A cladding system

Abstract

A cladding assembly for a building comprises a frame having a plurality of upright support members in use and transverse rails extending between the upright support members. The upright support memeb

Description

The present invention relates to a cladding system for buildings. Cladding is an outer skin applied to a building with the purpose of providing weather protection, insulation, and / or desired aesthetics. There are many different known cladding systems, involving a range and combination of materials and styles. Some cladding systems use composite panels or glass to provide the cladding surface. However, it is often desirable for the cladding to provide the appearance of traditional brickwork. One reason for using cladding to provide the effect of traditional brickwork is that the number of skilled bricklayers is decreasing so it is becoming more difficult, and in some cases prohibitively expensive, to implement traditional bricklaying methods. However, the resulting cladding panels are heavy and unwieldy. Some panels are sized up to 6 metres tall and 3 metres wide and they are difficult to handle, expensive to transport and difficult to manage onsite, requiring a large workforce to oversee installation. In addition, due to the weight of the cladding panels, it is required to use many mounting points to ensure that the cladding panels are secured to the building, which again increases the installation time and materials required on site. One solution is to simply make the panels in smaller sizes, and it is known to provide 0.5 m2 panels, however, the onsite assembly time is drastically increased with these panels as the workers are required to install significantly more panels to create the same finish as when using larger panels. Brick-slip cladding systems are also known, wherein the outer surface is provided by thin sections of traditional brick (referred to as ‘brick slips’). In some known systems, the brick slips are glued to a panel, which is then in turn fixed to the building to provide the cladding. The problem with using adhesives is that they will fail overtime, and further, in the event of a fire, when burned, the adhesives can release toxins which can travel throughout the building and intoxicate inhabitants distal to the source of the fire. It is therefore desirable to use an alternative solution to adhesives. In known brick-slip cladding systems, the supporting framework which supports the cladding panels is assembled onsite and the panels are then in turn installed on the framework. The gap between the panels where the brick slips from adjacent panels meet is then pointed. Again, with these systems, the panels are small (approximately 0.5 m2), meaning that there is still a significant amount of pointing required onsite, and the onsite time is considerable due to the pointing requirements and the assembly of the framework, mostly screwing “mechano” style systems together onsite. In some known cladding systems, the arrangements used for mounting the cladding panels to the building structure often do not provide a sufficient cavity between the panel and the building structure. A minimum cavity of 50 mm is recommended, and this cannot be obtained by some known systems. It is also known to clad interior or exterior walls with brick slips individually attached to an existing metal backing form with vertical studs and horizontal rails screwed to the vertical studs. Such brick slips are used where it is not structurally necessary to use bricks yet a “brick” finish is desired for decorative or aesthetic reasons. Brick slips can be formed by obtaining a thin slice from an outer face of a brick. Brick slips can also be formed by extruding material into the desired brick slip shape. Brick slips are not required to be made from brick and can be made from other materials such as concrete, clay, masonry or a composite material. Brick slips are typically attached to panels or other forms of backing layer. The brick slips are generally required to be precisely positioned to form a desired “brick-like” appearance of ordered rows of slip courses with joint gaps formed between adjacent brick slips and adjacent slip courses. The joint gaps are then typically filled in or pointed with mortar to form a desired final appearance that resembles a real brick wall. The panel can then be mounted on a building structure to form at least a portion of an outer wall or inner wall of a building structure. The current systems of mounting the brick slips onto existing backing panels consumes huge amount of time assembling the horizontal rails onto the vertical structural support studs as a result of having to mechanically fix each horizontal rail onto each spaced vertical structural support stud across the full height and width of the panel. It is therefore an object of the invention to obviate or mitigate the problems outlined above in relation to cladding systems and particularly brick slip cladding systems. According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a cladding assembly for a building, the cladding assembly comprising a frame having a plurality of upright support members in use and transverse rails extending between the plurality of upright support members, wherein the plurality of upright support members and transverse rails have a prefabricated means for receiving and securing the transverse rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members. Ideally, the prefabricated means for receiving and securing the horizontal rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members is operable without additional mechanical fixings. Advantageously, the use of a prefabricated receiving and securing means dramatically reduces the requirement for on site fixing using mechanical fixing means and reduces the amount of labour required to couple horizontal rails to upright support members as well as cutting out the cost of additional mechanical fixings. Ideally, the prefabricated means for receiving and securing the horizontal rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members is integrally formed into the transverse rails and / or the upright members. Ideally, the transverse rails are substantially horizontal in use. Preferably, the upright support members are vertical studs. Ideally, the upright support members are vertical structural support studs. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned means for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Ideally, the upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned means for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Ideally, the upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the plurality of upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises the plurality of horizontally aligned apertures for receiving the horizontal rails are all facing away from the building. Ideally, the plurality of horizontally aligned means for receiving the horizontal rails are all opening away from the building. