with the second longitudinal edge portion in a manner such that the first and second fiber cement panels form an elongate joint area that is visibly recessed from first and second center portions of the panels.   
     
     
         2 . The wall cladding of  claim 1  wherein the elongate joint area has a width of at least 15 mm. 
     
     
         3 . The wall cladding of  claim 1  wherein the first longitudinal edge portion partially overlaps the second longitudinal edge portion to form the elongate joint area. 
     
     
         4 . The wall cladding of  claim 1  wherein the first longitudinal edge portion of the first fiber cement panel is of sufficient width to facilitate fixing of the second longitudinal edge portion of the second fiber cement panel on a sub-structure such that the fixing will be concealed by the overlapping first longitudinal edge portion. 
     
     
         5 . The wall cladding of  claim 1  wherein the first longitudinal edge portion of the first fiber cement panel comprises a first retaining formation adapted to inter-engage with the second longitudinal edge portion of the second fiber cement panel. 
     
     
         6 . The wall cladding of  claim 1  wherein the first longitudinal edge portion comprises a wedge configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The wall cladding of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal edge portions define a planar abutment surface. 
     
     
         8 . The wall cladding of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second longitudinal edge portions are shaped from one selected from the group consisting of squared and mitered to define a planar abutment surface. 
     
     
         9 . A method of forming a wall cladding to a sub-structure, said method comprising:
 securing to the sub-structure a plurality of panels, each panel having:   first and second major opposing faces;   first and second major opposing edges;   and a pair of opposing ends;   each panel further having a first recess in its first major face adjacent the first major edge configured in use to resemble a recessed mortar joint wherein, when used to form at least a portion of a wall cladding, the first major edge of a first panel is positioned adjacent the second major edge of an adjacent second panel, and the opposing ends of each panel are substantially aligned with the corresponding opposing ends of adjacent panels to form respective side edges of an array of panels.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein each panel is elongate. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein securing is in a configuration selected from the group consisting of horizontal, vertical and oblique. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising joining side edges of a first array of panels and side edges of a second array of panels and forming a mitered corner when said panels abut. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising joining side edges of a first array of panels and side edges of a second array of panels and forming a butt joint. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising joining side edges of a first array of panels and side edges of a second array of panels and forming a butt joint against a joining element positioned between the first and second array of panels.