[0001] The present invention relates to cladding systems. The invention is concerned especially, though not exclusively, with cladding systems for walls of buildings.

[0002] The term wall used herein is to be construed broadly. The wall may be an exterior wall or a wall inside a building. The wall may be vertical or it may be inclined. It may comprise a continuous surface or an interrupted surface. The wall may be of any material.

[0003] The walls of industrial and commercial and residential buildings are commonly constructed with bare-faced and unfinished surfaces. Such walls usually need to be covered or clad with weather-proof materials. In the case of cladding materials, an underlying lattice needs to be placed on the wall so that the cladding materials can in turn be secured onto the lattice. Various types of cladding materials are used, such as wood panels, sheet metal liners, ceramic tiles, etc. which all need to be individually secured to the underlying lattice by means of e.g. cementing, nailing, bolting, tacking, etc.

[0004] There are several disadvantages relating to the use of known cladding systems. The underlying lattice needs to be placed onto the wall with great skill. All lattice parts need to be aligned within a narrow tolerance range, especially when a large surface area is to be clad. This is quite labour-intensive. Individual securing of panels, liners, tiles, etc. is time-consuming. It also requires the use of a lot of securing material such as cement, adhesive, nails, etc. In particular when using cement or adhesive, only small tracts of surface area can be clad at a time.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative cladding system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cladding system that can be easily mounted on and removed from a wall.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a cladding system that requires a minimum use of material.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cladding system that requires a minimum of skill and labour for mounting on or removal from a wall. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a cladding system which can be mounted rapidly on large wall surface areas.

[0006] According to the invention, a cladding system for cladding a surface such as a wall of a building comprises:

(a) an underlying lattice that comprises a number of upright rails, whereby an upright rail comprises a base that can be secured flush against the object wall and a longitudinal branching section extending away from the base at an angle to the base of the rail, whereby the longitudinal branching section comprises a series of vertically spaced shanks cut out along its length, whereby as seen in a horizontal direction extending away from the base of the upright rail, a shank comprises a cut-out profile that comprises first functional fastening means for the purpose of mutual engagement with liner panels comprised in an outer membrane, and

(b) an outer membrane that comprises a number of rows of profiled liner panels which extend substantially in a horizontal direction across the wall surface, whereby a liner panel comprises an elongate face, and whereby the longitudinal edges at the top and bottom of the panel are bent into flanges directed towards the back of the panel, which top-edge and bottom-edge flanges comprise second functional fastening means for the purpose of mutual engagement with the shanks of the upright rails of the underlying lattice, whereby the first functional fastening means and the second functional fastening means form a pair of mutually engaging hooks.

[0007] A technical advantage is that the cladding system comprises parts that are simple and cheap to manufacture. Another technical advantage is that the parts comprise a simple interlocking system and can thus be assembled easily and quickly. [0008] Preferably, the cut-out profile of the shank comprises a horizontal section that extends upwards into an upright wall whereby the top edge of the upright wall is substantially flat at its end farthest away from the base of the upright rail, and as seen in the direction of the base of the upright rail it slopes downwards at an angle and subsequently vertically, flattening out, then turning upright again and angling upwards and back in a direction away from the base of the upright rail to form a notch or recess above the shank between the upright wall and the longitudinal branching section of the upright rail. A technical advantage is that this cut-out profile incorporates features that ease both the insertion and the removal of the flanges of a liner panel in or from the notch or recess, respectively.

[0009] Preferably, the notch or recess is provided with a number of its inner corners bevelled or rounded off. An advantage is that this provides for easy clamping of the flanges of a liner panel in the notch or recess.

[0010] Preferably, in a state of engagement of a liner panel with an upright rail, the second functional fastening means clamp over and abut against at least a part of the first functional fastening means. An advantage is that the flanges of a liner panel fit tightly in the notch or recess of an upright rail, thus minimizing any relative movement of the liner panel. Any rattling is thus also minimized.

[0010] More preferably, the second functional fastening means of the liner panels (4) further comprise third functional fastening means for the purpose of clickable engagement with the first functional fastening means, in particular with the notch or recess of the cut-out profile of a shank of the upright rail. This is advantageous in that a securing effect is provided, with further minimizing of any relative movement of the liner panel.

