Max Compact Exterior

Max Compact Exterior is an exterior high-pressure laminate (HPL) architectural panel from Fundermax. It is also called a phenolic panel or exterior phenolic cladding. The panel is a thermoset (duromer) HPL meeting EN 438-6 type EDF.

The panel is made for exterior applications, including drained and back-ventilated rainscreen wall systems. In such a wall it forms the visible outer layer, in front of a backing wall, a water-control layer, a support system and a cavity.

Max Compact Exterior is a separate line from the Authentic natural panels. Its decors are plain-color and printed designs beneath the protective surface. Authentic panels have no additional color layer, so the raw material stays visible.

The weather-facing protection is a double-hardened acrylic polyurethane resin. The panels are produced with the patented NT technology by Fundermax. The raw materials are renewable.

F-Quality panels carry a decorative laminate on both sides of a flame-retardant brown core. The panel is double-sided and balanced, so both faces are finished at returns, soffits and freestanding screens.

Max Compact panels contain about 65 percent natural fiber by weight, mostly wood processed into kraft papers. The kraft papers are impregnated with synthetic thermosetting resins, dried, and pressed under high pressure and heat. The panels contain no organic halogen compounds, no asbestos, no wood-protection agents, and no sulphur, mercury or cadmium. The phenol and melamine blends contain no urea-formaldehyde.

The NT standard finish is offered in five panel formats:

• GR: 110 1/4 by 51 3/16 inches (2800 by 1300 mm)
• SP: 110 1/4 by 73 inches (2800 by 1854 mm)
• OF: 144 1/2 by 64 3/16 inches (3670 by 1630 mm)
• JU: 161 3/8 by 51 3/16 inches (4100 by 1300 mm)
• XL: 161 3/8 by 73 inches (4100 by 1854 mm)

The largest sheet is 161 3/8 by 73 inches. The NG, NY and NP finishes are offered only in the JU format. The NH finish is offered only in the XL format.

Five finish codes are offered:

• NT, standard: 1/4 to 1/2 inch (6 to 13 mm), in all five formats. The surface is silk-matte with a fine hammered texture and a subtle shimmer. It is part of the Exterior 2.3 Essential Collection.
• NG, gloss: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 15/32 and 1/2 inch (6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 mm), JU format only. The surface is mirrored and shiny.
• NY, Sky, textured: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 15/32 and 1/2 inch (6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 mm), JU format only. The surface is deep-textured, with gloss and matte facets that recreate the feel of stone or concrete. It belongs to the Sky Decors.
• NP, Paragon, matte: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 15/32 and 1/2 inch (6, 8, 10, 12 and 13 mm), JU format only. The surface is matte with an anti-fingerprint effect and low reflection.
• NH, Hexa, anti-slip: 1/4 to 13/16 inch (6 to 20 mm), XL format only. The surface has a deep studded structure that gives grip on wet surfaces.

All five finishes share a double-hardened surface that resists impact, scratches, graffiti, UV exposure and weather.

Decors are grouped into four color categories: US Stock, Solids, Woodgrains and Material. Plain-color and printed decors are offered.

The decor range includes wood looks such as oak, larch, maple and walnut, neutral and gray solids, colors, and stone and mineral looks such as slate, limestone, sandstone and concrete. Some decors carry a glitter variant, for example Sand + Glitter (0066G).

The In Stock group is offered in the NT finish only. Its decors include Natural Oak (0125), White (0085) and Amazon (0922). Other NT decors include Stellar Gold (0844) and Akro Rust (0168). Gloss decors include Light Akro (0161) and Thunder Maple (0936). Textured decors include Patina Bronze (0794) and Porto Nero Slate (0898). Super matte decors include Black (0080) and Tortora (2289).

In a drained, ventilated façade, rain reaching the panel joints can enter the cavity. Drainage, ventilation and a continuous water-control layer behind the cladding manage it.

Four fastening systems are offered:

• Exposed system, with screws or rivets on an aluminum substructure or screws on timber
• Concealed system
• Modulo plank system
• Scaleo lap siding system

Aluminum supports give the flattest façade appearance. Uneven timber can give a wavy result.

The listed applications are rainscreen façades, soffits, sunshades and louvers, balconies, outdoor furniture, flooring and other outdoor uses. The listed markets are education, retail, healthcare, hospitality, multifamily residential, commercial office, transportation, sports facilities, and culture and community projects.

Intertek CCRR Report #0527 covers code compliance. The listed surface properties are color fastness, resistance to scratching, graffiti, solvents and chemicals, UV and weather resistance, impact resistance, and a non-porous surface that cleans easily.

Fundermax holds EPD, HPD, FSC, PEFC and Greenguard certificates for its panels. The producing facilities and processes meet ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001 and EN 16001. A quick-ship stock program covers selected decors.

Fabrication of Max Compact Exterior is comparable to working hardwood. Sharp carbide or diamond-tipped tools are used. Poorly supported or vibrating panels can chip at the cut edge.

Leading edges are eased by about 1 or 2 millimeters, because untreated square corners are sharp and prone to chipping. Panels are stored in an enclosed, controlled space with the stack covered and protected against uneven exposure of its two faces. Abrasion and drilling residue is removed from the surface.