Trusscore Installation Hub

Whether you’re a do-it-yourselfer or a professional contractor, our Installation Help page has everything you need to know about installing Trusscore products, including step-by-step instructions for installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, Trusscore SlatWall, DockDeck by Trusscore, RibCore by Trusscore, and NorLock by Trusscore.

Pre-finished Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels weigh 40% less than drywall and install four times faster. Panels come with a pre-punched screw flange and a tongue and groove interlocking system, making installation a breeze for DIYers and contractors alike. Equipped with a set of basic tools, you can plan to have Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard installed in a single afternoon instead of days like drywall — plus, there's no mudding, taping, priming, or painting required.

To install most Trusscore products, you'll need a power saw, drill, tape measure, tin snips, putty knife, and silicone sealant (in wet environments only). However, some products will require a few additional or different tools. To see a full list of required tools for a specific product, download the product's installation guide on our Installation Help page.

Trusscore products are intended to be installed in an environment where the panels have been acclimatized to a temperature between 10° and 20°C (50° and 68°F) for at least 24 hours before installation. If you're installing Trusscore products below 10°C or 50°F, review and follow our Cold Temperature Installation Guidelines for best results. 

While the recommended maximum service temperature for Trusscore products is 50°C (122°F), we don't have a minimum temperature recommendation.

If you're using Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard in a high-moisture environment, we recommend installing the panels vertically. During installation, we also recommend applying a bead of silicone inside the grooved end of the panel and inside the entire length of each trim piece. Any kitchen and bath silicone will work. For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

To organize your space and attach items to your wall, we recommend installing Trusscore SlatWall. Trusscore SlatWall is a high-strength, on-the-wall storage solution that seamlessly integrates with Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels and can be instantly accessorized with snap-in hooks, baskets, and shelves. 

However, we understand Trusscore SlatWall may not meet your specific design needs. If you still want to mount or fasten items directly to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard, keep this advice in mind: 

• When hanging an item directly on a Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panel, items should never be directly fastened without back support.
• Lightweight items (i.e., less than 30 pounds) can be attached directly to Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard using adhesive hooks such as Command™ Hooks or using spring toggle bolt kits. 
• Moderate weight items should be fastened directly to the supporting structure of the wall or ceiling through Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard. Mounting holes should be slightly oversized to accommodate for expansion and contraction of the panel.
• Heavyweight items should be mounted directly to the supporting structure to avoid crushing your Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels. We recommend cutting away the Trusscore material at the mounting points and then using metal spacers (i.e., stack of washers or nuts) to keep heavy items flush to the Trusscore panels but not crush them.

For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard can be installed with any readily available corrosion-resistant #8/#10 gauge screws with a flat-bottomed, low profile head (i.e., truss head, pancake head, round or washer head, cabinet, and other low profile screws) and a minimum head diameter of 3/8”. We recommend different types of screws for different wall assemblies: 

Stainless steel screws are only required for highly corrosive or moist environments. For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

When installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard vertically, you'll need to use a screw every two feet of Trusscore panel or trim. When installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard horizontally, you'll need to use a screw on each stud location (usually every 16 or 24 inches).
For more information and installation tips, download our Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard Installation Guide.

The Trusscore Trusted Installer Program makes it easy to find a local professional to install Trusscore for you. Visit our Find an Installer page to connect with an installer in your area.

Trusscore does not act as a thermal barrier for plastic foam insulation. If building code requires a thermal barrier to surround plastic foam insulation, ensure a suitable barrier is in place before installing Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard or Trusscore SlatWall.

For more installation information for each Trusscore product, visit our Installation Help page.

When cutting Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard and Trusscore SlatWall panels to size, we recommend using a saw blade designed to cut vinyl products to avoid cracking or chipping the panels. We recommend using one of the following blades: ​ 

Alternatively, we recommend installing a standard saw blade in reverse direction. Coarse-toothed blades should be avoided. In cold weather, move your saw through the panel slowly to prevent chipping or cracking. We recommend performing a test cut, if possible, to confirm the performance of your cutting tool. 

If you need to cut holes into Trusscore panels for electrical boxes, lights, taps, and more, we recommend using one of these jigsaw, oscillating saw, or hole saw blades:

When creating a square cut-out, we recommend taking the following steps: 

1. Measure the location of the opening on the wall.  
2. Mark the perimeter of your opening on the panel.  
3. Drill a ½” hole in the corner of the required opening.
4. Insert the blade into the hole and proceed to cut out along your marked lines. If you’re making this cut after the panel has been installed, ensure the space behind the area to be cut is free of obstructions, electrical wires, plumbing, and any other object.​

For more information and installation tips for Trusscore products, download the product's installation guide on our Installation Help page.

There are several instances in which using silicone with Trusscore is necessary:

1. The most common will be whenever there is a presence of water on the panels. The amount of silicone used will differ depending on the application. In applications such as showers for example, a large amount of silicone is required to seal all panel seams, ends, and corners where water can penetrate. Refer to our Installing Trusscore in Shower Applications Guide for more details.
   An indoor pool, however, might use less silicone since the water is not constantly hitting the walls and you likely will only need to seal the bottom corner to direct water splashes away.

2. In commercial food processing applications. Trusscore Wall&CeilingBoard panels meet Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requirements for food preparation areas when used on non-food contact surfaces and all joints are sealed with an approved flexible caulking compound, such as MONO® SILICONE MAX™ in Canada or DAP Commercial Kitchen 100% Silicone Sealant in the USA.

3. For adhesion purposes. For example, when replacing a damaged Trusscore panel and fastening with screws is not an option, silicone must be applied to the back of the panel to hold it in place. Also, when installing Outside Corner Square trim, silicone is used to adhere the trim to the Trusscore panels instead of screws for a clean finish.

Each of these instances are unique in their requirements, so refer to our blog post Adhesives & Sealants 101: Everything You Need to Know for information on which silicone to use. Always consult the silicone manufacturer label to determine the best product to use for the surfaces in your application.

Following our Installation Guidelines will minimize the amount of last panels in your Trusscore project. When you do reach the last panel of your install, follow these tips for help with finishing the job.

1. Measure the remaining space where the last panel will be installed. Ensure you leave a ¼" gap at the top, bottom, and width of the panel.
2. Cut the panel to size, removing the groove (screw flange) side.
3. Using a putty knife(s), gently bend the top, bottom, and corner trim back to create enough space to insert the last panel into all trims.
4. Slide the panel back toward the previously installed panel, pressing firmly together to ensure a proper connection.
5. The last panel does not need to be fastened as it will be held in place by the trims.

Following these steps will help you successfully install the last panel, ensuring a professional and seamless finish.