Systems and methods for installing cladding assemblies

Abstract

A cladding reinforcement system and method for attaching a cladding material to a substructure are provided in this disclosure. The cladding reinforcement system utilizes a cladding reinforcement anchor to provide a large surface area for resisting the forces in high wind applications. In some implementations, the cladding reinforcement anchor has a flat front surface that is adapted to be fastened to the cladding panel. The front surface of the cladding reinforcement anchor is sufficiently flat so that it can be sandwiched between two cladding panels without creating any visible space between the cladding panels. In some other implementations, the cladding reinforcement anchor includes a web having first and second spaced apart edges configured to define a predetermined width for locating the cladding reinforcement anchor against an upper edge of a cladding panel. Fixing indicators can be located on the flat front surface to provide targets for nails or other fasteners.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reinforced cladding assembly comprising:
 a first cladding panel having an upper edge and a lower edge;   a second cladding panel having an upper edge and a lower edge;   a cladding reinforcement anchor, said cladding reinforcement anchor comprising a web having first and second spaced apart edges configured to define a predetermined width for locating the cladding reinforcement anchor against the upper edge of the first cladding panel, a first leg extending at a first predetermined angle from the first edge of the web, said first predetermined angle configured for locating said first leg against a front face of the first cladding material, a second leg extending at a second predetermined angle from said second edge of said web; and   wherein the second cladding panel is positioned in a partial overlapping arrangement with the first cladding panel, wherein the lower edge of the second panel overlaps the upper edge of the first cladding panel in a manner such that the second cladding panel covers the cladding reinforcement anchor, wherein the first leg has a flat configuration so that no visible gap is created between the upper edge of the first cladding panel and the lower edge of the second cladding panel.   
     
     
         2 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the first leg comprises at least one fixing indicator for indicating at least one predetermined fixing position. 
     
     
         3 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1  wherein said second leg extends from the second edge of the web in the same direction as the first leg. 
     
     
         4 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said second leg extends from the second edge of the web in a different direction to the first leg. 
     
     
         5 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined angle is 45 and 135 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined angle is acute. 
     
     
         7 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined angle is obtuse. 
     
     
         8 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said second leg comprises multiple fixing indicators. 
     
     
         9 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the second leg comprises a lip. 
     
     
         10 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one fixing indicator comprises an indentation. 
     
     
         11 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one fixing indicator comprises a surface marking. 
     
     
         12 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said cladding reinforcement anchor is formed from a resilient material selected from the group comprising metals, polymers, and reinforced polymer composites. 
     
     
         13 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a wind load resistance before failure is increased by at least about 55% as compared to the use of a screw without a cladding reinforcement anchor. 
     
     
         14 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a wind load resistance before failure is increased by at least about 72% as compared to the use of a screw without a cladding reinforcement anchor. 
     
     
         15 . A reinforced cladding assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a wind load resistance before failure is increased by at least about 140% as compared to the use of a screw without a cladding reinforcement anchor. 
     
     
         16 . A fastening device according to  claim 1 , wherein an ultimate negative load allowed before failure is at least about 156 psf. 
     
     
         17 . A cladding reinforcement anchor for attaching a cladding material to a substructure comprising:
 a web comprising first and second spaced apart edges, said edges configured to define a predetermined width configured to approximately match an upper edge of a thin elongate cladding material;   a first leg extending at a predetermined angle from said first edge of said web, said angle configured to locate said first leg against a front face of said thin elongate cladding material, wherein the first leg has a planar surface;   a second leg extending at a second predetermined angle from said first edge of said web, said angle configured to locate said second leg against a substructure; and   at least one fixing indicator located on said first leg configured to direct a fastener to an optimal location on said thin elongate cladding material;   wherein said cladding reinforcement anchor is sized and configured with a large surface area to prevent movement of said thin elongate cladding material during a high wind load application.   
     
     
         18 . A method of installing a cladding assembly to a building structure, said method comprises:
 positioning a first cladding material adjacent the building structure, said first cladding material having an elongate configuration;   attaching the first cladding material to the building structure via a fastener;   positioning a second cladding material adjacent to the first cladding material in a butt adjoining arrangement, said second cladding material having an elongate configuration; and   attaching a cladding reinforcement anchor to the first and second cladding materials by positioning the cladding reinforcement anchor at the butt adjoining area of the first and second cladding material, said cladding reinforcement anchor comprises a planar face having an area of at least 2 in 2 , wherein a first nail extends through the cladding reinforcement anchor and the first cladding material and a second nail extends through the second cladding material, thereby attach the first and second cladding materials to the building structure.