Omega-Tek Building Products, Inc.

Outside Corner - Installation Manual

Fasteners:

Omega-Tek Corners nail very easily by hand or with power air nailers. Since Omega-Tek Corners last longer than iron nails, rust proof stainless steel or aluminum fasteners are suggested over galvanized. Stainless steel white painted "Headcote" screws also work well. Nails or screws should be driven into solid wood and be long enough to penetrate the framing 1-1/2". Flush-nailed stainless finish or "T" nails oxidize to a light grey and do not require filling or further maintenance. This is now the preferred face-nailing method by contractors. Power driven large headed nails should be avoided as they leave unsightly holes that will need to be filled with caulk, glazing compound or spackle and require periodic maintenance. Screw-shank painted nails like "Swan Secure", "Philstone" or "Maze" should be flush-nailed so that the head does not penetrate the surface. Hand-nailing is suggested on all "headed" nails. Fastener spacing should be no greater than 16" OC. End shrinkage can be reduced by nailing more frequently (12"-16" OC). Urethane based exterior construction adhesive like PL400 works well when applied to the suggested areas to augment nailing and reduce end-shrinkage.

• Screws: Omega-Tek Corners can be screwed just like wood. Stainless steel "trim-head" screws with painted heads work very well (like "Headcote" by Starborn). Screws must be at least 2-1/2" long to penetrate solid wood a minimum of 1-1/2"
• Flange nails can be any rust resistant nail with a head in excess of 1/2" and an overall length of at least 1-1/2". Pre-drill flange in excessively cold weather to avoid cracking, if necessary.

Joints:

Omega-Tek Corners do not expand and contract due to moisture changes like wood. However, it does move as a result of temperature change. Width and thickness changes will be negligible, but some length changes due to large seasonal temperature swings must be allowed for. Properly nailed 10 foot corners will contract about 3/32" inch for every 50 degree temperature drop from application temperature. On the jobsite, store in a clean, cool place out of the direct sun. Material stored in a hot area is expanded to its maximum length when it is installed leaving it more prone to joint shrinkage. All joints should be flush-cut at a 90 degree angle and be glued with a suggested PVC cement. Avoid installing in extremely hot weather (90 degrees plus). Sand ends and make sure that surfaces are smooth and flat for proper bonding. Follow glue manufacturer's directions for application and set time.

Cutting:

Omega-Tek Corners cut easily with standard hand or power saws. Use standard wood combination blades for crosscuts and rip blades for ripping. It will take a 12" Radial or Chop saw to cut the corner in a single pass.

Glue:

Omega-Tek Corners can be bonded to other materials like wood or concrete using PVC compatible, urethane based exterior construction adhesives like PL400. Make sure the label says that it is compatible with vinyl. To bond Omega-Tek Corners to each other or to other vinyl products, use PVC cements like heavy duty pipe cement, or preferably, white PVC gutter cement or white "Christy's White Hot" cement. Sand areas to be bonded to assure that both surfaces are smooth and flat. "Bond N Fill" works well as a filler, caulk or light duty adhesive. When gluing indoors, water based PVC cements like "Gorilla PVC Cement" should be used. However, pipe cement and Gorrilla PVC glue both tend to turn yellow over time outdoors. Any excess glue that squeezes out of joints must be removed immediately using denatured alcohol or mineral spirits.

Sanding:

Omega-Tek Corners can be sanded the same way you would sand wood. Rough surfaces can also be smoothed using a cloth and commercial solvents. (Caution: Some solvents are hazardous if used improperly. Follow manufacturer's instructions.)

Drilling, Routing and Milling:

Omega-Tek Corners can be drilled or milled using bits and tools designed for wood use. Generally, milling at slower RPMs and higher feed speeds yield better results.

Attaching Corners:

• "Blind-Nail" Application With Nail Flange -
  Insert nail flange (10 foot sections) by aligning the barbed projection with the "receiving" edge slots. Firmly push the barb into the slot with your thumbs or lightly tap it in with a small block of wood and a hammer. Start at one end and work your way toward the other. Excess nail flange can be trimmed with a saw or snips. Make sure that the flange is the entire length of the corner and is applied on both edges. This may require two lengths of flange. Position the corner on the building by tilting the top of the upright corner toward the building until it is at its desired highest point and then swing the bottom in. Once in place, apply four permanent fasteners at the very top of the corner (no more than 2 inches from the top of the corner) to hold it in place. Start nailing the flanges from the top and work down alternating edges (i.e. do not nail the entire length of one edge and then the other). Fasten at least every 16".
• "Face-Nail" Application Without Flange
  Position the corner on the building by tilting the top of the upright corner toward the building until it is at its desired highest point and then swing the bottom in. Once in place, apply four permanent fasteners at the very top of the corner (no more than 2 inches from the top of the corner) to hold it in place. Start from the top and work down alternating edges (i.e. do not nail the entire length of one edge and then the other). Apply approved fasteners at least every 16", two on each face of the corner; i.e. 4 fasteners at least every 16".

Note: We offer a 1-1/8" x 1-1/8" square, solid "Inside Corner" profile in 10 foot lengths.

After corner installation, apply your choice of siding leaving the manufacturer recommended spacing between siding and corner and follow their caulking and finishing instructions. Caulks must be vinyl compatible.

Painting:

We recommend that Omega-Tek Corners be installed with no paint, but it can be painted yielding an excellent bond and longevity. Omega-Tek Corners are impervious to "moisture migration" which is the number one cause of paint failure in wood. Clean all areas to be painted and wipe down lightly with denatured alcohol to remove any oils. A light sanding or "Skotchbrite" wipe down does aid paint bond especially when using less expensive acrylic paints. Follow with one to two coats of paint (follow manufacturer's directions). 100% Acrylic Latex is good, Urethane-Acrylic is better and, a "bonding primer" designed for PVC followed by Urethane-Acrylic paint is best, especially for high-traffic areas. Painting with a "dark color" is not allowed and will void the warranty. Only light or medium pastels or "earth-tones" with an LRV value over 55 can be used. Your paint dealer will have this information.

Caulking:

Caulk Omega-Tek Corners with flexible acrylic based caulks, preferably, urethane-acrylic. Some examples would be Geocel, Phoenoseal, Polyseamseal, DAP Dynaflex 230, or MD Max 5000. Use "bright" or "brilliant" white to get the best color match. Do not use silicone based caulks.

Cleaning:

Because of our smooth "Factory Tough Skin" on all faces and edges, Omega-Tek Corners usually clean easily with a hose, brush and light detergent like Simple Green. To remove mildew apply a solution of one part household bleach to five parts water. Let stand for five minutes and rinse. For stubborn stains, a non-abrasive cleaner like SoftScrub and a Scotchbrite pad work well. Stubborn rust stains can be treated with rust removers like Ironout. Scratches can be lightly sanded out or filled with Bond N Fill.

Storage:

On the jobsite, store in a clean, cool place out of the direct sun. Material stored in a hot area is expanded to its maximum length when it is installed leaving it more prone to joint shrinkage. It should be supported at least every four feet like sheetrock. Supports must line up vertically when stacking units. Material stored outdoors should be covered to keep it clean.

Safety:

When working with Omega-Tek Corners, employ the same safety precautions you should take with woodworking. Use protective eyewear, dust masks, etc.