Medite Tricoya stands up to harsh weather

Medite Tricoya, the extreme durable MDF, has been utilised in the construction of student accommodation at Limerick University.

Medite Tricoya was selected as the ideal material for fascia panels between windows. Installed by Carey Glass, the building’s façade – a blend of brick, steel, timber and glass - required a fascia material with very hardwearing and low maintenance weather resistant characteristics that would not swell, shrink or decay with changes in the climate.  

Incorporated into the exterior of the building design, Medite Tricoya panels were transformed into large fascias and installed between lower and upper storey windows, to provide a smart external façade, protecting and concealing the concrete flooring and insulation components from view.

The dimensionally stable, FSC certifiedMedite Tricoya, which benefits from the latest advancements in acetylation technology, naturally alters the wood’s chemical structure so that it is not affected by the effects of water absorption.

“We required a durable panel that would stand the test of time and harsh weather conditions, explained Michael Carew from Carey Glass. “After speaking with the architect, who wanted a matt finish to match the timber windows as opposed to a spandrel glass panel, we decided that laminated timber or marine plywood would not give us the same confidence that Medite Tricoya could. We laminated two 12mm sheets of Medite Tricoya together to get the desired thickness and it was extremely successful.”

Selected for the project due to its extreme durable characteristics, Medite Tricoya offers a host of benefits compared to traditional MDF and plywood. As one of the greatest advances in modified wood panel products over the past 30 years, the sustainable MDF is highly versatile and can be cut, coated, coloured, sanded, glued, machined and fastened asquickly, smoothly and easily.

In addition the product hasbeen tested by the BRE to EN350-2 of 1, or ‘very durable’; this is the equivalent durability to rare tropical hardwoods such teak and more durablethan aged oak. BRE also tested the creep and duration performance as well as its resistance to weathering.

“This is an inspired application of Medite Tricoya and, now installed, really showcases the product’s extreme durable, yet cost effective and easy to work characteristics,” explains Peter Clifton, Product Manager for Medite Tricoya at Coillte Panel Products, “We are working with suppliers such as Carey Glass to support their creativity in applying Medite Tricoya as a solution to far-reaching and varied architectural challenges.”