Installation Guide for

PLYROCK

ITH
NOW W

Impact- Lightweight Plague- Water- Moisture- Non- Easy

resistant and Resistant resistant repellent resistant combustible Installation
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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

Construction system for fully smooth indoor or outdoor walls with MM 10-075 SCREW (structure)
invisible joint. In order to guarantee the result, use the full PlyRock Structural joints on corners, intersections, and
system by Plycem according to the application instructions indicated connections.
in this manual.
PH 8-125 SCREW (Plycem on steel)
SYSTEM COMPONENTS Fastening of the PlyRock panel to cal. 20 metal
structure.
The PlyRock system is composed of fiber cement panels and comple-
mentary elements that constitute the wall system. PL 6-100 SCREW
(Plycem on steel or wood)
PlyRock Panel Fastening of the PlyRock panel to wood or cal.
PlyRock panels are made from cellulosic fibers reinforced with cement. 24 metal structure.
They are 0.23", 0.31", 0.39", 0.47", and 0.55" thick, 4 feet wide, and 8
feet, 10 feet, and 12 feet long (ask for stock) PL 8-175 SCREW (Plycem on wood)
Fastning of the PlyRock panel to wood
NOMINAL LENGTH structure.
Finishing Products

PlyRock
NOMINAL WIDTH

joint mesh
Sikaflex 15 LM

Reinforcement
mesh for cement
plaster
Note:
• The color of the 0.39", 0.47", and 0.55" panels may vary depending on the
country. Gray PlyRock Mortar
• Availability of panels longer than 4 feet should be checked in each country
-prior to its consideration in the specification or construction of the Floor Anchorage
project.
3"
PlyRock Fascia
The PlyRock Fascia can be 0.31" and 0.39" thick, 7.87", 1 feet, or 1.33
3" EXPANSION ANCHORAGE
feet wide by 8 feet long (ask for stock)

8 feet 2.25"
2.25" EXPANSION ANCHORAGE
1 feet, or
1.33 feet
7.87",

1"
Structure
PA 1.2"x4" CAL.20 (min.) Outdoors 1" NAIL FOR CEMENT
PA 1.2"x4" CAL. 24 (min.) Indoors
STRUCTURAL NON-STRUCTURAL
OUTDOOR WALL INDOOR WALL 1
PE 2"x4" CAL.20 (min.) Outdoors
PE 1.2"x4" CAL. 24 (min) Indoors
PE 2"x4" CAL. 24 (min) Indoors (joints)

Semi-hard wood piece 1"x2" 1 5.90" 5

11 minimum
PE SECTION USED
Furring Channel or AS LOAD

1.25” Omega profile (template) Cal 24 (min.) DISTRIBUTION ELEMENT

(MIN. 5.90")

Corner Cal. 24 (min) strap and perimeter 1

11
1
11
50 mm
(1" x 1") 1 2f
eet
ma
x.

Fastenings 1. ANCHORAGE PROFILE (PA) a

LH 8-050 SCREW (structure) 5. NAIL FOR CEMENT
11. EXPANSION ANCHORAGE AT 4 FEET MAX.
Joint between PE, PA profiles a. ALTERNATE THE ANCHORAGE ON ZIG-ZAG ON THE PROFILE

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

Tools Structure to place panels horizontally

PE PROFILE
BUILDING WRAP PA PROFILE

CONSTRUCTION LEVEL

DRILL MITRE SAW STRING

CIRCULAR SAW
WITH WEDGE
RUBBER TROWEL NOTCHED TROWEL TROWEL BLADE DISC

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
The metal frame will be caliber 24 (indoor wall -minimum) or caliber 20
(outdoor wall), with a maximum space of 2 feet. A moisture barrier
(Building Wrap or the like) will be installed on the structure on the
outdoor walls. The panels are fixed with the longest edge parallel to the
posts, with Plycem self-drilling screws. The space between screws is
7.87". The fastenings will be placed according to the fastening scheme.

Structure to place panels vertically

PA PROFILE PROFILE
ALTERNATE JOINT
PLYROCK PANEL
d Note: The moisture barrier (Building wrap) is required on outdoor
walls. On indoor walls, it is recommended in humid areas with no
ceramic tiles.
FASTENINGS
Correct fastening on the corner

1.96"
0.78"

Incorrect fastening
5.90"

d= 1.33 or 2 feet max

ADHESIVE TAPE 0.59"

OR FLAT SCREW
(TEMPORARY) ADHESIVE TAPE

Incorrect fastening
20 cm

X
BUILDING WRAP

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

Step 2: Apply a first coat of mortar on the entire area of the joints by
TREATMENT OF JOINTS AND FINISHING
using a 6" trowel. Fasten the mesh with the fresh compound -by
Use the Plyrock dry wall mortar for indoors and outdoors -designed to centering on the joint. Avoid leaving any excess of mortar on the mesh.
cover the joints of the fiber cement system from Plycem Let it fully dry.

