Instructions for Installing EverRock Skirting

Careful attention to a few basic details will insure that your EverRock Skirting will provide a beautiful, easily installed, completely accessible exterior with a minimum of maintenance. EverRock Skirting is easily installed over any terrain, and requires few special tools. Following these basic installation techniques will assure that your EverRock Skirting will contribute to the beauty of your home's exterior.

 

Measuring Instructions

The 5 foot wide rocks come in 3 heights, 30", 36" and 48". Measure the height the home is above the ground every 5 feet, add 3 inches and order the needed rocks by heights. The 30" x 5' size covers 58" horizontally, while the 36" x 5' and 48" x 5' cover 60" horizontally. If a 24" or less height is needed, cut the 48" x 5' in half to create the 24" size.

Tools & Accessories You Will Need (not included)

  1. Utility razor knife or carpet knife.

  2. Power saw with fine tooth blade.

  3. Power drill with 1/4" hex driver bit.

  4. Utility razor knife - carpet knife.
  5. Power Saw with Fine Tooth Blade (reverse blade), or concrete blade.
  6. Electric screwdriver or drill with 1/4" hex head driver bit.
  7. Tape measure.
  8. Straight edge and/or carpenter's square.
  9. Hammer.
  10. Trenching spade (for using bottom trench method).
  11. Rake or hoe for dirt replacement and backfill.
  12. Chalk line and/or marking pencil.
  13. For attaching panels to mobile home and/or bottom  track use black no. 8 by 1" hex head screws every 12 inches.
  14. For installing vents in panels, use 12 black no.8 by 1" hex head screws.
  15. Use 4 no. 8 by 1" black hex head screws when connecting the sides of panels to each other.
  16. Vent inserts and access door conversion kits. See Step 3.

 STEP 1 - Installing the Bottom of the Panels

Two alternative methods are recommended. However, the following should be done first. . .

A level or plumb line should be used to establish the location of the Bottom Rail. To prevent grass from growing around the base of the skirting and provide a non-shifting base for the ground spikes, 9" asphalt roof starter or shingles should be installed around the home. The roof starter and shingles also reduce the possibility of the vinyl skirting panels being damaged from the use of a powered string trimmer (weed eater).

 Method #1

The bottom of the panels can be secured using an optional bottom track. After making sure track is in line with the side of the home, secure track to surface with 7" gutter spikes. Place panels in bottom track and secure with screws. In cases of sloped ground, cut the bottom edge of each sheet at the same angle as the ground slope.

Method #2

Dig 3" to 4" trench and set the bottom of the bottom of the panel in the trench. Trim the panel at the bottom as required on uneven surfaces. When installation is complete, backfill trench with soil to secure bottom of panel.

 

Note: In high wind areas; where ground below the unit is spongy; or where ground is loose from recent excavation and has not yet settled, it is advisable to fasten Bottom of Panel (Method 2) or Bottom Track (Method 1) to a treated wood stake.

For installation on concrete, use a 3/4" masonry nail instead of the ground spike. "Liquid Nail" cement or other similar methods of setting a fastener directly to concrete can also be used.

 

STEP 2 - Installing the Top of the Panels

Read Step 3 before starting Step 2

Several methods are available depending on the desires of the homeowner and the climate.

General: In most installations, the top lip of the panels are placed behind - under - the siding of the home. Panels can also be installed by attaching them directly to the outside trim. If this method is used, lip should overlap the side of the home by at least 2". Do not screw EverRock directly to vinyl siding because of the different expansion / contraction rates of vinyl EverRock and vinyl siding.

 

Installation method leaving top lip on and screwing through lip. Be sure skirting is a minimum of 2" above the bottom of the trim, or home.

Installation method leaving top lip on and placing top lip behind the siding trim. Slide top lip of panel behind the outside trim board of home and secure with screws. You may wish to remove trim board entirely, attach panels to home and replace trim board over top lip of panels.

Climates Where Frost Heave and / or Soil Movement is Significant

A top metal rail or framing with 1" x 4", 2" x 2", or 2" x 4" treated wood will allow earth movement when EverRock is not installed on a concrete foundation or slab.

 

STEP 3 - Connecting Panels (To be done concurrent with Step 2.)

A.  Remove lip of only one side of panel by cutting along edge of rock face.  NOTE:  Remove only one side of the panel. 

A.    Underside View

B.  Place panel with cut edge on top of flat lip of last panel installed.

B.   Front Side View of Cut Edge

C.  Screw panels together using hex head screws in the mortar joints between the rock faces.

C.  Connecting Screw

NOTE: Each side of every panel can be connected to each side of the other panels using this method, regardless of panel size. This allows "stacking" and flexibility for unusual terrain.

CORNERS

FRAMING

Inside and outside corners can be made by heating panels with a heavy duty heat gun and bending panels around the corner. Score the panel at desired location prior to heating and bending.

FRAMING IS RECOMMENDED REGARDLESS OF SIZE OR HEIGHT:  Installing vertical treated wood or u-channel aluminum dry wall posts behind each overlap will secure screws and help prevent blowouts.

 

           

 VENTILATION - Since EverRock Skirting is nearly airtight and will not self-ventilate, vent inserts are needed and are available at your EverRock outlet.  Each vent insert provides 28 square inches of ventilation. Ventilation codes may vary by community and manufacturer. Contact your dealer to determine amount of ventilation needed to meet your code.  Cutting out louvers in EverRock vent inserts will allow additional ventilation if needed.

Using a power saw (reverse blade) or concrete blade or razor knife, cut an opening in the panel. Insert the vent through the opening with the vent flange on the outside of the panel and attach with 1" no. 8 hex head screws.

ACCESS - Access can be gained at virtually any point by using an EverRock Access Door Conversion Kit. The conversion kit allows for a full panel to be completely removed.