Multipanels Core Is Changing

Multipanel, one of the UK larges manufacturers of bathroom wall panels have changed their core material from Birch Ply to Exterior Grade MDF

The decision, and the subsequent sanctions on Russian timber, has drastically reduced the availability of sustainably produced, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) approved Birch plywood to such an extent, that Multipanel were unable to source the volumes they required.   Multipanel began work in January to find an alternative core that performed as well as 7 ply Birch plywood. This included testing 5 ply and Poplar plywood, neither of which were suitable for their Hydrolock system due to the variation in surface flatness and density. Extensive research and testing lead to Medite Exterior MDF as their new core material, as not only did it meet our sustainability criteria, it also provides a surface consistency needed to ensure the performance of their panels remains unchanged.

What about Multipanel wall panels is changing?  

Only the core is changing. There is no change to the decors, all designs and colours will be available as usual.  

When are you introducing the new core?  

We transitioned to our new core for Hydrolock panels in July. We are now rolling this out to unlipped panels and expect all manufactured panels to have fully transitioned to Exterior MDF by October.   

What if I receive an order of panels with different cores?    

The thickness of the panels and the Hydrolock profile are exactly the sameand we have conducted extensive testing, proving that the quality of the finish and connection are the same whether it is Exterior MDF or a combination of plywood and ExteriorMDF.  

Why have you selected exterior MDF instead of MR MDF?  

Exterior is the only grade of MDF that meets the requirements of class D4, durability category, of BS 4965, making it a suitable substrate for use in areas of frequent prolonged exposure to running water. It has also been tested to withstand extremes of weather for external use, further proving its durability.  

Will the warranty change?  

No, there is no change to the installation or performance of the product so Multipanel will still carry a 30 year warranty