Timber engineering specialist Palgrave Brown‘s range of Silktrim MDF mouldings is already well known and the company has now developed a new range – including door casings made from MDF. While ensuring a range that meets a variety of options is challenging in itself, the ability to achieve fire certification takes the company to another dimension.
The essential ingredient that ensured fire certification is a unique two-part system. “We tested the new casings using fire doors from three main UK manufacturers,” said key account manager Peter Coombes. “Our two-part system uses an innovative double groove specification which makes it possible to glue rather than screw or nail the joints. This means that when the casings are painted there’s no visible sign of any fixings.”
All sections are produced to Silktrim’s normal high quality finish and this eliminates sanding and undercoating, as well as any latent defects that could appear in solid timber sections.
Doorlining.com, a long-established business based in Bridgwater, Somerset also supplies door linings with fire certification. “We distribute nationally and have had a web-based business for well over two years,” explained director Lloyd Morgan. “It allows architects and specifiers to find us easily, especially as we’re linked to the BWF website as well.
“Contractors want a total package, including fire certification. We studied the original test certificates for each main manufacturer and produce linings and casings in accordance with their specifications.”
Nearly all of Doorlining.com’s business is based on redwood but hardwoods are also available. “Many people still use whitewood, unaware that it does not meet the correct density,” said Mr Morgan. “All surfaces are sanded and filled and we arris all edges, before priming, to provide a proper product, not something that looks like it has just come fresh out of a timber yard.”
The whole concept seems to be working well. “Since achieving certification in March, our enquiries and orders have grown substantially,” said Mr Morgan.
