GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

GENERAL PRODUCT INFORMATION

Parklex has been used throughout the United States and Europe by architects looking for a product combining both durability and the warmth and beauty of wood. Parklex Facade was developed for use as an exterior façade panel and is intended to be installed as a rainscreen system.

Parklex Facade is an exterior grade wood composite standard one sided panel, intended for use as an exterior cladding; it is a high-density panel composed of a thermosetting phenolic resin-bonded cellulose fibre core faced with natural wood that has been coated with our in-house formulated acrylic resin-PVDF protective finish. A two sided panel can be specially ordered.

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Parklex Facade is an economical alternative for commercial and residential projects and is suitable for both new and restorative applications. The panels are prefinished and ready to install. Maintenance is limited to general periodic cleaning of superficial environmental dirt and the panels are specifically designed to resist attacks by graffiti and other chemicals.

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Finland Color Plywood Corporation has been the exclusive importer and distributor of Parklex products to the United States since 1999; Parklex Facade has been available in Europe since 1994.

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Parklex Facade exterior panel products are protected by a Factory Limited ‘Product Only’ Warranty, available upon request.

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ENVIRONMENTAL, TECHNICAL AND SAFETY INFORMATION

Please refer to Parklex Facade Environmental Statement.

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Parklex Facade is a non-toxic material. Its formaldehyde content meets a classification of Class 1, with <1mg/100g, which is the lowest possible rating (UNE-EN 312-1:1.997). Please refer to our Toxicological Report for detailed information.

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Parklex Facade has been tested for Surface Burning Characteristics determined by ASTM E-84 (twenty-five foot tunnel furnace test method) and meets Class B (Class II – 75 or under flame spread), with an actual flame spread of 40 and a smoke developed index of 35. It is possible to manufacture the product to achieve a Class A (Class I) rating, at an additional cost. Please contact us directly for information.

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PANEL DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT

Finland Color Plywood imports 8mm (5/16”) panels for its warehouse inventory stock. Parklex is also available in thicknesses of 3mm, 6mm, 10mm, 12mm, 14mm and 18mm. These thicknesses can be special ordered; there are minimum container quantities and average lead times range from 10-12 weeks. All material is subject to availability; please contact us for additional information.

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An 8mm (5/16”) x 1220mm (48”) x 2440mm (96”) Parklex Facade panel weighs approximately 75 pounds (2.23 lb/ft2).

A  10mm (3/8”) x 1220mm (48”) x 2440mm (96”) Parklex Facade panel weighs approximately 90 pounds (2.8 lb/ft2).

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PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

The following product timeline outlines improvements of the manufacture of the panels.
1994:  Parklex Facade panels were introduced in Europe. The product initially consisted of timber panels internally impregnated with phenolic resin.
1995:  Parklex Facade is now manufactured with a bakelite core, consisting of layers of kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resin. The advantage of the kraft paper core is that during the impregnation process the kraft paper absorbs a much larger amount of phenolic resin than timber panels, which results in greater water resistant performance of the panels.
2002-03:  Parklex Facade is now manufactured to include a PVDF film in the surface layer of the panel. This film was specifically developed by our research and development scientists to protect the panel from UV rays. After a year of tests and trials of this product, both in our factory laboratory and in officially approved external laboratories, this new generation of panels began mass production in March 2003.
2005:  Parklex Facade is now manufactured with an improved impregnation process. In May 2005, with the modifications of the impregnation process we have managed to improve the impregnation of the wood with the phenolic resin. These improvements have led us to consider it unnecessary to use an edge protector in cases in which our material is used in environments with normal levels of moisture and rain. Edge protector may still be considered for use in environments with excessive rain and humidity for aesthetic reasons, as although the water may penetrate the panel edge and a slight change of color occurs on the edges of the panels, this moisture disappears after a few days of dry weather.
2008: Parklex Facade is now manufactured with Everlook, the UV resistive overlay.  Please click here for the new Parklex Facade brochure.

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Parklex Facade panels offer superior dimensional stability, with negligible water absorption; please refer to our Specifications for Technical Data and Product Testing Results and Interpretation of ASTM Test Data for more information.
In detailing your wall system, the panels should be fastened in accordance with our installation guidelines. We recommend to provide a well ventilated system and appropriate joint conditions to allow for expansion. For more information on detailing your wall system, please refer to our Installation Guidelines.

