1) What are Fire Rated Plywood Panels?
Fire Rated Plywood Panels are specially engineered timber panels treated for enhanced fire resistance. They offer the natural beauty of wood with the safety of an extremely high Group 1S fire rating. Architects often choose them for their versatility – plywood panels can provide full coverage for walls and ceilings, or they can be used to create feature sections. They can also be perforated and backed with acoustic felt to add sound absorption to a space.
2) What fire rating do your plywood panels achieve?
Yes – our Fire Rated Plywood Panels are fully code compliant. They achieve a Group 1S fire rating in New Zealand without needing any intumescent coatings. This high rating means they can be used in environments with strict fire safety regulations, allowing you to meet Building Code requirements while still enjoying a natural plywood aesthetic.
3) Can Fire Rated Plywood Panels be used for acoustics?
Absolutely. These panels can be manufactured with perforated patterns (slots, holes, grooves, or a custom pattern of your design) and paired with an acoustic felt backing to absorb sound. In fact, when installed with appropriate insulation, our fire-rated plywood acoustic panels can achieve Noise Reduction Coefficients up to 0.95. This means they not only look great but also significantly improve the functionality of your environment.
4) What sizes and finishes are available for Fire Rated Plywood Panels?
We offer standard panel sizes such as 2400 x 1200 mm, 2700 x 1200 mm, and 3000 x 1200 mm (with custom dimensions available upon request). Thicknesses range from 6 mm to 18 mm, and some of our thinner panels are curvable too. Panels come pre-finished in a clear natural varnish or can be custom finished with various stains and washes at our Hawke’s Bay factory. You can also choose from different timber veneer species, HPL/Melamine options and perforation designs to suit your project’s look, or work with our team for custom options such as engravings.
5) How are Fire Rated Plywood Panels installed?
Installation is designed to be simple and flexible. The panels can be directly fixed to most substrates – e.g. timber studs – and attached to suspended ceiling frameworks. Featurecraft supports multiple fixing methods such as direct face-fixing with screws or seamless (invisible) fixing with adhesive. We offer a wide variety of joins, from simple butt joins to elegant negative detailing. Thanks to their precision fabrication and light weight, the panels are easy to handle on site and result in a seamless timber finish on walls or ceilings.
6) Are Fire Rated Plywood Panels environmentally friendly?
Yes. Featurecraft uses sustainably sourced fire-rated plywood (available in birch or poplar), and these panels come with FSC® or PEFC certification upon request. The product has low formaldehyde emissions and even qualifies for Green Building credits, reflecting our commitment to healthy, eco-conscious design. In short, you can enjoy the warmth of real wood panels that are crafted with respect for the environment.