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned support means for receiving the horizontal rails. Preferably, the plurality of upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned support means for receiving the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned slots for receiving the horizontal rails. Preferably, the plurality of upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned slots for receiving the horizontal rails. Ideally, the transverse rails comprise a means for engaging with the upright members. Preferably, the transverse rails comprises a means for engaging with brick slips. Preferably, each transverse rail comprises a means for engaging with two courses of brick slips, one above the other. Ideally, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of apertures / recesses / slots in the upright members corresponding in dimensions and shape to the dimensions and shape of the external profile of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures / recesses / slots in the upright members corresponding in dimension and shape to the dimension and shape of at least part of the external profile of the horizontal rails. Preferably, the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned opening in the upright members which have a reduced width entrance to the opening when compared to the width of the opening behind the entrance. Ideally, the transverse rails are adjustable allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use normal expanded position and a second in use compressed configuration so that the transverse rail can be mounted into the aligned openings of the upright members. Preferably, the transverse rails are adjustable about their cross-section allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use expanded normal configuration and a second in use compressed configuration. Advantageously, this allows the transverse rail to be compressed from the first expanded configuration into the second in use compressed configuration so it can pass through the reduced width entrance of the opening. Once passed therethrough, the transverse rail can be released to expand back into the fist expanded configuration to securely fasten the transverse rail to the upright members. Ideally, the profile of the transverse rail is open. Advantageously, this allows the cross section of the profile to be compressed. Preferably, the transverse rail is manufactured from a flexible material. Ideally, the transverse rail is manufactured from a flexible metal, preferably aluminium. Preferably, the transverse rail is extruded from a metal, preferably aluminium. In an alternative arrangement, the upright members have a plurality of horizontally aligned slots formed for receiving at least a portion of the profiled rails. Ideally, each transverse profiled rail is slid into the slot of the upright member at the end of the cladding assembly and slid between the upright members and into each adjacent aligned slot until the transverse profiled rail has passed all the way through into the upright member on the opposite side of the cladding assembly. Ideally, the cladding assembly is mountable to the building footings. Preferably, the cladding assembly is mountable to an inner leaf of a building. Ideally, the cladding assembly is couplable directly to an internal timber frame leaf. Ideally, the inner leaf provides lateral restraint only for the cladding assembly. Preferably, the cladding assembly is mounted onto the wall plate of the inner leaf. Ideally, the cladding assembly is mountable to a floor, preferably a floor cassette. The cladding panel may extend for at least 1 m, at least 2 m, at least 3 m, at least 4 m, at least 5 m or at least 6 m in one direction. The cladding panel may have a surface area of at least 1 m2, at least 4 m2, at least 9 m2, at least 16 m2, or at least 25 m2. Advantageously, despite large sizes, the cladding panel is not unwieldy due to being formed from lightweight materials. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a cladding panel for a building, the cladding panel comprising a frame, and transvers rails forming part of the frame, the rails being suitable for receiving brick slips or other covering elements thereto. The cladding panel may comprise any features in any combination of any cladding panel described above in relation to the cladding system. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a mounting means for mounting cladding panels to a building structure. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a building, wherein the building is cladded with a cladding system. The cladding system may comprise any features in any combination of the cladding system described above. Ideally, the building comprises a flat surface provided by a cladding panel mounted extending between two spaced apart floor slabs. Ideally, wherein one floor slab is located above the other floor slab. Ideally, the building comprises a stepped column provided by a cladding panel mounted extending between two spaced apart floor slabs. Ideally, wherein one floor slab is located above the other floor slab. Ideally, the building comprises a soffit surface and fascia surface provided by a cladding panel. Ideally, the majority of the building is cladded in the cladding system. Most preferably, at least 80%, 85%, 90% or 95% of the building is cladded in the cladding system. According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cladding a building with a cladding system as described above. Ideally, the panels are prefabricated before transport to a site for installation. Ideally, the covering elements are fitted to the rails, and spacing between the covering elements filled with mortar before or after transport to a site for installation. Ideally, the method comprises the step of installing a single panel extending from one floor to the floor directly above or below said floor. The method may comprise installing a plurality of panels adjacent to each other to clad the majority or entirety of a building. The method may comprise the step of fitting waterproof membranes and / or insulation between and / or around the panels. The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig 1 is a perspective view of a cladding assembly comprising a set of transverse rails located on an upright member; Fig 2 is a vertical section view of the rail showing a first arrangement for attaching brick slips to the rails; Fig 2a is a detail view of the connection between the rail, the upright member and the brick slip; Figure 2b is an end view of the