Altro Nexus – the best in wall cladding made affordable
When it comes to hygienic wall cladding, not all projects require your more typical 2.5mm thick sheets but they do require the key features and benefits that they offer. This is where Altro Nexus comes in – bringing the quality you’d expect from the UK’s most trusted sheet manufacturer – at a cost that makes it feasible. Put simply, the very best just became affordable!
In this blog post we explain the key features and requirements for installation.
What is Altro Nexus?
Altro Nexus is a co-extruded uPVC wall sheet that can be used in a wide range of applications. The wall sheet can be adhered to many typical substrates used for internal construction and is suitable for new and refurbishment building projects.
It is complemented by a range of trim profiles for trimming the edge of the sheet and creating a joint between two sheets.
What sets this product apart is that it is only 2mm thick, available in 2440mm x 1220mm sheet size.
It comes in the colour white with a satin finish. It is highly durable with a life expectancy of 10 years.
Where can Nexus be used?
Although the sheets can be applied in most areas, they should never be installed near to a direct heat source (such as cookers) where a naked flame or severe heat would cause disruption or damage to the surface. In fact, it is recommended that the sheets are installed at least 30cm from a heat source.
Surface preparation
As is best practice with all wall cladding installations, surfaces should be smooth, sound, dry and free of contamination. If necessary, the walls should be cleaned down and primed using 10 parts water to 1 part PVA. You should also ensure that the surrounding working environment is clean and dust free to avoid causing the sheets to de-bond from the substrate.
Suitable substrates
Altro Nexus can be applied to a wide range of substrates including:
- Good quality fair-faced brick or blockwork with well aligned and flush joints
- Sand cement rendering 1:3 mix with a steel trowelled finish
- 12.5mm thick plasterboard
- Minimum 9mm resin bonded plywood or MDF dense wood based sheets
- Ceramic tiles, securely bonded to the substrate, thoroughly cleaned and degreased
- Most painted surfaces
- New pink finishing plasters
If you’re in doubt about the substrate you plan to apply the sheets to, please get in touch and we can confirm it’s suitability.
Adhesives
Altro Nexus can be fixed directly to most sound and dry substrates with AltroFix W139, two-part polyurethane adhesive.
Please note that as from 24th August 2023, adequate training is required before industrial or professional use.
Strorage and installation temperatures
Altro recommends that the sheets are installed at approximately the same ambient surface temperature at which the area will be used when commissioned. A minimum temperature of 14°C/57°F is recommended for all installation areas (noting that AltroFix adhesive must never be used below +5°C).
Prior to installation, the sheets should be laid flat and pre-conditioned for up to 24 hours to reach the ambient room temperature. They should be stored on a level flat surface off the ground to avoid the risk of condensation on the sheets. Storage on un-even surfaces could cause the sheets to distort prior to installation.
Altro Nexus and the accompanying accessories are available to order from Hycom Direct
