Hey gang…..going to look at a job this afternoon. Small portico addition to the front of a house. Haven’t seen the plans just yet, but the archy has spec’d Azec trim boards for the project…..including the wrapping of the 4 x 4 posts.
I’ve worked with Azec for fascias, friezes and the like….but never to wrap a post, or in any way where edges would need to be joined.
I normally wrap posts with 1X wood boards joined with biscuits. Typically I would “prefab” the post wraps on three of four sides….slide the encasement over the structural post….and add the fourth, and final piece before securing to the 4 x 4 with nails.
Can I plan on doing the same with the Azec? Will biscuits and glue provide a solid bond?
Any other suggestions?
TIA.
FREE SPONGE BOB,SANCHO PANTS!
Replies
I don't see why your approach won't work. Just use the glue meant for the Azek. I think there's one with a greater open time that might come in handy.
If you want to make the columns even nicer, use a lock miter joint. It's basically a self-aligning miter joint. No sguare edges showing. It has to be made on a router table or shaper, and the initial set up can be a bit finicky.
But once it's milled, assembly is easy. Its almost imposible to screw up during assembly. Maybe if the glue sets up too quickly.
Thanks Shep....I'm unfamiliar with a glue intended for Azek.....I'll look into it.
FREE SPONGE BOB,SANCHO PANTS!
Although I have and use Azek glue, the yard has discontinued selling it and is now selling a clear Gorilla glue for the same purpose. It should work, though I haven't tried it. The azek glue cures to a white color, which blends in well with the Azek.
If the columns are less than 8 feet, check into buying the 4x8 sheets and cutting your own using either the Festool or EZ Guide systems. It's somewhat cheaper, and you'll probably have to cut down boards anyway.
When the columns aren't edge-mitered, I use a 45 degree bit and bevel the edges to knock off the corners and give the thing some class.
Azek is great, its just the static cling I hate. And it clings to just about anything.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
and the smell of fresh milled Azec in the morning is enough to make you wonder who let the skunk in...;)The 4x8 isn'tIt is more like 50" x 98"
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When I cut the stuff in the shop, my wife (she with the ultra-sensitive nose) gets a little paranoid; we had the cat and dog sprayed by a skunk a few years back, both the same night.
And you're right about the 4x8, though here the sheets top out at 97.
"I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul." Invictus, by Henley.
Glue for Azek (which is PVC) is pretty much the same thing as PVC pipe cement, generically known as cellular PVC cement (contains acetone, MEK, tetrahydafuran, and a handful of other interesting organic solvents). Basically it all works by temporarily "melting" the PVC (Azek or PVC pipe) so that when it hardens (i.e. when the solvents are volatized), the plastic is fused together. I can't see how good old Gorilla Glue can compete with this unless they have come out with their own brand of PVC cement.
A totally agree that the PVC glue is MUCH preferred over gorilla glue. I have had some disappointments with GG, not to say it wouldn't work - never tired it - but the PVC glue makes an awesome glue joint with PVC. Anyone who has worked with PVC pipe knows that...
OTOH, Azek glue and regular PVC glue are not at all the same thing. Azek glue is virtually odorless - may even be water based - not sure, and burns when it gets on your skin. Regular PVC pile glue is very different - be it true that the results are pretty much the same, except for the color.
did the same sort of thing with my own house.
ripped the 1x at a 45 degree angle and joined the 2 to form a corner. biscuits and glue.....seem really solid, have even flexed them (by accident) and still remained solid.
I did a set of 5 columns out of 5/4 x 10 Koma. I 45 ripped the edges and glued up using azek glue (longer set time than reg. pvc cement-better color too-I have heard recently that there's a longer set time pvc cement available at lesser cost), you need the longer set time to position the edges. I glued both edges, and then used a brad nailer to "hold" the corners. As you did, I made up a 3 sided column and then added the 4th side after positioning around the steel posts. Because of the inherent movement in azek, I "floated" the post cover around the steel using blocks and PL adhesive. If you lay it to the inner post tight, you might have movement that'll break the corner joint.
This method has gone through 3 seasons with no glued joint failure.
The stuff flops around as you know, so when making up the corners you'll need a bench set up for full support.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thanks guys....just what I'm looking for.
FREE SPONGE BOB,SANCHO PANTS!
In case I didn't mention it, I didn't use bisquits. The 45 lock mitre idea I was ALMOST ready to use. If you could glue up and put that together it would be very nice, almost invisible joint. Sanded up, the Koma looks very clean with just the flat 45 rip.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
I haven't used the lock miter on Koma yet, but I have used it on MDF, plywood, pine , and hardwoods.
What I really like is that it locks itself together. I can just spread some glue, set the pieces together, and clamp one way, pulling everything together.
But be prepared to spend some time, and get a bit frustrated the first time you set up the bit to get the proper fit. I think it took me over an hour the first time. Make sure you save some pieces for set up blocks for the second time.
You know how this work goes.............
Wonder when will be the next time I get a pvc post cover job?
Thanks for the information, now stored.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Personally, I think the biscuits are overkill unless you feel you need them to help align the pieces. The Azek glue literally welds the pieces together - it will not come apart.
Just as an general FYI to all, there is a few shops here that prefab Azek columns to your specs - a little pricey, but the interesting thing is that they do a "v-fold miter" for the corners. What is a "v-fold miter"? They take a 4x8 or 4x10 sheet of Azek (or similar cellular PVC sheet good) and use a router bit shaped like this '->' (45°) to cut the sheet at the appropriate interval, say 8" for 8" columns. The router bit cuts maybe a 1/16" of an inch less than all the way through the sheet. Then the piece has glue applied and is folded up in the column shape, and has only one seam that is visible from the outside. The routing is done by a CNC machine (I think that is the term). Hope that made sense... Anyway, they look really good. Maybe even awesome.