Advantages of Plyrock Mortar

• It is applied directly on the surface.

• It does not require adding water, cement, or additives (ready to use)

• Finishing coating of Plyrock panels, thus providing a waterproofing

and monolithic coating.

• It serves as basis for applying textured coatings, paint, tiles, etc.

• This product is flexible, and has great plasticity, high adherence, and
resistance.
3. Surface finishing
• Dries easily. The surface finishing can be obtained in two ways:
Application process: panels, joints, and finishing 1. Using cement mortar for dry wall (base coat)
2. Using Plyrock mortar
1. Installation of Plyrock panel
Option 2: Using cement mortar for
dry wall (base coat)

1- Single-family house
(max. 2 levels and 3.28 feet high)

Step 1: Prepare the base coat according to the manufacturer's

instructions. Apply a coat of cement mortar (base coat) on the surface of
the uncoated Plyrock panel and level the entire surface.

Place the panels on the structure with the joints together. If there is any
space between panels, fill it with Sikaflex 15 LM or the like.

2. Treatment of joint between panels

Step 1: Thoroughly mix the Plyrock dry wall mortar until it is
homogenous. Step 2: Apply a second coat of cement mortar on the entire surface, and
level the surface.

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

Step 3: You may apply a third coat or smooth the surface with a rubber Step 4: You may apply a third coat, or smooth the surface with a
trowel or apply a smooth finishing. rubber trowel or the like.

Note: Using a plaster

reinforcement mesh is
recommended -embedded on
the first coat to increase the
resistance to tension and
bending of the Dry Wall
cement mortar (base coat)

Note: Manufacturers of cement mortar recomend coat thickness

of 0.05" approx.
2- Commercial or Institutional Building
Option 2: Using Plyrock Mortar
Step 1: Evenly apply a first coat of cement mortar to the surface.
Step 1: Once the joint has been treated, apply one coat of PlyRock
mortar on the uncoated surface. Avoid touching up the treated joint to
ensure the plaster level.

Step 2: Immediately (without letting it dry), place the reinforcement

mesh on the entire surface of the coated wall, and cover it with the
mortar. Let it dry for some hours. Step 2: Apply a second coat of PlyRock mortar on the entire surface by
ensuring the level of the surface.

Step 3: Apply a second coat of cement mortar on the entire surface of

the wall, and make sure that the mesh has been fully covered. Step 3: Before it dries, polish the surface with a hard sponge or an
expanded-polystyrene plate.

Make sure that you leave the same thickness on the entire surface.
Finally, apply acrylic paint on the entire wall.

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

EDGE POLISHING CONTROL JOINTS: Indoors

On the outer corners, wall edges, window and door edges, polish the Place fllexible joints every 24.01 feet (six 4 feet panels) on long walls or
joint by using PlyRock mesh or a plastic corner for lightweight walls. on joints with cement walls, beams, or floor substrates. On high places,
control joints are recommended every 15.74 feet maximum.
PLYROCK MESH PVC PLASTIC
ON CORNER CORNER

Note: The mesh should be adhered with PlyRock mortar on one Remove dust from the Apply Sika Flex 15LM or Use a trowel. Manually
side first. Let it dry and then glue the other side. The PVC corner is joint. Place the adhesive the like polish with water and
tape on both sides of the soap. Remove the
adhered using contact cement (do not use screws).
joint, and place the adhesive tape.
REINFORCEMENT DETAIL OF CORNER OR JOINT Plycem Fondo (0.23"
Backer Rod)
Window Reinforcement PE
Reinforcement detail on corner
with joint on door lintel, window,
and/or baseboard with Plyrock
mesh -11.7" long at 45°

0.11" max.
11.7
" PLYCEM FONDO
(BACKER ROD)
PLYCEM FONDO SIKAFLEX 15 LM
0.11"
SIKAFLEX 15 LM
(O SIMILAR)
Note: a PVC plastic joint can be also used.
CONTROL JOINTS: Outdoors

