Wet Room VJ Linings
In the Spring of 2019, Colonial Wall Linings began supplying HMR (Highly Moisture Resistant) MDF Wet Room VJ Linings.
The key difference (between MR MDF and HMR MDF) is that the polyurethane – based resin (MDI) (used in HMR MDF) does not break down in the presence of moisture (i.e. a chemical bond with the wood fibres).
All wood and wood-based products react to moisture and HMR MDF is no exception. Wood cells expand and shrink slightly in width and length as they absorb or lose moisture. This phenomenon is not full reversible, as relieved stresses do not completely recover.
The specially formulated MDI resin used in the production of HMR MDF, increases the physical properties and durability of MDF and increases protection against thickness swell to create a premium composite panel for demanding conditions.
Wet Room VJ Linings
(HMR MDF) are designed for use in areas that are protected from direct exposure to the weather. E.g. Kitchens, laundries, bathrooms, verandah ceilings. (MDF VJ Ceilings by their nature, require more prep and installation method than VJ walls.)
We conducted our own in house submersion test with off cuts of the HMR MDF Wet Room VJ Linings. Samples were submerged from 8 August 2019 until 29 January 2020. The samples were retrieved and air dried. They were stable, robust and dimensionally back to within acceptable tolerances. (+0.4mm)
Colonial Wall Linings markets the HMR MDF product as “Wet Room VJ Linings”. Two sizes are available: 2700 x 1200 x 9mm and 3600 x 1200 x 9mm the profile is “VJ” spaced at 100mm centres.
A good long term result and service life on these and all of our products depends on quality preparation and installation.
Our installation instructions give an overview to help you achieve great long-term results.
The MSDS on these products and more expansive technical data is available on request.
Please phone our office on 3266 4324.
History of Colonial Wall Linings
In 1998, David Proberts and his Uncle Mike were inspecting hardwood decking that Mike had imported from New Guinea, stored at HF Palmer & Sons depot, Northgate. Dave recognised the people making MDF VJ sheeting on a Giben N32 beam saw in an adjacent workshop. After reacquainting himself, Dave agreed to start selling their product on a commission-only basis.
Shortly thereafter, an opportunity to buy this business resulted in David & Diane Proberts becoming the new owners and registering the name Colonial Wall Linings.
After a couple of years, the business was sold to Neil Miller.
A short time later, a continuous-feed, purpose-built “VJ” profiling machine was being auctioned by a liquidating company.
Dave approached Neil Miller with the proposal of buying the “VJ” machine at auction and re-entering the business as a 50/50 partnership. Neil agreed and we traded and grew the business until Neil retired in 2007.
In 2010, a full moulding production line was purchased & commissioned. Chris Gardiner (Australian Timber Mouldings) was the vendor and Chris was our first machinist. In 2012, Chris returned to Brisbane Saw Service. Emmett Byrne joined the business as our machinist, which now had three employees along with its working owners.
The business now manufactures and markets two niche products: MR MDF Wall/Ceiling Linings; and MR E0 MDF mouldings, targeting the renovating market.
Currently employing four full-time staff, the business now claims reasonable market share in its marketplace. We taking pride in offering excellent products, information and customer service.
Health & Safety Information for Users
WOOD PANELS PRODUCT
Ingredients
Wood fibre or particles and heat cured resin.
Risk
Dust and smoke from this product are irritating to eyes, skin and respiratory system. May cause sensitisation by inhalation (asthma) and skin contact (dermatitis). Repeated inhalation of the dust increases the risk of nasal cavity cancer and may increase the risk of lung fibrosis (scarring).
Safety
Avoid repeated or prolonged contact with skin.
Avoid contact with eyes.
Avoid breathing dust and smoke.
Wear suitable clothing, standard duty gloves (AS 2161), and dust resistant eye protection (AS/NZS 1336). If machining without adequate dust or smoke extraction or if dusty or smoky, respiratory protection (particulate dust mask) must be worn (AS/NZS 1715 & 1716). Keep work areas clean by wet sweeping and/or vacuuming. Wash work clothes regularly and separately from other clothes.
First Aid
Irrigate eyes with plenty of water.
Wash skin with soap and water.
Disposal
Follow above safety instructions, and:
Collect in containers for disposal as trade waste in accordance with local authority guidelines;
The intact product and dust must not be burnt in barbecues, combustion stoves, or open fires in the home, as irritating gases are emitted.
Fire
Dust may form an explosive mixture in the air.
Earth all exhaust equipment and prevent high dust concentrations in confined spaces.
Extinguish with water, CO2, foam or dry chemical extinguishers. Firefighters must wear self-contained breathing apparatus.
Material Safety Data Sheets & Technical Data Sheets for all our products are available on request.
What’s a Queenslander?
Queenslander in Northgate
Circa mid 1800’s, an innovative building design emerged in and around Brisbane.
This design used local, readily available building materials. These materials consisted of local hardwoods (eucalypts) and softwoods (hoop pine).
The typical Queenslander was raised on timber stumps, creating air flow to keep the inside cool and raising the construction above flood prone land.
Hardwoods were used for stumps, bearers, joists, wall and roof framing, decking & handrails.
Hoop pine was predominantly used for internal flooring as well as wall & ceiling linings.
Roof cover was corrugated iron, doors were panelled with breezeways and windows were timber framed in either double hung or casement configuration.