[0011] Preferably, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in adjacent rows of the outer membrane, the top-edge flange of the lower liner panel clamps over and abuts against at least a part of the cut-out profile of a shank of the upright rail shared by the lower and upper liner panels and the bottom-edge flange of the upper liner panel clamps over and abuts against at least a part of the top-edge flange of the lower liner panel where the top-edge flange clamps over and abuts against at least a part of the cut-out profile of the shared shank of the upright rail. An advantage is that both liner panels are clamped at least at the position of the shank they share.

[0012] More preferably, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in adjacent rows of the outer membrane the second downwardly inclining wall which bends further downwards and towards the back of the bottom-edge flange of the upper liner panel lies between (i) the second upright wall, which bends upward into a final incline, of the top-edge flange of the bottom-end liner panel in the notch or recess of the shank of the upright rail and (ii) the open space between the top edge of the upright wall of the shank and the underside of the horizontal section of the neighbouring shank above. An advantage is that mounted liner panels are retained against any suction action, e.g. in high-wind conditions.

[0013] More preferably, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in adjacent rows of the outer membrane, the bottom-edge flange of the upper liner panel clamps over and abuts against at least a part of the top-edge flange of the lower liner panel along their overlapping lengths An advantage is that both liner panels are additionally clamped along their overlapping edges, both above and below, which imparts additional structural strength to the assembled cladding. [0014] Preferably, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in the same row of the outer membrane, a liner panel is adjacent to either a similar, neighbouring liner panel, a side-end panel, a bottom-end panel or a top-end panel or an accessory panel. An advantage is that each and every mounted liner panel is joined to at least one other liner panel and thus secured. A great structural strength is thus collectively im- parted to the assembled cladding.

[0015] More preferably, a side-end panel, a bottom-end panel, a top-end panel and an accessory panel all comprise a flange identical to either the bottom-edge flange or the top-edge flange of a liner panel. An advantage is that all types of liner panels comprised in the cladding system according to the invention can be provide with uniform clamping features.

[0016] Preferably, a liner panel, a side-end panel, a bottom-end panel, a top-end panel and an accessory panel further comprise flanges at the longitudinal ends of the panel, whereby these end flanges are provided at an angle and towards the back of the liner panel. An advantage is that ingress of e.g. rain and other elements behind the face of the liner panel is restricted. Other advantage are that these end flanges ensure that the face remains substantially planar and they also impart additional strength to the liner panels. [0017] Preferably, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in the same row of the outer membrane, the longitudinal end-to-end area of the neighbouring liner panels is covered by means of a bull strap. An advantage is that there is some room for horizontal repositioning of the liner panels without the possibility of any gap seeming to appear between the adjacent longitudinal ends of neighbouring liner panels in the same row.

[0018] Preferably, the bull strap comprises means for insertion behind a liner panel and means for clamping against the underside of the top-edge flange of the liner panel. An advantage is that this provides for rapid mounting and systematic alignment of the liner panels onto the underlying lattice.

[0019] Preferably, the bull strap comprises a U-shape that, in a state of engagement of neighbouring liner panels in the same row of the outer membrane, encloses the nearest side-end flanges of the neighbouring liner panels within the flanks or legs of its U- shape. An advantage is that further structural strength is imparted to the cladding. Another advantage is that the possibility of any gap seeming to appear between the adjacent longitudinal ends of neighbouring liner panels in the same row is reduced to nil.

[0020] The above and further preferred embodiments and technical advantages of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a cladding system in accordance with the invention used for cladding a wall of a building;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a profiled liner panel of the cladding system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an upright rail of a cladding system in accor- dance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a bottom-end liner panel of a cladding system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a profiled liner connected to an upright rail of a cladding system in accordance with the invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a profiled liner panel and a bottom-end liner panel connected to an upright rail of a cladding system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a corner-wall cladding profiled liner panel and a bottom-end liner panel connected to an upright rail of a cladding system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a profiled liner panel and a so-called bull strap in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the rear of a part of a cladding system in accor- dance with the invention used for cladding a wall of a building.