Detail of "V"-type Control Joint Outdoors

Door Reinforcement Indoor Wall
BEAD OF SIKAFLEX 15 LM OR 221
0.11"
PH 8-125 SCREW PLYCEM FONDO (BACKER ROD)
PLYROCK PH 8-125 SCREW

INSULATOR

0.47"

0.5"
BUILDING WRAP PLYROCK
PH 8-125 SCREW PE PROFILES
Reinforcement detail on corner without
FINISHING PLASTIC CONTROL JOINT
joint on window or door with Plyrock mesh
Outdoor Wall
-11.7" long at 45°

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

Detail of "M"-type Control Joint Metal Structure

Indoor Wall
0.11" BEAD OF SIKAFLEX 15 LM OR 221 Furring channel Metal structure
PH 8-125 SCREW
PLYROCK
PLYCEM FONDO (BACKER ROD) structure
PH 8-125 SCREW

0.47"
INSULATOR

BUILDING WRAP PLYROCK

PH 8-125 SCREW PE PROFILES
FINISHING PLASTIC CONTROL JOINT
Outdoor Wall

"V"-type PVC Control Joint "M"-type PVC Control Joint

Plyrock Fascia

PLACEMENT OF FASCIA
Wood structure See detail of joints and finishing in this Manual.
Wood structure
PLACEMENT OF CERAMIC FINISHING

Treated joint t 0.39" Plyrock -min.

Plyrock mortar 3 fee Finishing with two
and mesh 1.3 coats of plyrock mortar
Treated joint
First coat with
Plyrock mortar
Plycem mortar
and mesh
Second coat
with plyrock
mortar

Adhesive mortar
for ceramic

Perimeter Perimeter
knee wall knee wall

Plyrock Fascia Ceramic tiles

See detail of joints and

finishing in this Manual IN HUMID AREAS -SUCH AS BATHROOMS, KITCHENS, AND HIGH-TRAFFIC AREAS,
USE STRUCTURE EVERY 1.33 FEET AND 0.39"PLYROCK .
DO NOT WET THE CERAMIC PIECES.

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

WALL SEALANT
PERIMETER KNEE WALL IN HUMID AREAS

3 1 10

Ceramic
2
Plyrock mesh

Plyrock
adhesive
mortar
9
5

Cerámica
Plyrock mortar Total sealant Sikaflex 15 LM
Sello de Poliuretano Malla Plyrock
or the like
5
4
KNEE WALL SEALANT AND LIGHTWEIGHT WALLS
Track PA
1 Estructura PE
3 6 Plyrock Ceramic
7
8 Plyrock mesh
Polyurethane sealant
Cerámica
1. Adhesive mortar 8. Floor substrate panel Cerámica
Structural Profile
2. 0.39" Plyrock -min. waterproofed with Plyrock PA Track PE structure
Plyrock
3. Plyrock mesh on joint mortar or acrylic waterproofing.
4. Plyrock mortar on joint 9. Vertical post at 1.33 feet Mortero de pega Ceramic
5. Ceramic floor 10. Plyrock mortar on wall Ceramic
SHOWER
Malla Plyrock
6. Geotextil en esquina
7. Acrylic adhesive for Lámina Plystone
Geotextil (Lanco or the like) Adhesive mortar 20 a 25 mm
Plyrock mesh Sello de poliuretano
TREATMENT OF JOINTS ON FLOOR SUBSTRATES Track PAon corner
Plystone Panel
at 0.98"
Acrylic adhesive for Structural Profile
Geotextil Adhesive mortar Ceramic Total Sikaflex 15LM
Geotextil (Lanco or the like) PA Track
polyurethane sealant

Plyrock dry
wall coating
Recubrimiento
Ceramic
PA muro seco Plyrock
PA Cerámica

Plyrock
Morteromortar
Plyrock
Adhesive
Mortero
de pegamortar
Structure Malla Plyrock
Plyrock enmesh
Plyrock mortar esquina
on corner
on joint Lámina de SelloTotal
de
Plycem floor Plycem
entrepiso
polyurethane
Poliuretano total.
substrate panel sealant
Floor substrate panel Plyrock mesh
waterproofed with on joint NOTE: The sealant on the joint of Plyrock panels with floor
Plyrock mortar or substrates should be total. Making waterproofing tests before
acrylic waterproofing. Anti-vibration tape placing the ceramic is recommended.

