2-Piece Nova Vita Installation Guide

Door jamb widths must be established before skirting is installed.

Example Door Jamb Calculation

For an 820mm wide door allow for:

• Door leaf width = 820mm
• Clearance between door and jamb = 3mm each side (6mm total)
• Door jamb thickness = 22mm each side (44mm total)
• Additional tolerance = 3mm each side (6mm total)

Total external door jamb clearance: 820 + 6 + 44 + 6 = 876mm.

Frame opening should be another 10mm (886mm) to allow for packing.

Mark this width centrally on the floor within the framed opening.

These marks become the skirting termination points and control final door jamb alignment.

The 2-Piece Nova Vita system consists of:

• Upper section – fixed
• Lower section – loose during installation

Cutting & Set-Out

• Keep upper and lower pieces together while cutting to length
• Cut neatly between door opening termination points and internal and external corners
• Use 45° mitres at corners
• Use splice joints over studs for straight joins – butt joints are not acceptable

Positioning

• Place a floor thickness packer under the skirting equal to the finished floor thickness
• Position the lower skirting section loose on top of the packer
• Insert a 10mm spacer into the groove between upper and lower sections of skirting to maintain consistent groove alignment
• Fix upper skirting section only

Fixing Requirements

• Timber frame: nail or screw fix
• Steel frame: screw fix only

Fixing Centres

• Fix into every stud
• Maximum 600mm centres

Minimum Fixing Requirement

• Minimum 1 screw or 2 nails through the ribbed section at each stud

Leave the floor thickness packers in place and temporarily position lower skirting section while plasterboard is installed and joints are set and finished.

IMPORTANT

• Do not permanently fix the lower skirting section at this stage
• Upper skirting section must be fixed to framing, not plasterboard
• Accurate set-out is critical for final jamb alignment
• No noggins are required

Once the upper skirting is fully installed, install plasterboard sheets down onto the top edge of the upper skirting.

Ensure:

• Tight, flush contact between plasterboard and skirting
• No visible gaps
• Sheets are straight, plumb, and flush

Fix plasterboard to framing as per the plasterboard manufacturer’s specifications.

Before fixing sheets, confirm final door jamb widths and heights align with the previously marked jamb positions.

Extend plasterboard sheets 50mm past the finished door opening on all sides and top. This overhang allows accurate trimming and a clean, flush finish once door jambs are installed.

Do not cut plasterboard back to frame or jamb lines at this stage.

Before setting, brush down the ribbed top section of the skirting to remove dust and debris.

Set all plasterboard joints, including the junction where plasterboard meets the Nova Vita skirting profile.

Jointing Requirements

• Use FibaFuse or paper joint tape only – non‑approved tape voids warranty
• Position tape centrally within the joint
• Bottom edge of tape must finish 5–10mm above the base of the ribbed section

Apply plaster set and accessories strictly in accordance with the plaster manufacturer’s instructions.

Recommended plaster products:

• USG Boral
• CSR

IMPORTANT: Crack Prevention

To minimise cracking at the skirting and plasterboard junction:

• Allow compound to fully dry between coats as per manufacturer specifications
• Typical drying times:
  • Approximately 24 hours in normal conditions
  • Up to 48 hours in cool conditions
• Do not rush coats

Refer to USG Boral plaster instructions for full compliance.

Once plastering is complete:

• Remove the temporarily positioned lower skirting section
• Install timber or tiled flooring
• Reinstall lower skirting section

Maintain:

• 3mm expansion gap between skirting and floor
• 10mm groove alignment maintained

Fixing Requirements – Lower Section

Fix into every stud using:

• 90–135mm wide: min. 2 fixings per stud
• 185–235mm wide: min. 3 fixings per stud
• 285mm wide: min. 4 fixings per stud

The base of the lower skirting may require planing or scribing to maintain both 10mm groove and 3mm expansion gap.

Before painting, fill the expansion gap using a flexible paintable gap filler applied with a caulking gun.

IMPORTANT

• Do not install the lower section until flooring is complete
• Maintain the full 3mm expansion gap
• Remove excess plaster from the lower section before reinstalling

Install door jambs using the pre‑established opening widths and skirting termination points.

This ensures:

• Correct jamb fitment
• Flush alignment with Nova Vita skirting
• Consistent junctions between wall, skirting and opening

Ensure jambs are square, plumb and flush with finished wall surfaces.

IMPORTANT: Do not alter door opening widths after skirting installation. Skirting position controls final jamb alignment. Inaccurate set-out may affect:

• Door operation
• Visual alignment
• Final finish quality

Door Jamb Installation Notes

• Temporarily fix the two jamb components together before cutting to length to assist alignment
• Cut mitres to:
  • Top of stiles
  • Ends of head jamb
• Assemble mitres using PVA glue and nails or screws
• Trim plasterboard opening to suit jamb size, allowing 3mm clearance around the internal jamb rebate. A Makita DSD180 or similar plasterboard cutting tool is recommended for clean, accurate trimming
• Use packers on framing studs to install jambs plumb and square

Jamb Assembly Sequence

Nova Vita door jambs are a 2‑piece system, so ensure you:

• Install the rebate/grooved component first by sliding it into the plaster opening from the door side of the wall and fixing to the framing studs
• Install the second component from the other side of the wall where the tongue of this piece should slide into the groove of the first jamb component

Door Hardware

Once jamb installation is complete, doors are ready to hang.

Recommended hinges:

• Herline
• Fast Fix (offset knuckle)
• Concealed hinges – small thickness body to suit 22mm thick jamb, eg: CEAM door hinge (CEAM-BAC1230S)

A long‑lip striker is required to suit the wider rebate detail.