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THE MATERIALS
Solid wood
The term "solid wood" is used to describe the best type of real wood.
It is the sub-cortical part of the tree-trunk, and is also known as
"heartwood".
Wood-based panels
Wood-based panels are made from a variety of recomposed elements,
of different shapes and sizes: (Iumber, strips, sheets, particles, wood-
wool, fibres). They can be divided into four categories:
1. Solid wood panels (glued laminates/blockboards)
2. Plywood panels (plywoods/multi-layer boards)
3. Particleboard panels (chipboard)
4. Wood fibre panels (fibreboard and MDF).
1. Solid wood panels
Wood-based panels made up of glued laminates or strips of solid
wood normally rectangular in shape. These elements are bonded with
thermosetting or hotmelt adhesive after "comb" milling of the heads.
2. Plywood panels
Wood-based panels made up of various layers bonded with synthetic
thermosetting resins and hot pressing and superimposed with the
grain of adjacent layers generally at a right-angle. Multi-layer panels
are ones with more than three layers.
3. Wood particleboard panels
Panels made up of particles of wood (chips, fragments etc.) that are
bonded with synthetic thermosetting resin adhesive and hot pressing.
Particleboard panels can be made with wood of lesser quality and the
sub-products of other processes. This type of product is, therefore,
very interesting from an ecological viewpoint.
4. Wood fibre panels
Wood-based panels made up of wood fibres or bundles of wood fibres
which are obtained through thermo-mechanical defibring at high
temperature and then bonded with or without thermosetting adhesives
and hot pressing. MDF is a medium-density fibreboard panel.
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Honeycomb panels
Panels consisting of a solid wood or MDF frame reinforced with two
bonded sides which can be made of a variety of materials. The cavity
in the frame between the two sides can be filled with honeycomb
cardboard and/or strips of wood, or simply left empty. The honeycomb
panel is technically speaking the best solution for making structural
elements that are both lightweight and ensure good mechanical
resistance.
Melamine coated panels
Wood-based panels the sides of which are coated with cellulose-based
materials (paper) or polymer sheets (sheets of PVC, ABS etc.).
Lacquered panels
Panels which are coated in melamine and polyester and then
lacquered on both sides with polyurethane polymer-based varnishes of
high molecular weight.
Veneer and veneered panels
Veneer is a thin layer of hardwood and is also known as sliced or
rotary-cut veneer, depending on the processing method used to make
it. Veneered panels consist of veneer glued onto a stable substrate
(solid poplar, honeycomb panels, MDF, chipboard, plywood). Products
made of veneered panels are more economical than ones made
of solid wood and are less susceptible to deformations caused by
humidity and fluctuations in temperature.
The HORM wood-fabric sandwich
The wood-fabric sandwich, invented by Horm and covered by an
international patent, consists of two sheets of sliced veneer bonded
with glue and a layer of fabric to achieve a sheet that is 2.2 mm thick.
The surface of the wood can be cut with a laser to bend this sheet and
to form particular shapes in the style of origami.
Laminate panels
Panels made up of internal layers of cellulose fibres soaked in phenolic
resins and one or more surface layers of cellulose fibre for aesthetic
and/or decorative effect soaked in thermosetting resin. It is a compact,
non-porous material that is both extremely hygienic and easy to clean.
Excellent water and vapour resistance also mean this material is
suitable for use in damp environments.
Natural wicker
Wicker is drawn out of canes. It is extracted from the innermost part of
the plant, the medulla.
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