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INSTALLATION GUIDE FOR PLYROCK

PERIMETER KNEE WALL IN HUMID AREAS PERFORMANCE OF THE PLYROCK SYSTEM

(CONCRETE FLOOR SUBSTRATE) MATERIAL UNIT PERFORMANCE

0.25" threaded bolt

55lbs pail 15 to 20 m² / pail
or anchorage Ø
Plyrock mortar
22lbs bag 6 to 8 m² / bag
min at 3.93 feet PE profile cal. 24 Joint + surface
(minimum) 11lbs bag 5 m² / bag

PA profile 1.2" x 4"

11lbs bag 19 ml
cal. 24 (minimum) Joint only
55lbs bucket 90 ml
4"

Rough floor 4" Plyrock -min.

reinforcement
Ceramic tiles Cement mortar sac 44 lbs 6 m²
(2 coats of 0.05")
Structural concrete Cement mortar sac 55 lbs
f'c= 462 lbs/cm2 7.5 m²
(minimum)
(2 coats of 0.05")
Reinforcement mesh for
NOTE: THE WIDTH OF THE KNEE WALL WILL DEPEND ON THE from 40 to 45 m² / roll
cement plaster
WIDTH OF THE PROFILE TO BE USED.

4 feet x 8 feet 2.97 m² / panel

PAINT Plycem panels
4 feet x 10 feet 3.72 m² / panel
To give the PlyRock system a finishing, use 100% high quali-
ty acrylic latex paint or coating. Always follow the manufac- Mesh for joints 15.91 feet / roll 59 m² / roll
turer's instructions. To guarantee the maximum perfor-
mance of the product, apply a 100% latex primer and paint Plyrock h= 8 feet 42 un. / panel
to all the areas that have been cut. PH8-125 screw
Plyrock h = 10 feet 55 un. / panel

Building Wrap 4 feet x 11.48 feet 39.2 m² / roll

NOTE:

The performance indicated for PlyRock mortar includes

the two coats described in the application steps.
The performance values may vary depending on the
application at the work site. These are recommended
values and they do not replace those calculates in a
STRUCTURE AMOUNTS detailed budget.
MATERIAL WALL HEIGHT PERFORMANCE
PE Profile 8 feet high @ 1.33 feet 0.108 un. / m² The Plycem Guarantee applies for the full PlyRock system, which
includes the panel, screws, mesh, and structure recommended by
PE Profile 10 feet high @ 1.33 feet 0.86 un. / m²
Plycem. The installation process should be made according to the
PE Profile 8 feet high @ 2 feet 0.71 un. / m² steps indicated in this manual.
PE Profile 10 feet high @ 2 feet 0.56 un. / m²
PA Profile 8 feet high 0.135 un. / m²
PA Profile 10 feet high 0.108 un. / m²
LH 8050 screw units 4 un / PE post

Structural recommendations presented here should be verified by an estimator engineer or suitable professional that adjusts them to the
specific requirements of the project and to the legal construction standards in each country.
Plycem assumes no liability regarding the information herein provided -even if prepared by specialists.

www.plycem.com Last revision: September 2016

 For more information contact us:

• Costa Rica (506) 2575-4300 • Suriname (0058) 414 302-8668, (593) 9 9800-2877
• El Salvador (503) 2251-9300 • Cuba, Guadalupe, Bahamas, Haití, Rep. Dominicana (506) 8707-4602
• Honduras (504) 2630-0730, (504) 2670-0456, Tegucigalpa (504) 2239-7954 • Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Barbados, Curazao, Bonaire,
• Nicaragua (505) 2278-4288 Aruba Caimán, Saint Marteen, Saint Thomas (001) 787 635-6974, (506)
• Guatemala (502) 2210-8181 8707-4602
• Panamá (507) 6462-5527 • Belice (503) 7856-9980
• Venezuela (0058) 414 302-3714, (0058) 414 302-7670 • UK (506) 8702-2729
• Ecuador, Bolivia, Colombia, Brasil, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay (593) 9 9800-2877 • USA +1 713-677-1241
• Perú (593) 9 9800-2877, (0051) 9 4557-2675 • Otro (506) 2575-4357

FIND US AT:

Certification number for:

The Plycem Company
Honduras: RE-008/01/2010, SGA-007/01/2010 e SySO-005/2010 A company with certified management system
El Salvador: RE-009/01/2010, SGA-008/01/2010 e SySO-006/2010
Scope at www.inteco.or.cr

Manufactured by:
PLYCEM Construsistemas Costa Rica S.A.
PLYCEM Construsistemas Honduras S.A. Occupational
PLYCEM Construsistemas El Salvador S.A. Enviroment Safety Quality