[0021] Referring to Figure 1, the cladding system involves an underlying lattice 1 comprising a number of upright rails 2 and an outer membrane 3 comprising a number of rows of profiled liner panels 4 which extend substantially in a horizontal direction across the wall surface (not shown). A panel in a row abuts either its neighbouring panel (e.g. panel 5), a side-end panel (e.g. panel 6), a bottom-end panel (e.g. panel 7) or a top-end panel (not shown) or an accessory panel (e.g. panel 8 which depicts a ledge). Neighbouring panels in adjacent rows (e.g. panels 4 and 9) overlap each other along their longitudinal edges. The liner panels vary in length and breadth which allows that the spacing 10 between the panels in a row and the spacing 11 between panels in adjacent rows are adjustable. The liner panels may comprise any suitable plastically deform- able material. The liner panels are preferably made of sheet metal.

[0022] Referring to Figure 2, a profiled liner panel 4 in accordance with the invention comprises an elongate face F, such as a rectangular face in this example, or a square face. The longitudinal edges at the top and bottom of the panel are bent into flanges directed towards the back of the panel. The top-edge and bottom-edge flanges T, B comprise differing profiles. These flanges embody functional hooks. Starting from the top edge of the upright face of the liner panel towards the back, its top-edge flange T comprises a first horizontal or slightly sloping base 12 that extends into a first upright wall 13 which in turn extends into a second horizontal or slightly sloping base 14, further extending into a second upright wall 15 which bends upward into a final incline 16. Starting from the bottom edge of the upright face of the liner panel towards the back, its bottom-edge flange B comprises a first horizontal or slightly sloping base 17 that ex- tends into a first upright wall 18 which in turn extends into a second horizontal or slightly sloping base 19, further extending into a second downwardly inclining wall 20 which bends further downwards and towards 21 the back of the top-edge flange. Preferably, a profiled liner panel is also provided with further flanges at the longitudinal ends of the panel, whereby these end flanges 22 are provided at an angle and towards the back of the liner panel so as to restrict ingress of e.g. rain and other elements behind the face of the liner panel. These end flanges ensure that the face remains substantially planar and they also impart additional strength to the liner panels. [0023] Referring to Figure 3, an upright rail 2 of a cladding system in accordance with the invention comprises a base 23 that can be secured flush against the object wall, and a longitudinal branching section 24, for example a flat section, extending away from the base at an angle, e.g. at a right angle, to the base of the rail. The base and the longitudinal branching section may, for example, be T-shaped or L-shaped (as shown in this em- bodiment). The longitudinal branching section comprises a series of vertically spaced shanks 25 cut out along its length. The shanks 25 are part of means for supporting the liner panels of the cladding system in accordance with the invention. They embody functional hooks for the purpose of mutual engagement with the flanges along the longitudinal edges (in effect, the functional hooks) of various types of liner panels that are comprised in the outer membrane in accordance with the invention. Starting in a direction extending away from the base of the upright rail, a shank 25 comprises a horizontal section 26 that extends upwards into an upright wall 27. There is an open space 28 between the top edge 29 of the upright wall and the underside 30 of the horizontal section of the neighbouring shank above. The upright wall 27 at the end of the shank and the open space 28 shared with its upper neighbour are profiled such that the flanges of a liner panel can be easily either inserted into, or removed from, engagement with the shank of the upright rail. In the shown embodiment, the top edge 29 of the upright wall is substantially flat at its end farthest away from the base of the upright rail, and seen in the direction of the base of the upright rail it slopes downwards at an angle 31 and sub- sequently vertically 32, flattening out 33, then turning upright again 34, angling upwards and back 35 in a direction away from the base of the upright rail and then inclining sharply upwards 36 towards the underside of the shank above and thus forming a notch or recess 37 above the shank between the upright wall 27 and the longitudinal branching section 24. The latter two features, i.e. the angling upwards and back 35 in a direction away from the base of the upright rail and the sharp incline upwards 36 towards the underside of the shank above are important in order to ensure that mounted liner panels are retained against any suction action, e.g. in high-wind conditions. The notch or recess 37 can be of any suitable shape; in the shown embodiment, it is more or less square-shaped with a number of its inner corners bevelled or rounded off to ease both the insertion and the removal of the flanges of a liner panel in or from the recess, respectively.

