Timber cladding and panel products are fantastic, natural materials for creating warm and stunning appearances to new build projects.
However, depending upon the project, UK Building Regulations will require an approved and effective fire retardant protection to ensure a safe service life.
Lonza Wood Protection offers two proven fire retardant impregnation treatments that have been used for new build projects around the world for decades.
DRICON is primarily for the protection of interior claddings and board products and carries a unique BBA accreditation for its long term fire retardant performance.
NON-COM Exterior is designed for external projects and is fully in-line with NHBC standards for exterior timber claddings on new build projects.
The recent Banyan Wharf housing development from Regal Homes incorporated NON-COM Exterior protection of the beautiful external cedar cladding used on the stunning collection of one, two and three bedroom apartments set in London.
The cladding was pressure treated with the leach resistant NON-COM Exterior fire retardant which will provide a highly effective surface spread of flame protection in the event of a fire. The project won the 2017 Wood Protection Association’s fire retardant project of the year.
Both treatments provide a one-off long term protection with no need for on-going fire protection maintenance. The treatments are designed to be used on a wide range of timber species, leaving the treated timbers with a natural finish.
There is a growing trend for designers and specifiers using cladding timbers to want an initial decorative finish to create colourful projects.
Lonza can now offer new high performance factory applied coating systems for both DRICON and NON-COM Exterior treated timbers when required.
Teknos DRYWOOD Woodstain for NON-COM Exterior timbers and Teknos DRYWOOD Firestain for DRICON treated timbers provide an exciting range of factory applied water based coatings in both opaque, semi opaque and translucent finishes that specifiers and contractors can have real confidence in. They have been fully tested to confirm that the coatings maintain the Euroclass B or C fire performance achieved with the initial impregnation treatments.
The Edge, an innovative new neighbourhood from Linden Homes at the award-winning Newhall social housing development in Essex, is a good example.
Siberian Larch cladding was specified for a number of facades and protected with NON-COM Exterior fire treatment but the architects on this occasion also wanted a black colour finish. Teknos DRYWOOD Woodstain was factory applied following the initial fire protection.
Lonza has recently launched its specifier focused web site which provides specific details and services to help architects with an assured and proven fire protection service.
As part of its service Lonza offers practical and technical support to architects regarding the specification of fire retardant treatments for timber and plywood.
Lonza also offers a RIBA accredited CPD on fire protection of timber - details available from its website.