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Parklex is composed of natural wood veneers, therefore variations in grain and tone are normal; as well, some degree of color change over time, due to UV ray exposure, is normal. Colors may change within normal parameters due to natural oxidation and exposure to natural elements; color change may be more or less depending upon the intensity of UV exposure. Due to the natural characteristics of wood the Parklex Facade panel(s) may vary in color and may change color and appearance over time

Product improvements strive to increase the color stability of the panel, such as our in-house formulated acrylic resin-PVDF protective finish, which ensures a panel colorfastness of 3-4 after a 3000-hour xenon lamp test. Parklex Facade has been tested for its resistance to a multitude of stains; in each test performed there were no visible changes observed to the material (the highest rating was achieved).

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The product is manufactured using specific wood species due to their consistent quality and secure supply, therefore custom colors and species are not available. Parklex Facade is currently available in Boak Natural, Boak Brown, Ayous Natural, Ayous Light Brown and Ayous Dark Brown.

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Parklex Facade panels are specifically designed to resist attacks by graffiti and other chemicals.
Product improvements, such as our additional layer of PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) film, strive to provide increased chemical resistance and anti-graffiti and dirt repellent properties.
Ink graffities can be cleaned with organic solvents, such as methanol or metil etil ketone (MEK); please contact us directly for additional information.

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Parklex Facade is intended to be installed as a rainscreen system. Installation guidelines and information contained in this website are based upon the principles of rainscreen installation, requiring a continuous ventilated airspace behind the exterior panel system and allowing for expansion between the panels.
Fasteners shall be spaced at intervals not to exceed 19-3/4” (500mm) on center for 8mm panels; 24” (600mm) on center for 10mm panels. Please refer to our Installation Guidelines for detailed and specific Installation information.

Parklex Facade is manufactured in full size (48” x 96”) panels. Parklex Facade has the ability to be easily adapted on site; panels may be readily cut in the field using a saw with a precision carbide or tungsten tipped blade.

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Parklex Facade panels are flat and rigid, however, they may be bent up to certain curvature radii. Attached is the bending radius chart.

Parklex Facade can be used for interior applications, such as walls and countertops. For interior wall, acoustic wall and ceiling panels, please see our interior surface product Parklex 500.
Parklex Facade is not recommended for use as a flooring material, as thickness tolerances may vary slightly from panel to panel. For flooring, please see our commercial wood flooring Parklex 2000.

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MAINTENANCE

Parklex Facade panels are prefinished, however periodic maintenance may be necessary to clean the panel surface of superficial dirt resulting from typical exposure to dust and pollution. Cleaning should be done using a damp soft cloth and non-abrasive mild household detergent solution. Abrasive and highly acidic or alkaline products should not be used as they could scratch or damage the surface of the panel

Due to UV exposure over a number of years, it is possible for the panels to gradually lose their original luster. This gradual dulling of the surface does not effect the panel performance, however, it is possible to renew the surface shine for aesthetic intent. For specific information on restoring the panel’s original reflective quality, please click here to refer to the Sikkens Procedure. Improvements to Parklex Facade, put into production in 2003, increase the age resistance of the panel, increasing the stability of the surface gloss of the finish and therefore, greatly reducing the effect described above and the need for surface restoration.

Improvements put into production in 2005 have improved the panels’ behavior against humidity, through the impregnation of the veneers with a higher amount of phenolic resin. This new production of panels have led us to consider it unnecessary to require the application of edge sealant in cases in which our material is used in environments with normal levels of moisture and rain. Edge protector may still be considered for use in environments with excessive rain and humidity for aesthetic reasons, as although the water may penetrate the panel edge and a slight change of color occurs on the edges of the panels, this moisture disappears after a few days of dry weather.

Click to view Factory Warning Label included with material shipment.

See Parklex Facade Specifications for Technical Data and Product Testing Results.

See Parklex Facade Installation Guidelines for General Installation Information.

See Parklex Facade Sample Details for General Details into Wood and Metal Subframe Support Systems.

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