Important Information About Wood-Based Panels

Bowing, Cupping, or Warping of Wood-Based Panels

Wood-based panels are inherently subject to bowing, cupping, or warping. This applies to both their raw form and when combined with materials such as:

  • Timber Veneer
  • Standard Laminate
  • Engineered Wood Laminate
  • Engineered Metal Laminate
  • PP Film

Wood-based panel bowing, cupping or warping is NOT automatically considered a defect. These characteristics are subject to the properties of the raw material, its thickness, the prevailing weather conditions (before and after processing), face materials applied, further processing requirements and its intended application.

While we adhere to the relevant manufacturers' specifications and follow the AS/NZS 1859.3: 2005 sandwich panel construction methodology prescribed in the Timber Veneer Association of Australia’s Manual for Decorative Wood Veneering Technology, we cannot guarantee any wood-based panel product be free of bowing, cupping or warping.

A tolerance of approximately 3mm per metre can at times be expected. For unprocessed panels and substrates, we refer to the relevant manufacturers’ specifications.

To minimise bowing, cupping, or warping, we recommend applying the same face material (species or type and thickness) to both sides of a panel at the same time.

Colour change of Reconstituted and Natural Timber Veneers

Based on the outcome of a research project carried out under auspices of FWPRDC (now FWPA) the following recommendations are offered relating to maximizing the effectiveness of the protection of wood veneers against UV-driven discolouration. While this guide has been prepared with due diligence based on the outcome of a research project funded by FWPRDC, and involved state-of-the-art approaches in the relevant field, CSIRO, the University of Melbourne, and their employees are not responsible for the results of any actions and decisions taken in reliance on the proposed protocols.

  • It is essential that Australian suppliers of reconstructed and re-toned veneers are always produced using effective UV blockers to reduce possible discolouration due to UV-light exposure of veneer-finished products. It is evident that the veneers with UV blockers exhibit superior performance over the veneers without UV blockers.
  • As with all natural or synthetic materials, veneers (as well as solid wood) will change colour with time when exposed to sunlight. The degree of colour change varies with the amount of light to which the coating and wood is exposed. Generally, the surface closest to the UV light source is affected more rapidly than that area further away.
  • Generally, the application of protective clear coatings containing UV-absorbing additives significantly reduces the detrimental colour change of veneers caused by UV radiation originating from sunlight exposure. Test results achieved within the scope of the research project revealed that high-quality solvent-based acrylic-polyurethane coatings systems with the UV blockers are the most effective protective systems which should be used to protect the veneers against sunlight discolouration.
  • The test results revealed that generally, the colour change depends on the following factors: intensity and duration of the exposure of veneer to the UV light, the species of timber, and the initial colour (and probably the type) of the dyes used for veneer colouring. Based on the test results the following trends can be observed: Light colour veneer become darker, Grey veneers change colour, normally to shades of green and Dark veneers (dark brown) become lighter in colour.
  • It is important to highlight that the veneer’s colour change can be significantly reduced (but not totally eliminated) if the dyes used for the production of a particular colour are used in conjunction with UV blockers, and a high-quality solvent-based acrylic-polyurethane coating system with UV blockers is used on the veneer at the same time.
  • Veneered products, as is the case for furnishings and curtains, carpets. etc. can be best protected in various service conditions, by ensuring glass windows have UV protection in areas where the veneer is to be used.
  • There are standard procedures that are recommended to be used to assess the performance of various dyed and reconstituted veneers as well as coating systems against UV light discolouration. The test involves the accelerated UV weathering exposure according to the “Recommended Test Protocol for Colour Change of Recon & Dyed Veneers outlined in a separate document, which can be obtained from the Timber Veneer Association of Australia on info@woodveneer.asn.au.
  • Coatings that do not contain the above UV-absorbing additives will most likely not offer optimal protection of veneers against UV-driven colour change. It is also likely that yellowing and degradation of a sub-standard coating itself may occur, resulting in even higher discolouration compared to the uncoated veneer.

 

Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at orders@bord.com.au or call 03 9357 3345 before placing your order.