[0024] Referring to Figure 4, a bottom-end liner panel 7, 38 of a cladding system in ac- cordance with the invention comprises an elongate face 39, such as a rectangular face in this example. The longitudinal edges at the top and bottom of the panel are bent into flanges directed towards the back of the panel. The top-edge and bottom-edge flanges comprise differing profiles. The top-edge flange 40 of the upright face of the bottom-end liner panel is similar to the top-edge flange T of the liner panel 4 in accordance with Figure 2 as described above. Starting from the bottom edge of the upright face of the bottom-end liner panel towards the back, its bottom-edge flange 41 comprises a simple horizontal or slightly sloping base 42 that extends towards the back. A profiled bottom- end liner panel may also be provided with further flanges at the longitudinal ends of the panel, whereby these end flanges are provided at an angle and towards the back of the liner panel so as to restrict ingress of e.g. rain behind the face of the bottom-end liner panel. These end flanges are not shown in Figure 4. The face 39 of the bottom-end liner may protrude farther away from the upright rail as compared with the face F of the liner panel 4 in accordance with Figure 2. [0025] It will be readily understood by the skilled person what the profile of a top-end liner panel might be like. The bottom-edge flange of a top-end liner panel will be similar to the bottom-edge flange of the liner panel as described above in relation to Figure 2. The top-edge flange of a top-end liner panel will be a horizontally mirrored equivalent of the bottom-edge flange of the bottom-end liner panel as described above in relation to Figure 4.

[0026] Referring to Figure 5, a profiled liner panel 4 in engagement with an upright rail 2 of a cladding system in accordance with the invention is shown in a cross-sectional view. The top-edge and bottom-edge flanges T, B serve to engage with shanks 25 of the upright rail 2. The nature of said engagements is similar to that of mutually engaging functional hooks. In regard of the top-edge flange T of the liner panel, its first upright wall 13 abuts the outer edge of the upright wall 27 of the shank 25. Its second horizontal or slightly sloping base 14 rests on the top edge 29 of the upright wall 27 of the shank 25. Its second upright wall 15 lies in the proximity of the vertical section 32 of the shank, and the final, upwardly bent incline 16 is nested in the notch or recess 37 such that its edge is clamped against the upwardly angling section 35. In regard of the bottom-edge flange B of the liner panel, its first upright wall 18 lies in the proximity of the outer edge of the upright wall 27 of the shank 25. Its second horizontal or slightly sloping base 19 lies in the proximity of the top edge 29 of the upright wall 27 of the shank 25. Its second downwardly inclining wall 20, which bends further downwards and towards the back 21, lies in the notch or recess 37. Further, an end flange 22 is also shown.

[0027] In a further reference to Figure 5, it will be clear to the skilled person that when a (second) liner panel is mounted above the (first) mounted liner panel 4, the top-edge flange of the first liner panel will be sandwiched between the bottom-edge flange B of the second liner panel and the shank 25 of the upright rail 2. The position of the second downwardly inclining wall 20, which bends further downwards and towards the back 21, of the second liner panel within the notch or recess 37 will ensure that the final, up- wardly bent incline 16 of the first mounted liner panel is retained in the notch or recess 37 with its edge clamped against the upwardly angling section 35.

[0028] Referring to Figure 6, a profiled liner panel 4 in accordance with Figure 2 and a bottom-end liner panel 38 in accordance with Figure 4 are shown in engagement with each other and with an upright rail 2 in accordance with Figure 3. In regard of the abutment of the two panels 4, 38, the first upright wall 43 of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 and the first upright wall 18 of the bottom-end flange B of the liner panel 4 abut each other along their overlapping lengths, just as the second horizontal or slightly sloping bases 44, 19 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 and the liner panel 4, respectively, abut each other along their overlapping lengths. The second downwardly inclining wall 20 of the bottom-edge flange B of the liner panel 4 may abut the second upright wall 45 of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 along their overlapping lengths at the apex of the angle where the second downwardly inclining wall 20 bends further downwards 21 and towards the back. The latter section 21 also helps to secure the second upright wall 45, which bends upward into a final incline 46, of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 in the notch or recess 37 of the shank 25 of the upright rail 2. [0029] Referring to Figure 7, a corner-wall cladding profiled liner panel 6 and a corner- wall bottom-end liner panel 47 are schematically shown in engagement with upright rails 2 on each of the walls forming the corner. Corner-wall liner panels may be given different dimensions so that these can be used varyingly for cladding around corners in walls, whether at the bottom, the top or anywhere in between, or for cladding around windows, doors or other openings incorporated in a wall. This aspect will be described further in relation to Figure 9.

[0030] Referring to Figure 8, a profiled liner panel 4 in engagement with a so-called bull strap 50 are shown in a side elevation. The use of a bull strap provides for several ef- fects. A first effect is to bridge any end-to-end gaps between neighbouring liner panels in a row. A second effect is to fix the liner panels in their positions so that they cannot move apart lengthwise beyond a pre-determinable distance. A third effect follows from the second effect. Because transitions between neighbouring liner panels in a row are staggered lengthwise relative to adjacent panels in neighbouring rows, the bull straps provide the outer membrane of liner panels with additional strength and stiffness. In the shown embodiment, the bull strap is a relatively narrow, upright panel 51 with a U- shaped cross-section comprising a top-edge flange 52. The bull strap 50 has a rear face 53 which forms the base of a U-shape, and its two flanks, which form the legs of the U- shape, face towards the back of the face F of the liner panel 4. Only the nearest flank 54 of the bull strap is shown. The top-edge flange 52 of the bull strap is formed by an upright extension 55 of the base of the bull strap. The extension 55 carries on into a substantially horizontal section 56 which in turn further extends into a downward incline 57. The bull strap is dimensioned such that it fits comfortably behind the face F and between the top-edge and bottom-edge flanges T, B of the liner panel. When in engage- ment, as shown here, the top-edge 58 of a flank 54 of the bull strap is in the proximity of the underside of the first horizontal or slightly sloping base 12 of the liner panel 4, the upright extension 55 of the bull strap abuts the first upright wall 13 of the top-edge flange T of the liner panel 4, its horizontal section 56 lies below the second horizontal or slightly sloping base 14 of the liner panel, and its downward incline 57 abuts the apex of the angle where the second upright wall 15 of the top-edge flange T bends upward into a final incline 16.

[0031] Referring to Figure 9, the rear of a part of a cladding system in accordance with the invention used for cladding a wall of a building is shown. The underlying lattice comprises a number of upright rails 2. The lowest row of liner panels comprises a number of bottom-end liner panels 7, 38 including a corner-wall bottom-end liner panel 47. The top-edge flanges of the bottom-end liner panels are clamped on and clicked in notches or recesses of the upright rails 2. Rows of liner panels 4 are shown as mounted above the row of bottom-end liner panels 7, 39, 47. Bull straps 50 are shown as bridges between neighbouring liner panels in a row. The rows comprise corner-wall liner panels 6. Liner panels are seen to have varying lengths and breadths. The cladding system is also shown as arranged around a window W. Further corner-wall liner panels 6 are shown, as well as an accessory liner panel 8, which denotes a ledge in this case.

[0032] The cladding system in accordance with the invention is put to use as follows. A number of upright rails 2 are secured flush against an object wall. In general, rows of liner panels are formed starting from the lowest row and working upwards, much like in an order as when laying a brick wall. A row of bottom-end liner panels 4 are mounted on the upright rails 2. To this end, a bottom-end liner panel 7, 38 or 47 is positioned substantially upright against an upright rail 2, pressed against the upright rail and then, while still substantially upright, lowered such that the second horizontal or slightly sloping base 44 of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 abuts and rests on top 29 of the upright wall 27 at the end of the shank 25 of the upright rail, and the second upright wall 45, which bends upward into a final incline 46, of the top-edge flange of the bottom-end liner panel engages with, and in particular clicks into, the notch or recess 37 of the shank of the upright rail. At this stage, that is: while clicked in an upright rail, a bottom-end liner panel can still be moved left or right so as to adjust its position relative to the upright rail. Once a bottom-end liner panel is in its intended position, another bottom-end liner panel is placed next to it and mounted onto a neighbouring upright rail. The position of the second bottom-end liner panel can also be adjusted to the left or the right so that it abuts against the first bottom-end liner panel. Of course, care is taken that a liner panel can expand or shrink due to temperature fluctuations. Next, a bull strap is mounted between the first and second bottom-end liner panels in a manner similar to the manner described above in relation to Figure 8. The bottom row can then be completed by alternately placing bottom-end liner panels and bull straps. Adjacent bottom-end liner panels are adjoined by means of bull straps. [0033] After a row of bottom-end liner panels have been mounted, the lowest row of liner panels is mounted. To this end, a first liner panel 4 is positioned substantially upright against an upright rail 2, pressed against the upright rail and then, while still substantially upright, lowered such that the second horizontal or slightly sloping base 19 of the bottom-edge flange 13 of the liner panel abuts and rests on top of the second hori- zontal or slightly sloping base 44 of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38, and the second downwardly inclining wall 20 of the bottom-edge flange B of the liner panel which bends further downwards and towards the back 21 engages with the second upright wall 45 of the top-edge flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 while it also engages with and in particular clicks into the notch or recess 37. The sharp incline 36 aids the clicking-in. It is to be noted that the second downwardly inclining wall 20 of the bottom-edge flange B of the liner panel, which wall bends further downwards and towards the back 21, helps to retain the second upright wall 45, which wall bends upwards into a final incline 46, of the top-end flange 40 of the bottom-end liner panel 38 in the notch or recess 37 of the shank 25 of the upright rail 2. Next, a second liner panel is positioned adjacent to the mounted first liner panel, whereby the second liner panel engages with the underlying bottom-edge liner panel in the same way as the first liner panel. The positions of the first and second liner panels relative to each other can be adjusted, after which both liner panels are adjoined end-to-end by means of a bull strap 50, as described above in relation to Figure 8. To this end, a bull strap is held up and then first its lower end is inserted behind the adjacent faces F after which the bull strap is positioned upright so as to fit comfortably between the adjacent top-edge and bottom- edge flanges T, B of the liner panels 4, 9. The bull strap is then clicked into engagement with both liner panels, as has been described in relation to Figure 8. The lowest row of liner panels is then completed through iteration of the steps described above. As is the case with bottom-end liner panels, at this stage, that is: while clicked in an upright rail, a liner panel can still be moved to the left or the right so as to adjust its position relative to both the upright rail to which it is mounted and the underlying bottom-end liner panel. [0034] Once a row has been completed, the next row of liner panels immediately above are mounted. Of course, liner panels may also be mounted in a pyramidal order. In such a case, a first liner panel is mounted in a first row and then a second liner panel is mounted in the row directly above, such that the first and second liner panels are mounted in a staggered orientation longitudinally with respect to each other. Then a third liner panel is positioned adjacent to a longitudinal end of the first liner such that the top-edge flange of the third liner panel engages with the section of the bottom-edge flange of the second liner panel that is free, that is: not in engagement with the top-edge flange of the first liner panel. The first and third liner panels thus form part of the same (first) row and the second liner panel lies in the (second) row above, whereby the second liner panel straddles the first and third liner panels with its bottom-edge flange engaging the top-edge flange of both the first liner panel and the third liner panel. The first and third liner panels are then adjoined by means of a bull strap as described previously.

[0035] In regard of mounting cladding around e.g. a window or door frame in the wall, a corner-wall liner panel of appropriate dimensions is positioned with a first side at the transition between the window or door frame and the nearest liner panel in a regular row leading up to the window or door frame. If and when appropriate, a small upright rail may additionally be mounted on the reveal of the wall in order to accommodate the second side of the corner-wall liner panel. A corner wall surface can thus be cladded right up to the side of the window or door frame.

[0036] Once all rows of liner panels have been mounted, a row of top-end liner panels is mounted. As described above in relation to Figure 4, the bottom-edge flange of a top- end liner will be similar to the bottom-edge flange of a liner panel. So mounting a top- end liner panel onto an underlying liner panel will be akin to mounting a liner panel on top of an underlying liner panel. [0037] A wall that is clad with the cladding system in accordance with the invention is ventilated. The method of mounting panels in accordance with the invention also provides for easy replacement of a liner panel, e.g. in case of damage. [0037] The invention thus provides a wall cladding system comprising an underlying lattice and an outer membrane, whereby the lattice comprises upright rails with notches or recesses that form functional hooking means and the outer membrane comprises liner panels having top-edge and bottom-edge flanges, both of which also form functional hooking means, whereby both types of functional hooking means are profiled to engage mutually and for the engagement to be secured by means of clamping and clicking.