Exterior: Wall Applications

On the back of the panel, apply a 3/8″ bead of PL Premium 3X along the dove-tailed ribbing of each InSoFast stud. Rougher or uneven surfaces may require a thicker bead. Press panels firmly into place against the wall. On windy days, the panels may need supplemental bracing or mechanical attachment to secure the panels until the adhesive has set.

1. 1. Using adhesive is the preferred method over masonry, brick, stucco, or concrete surfaces where mechanical fastening would be difficult.
      • Adhesive application over wall framing that is air and water tight (ZIP Wall, HardiBacker, Durock, and PermaBase) is also acceptable.
   2. It is best practice to make sure the substrate must be clean, dry and free of frost, grease, dust and other contaminants before proceeding.
      • If cleaning is required use a masonry cleaner such as Trisodium Phosphate (TSP) mixed in warm water, avoid cleaners that have surfactants.
      • Surfactants reduces water surface tension, thereby increasing its spreading and wetting properties. This is bad when trying to keep water out of a wall system.
   3. The wall must be structurally sound before installing InSoFast (or anything for that matter), check for levelness or plumb. InSoFast panels can bridge over minor wall imperfections the interlocking design helps self-level to an extent. 
   4. Adhesive Testing: If you are unsure about the conditions of your walls, we recommend performing an adhesive test.
      • Find a scrap 2×4 measuring at least 6 inches long and run a 3/8-inch bead of adhesive along it's 1 1/2" edge. Press the “test block” against the wall use mechanical support for 24 hours while the adhesive cures. You’ll need to wait 24-48 hours for the adhesive to cure, but keep in mind that PL Premium takes 14 days to reach it’s full strength.
      • When the curing time has passed you are ready to test the strength of the bond. Try to pry the test board off the wall. If you can manage to pull it off with your hands, you will need to mechanically fasten the panels to the wall.

1. Find the Ribs on the studs.

Make sure you are gluing the ribbed side of the studs. The front side is of the panel a smooth black stud is exposed or is covered with 1/2" of foam. Quick Tip: You can speed up your installation by pre-stacking the panels with rib-side facing up, ready for adhesive.

2. Apply Adhesive

Run a ⅜-in bead of adhesive along all 3 studs. If you are placing the panel on the edge of a wall or in a corner, run a bead directly on the foam at that edge (see: dashed line). This will ensure a solid-backed attachment. Again, it is only necessary at corners and anywhere you cut a panel to fit around openings.

3. Press in Place

Check that your panel is tongue-side up, with the rib-side facing the wall and that any interlocking edges meet. Press firmly against your wall. Don’t be alarmed if it feels a little spongy at first. PL Premium takes about 20 minutes to set and 24 hours to cure. It can form a “liquid shim” spanning gaps of up to ⅜-in and effectively tighten up small irregularities in a wall’s surface. On walls that are subject to peeling or flaking paint, it is important to supplement the installation of InSoFast panels with mechanical fasteners such as Tapcon® screws or Perma‐Grip nails.

Masonry Adhesives

Masonry adhesives are used over masonry brick or block walls with liquid applied WRB, a 3/4" bead of adhesive is applied to the dovetailed ribs on the back of the panels. Most often applied with a mortar pointing bag. 

Compatible adhesive/base coat data sheet for technical data and information sheet.

• Sto Primer/Adhesive 80100 is an acrylic-based material used as an adhesive. It is a two-component product to be combined with Portland cement.
• Senergy Alpha Base Coat Alpha Base Coat is a 100% acrylic adhesive and base coat that is field-mixed with Type I or Type II Portland cement. It has a very creamy texture that spreads easily.
• Dryvit Genesis  High-performance, fiber-reinforced, dry mix, polymer-modified, cementitious adhesive and base coat specifically formulated for use with Dryvit system.

