Keeping the look but removing the wood

Keeping the look but removing the wood

Powdertech Wood Finish has been used in the renovation of four residential blocks on Albert Road, North London, where wooden screen shutters across the frontage of each apartment needed replacing. The sliding shutters create an attractive appearance as well as performing shade from direct sunlight, but over recent years the wood had warped and deteriorated. Warping meant that the screens no longer travelled smoothly across the windows, and deterioration had caused the louvres to loosen with the danger that they might fall on people walking below. Refurbishment also provided the opportunity to refit with materials conforming to current fire safety regulations.

A solution with many benefits

Considering the refurbishment, the developers were keen to retain the screens and felt that the appearance of wood was appealing.  

The screens could easily be replaced using aluminium for the frame aerofoil blades and the look of wood easily delivered by using a shade from Powdertech’s Wood Finish (PWF™) range. PWF30, a dark shade, was closest to the original wood was selected. In total Powdertech pre-treated and coated 9500 linear metres of extruded aluminium, each individual foil being 1.22m in length. Using aluminium brings the obvious benefits of  strength combined with lightweight. The screens will not warp and need only minimal maintenance. Our Wood Finish conforms to the required reaction to fire specification for residential buildings of this type, A2-s1, d0, and the metal itself is non-combustible thus solving a number of issues in one, Wood Finish on aluminium is a winning combination.

Why Wood Finish, PWF™?

  • The finish combines the strength and longevity of metal with the warm, natural appeal of wood.
  • Excellent corrosion protection and weather resistance
  • High level of colour and gloss retention and excellent abrasion resistance
  • Low maintenance – unlike wood
  • Conforms to Fire Reaction classification A2-s1, d0
  • Can be applied to most metallic substrates including aluminium, galvanized steel, cast metals and stainless steel
  • The PWF range conforms to BS EN 12206-1 and Qualicoat specifications .
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