TuffBlock

TuffBlock is a Nichiha architectural wall panel (AWP) in the Modern Series, made of fiber cement. It is textured and colored to evoke the look and mass of stone block, with a matte, moderately textured surface and subtle color variation. The texture is more pronounced than that of ArchitecturalBlock, the other block-look panel in the series. The panel is engineered with a built-in rainscreen.

TuffBlock is among the rainscreen wall panels Nichiha lists for commercial and residential facades. The Modern Series text contrasts its panels with glass.

TuffBlock has five standard earth-tone colors. Custom colors are available by special order through Color Xpressions, with matching aluminum trim accessories and no minimum order.

• Steel
• Bamboo
• Pewter
• Walnut
• Taupe
• Custom color

TuffBlock is made in one format, AWP 1818.

• Height: 17-7/8 in. (455 mm)
• Length: 71-9/16 in. (1818 mm)
• Thickness: 5/8 in. (16 mm)
• Exposed coverage: 8.88 square feet per panel
• Packaging: 2 pieces per pack, 17.76 square feet
• Edges: shiplapped on all four edges

A TuffBlock panel weighs 39.71 pounds, or 4.47 pounds per square foot. ArchitecturalBlock has the same dimensions, thickness and weight.

Test results published for the panel:

• ASTM E84 and CAN-ULC S102: flame spread 0, smoke developed 0
• NFPA 285 compliant assemblies
• CAN/ULC S134 compliant assemblies
• Rainscreen passes AAMA 509 (W1, V1) and ASTM E331 with no water leakage into the wall cavity
• Tested to Florida TAS 202/203 at a design pressure of 95 psf
• Miami-Dade approved for High Velocity Hurricane Zones

TuffBlock installs horizontally with concealed mechanical fastening by the Ultimate Clip and a starter track. Behind TuffBlock, the rainscreen creates a drainage and ventilation cavity. The cavity is 3/8 in. (10 mm). Factory gaskets on the top and right sides prevent water intrusion and keep spacing even.

• Approved substrates: braced wood or light-gauge steel framing with exterior sheathing, CMU or CBS walls with vertical furring, structural insulated panels, pre-engineered metal framing
• Weather-resistive barrier required
• Maximum stud spacing: 16 in. on center
• Vertical control joints on walls wider than 30 ft
• Horizontal compression joints at floor lines in multi-story installations

TuffBlock carries a 15-year limited product warranty and a 15-year factory-finish warranty. The panel warranty extends by 5 years, to 20 years in total, if panels are refinished in year 14 or 15 under Nichiha guidelines.

ArchitecturalBlock has a micro-embossed grain and comes in three earth tones: Gray, Mocha and Tuscan. TuffBlock has the deeper texture. Photographs pair TuffBlock in Steel with Illumination in Fog, and ArchitecturalBlock in Tuscan with Ribbed in a custom color.

Modern Series, AWP 1818, 5/8 inch thick, 39.71 pounds per panel, 4.47 pounds per square foot, 8.88 square feet exposed, five colors plus custom.