Typical Queenslanders were symmetrical in design, with a central hallway with rooms opening off. The hallway had picture rails, belt rails and decorative cornices featured and of course, VJ walls (vertical joint). These walls were made from loose boards with the edges profiled in a tongue & groove (T&G) profile. To enhance the T&G, a ‘V’ was added for more decoration.
Queenslanders will always remain popular, using classic ageless appeal and features of the pre-war era, with designers, builders and renovators adding their own special touches.
At Colonial Wall Linings, we replicate the tongue & groove VJ Wall construction by supplying the VJ wall detail in a profiled 1200mm wide MR MDF panel. The two main profiles are “VJ” and “Traditional Beaded”. We supply skirting boards, architraves, belt rails, picture rails & cornices to replicate the look of a Queenslander.
For more info on the heritage of Queenslanders, the Brisbane City Council has more in depth info: click here.
Download our product catalog here. For more information or to place your order, call 07 3266 4324 or email us at info@colonialwalllinings.com.au
Our goal is to supply/manufacture high quality products and to provide prompt and efficient service to all of our customers.
How we make our mouldings
How do we make our Primed MR (Moisture Resistant) MDF Mouldings?
At our Crockford Street facility in Northgate (on the north side of Brisbane), we specialise in the manufacture of Primed Moisture Resistant (MR) MDF Mouldings in addition to our wall sheeting.
Our raw materials for MDF mouldings manufacture are sourced from companies that manufacture their board from managed and renewable plantation pine and are Australian Forestry Standard chain of custody certified (COC). (Refer to our previous article “Myth Busted“)
Click here to see how the manufacturing process begins at an MDF plant.
The full size panels for moulding manufacture arrive in 5400 x 1200mm sheets.
Production
Our computerised beam saw is then loaded with its cutting program in order to maximise recovery.
Our wood machinist, Emmet is highly skilled in his craft and his focus is the production of our mouldings so that our clients are fully satisfied with our high quality products.
When required, we meet with our client to discuss their sample or design and quote the job accordingly.
From this point, our client has a quote, production schedule and the confidence (after meeting Emmet) in knowing that their order will be processed professionally.
The Weinig five-head moulder is then set up to run the finished profile. We run our moulder at approximately 13 – 15 lineal metres per minute feed rate. At this speed, we can assure our clients of a high quality finish.
The mouldings are then primed. The priming process involves the application of a ready coat primer, supplied by Akzo Nobel. The coating has been specifically formulated for our MDF Mouldings and every consignment received is identical. This guarantees a consistent quality finish. You can download the MSDS here.
The process then involves the brush head sanding (denibbing) of our mouldings. Four brushed sander heads are set in width and height to suit the size of the moulding being sanded.
Installation Guide – VJ Sheeting for Wall and Ceiling Linings
Installation Guide – VJ Sheeting for Walls and Ceiling Linings
STORAGE
Sheets must be stored flat, kept clear of the floor and supported by bearers of uniform height and spaced at maximum 600mm centres.
INSTALLATION
WALLS
Sheets should be delivered 48 hours prior to installation. Never expose the sheets to water or excessive moisture. Sheets must not be installed until the job is watertight i.e. roof on, cladding on and doors and windows in. Sheets must be kept a minimum of 10mm clear of floors and ceilings. Sheets must be fixed to timber-framed walls with studs at 450mm maximum centres. Where a join does not coincide with a stud, extra horizontal noggings must be provided at 600mm maximum centres.
Adhesive must be used in conjunction with nails. Apply adhesive using a continuous 6mm bead down studs and along plates and noggings. As a rule, allow one 320g cartridge per sheet.
Sheets must be face-nailed using 40 x 2.0mm bullet-heads or 32/40 nail gun finishing pins. Face-nail sheets at 600mm centres down studs and 300mm centres along top and bottom plates and noggings. Allow for structural movement by leaving a 3mm gap in corners and cover with a suitable moulding.
When sheets are fixed over existing linings, fixings must penetrate the existing lining and be anchored into the structural frame.
Where sheets are fixed to masonry walls, metal furring channels or damp-coursed timber battens must be used to prevent moisture transfer and to create the required airflow.
CEILINGS
Sheets should be delivered to site 48 hours prior to installation. Never expose the sheets to water or excessive moisture.
Sheets must be fixed to metal/timber battens at 400mm maximum centres.
Sheets must be kept a minimum 10mm clear of walls, verandah plates and perimeter beams etc.
The backs of all sheets and all fresh cut ends/cut-outs must be sealed prior to installation.
A quality construction adhesive must be used in conjunction with mechanical fixings. Apply adhesive using a continuous 6mm bead snaked side-to-side on the face of the ceiling battens.
When using finishing gun pins, they must be shot at an angle in crosshatched pairs at 300mm centres along the batten lines.
Verandah ceiling sheets must be finished using a quality location-specific paint product immediately after installation.
PAINTING
When installing sheets in wet rooms, adjacent to wet rooms or adjacent to external walls, the backs, fresh cut ends or cut-outs must be sealed prior to installation. Sheet faces must be finished using a quality location-specific paint product immediately after installation. It is important to remove the dust from the “Vs” and “Beads” to ensure satisfactory finish in these areas.
For more detailed information, please contact our office on 07 3266 4324.
MDF myth busted
There has been a lot of misinformation “around the traps” about the use of MDF. THE FACTS: What is “MR” MDF? Moisture Resistant Medium Density Fibreboard MR MDF is made from reconstituted wood fibre, generally from pine log plantations, thinnings, off cuts, melamine-urea formaldehyde resin and wax. Contrary to frequent discussions and beliefs, MDF is […]