Screw/Nail Attachment Pattern

Using the indicator markings on the panel, screws are placed 12” o.c. along the InSoFast studs per code report. InSoFast panels are generally screwed in place, however, you may opt to use nail guns to install the panels and siding provided the temperature is above 60° F for the stud to accept nails. It is up to the contractor and/or building official to determine the suitability for the nails in regard to use, length, and spacing.

For 16” O.C. Framing

InSoFast studs are 16” o.c. Install the first panel so that the built-in studs line up with and attach to the wall’s studs.

Nailing the panels to the wall when the nail has a minimum penetration into the structural framing stud, use screws if attaching to just the structural sheathing. 

For 24” O.C. Framing

Attaching to 24” o.c. framing requires a structural sheathing you can screw to, such as OSB, plywood, or SIPs and requires the use of 8” o.c. indicator marks. The number of screws is dependent on wind load requirements.

Fastening Guidelines;

If you choose to mechanically attach InSoFast panels to concrete or masonry walls, screws are to be placed 12″ o.c. along the InSoFast studs. Powder actuated tools are not recommended.

• Both panels InSoFast EX 2.5 and InSoFast UX 2.0 can be directly attached to most exterior surfaces as a continuous insulation barrier for the exterior envelope of a building. Fasteners design load should be resist the shear and wind loading resistance when used to secure the InSoFast panels to concrete, wood, or steel framing systems.
• Design Approvals: Where required by code or design professionals attaching the InSoFast panels and the suggested fastening methods identified may exceed 12″ o.c. should be prepared and engineered by a design professional licensed to do so.
• Design Loads: The design loads required by the local building code authorities shall not exceed the recommendations outlined in this guideline.
• Allowable Loads: The applied dead and negative wind loads should not exceed the tables outlined in this guideline for each of the different fastening systems for concrete, wood, or steel framing methods. The required fastener spacing is determined by the different fastener manufacture’s test reports for shear and wind
  loading and not by InSoFast, LLC.

Fastening into Concrete;

ORIGINAL TAPCON MASONRY FASTENING SYSTEM 

Product Specifications
Diameter 3/16” and 1/4”
Thread Form Original notched Hi-Lo®

The minimum embedment requirement for concrete or concrete/cinder block is 1″ and the maximum embedment is 1-3/4″. Either length fastener will work to fasten our 2″ thick stud to concrete. 

CONDRIVE 500 GUIDELINES:

• STEP 1:

Place drill adapter into 3/8” or 1/2” chuck of standard hammer drill. Place drill bit in drill adapter and tighten set screw. Drill hole a minimum of 1/4” deeper than Tapcon anchor is to be embedded.

• STEP 2:

Phillips Heads may be installed using either side of sleeve. To install a 1/4 diameter Hex Washer Head Tapcon, use large opening side of sleeve (see sleeve label). To install a 3/16 diameter Hex Washer Head Tapcon, use small opening side of sleeve (see sleeve label). Slide opposite side of sleeve over drill bit and snap onto drill bit adapter.

NOTE: If driving Hex Washer Head Tapcon, driver will automatically disengage. If driving Phillips Head Tapcon, care must be taken to ensure anchor is not overdriven.

• STEP 3:

Loosen set screw on side of drill adapter with 1/8” Hex Key. Do not remove completely. Replace old drill bit with new one. Align flat side with set screw and tighten screw. Do not overtighten

Related Information;

• ITW Buildex Product Report: Light-to-Medium-Duty Masonry Applications (Tapcon® Screws) (PDF, 52kb)
• ITW Buildex Product Report: Stucco/Cement Board Applications (Rock On Fasteners) (PDF, 127kb)
• Performance Data: Perma-grip Nails (Perma-Grip)
• Installing James Hardie Products over ICFs (fastener info comparable to InSoFast) (PDF, 980kb)

Outside Corners

Corner with Sheet Metal Backer

Overlap the panels past the corner by the thickness of the panel (i.e. 2½” for EXe 2.5) creating an overlapping butt joint. Leave a ¼” gap at the butt joint for foam sealant. Corner posts can be attached with a 4” screws directly back to the framing when an InSoFast stud is not located near enough to the corner for siding attachment. Sheet metal flashing may be added behind the corner post for siding fastening at the corner post.