rail comprising the brick slip attachment arrangement; Fig 3 is a vertical section view of the rail showing a second arrangement for attaching brick slips to the rails; Fig 3a is a detail view of the connection between a second embodiment of rail, a second embodiment of upright member and the brick slip; Figure 3b is an end view of the second embodiment of rail comprising the second arrangement of brick slip attachment assembly; Figure 4 is a section elevation view of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 4a is a detail view of the foundations section of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 5 is a section elevation view of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 5a is a detail view of the first floor area of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 6 is a section elevation view of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 6a is a detail view of the eaves section of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 7 is a section elevation view of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Figure 7a is a detail view of a window section of an external wall construction of a two storey building with the cladding assembly of the invention; Fig 8 is perspective view of a set of horizontal rails located on two vertical structural support studs which are connected to an internal timber frame structure; Figure 9 shows a cross sections view of a panel mounted using mounting brackets; Figure 10 is a detail view of the panel connection; Figure 11 is a vertical section view of an upright member of another embodiment of cladding assembly; Figure 12 is a vertical section view of an upright member of another embodiment of cladding assembly with rails mounted thereon; Figure 13 is a top plan view of the upright member of Figure 11; Figure 12A is a detail view of detail A of Figure 12; Figure 12B is a detail view of detail B of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a front elevation view of the cladding assembly of Figures 11 to 13; Figure 15 is a top plan view of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a front elevation view of the cladding assembly of Figures 11 to 15 with brick slips fitted onto the rails; Figure 17 is a vertical section view of the cladding assembly of Figure 16 with brick slips fitted onto the rails; Figure 17C is a detail view of detail C of Figure 17; Figure 18 is a section view of the rail of the cladding assembly of Figures 11 to 17; Figure 19 is a section view of the rail of the cladding assembly of Figures 11 to 17 at a 4:1 scale; Figure 20 is an perspective view of the rail of Figures 18 and 19 and a detail view of detail A. Referring to the drawings and initially to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a cladding assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for a building, see Figures 4 to 9. The cladding assembly 1 has a frame 2 having a plurality of support members 3 upright in use and transverse rails 4 extending between the plurality of upright support members 3. The plurality of upright support members 3 and transverse rails 4 have a prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the transverse rails 4 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 3. The prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the horizontal rails 4 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 3 is operable without additional mechanical fixings. Advantageously, the use of a prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement significantly reduces the requirement for on-site fixing using mechanical fixing elements and reduces the amount of labour required to couple horizontal rails to upright support members using mechanical fixing as well as cutting out the cost of additional mechanical fixings. The prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the horizontal rails 4 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 3 is integrally formed into the transverse rails 4 and the upright members 3. The transverse rails 4 are horizontal in use. The upright support members 3 are vertical studs. The upright support members 3 are vertical structural support studs 3. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned openings 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The upright members 3 have a plurality of horizontally aligned opening 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The upright members 3 have a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The plurality of upright members 3 have a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses 5 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 4. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises the plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 5 for receiving the horizontal rails 5 all facing away from the building. The plurality of horizontally aligned openings 5 of the upright members for receiving the horizontal rails 4 are all opening away from the building. In Figures 3, the prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 5 for receiving the horizontal rails 4. The plurality of upright members 4 have a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 5 for receiving the horizontal rails 4. The transverse rails 4 have a part of their profile formed for engaging with the upright members 3. The transverse rails 4 also have a part of their profile formed for engaging with brick slips. Each transverse rail 4 has a protruding part of their profile formed for engaging with and partly retaining two courses of brick slips, one above the other. The transverse rails 4 have a body part 7 formed for engaging with the opening 5 of the upright members 3. The transverse rails 4 have a protruding part 7 formed for engaging with the brick slips. The protruding part 7 of the transverse rails comprises an upwardly extending peripheral lip 8 and spaced apart rib 9 for receiving a lower formation 10 of a brick slip 11. The protruding part 7 of the transverse rails 4 also comprises an upwardly depending wall 11 with a roof 12 and a downwardly depending peripheral skirt 14 for receiving a lower formation 10 of a brick slip 17. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of apertures / recesses / slots 5 in the upright members 3 corresponding in dimensions and shape to the dimensions and shape of the external profile of the horizontal rails 4. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures / recesses / slots 5 in the upright members 3 corresponding in dimension and shape to the dimension and shape of at least part of the external profile of the horizontal rails 4. