Palm Flooring
Contents |
Material analysis
[ MasterFormat Number: 09 64 00
Palm Flooring is a highly durable material, composed of plantation grown palm trees that no longer produce coconuts. Palm flooring is a newly discovered hardwood as its value in wood production has long been overlooked, unlike their use for the production of coconuts and their by-products: husks and shells. The life cycle of a palm tree ranges from 60 to 80 years before they become sterile. The unproductive trees are then removed and replenished with new saplings. This type of flooring is also environmentally friendly due to the fact that Zero VOC(volatile organic compounds)adhesives are used in its production. (Birkhauser, McLeister).
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"
(Length varies)
- Finish:
- PreFinished
- Edge Grain
- Flat Grain
- Walnut Stain
- Ebony Stain
- Unfinished
- Edge Grain
- Flat Grain
- PreFinished
- 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 more environmentally friendly than most wood production processes as a much larger quantity of raw material is utilized. [1]
Environmental impact
- Organic
- Helps reduce depletion of rainforests
- Uses and eco-friendly manufacturing process
- Durapalm flooring is available as PlybooPure, formaldehyde-free.
LEED
- MR 4.1, 4.2: Recycled Content
- EQ 4.4: Low Emitting Materials (No added formaldehyde)
Life Safety & Rating Standards
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
- McLeister, Dan. HGTV Pro, "Palm and Other Renewable Woods for Floors." Accessed October 6, 2011. http://www.hgtvpro.com/hpro/nws_ind_nws_trends/article/0,2624,HPRO_26519_4137933,00.html.
Notes
Student contributions
- Kathleen Mannix, Spring 2009
- Chloe Dingman, Fall 2011, Ryerson University, School of Interior Design
See also
Similar materials
External links
Leading manufacturers
- DuraPalm Flooring (Plyboo)
- Smith & Fong
