Palm Flooring

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Application 1.2 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.3 Surface forms / shapes 1.4 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Dimensional and opening restriction 2.4 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environment and Life Safety 3.1 Environmental impact 3.2 LEED Credits 3.3 Flammability rating 3.4 Coefficient of friction 4 References 4.1 Notes 4.2 Student contributions 5 See also 5.1 Similar materials 6 External links 6.1 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

[ MasterFormat Number: 09 64 00

A highly durable material, palm wood flooring is made of a by-product formerly discarded after coconuts were harvested. As the rain forest continues to be tapped for much of the timber used in Asia, coconut palms have been an overlooked and under-utilized resource, as were rubber trees in the past. Coconut plantations have long been valued for the production of coconuts and their by-products: husks and shells. Not for wood. Palms produce for 60-80 years before becoming sterile. Unproductive trees are removed and replaced with saplings. Zero VOC (volatile organic compounds)adhesives are used to produce this durable, quality floor covering. Engineered palm flooring is harder that rock maple and exceptionally stable. (Birkhauser)

Application

• Flooring

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• Multi-Coat Acrylic System or Unfinished
• Pre-finished: 3 inches width by 5/8 inch thick by lengths within a range of 24 inches to 72 inches. Available in natural, walnut, ebony, and edge grain
• Unfinished: 3 inches width by 5/8 inch thick by lengths within a range of 24 inches to 72 inches. Available in natural and edge grain

Surface forms / shapes

Available in:

• Sizes:
  • 5/8" x 3" x Random

• Finish:
  • PreFinished
    • Edge Grain
    • Flat Grain
    • Walnut Stain
    • Ebony Stain
  • Unfinished
    • Edge Grain
    • Flat Grain

• 18 square feet per box

Cost analysis

• $8.99/ SqFt:

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Non-structural finish material

Material performance

Hardness

• Average Hardness 1470 lbf (ASTM D1037, Janka Ball Hardness Test)

Dimensional Stability

• ASTM D1037 (80% - 20% relative humidity)

Linear Expansion:

• Parallel: -0.01%
• Perpendicular: -0.30%
• Thickness Swell: -0.48%

Finish rating

• ASTM D4060, CS 17 wheel, taber abrasion and ASTM D3359 adhesion, 19,000 rotations, 4B adhesion rating

Dimensional and opening restriction

• Can be custom cut

Manufacturing process and assembly

• Palm flooring is made from 100% reclaimed plantation-grown coconut palms past their fruit-bearing years.
• High quality palm wood flooring can be produced from the rich heartwood of the coconut tree. The tree’s culm (the hardest portion) is shredded into long strips and compressed into large recomposed logs of palm wood. The logs are then dried for a period of two weeks. When ready, they are cut to length and milled into raw flooring boards which receive a tongue and groove cut. This process is especially greener than most because we are able to use a larger percentage of the available raw material.^[1]

Environment and Life Safety

Environmental impact

• Organic
• Helps reduce depletion of rainforests
• Uses and eco-friendly manufacturing process
• Durapalm flooring is available as PlybooPure, formaldehyde-free.

LEED Credits

• MR 4.1, 4.2: Recycled Content
• EQ 4.4: Low Emitting Materials (No added formaldehyde)

Flammability rating

• ASTM E-648 Critical Radiant Flux, Class 1

Coefficient of friction

• ASTM D4060, CS 17 wheel, taber abrasion and ASTM D3359 adhesion

19,000 rotations, 4B adhesion rating

References

• Birkhauser. Material World: Innovative Structures and Finishes for Interiors. Basel: Frame Publishers, 2003
• Plyboo

Notes

1. ↑ http://www.greenchoiceflooring.com

Student contributions

• Kathleen Mannix, Spring 2009

See also

Similar materials

• Cork
• Bamboo Flooring

External links

Leading manufacturers

• DuraPalm Flooring (Plyboo)
• Smith & Fong