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned opening 5 in the upright members 3 which have a reduced width entrance 15 to the opening 5 when compared to the width of the opening 5 behind the entrance. The transverse rails 4 are adjustable allowing the transverse rails 4 to be adjusted between a first in use normal expanded position as shown in Figures 2 to 2b and a second in use compressed configuration so that the transverse rails 4 can be compressed to pass through the reduced width opening 15 into the aligned openings 5 of the upright members 3. The transverse rails 4 are adjustable about their cross-section allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use expanded normal configuration and a second in use compressed configuration. Advantageously, this allows the transverse rail 4 to be compressed from the first expanded configuration into the second in use compressed configuration so the compressed rails 4 can pass through the reduced width entrance 15 of the opening 5. Once passed therethrough, the transverse rails 4 can be released to expand back into the fist expanded configuration to securely fasten the transverse rails 4 to the upright members 3. The profile of the transverse rail 4 is open. Advantageously, this allows the cross section of the profile of the rail 4 to be compressed. The transverse rail 4 is manufactured from a flexible material. The transverse rail 4 is manufactured from a flexible metal, preferably aluminium. The transverse rail 4 is extruded from a metal, preferably aluminium. The flexibility of the rails 4 also assist with the manual attaching of the brick slips. In an alternative arrangement illustrated in figures 3 to 3b, the upright members 3 have a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 5 formed for receiving at least a portion of the profiled rails 4. Each transverse profiled rail 4 is slid into the slot 5 of the upright member 3 at the end of the cladding assembly 1 and slid between the upright members 3 and into each adjacent aligned slot 5 until the transverse profiled rail 4 has passed all the way through into the upright member 3 on the opposite side of the cladding assembly 1. The cladding assembly 1 is mounted to a building footing as illustrated in Figure 4a. The cladding assembly 1 has an upright member 3 fixed to the footings 21. A minimum 50 mm cavity is provided between the upright stud 3 and the inner leaf 22. Internal floors 23 are provided as well as a vapour control membrane 24 and a DPC 25. Spaced timber studs 26 with insulation 27 form the internal leaf 22. A vapour control layer 28, an OSB sheathing 29 and a thermo reflective breather membrane 30 are other typical although not limiting aspects of the construction of the outer wall. Referring now to Figure 5a, the cladding assembly 1 is mounted to a floor or floor cassette 31 using a metal and preferably stainless steel mounting bracket 32 fixing the vertical stud 3 to the floor or floor cassette 31. DPC 25 is provided and spaced timber studs 26 with insulation 27 form the internal leaf 22. A vapour control layer 28, an OSB sheathing 29 and a thermo reflective breather membrane 30 are other typical although not limiting aspects of the construction of the outer wall. Referring now to Figure 6a, the cladding assembly 1 is mounted to a wall plate using a metal and preferably stainless steel mounting bracket 32 fixing the vertical stud 3 to the wall plate. DPC 25 is provided and spaced timber studs 26 with insulation 27 form the internal leaf 22. A vapour control layer 28, an OSB sheathing 29 and a thermo reflective breather membrane 30 are other typical although not limiting aspects of the construction of the outer wall. A fire barrier 35 is also provided. Referring now to Figure 7a, a window detail is shown with the cladding assembly 1 is mounted to a floor or floor cassette 31 using a metal and preferably stainless steel mounting bracket 32 fixing the vertical stud 3 to the floor or floor cassette 31. DPC 25 is provided and spaced timber studs 26 with insulation 27 form the internal leaf 22. A vapour control layer 28, an OSB sheathing 29 and a thermo reflective breather membrane 30 are other typical although not limiting aspects of the construction of the outer wall. A cavity closer 38 is also provided. Referring to Figure 8 the cladding assembly 1 is mounted to an inner leaf 22 of a building. The cladding assembly is coupled directly to an internal timber frame leaf 22. The inner leaf 22 provides lateral restraint only for the cladding assembly 1. The vertical studs 3 of the cladding assembly 1 is mounted onto the wall plate of the inner leaf 22. Referring to Figures 9 and 10 the cladding assembly 1 is mounted to a cladding installation system for a building, the cladding installation system comprising a cladding mounted assembly for aiding cladding installation and a building mounted assembly for aiding cladding installation. The cladding mounted assembly has an arrangement for locating the cladding onto the building mounted assembly and has an assembly for guiding the cladding into position relative to cladding or building structure below and / or above. The building mounted assembly comprising an arrangement for guiding and locating the cladding into a final in situ position on the building and for supporting the weight of the cladding in its final in situ position. The cladding installation system being adapted for guiding, locating and securely mounting the cladding to a building structure simply by lowering the cladding into its final in situ position. The cladding panel may extend for at least 1 m, at least 2 m, at least 3 m, at least 4 m, at least 5 m or at least 6 m in one direction. The cladding panel may have a surface area of at least 1 m2, at least 4 m2, at least 9 m2, at least 16 m2, or at least 25 m2. Advantageously, despite large sizes, the cladding panel is not unwieldy due to being formed from lightweight materials. Referring to the drawings and now to Figures 11 to 20, there is shown a further embodiment of cladding assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 41 for a building, see Figures 14 to 17. The cladding assembly 41 has a frame 42 having a plurality of support members 43 upright in use and transverse rails 44 extending between the plurality of upright support members 43. The plurality of upright support members 43 and transverse rails 44 have a prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the transverse rails 44 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 43. The prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the horizontal rails 44 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 43 is operable without additional mechanical fixings. Advantageously, the use of a prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement significantly reduces the requirement for on-site fixing using mechanical fixing elements and reduces the amount of labour required to couple horizontal rails to upright support members using mechanical fixing as well as cutting out the cost of additional mechanical fixings. The prefabricated arrangement for receiving and securing the horizontal rails 44 into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members 43 is integrally formed into the transverse rails 44 and the upright members 43. The transverse rails 44 are horizontal in use. The upright support members 43 are vertical studs. The upright support members 43 are vertical structural support studs 43. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned openings 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The upright members 43 have a plurality of horizontally aligned opening 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The upright members 43 have a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The plurality of upright members 43 have a plurality of horizontally aligned recesses 45 for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails 44. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises the plurality of horizontally aligned apertures 45 for receiving the horizontal rails 44 all facing away from the building. The plurality of horizontally aligned openings 45 of the upright members for receiving the horizontal rails 44 are all opening away from the building. In Figures 11 and 12, the prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 45 for receiving the horizontal rails 44. The plurality of upright members 43 have a plurality of horizontally aligned slots 45 for receiving the horizontal rails 44. The transverse rails 44 have a part of their profile formed for engaging with the upright members 43. The transverse rails 44 also have a part of their profile formed for engaging with brick slips. Each transverse rail 44 has a protruding part of their profile formed for engaging with and partly retaining two courses of brick slips 51, see Figures 17 and 17c, one above the other. The transverse rails 44 have a body part 47 formed for engaging with the opening 45 of the upright members 43. The transverse rails 44 have a protruding part 48 formed for engaging with the brick slips. The protruding part 47 of the transverse rails comprises a pair of spaced apart prongs with a j-shaped hook 49 at the free end of each rail, each J-shaped hook having an inclined surface extending from the free end of the hook towards the other spaced apart hook creating a triangular head hook having a width greater than the rail with the inclined surface returning to the rail creating a catch surface. The horizontally aligned slots 45 comprise pairs of recessed apertures each having an inclined surface narrowing the opening of the aperture into the body of the upright member with each inclined surface turning away to diverge the opening, creating a catch surface behind the inclined surface. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement comprises a plurality of apertures / recesses / slots 45 in the upright members 43 corresponding in dimensions and shape to the dimensions and shape of the external profile of the horizontal rails 44. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned apertures / recesses / slots 45 in the upright members 43 corresponding in dimension and shape to the dimension and shape of at least part of the external profile of the horizontal rails 44. The prefabricated receiving and securing arrangement has a plurality of horizontally aligned opening 45 in the upright members 43 which have a reduced width entrance to the opening 45 when compared to the width of the opening 45 behind the entrance. The transverse rails 44 are adjustable allowing the transverse rails 44 to be adjusted between a first in use normal position as shown in Figures 12a to 12b and a second in use expanded configuration so that the transverse rails 44 can be expanded to pass through the reduced width opening 45 into the aligned openings 55 of the upright members 43. The transverse rails 44 are adjustable about their cross-section allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use normal configuration and a second in use expanded configuration. Advantageously, this allows the transverse rail 44 to be expanded from the first configuration into the second in use configuration so the expanded rails 44 can pass through the reduced width entrance 45 of the opening 45. Once passed therethrough, the transverse rails 44 can be released to resiliently return back into the fist configuration to securely fasten the transverse rails 44 to the upright members 43. The profile of the transverse rail 44 is open. Advantageously, this allows the cross section of the profile of the rail 44 to be expanded. The transverse rail 4 is manufactured from a flexible material. The transverse rail 44 is manufactured from a flexible metal, preferably aluminium. The transverse rail 44 is extruded from a metal, preferably aluminium. The flexibility of the rails 4 also assist with the manual attaching of the brick slips. The skilled person will appreciate that all preferred or optional features of the invention described with reference to only some aspects or embodiments of the invention may be applied to all aspects of the invention. It will be appreciated that optional features applicable to one aspect of the invention can be used in any combination, and in any number. Moreover, they can also be used with any of the other aspects of the invention in any combination and in any number. This includes, but is not limited to, the dependent claims from any claim being used as dependent claims for any other claim in the claims of this application. In relation to the detailed description of the different embodiments of the invention, it will be understood that one or more technical features of one embodiment can be used in combination with one or more technical features of any other embodiment where the transferred use of the one or more technical features would be immediately apparent to a 5 person of ordinary skill in the art to carry out a similar function in a similar way on the other embodiment. The features disclosed in the foregoing description or the following drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or a process of attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may separately, or in 10 any combination of such features be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A cladding assembly for a building, the cladding assembly comprising a frame having a plurality of upright support members in use and transverse rails extending between the plurality of upright support members, wherein the plurality of upright support members and transverse rails have a prefabricated means for receiving and securing the transverse rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members.

2. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in claim 1, wherein the prefabricated means for receiving and securing the horizontal rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members is operable without additional mechanical fixings.

3. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the prefabricated means for receiving and securing the horizontal rails into their final in use position on the plurality of upright support members is integrally formed into the transverse rails and / or the upright members.

4. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the prefabricated receiving and securing means or upright support members comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned means or horizontally aligned apertures or horizontally aligned recesses or horizontally aligned support means or plurality of horizontally aligned slots for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails.

5. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in claim 4, wherein the plurality of horizontally aligned means or horizontally aligned apertures or horizontally aligned recesses or horizontally aligned support means or plurality of horizontally aligned slots for receiving at least part of the horizontal rails are all facing away from the building and / or are all opening away from the building.

6. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse rails comprise a means for engaging with the upright members and a means for engaging with brick slips.

7. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each transverse rail comprises a means for engaging with two courses of brick slips, one above the other.

8. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned means or horizontally aligned apertures or horizontally aligned recesses or horizontally aligned support means or plurality of horizontally aligned slots in the upright members for receiving at least part of thehorizontal rails and corresponding in dimensions and shape to the dimensions and shape of at least part of the external profile of the horizontal rails.

9. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in claim 4, or any one of claims 5 to 7 when dependent on claim 4, wherein the prefabricated receiving and securing means comprises a plurality of horizontally aligned means or horizontally aligned apertures or horizontally aligned recesses or horizontally aligned support means or plurality of horizontally aligned slots in the upright members which have a reduced width entrance to the opening when compared to the width of the opening behind the entrance.

10. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse rails are adjustable allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use normal expanded position and a second in use compressed configuration so that the transverse rail can be mounted into the aligned openings of the upright members.

11. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse rails are adjustable about their cross-section allowing the transverse rails to be adjusted between a first in use expanded normal configuration and a second in use compressed configuration.

12. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the profile of the transverse rail is open which allows the cross section of the profile to be compressed and / or expanded.

13. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transverse rail is manufactured from a flexible material and / or the transverse rail is manufactured from a flexible metal, preferably aluminium.

14. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding assembly is mountable to the building footings and / orthe cladding assembly is mountable to an inner leaf of a building and / or the cladding assembly is couplable directly to an internal timber frame leaf and / or the inner leaf provides lateral restraint only for the cladding assembly and / orthe cladding assembly is mounted onto the wall plate of the inner leaf and / or the cladding assembly is mountable to a floor, preferably a floor cassette.

15. A cladding assembly for a building as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cladding panel may extend for at least 1 m, at least 2 m, at least 3 m, at least 4 m, at least 5 m or at least 6 m in one direction and / or the cladding panel may have a surface area of at least 1 m2, at least 4 m2, at least 9 m2, at least 16 m2, or at least 25 m2.

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