How to attach vj to fibro?

[BriatMelrose]

Just wondering what the best method is to attach vj panelling to 100+ year old fibro? 

[MitchellMc]

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @BriatMelrose. It's fantastic to have you join us, and many thanks for your question about installing VJ panel.

Before getting started, it’s really important to confirm whether the fibro contains asbestos. Many older fibro sheets do, and if that’s the case, you must not drill or disturb it. It’s best to have a sample tested before proceeding, and if asbestos is confirmed, a licensed professional will need to handle any removal or penetration work.

Assuming the fibro is safe to work with, you wouldn’t actually be fixing the VJ panels directly to the fibro itself. Instead, you’d be fastening through the fibro and into the timber studs behind it. Apply a good-quality construction adhesive to the back of the VJ panels, press them into place, and then screw through into the studs to secure them. Finding the studs can be a bit tricky, as stud finders often struggle to read through fibro. A good tip is to look for the flathead nails (called clouts) used to fix the fibro to the wall. These usually line up with the studs behind, helping you locate where to screw your panels.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell
 

[BriatMelrose]

Hi Mitchell,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. The fibro has been tested and isn't asbestos. Do you have a recommendation on what type of nails/brads to use to secure the VJ to the studs? 

Thanks again

[JacobZ]

Hi @BriatMelrose,

When installing sheet products, it's best to check if the manufacturer has an installation guide.

For example, if you are using the easycraft 2400 x 1200 x 9mm easyVJ, the Easycraft - Product Fact Sheet & Installation Guideline sets out a method and the specific fixings that can be used.

On page 5, they provide a number of recommendations for fixings for a variety of different situations. I'm assuming due to the age of the house, it will be a timber-framed house, in which case, you can use either nails or screws, with options for both hammered nails and finish nails that are fired through a nail gun.

They mention that fixings should be long enough to penetrate 25-30mm into the timber frame, so we need to take into account the thickness of your VJ as well as the thickness of the fibro. I think it is pretty safe to assume 50mm fixings will work, in which case these Titan 50 x 2mm Electro Galvanised Straight Collated Nail ND Brads would be the way to go.
 

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob