technical information

1   product description   Our surfaces comprise a natural material inlaid in natural lacquer or resin. Our standard substrate material is MDF, unless otherwise specified or required. Other substrate options are: Marine plywood, solid wood, light weight honeycombs, ceramic, fibre glass and aluminium. Depending on the architectural application, other substrates are also possible.

2   panel thickness   The following is provided for guidance only. Exact thicknesses depend on choice of material and substrate, and application. We recommend that you discuss your needs with us so that we can jointly define the optimal thickness.

Standard sized panels of 122 cm x 244 cm on MDF substrate are supplied 30mm thick, unless otherwise specified. This may be reduced to 20 mm, but a thinner panel has an increased risk of warping. If a thinner panel is required, we recommend that it is made at 20 mm or 30 mm and then sanded down at the destination before final mounting. If the panel size is 100 cm x 100 cm or less, the thickness may be decreased to 10 mm. If a thickness of under 10 mm is required and the panel will not be fully fixed, we recommend that it be strengthened. We have experience of various solutions, on which we would be pleased to advise.

3   panel dimensions   Panel dimensions may be specified, including oversize dimensions, defined as more than 122 cm x 244 cm.

4   3-D forms   We can make 3-D forms and shapes and can advise on suitable techniques and materials. 3-D forms can be made to any required size and shape.

5   texture, finish and sheen   All our surfaces are or may be finished with Polyurethane. For most materials, this allows a choice of sheen: matt, semi-gloss and high-gloss. For many of our materials, there is also a choice between a smooth surface or a natural/relief texture. In the latter, the raw material is only lightly sealed.

6   product properties

FLAMMABILITY   Our surfaces are treated with Polyurethane and the default substrate for our surfaces is MDF, if not otherwise specified. The combustibility properties of MDF and polyurethane are well-known. We add flame retardant to our product, where required by the specifier. The flame retardant used is Timonox ®.

SCRATCH RESISTANCE   Polyurethane is resistant to abrasion.

WATER ABSORPTION   The polyurethane topcoat on our surfaces is water resistant. The substrate for our surfaces is MDF, if not otherwise specified. If the surface is breached, the MDF substrate will absorb water. Where fabricators cut through the surface exposing the MDF substrate, this cut surface must be completely sealed, even if it is in a non-visible part of the installation. Where the installation is in a moist or humid environment, we advise the use of an alternative substrate like marine plywood, ceramic or aluminium.

STAIN/CHEMICAL RESISTANCE   We use fast set spray grade polyurethane which has good chemical resistance to most commonly-used chemicals.

RENEWABLE SURFACE   Our smooth surfaces can be renewed or refinished as long as usage or damage has not breached the polyurethane top coat. Relief and natural finishes cannot be renewed.

UV ABSORPTION   We use non-yellowing polyurethane top coats. However u/v exposure can cause changes to the colour of the underlying natural materials and the pigments used over time. This will be gradual. We can add u/v stabilizers to our products where required by the specifier. This is generally only recommended for opaque or translucent finishes as u/v stabilizers may cause cloudiness.