Sheetmetal Backer

TIP: Use Loctite Pl Premium 3x to adhere the sheet metal corner to the InSoFast panel and duct tape to hold corner in place until the adhesive cures.

Corner with Wood Backing

Another option is to install 2x dimensional lumber with 1” foam board added to provide a solid 2-1/2” thick backing as needed. This can be done prior to installing or after installing the InSoFast panels.
This application  1" thick silver foiled foam panel was added to the wall sheathing then the 2x corner backing material was added on top.

Inside Corners

Corner with wood Backer

Overlap the panels past the corner by the thickness of the panel (i.e. 2½” for EXe 2.5) creating an overlapping butt joint. Leave a ¼” gap at the butt joint for foam sealant. Corner posts can be attached with a 4” screws directly back to the framing when an InSoFast stud is not located near enough to the corner for siding attachment. Sheet metal flashing may be added behind the corner post for siding fastening at the corner post.

Sheetmetal Backer

TIP: Use Loctite Pl Premium 3x to adhere the sheet metal corner to the InSoFast panel and duct tape to hold corner in place until the adhesive cures.

Corner with Wood Backing

Another option is to install 2x dimensional lumber with 1” foam board added to provide a solid 2-1/2” thick backing as needed. This can be done prior to installing or after installing the InSoFast panels.
This application  1" thick silver foiled foam panel was added to the wall sheathing then the 2x corner backing material was added on top.

Detailing Outset Windows

An outset window is installed with the nailing flange flush with the front face of the InSoFast panels. Install window and flashings as per window manufacturer’s installation instructions prior to installing InSoFast panels.

Head Jamb Flashing Detail;

Side Jamb Detail;

The side jamb is installed with the nailing flange flush with the front face of the InSoFast panels. Typically an extension jamb is used to bring the window flush with the exterior finished surface. Install window and flashings as per window manufacturer’s installation instructions prior to installing InSoFast panels.

Typical Sill Flashing Details;

An inset window is installed with the nailing flange flush to the exterior sheathing layer of the wall. It requires sill and jamb extensions for the exterior. Install window and flashings as per window manufacturer’s installation instructions prior to installing InSoFast panels.

Other Through-Wall Penetrations;

Mechanical penetrations are treated as they would be for typical construction. All through-wall penetrations should be installed and sealed back to the WRB layer before the InSoFast panels are installed. Install penetrations to manufacturer’s installation instructions. Cut and fit the InSoFast panel around the penetration, leaving a ¼” gap. Fill the gap between the penetration and the InSoFast panel with a foam sealant.

Window Details for Frame;

Cold Weather Installation Tips for finishes application;

If you opt to use nail guns to install InSoFast panels and/or siding, it is only recommended when temperatures are above 60° F. Smaller nail size and shank diameter will perform better at lower temperatures. It is up to the contractor, and/or building official to determine the suitability for the use of nails when installing siding. It is important for the contractor to verify that the fasteners do not crack the stud and that they are not over-driven or under-driven into the stud.  In cold weather to keep working you can hand nail the siding or for cement board applications switch to ITW Buildex Product Report: Stucco/Cement Board Applications (Rock On Fasteners) (PDF, 127kb)

Related Information for Fastening

• ITW Buildex Product Report: Light-to-Medium-Duty Masonry Applications (Tapcon® Screws) (PDF, 52kb)
• ITW Buildex Product Report: Stucco/Cement Board Applications (Rock On Fasteners) (PDF, 127kb)
• Performance Data: Perma-grip Nails (Perma-Grip)
• Installing James Hardie Products over ICFs (fastener info comparable to InSoFast) (PDF, 980kb)