PROJECT PLANNING / GUIDE 03

Plan the whole wall before ordering the sheets.

A good cladding plan accounts for the surface behind the sheets, the position of every join and the way corners and edges will be finished. Work through those details before settling on quantities.

Begin with the site survey
WALL PLAN / 01
FROM ROOM TO ORDER Measure.
Map.
Specify.
01 Inspect the wall 02 Draw the layout 03 Detail the edges 04 Check the system

START ON SITE

Record what is actually there.

Measure each wall separately. Note its height and width, then mark doors, windows, sockets, pipework and fixed equipment. Look for changes in level, exposed ends and places where the cladding will meet another material.

Inspect the substrate as well. A wall that is damp, loose, greasy or substantially uneven needs attention before a sheet layout can become a reliable installation plan. Record any areas that require preparation or further assessment.

THE SITE SURVEY

Five notes that make the plan more useful.

01 / DIMENSIONS

Wall sizes

Measure height and width at more than one point, especially in older or altered rooms.

02 / OBSTRUCTIONS

Openings and services

Mark doors, windows, outlets, pipes and other items that interrupt a sheet run.

03 / SUBSTRATE

Wall condition

Note loose finishes, uneven areas, moisture and anything that could affect bonding.

04 / JUNCTIONS

Where surfaces meet

Identify internal and external corners, ceilings, floors and changes in material.

05 / ACCESS

Installation conditions

Consider handling space, other trades, occupied areas and when the wall will be ready.

DRAW THE ELEVATION

Decide where each sheet begins and ends.

Sketch the wall as a flat elevation and divide it into proposed sheet positions. A simple drawing makes joints, narrow offcuts and awkward cuts easier to see before materials are ordered.

Compare the available sheet lengths with the measured height. Then look at the width of each section and the positions of openings. Where a join is needed, place it deliberately rather than letting it fall wherever the last sheet ends.

Review sheet thicknesses
EXAMPLE ELEVATION ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY
Sheet positions Opening

Use your own measurements for the actual layout. This graphic is a planning prompt, not a cutting plan.

FINISH THE PLAN

List the junctions, then choose the components.

Sheets create the main surface. The details at their edges determine how the wall is finished and maintained.

01

Sheet joins

Mark each planned join and check the appropriate joining method or profile for the selected sheet system.

02

Corners

Count internal and external corners separately. Consider the required finish and any exposed edges that need protection.

03

Perimeters

Identify where cladding ends at ceilings, floors, doors, windows and changes in wall finish.

04

Adhesive and sealing

Check the adhesive and sealant recommended for the chosen sheets, substrate and site conditions before calculating amounts.

BEFORE CALCULATING QUANTITIES

Use the layout, not area alone.

Total wall area is a useful first estimate, but it does not show whether an offcut can be reused or where a full-height sheet is needed. Count sheets from the proposed layout and allow for cuts, openings and any project-specific waste.

Count trims by type and measured run. Then check compatibility with the sheet thickness. Saniclad lists joining, edging and corner profiles for its PVC systems; the correct component depends on the exact product and detail.

See Saniclad’s white PVC profiles

PRE-ORDER CHECK

One final pass through the plan.

  • The wall condition has been assessed.
  • Each elevation has dimensions and openings marked.
  • Sheet lengths and join positions have been checked.
  • Corners, edges and transitions are accounted for.
  • Trims, adhesive and sealant suit the chosen system.
  • Current product and installation guidance has been reviewed.

PRODUCTS AND FITTING GUIDANCE

Turn the plan into a product list.

Check the current hygienic wall cladding range at Saniclad and consult its installation guidance for the system you choose.