Panelling and Partitioning

The wide range of decorative and functional surface finishes available on Wood Panels make them suitable for partitions and panelling both domestic and commercial. As detailed under Moisture Properties, dimensional changes will occur with changes in panel moisture content and the advice relating to storage and moisture equilibration should be followed.

It is recommended that an allowance of 1 mm per metre of length be made for moisture movement. This allowance or gap can be accommodated either by a decorative moulding over the join, a rebate in the adjacent panel or by allowing the panel to move within the supporting frame.

When panels are to be fixed to existing masonry walls care must be taken to avoid direct contact between panels and inner surfaces of external walls. Contact would allow moisture to pass from walls to the wood panel. Moisture transfer can be prevented by an air gap created with battens at appropriate centres fixed to the masonry wall. Construction grade adhesive of the solvent-based elastomeric type will accommodate limited movement. Protection of panels from moisture can also be achieved with moisture barriers or sarking. In these cases care must be taken to avoid condensation. Appropriate fixing details for the various products are available from wood panel manufacturers.

Partitions can be manufactured using traditional frames clad with thin panels, a special structural frame using panels as infills or panels themselves used in a thickness sufficient to provide the strength and stiffness required.

Wood Panels offer a thickness range from 3 mm to 43 mm; they can be painted, wood veneered and polished, or factory finished with foils and decorative overlays. They offer unique properties which can be combined to meet the special needs of many applications. The use of a structural grade LPM surface on Moisture Resistant Particleboard or Medium Density Fibreboard in large sheet sizes is an ideal product for commercial toilet partitions.