Playing the long game

For manufacturers of garden products, durability to withstand various weather conditions is without doubt a key requirement. Because of this, high performance hardwood is often the default wood material for garden product manufacture. Certainly MDF has never been a consideration - until now, that is.

Manufacturers of garden and landscaping products want to ensure that their customers have the highest quality product, one that will last for many years. The design flexibility of the material and its environmental credentials are also key. With the introduction of Medite Tricoya, these manufacturers now have the option to use a wood product, which is durable, versatile and 'green'. Timber also provides a natural feel, fitting perfectly within a garden environment.

Medite Tricoya MDF, which is available through a network of distributors, benefits from the latest advancements in acetylation technology, which naturally alters the wood's chemical structure so that water absorption does not affect it. This results in a more dimensionally stable MDF that won't swell, shrink or decay - making it extremely durable and ideal for exterior use.

It's been tested by the BRE, to EN350-2 of 1, or 'very durable', which is the equivalent to teak and more durable than oak. The BRE also tested the product's creep and duration performance, as well as resistance to weathering. For further durability, the material also boasts an effective barrier to fungal decay.

Medite Tricoya's exceptional performance is backed by its 50-year guarantee and a service life expectation of 60 years, giving customers peace of mind. As does the product's FSC-certification, which gives reassurance that the timber used in its production is sourced from well-managed and sustainable forests.

But there's more to the product than extreme durability and sustainability. Landscaping and garden product manufacturers can draw on the exceptional design freedom MDF provides. Medite Tricoya can be cut, coated, coloured, sanded, glued, machined and fastened with ease.

Luxury playhomes
With Medite Tricoya's wide range of benefits, many garden products manufacturers are seeing its potential as a viable alternative material in the manufacture of their products. One recent example is Tiny Town Playhomes, creator of luxury children's playhomes.

Tiny Town Playhomes was launched in spring last year and the company now creates over 10 different models with many more in the design phase. Sold direct by the company, the playhouses are built using 3D modeling software.

The company had several requirements that needed to be met by the material used in the creation of these mini-homes. Many of its designs incorporate arched or irregular shaped windows and, for this, full boards are required for the siding. In addition, Tiny Town Special Focus | Garden Products Playhomes spends a significant amount of time designing and producing each of the homes, so longevity is key. For this, a level of structural stability and weather resistance, plus a high quality finish was paramount.

Medite Tricoya was able to meet all of these needs and because it is light and strong it is extremely easy to work with. As a further environmental incentive, there is no wastage as all off-cuts are used for trim such as shutters and window surrounds.

Another recent example of Medite Tricoya being used within the garden products landscaping sector is with Oxford Planters. The company designs and manufactures wooden planters, tables, chairs, benches, garden gates and pergolas, all of which are individually handmade to order in the company's Oxfordshire workshop.

Longevity and design
High quality and sustainability are at the core of Oxford Planters' products and traditionally they have been manufactured from sustainably certified oak or iroko. However, more recently the company has also turned to Medite Tricoya for its longevity and design capabilities.

It has been used in the manufacture of several Oxford Planters products including benches, which were showcased at the 2012 RHS Chelsea Flower show.

By using this extremely durable MDF, Oxford Planters is confident that its customers are provided with a high-quality product, which is long lasting in both wet and humid weather.

And because it is extremely easy to work with it provides Oxford Planters with endless design capabilities. Sustainability was also a key driver for the manufacturer and Medite Tricoya was able to fulfil this requirement too.