Product Performance

Developments and advancements in engineered wood products have now allowed wood to be used where once materials like steel or concrete were the only option. In important arenas such as acoustics, thermal performance, strength & fire resistance – wood is not just capable of answering a wide range of specifications but also of performing strongly, every time.

Acoustic Performance

Wood provides excellent acoustic properties, compelling many high-end architectural projects to feature internal engineered wood applications. Wood is inherently strong in the acoustic arena – both in terms of enhancing or reducing sound. Wood is made up of a network of small interlocking wood cells which convert sound energy into heat energy due to frictional resistance within these cells and through vibrations within their sub-structure. Wood, therefore, has a stronger sound dampening capacity than most structural building materials. While a concrete wall also reflects sound, it does so in a much more flat manner, which results in stronger echoes. The natural acoustic properties of wood control this excessive reverberation by directly reducing the transmission of sound vibrations. Owing to these properties of wood, many public buildings, clad walls & ceilings are lined with acoustic wood panels for the acoustic assistance required.Plywood and wood fibre acoustic product materials are used in theatres & auditoriums to provide low-frequency reverberation control.

Fire performance

While wood ofcourse, is a combustible material, it performs in a measurable, predictable way allowing designers or architects the ability to create strong, durable, fire resistant wood based constructions.

Wood, when exposed to the heat of a fire, goes through a process of thermal breakdown to turn into combustible gases. Undergoing this process, a charred layer of charcoal forms on the burning surface of the wood which is the key contributing factor in timber’s fire resistance. This charcoal layer acts as an insulator protecting the inner core of the plywood, providing resistance against heat penetration and thus forces the wood to burn slowly; all the while maintaining the temperature of the inner, uncharred core low, enabling it to continue carrying its load for a longer period of time. Initially as the fire catches on, the rate of charring is fast but as the charcoal depth increases it provides a stronger protective layer to wood, slowing the overall combustion rate.

Wood, when exposed to the heat of a fire, goes through a process of thermal breakdown to turn into combustible gases. Undergoing this process, a charred layer of charcoal forms on the burning surface of the wood which is the key contributing factor in timber’s fire resistance. This charcoal layer acts as an insulator protecting the inner core of the plywood, providing resistance against heat penetration and thus forces the wood to burn slowly; all the while maintaining the temperature of the inner, uncharred core low, enabling it to continue carrying its load for a longer period of time. Initially as the fire catches on, the rate of charring is fast but as the charcoal depth increases it provides a stronger protective layer to wood, slowing the overall combustion rate.

Strength Performance

Plywood’s superior strength qualities make for a versatile building material which can be utilised for structural applications – from beams, walls & flooring through to even formwork & large wooden paneling. As our knowledge and understanding of different timber species has grown, so too has the use of wood grown, specially in applications where strength is a key performance criteria. All this, when combined with good design and detailing can withstand some of the most extreme climate conditions India has to offer.

When it comes to strength, density of the wood is the single biggest influencing factor and while solid hardwoods are indeed dense, wood density can be increased even further as is done with various engineered wood products. Engineered wood products have come to define and standardize structural properties of wood making their characteristics such as strength and stiffness, measurable and reliable. With the latest developments in technology as well as adhesives, engineered wood products have come to offer a strong, reliable and cost effective solution for almost every structural application.

LVL, Glulam and CLT are but some of the product choices available that offer superior strength performing properties. Click on the links above to find out more about them.

Thermal performance

Wood as a material has natural insulation properties which lends it strong thermal performance. Construction design using wood as the preferred building material, with a focus on energy efficiency will maximise comfort and minimise non renewable energy use. When considering thermal performance, wood, a naturally insulating material, makes for an excellent choice. The air pockets within wood’s cellular structure creates a natural barrier against heat and cold propagation.

Thermal conductivity increases with density, and therefore amongst all the timber options, lightweight wood species are the best insulators. In addition, thermal conductivity varies slighty with moisture content and residual deposits in the timber such as the extractives.

In addition, wood framed buildings can accomodate extra insulation materials which can be placed in spaces between framing members without any increase in wall, ceiling, roof or floor thickness. The natural thermal properties of plywood also maximise the efficiency of insulation materials as wood doesn’t become cold or dissipate heat, therefore requiring less energy to maintain temperature throughout a building.