Technical Specifications

Last updated October 2026 · Rev A

Our panels are made to order, so the same pattern can be built to suit a dry residential wall, a bathroom, a bar front or a ship's interior. This page sets out what changes between those builds, which standards they are tested to, and what the figures on each product page mean. Dimensions, weight and price are on the individual product pages.

Standard build

Face	Solid hardwood (species and thicknesses per product)
Finish	Semi-matt hard wax oil or Danish oil (per product) · UV oil on request
Base	MDF (other options on request)
Adhesive	MS polymer (face to base)
Suited to	Dry interior areas

Moisture-resistant -MR

For interiors with frequent, short-term exposure to moisture and high humidity: kitchens, bathroom zones 2 and 3, spa and pool surrounds away from direct spray, and commercial washrooms. Not for direct water contact or submersion. Also suited to furniture, such as kitchen and bathroom cabinetry.

Finish	Base coat of penetrating hydrophobic oil, finished with two coats of semi-matt hard wax oil · optional UV protection
Base	6.5 mm birch plywood, sealed with a PVA coat (other thicknesses and materials on request)
Adhesive	D4 PVA (BS EN 204 class D4)
Suited to	Bathroom zones 2 and 3, kitchens, utility and boot rooms, commercial washrooms, kitchen and bathroom furniture
Price	-MR adds 15–25% to the standard price; confirmed at quote

Fire-retardant -FR

For commercial and public interiors where wall and ceiling linings need a reaction-to-fire classification under Building Regulations Approved Document B: bar fronts, reception desks, restaurant and hotel wall installations, corridors and workplace fit-outs.

B-s2,d0

Thermoguard Fire Varnish system

Euroclass to EN 13501-1 · BS 476 Class 0 / Class 1. For circulation spaces and escape routes, where Class B is required. Classification confirmed against the timber and substrate at quote stage.

Finish	Thermoguard Fire Varnish system
Base	7 mm poplar plywood, FR class B-s1,d0 to EN 13501-1
Adhesive	FR-grade MS polymer
Assembly testing	A full-assembly test of a specific build can be arranged per project, giving a classification for the panel as supplied. Ask at quote stage.
Suited to	Bar fronts, reception desks, commercial and hospitality wall installations, circulation spaces
Documentation	Data sheets, classification reports, certificate of supply and adhesive TDS supplied with the order

Uncertified option

Rubio Monocoat FR Oil

For projects that want some fire protection and smoke reduction but don't need a certified classification. The oil keeps the natural feel of oiled timber and is likely to reach Class C, but it has not been tested on our panels as a wall lining. If a certified classification is needed, the assembly must be tested.

Marine -IMO

For yachts and superyachts. Built with the materials and tested at the standards required to support compliance with IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 5 (surface flammability for bulkhead, ceiling and wall linings). Test data and material declarations are supplied with the order.

Cruise ships and passenger yachts are assessed per project: SOLAS limits the volume and calorific value of combustible veneers in each space, which can restrict where solid hardwood relief can be used.

Test basis	IMO 2010 FTP Code Part 5 — surface flammability
Optional test pack	FTP Code Part 2 — smoke density and toxicity
Test pathway	Delivered assembly tested at an accredited marine fire-test laboratory; delivered build matches tested build
Supplied with order	Test certificate, declaration of materials, technical data sheets
Certification	Issued by class society or notified body, instigated by the buyer
Suited to	Interior bulkheads, ceiling linings and feature walls in yacht accommodation and guest areas

Test scope is set per project — flag state, class society and zone determine the test pack required. Final IMO / MED / class approval is obtained by the buyer through their nominated certifying body. Artimatum supplies the test pack and is not a certifying body.

LEED / BREEAM specification

Any build can be specified with materials chosen to support projects targeting LEED or BREEAM Gold: FSC-certified timber and plywood, a 0% VOC oil finish and a VOC-free adhesive. These contribute to credits for responsible sourcing (LEED Materials & Resources; BREEAM Mat 03) and low-emitting materials (LEED Indoor Environmental Quality; BREEAM Hea 02).

Hardwood face	FSC-certified
Base	FSC-certified plywood, no added formaldehyde
Adhesive	VOC-free, LEED-compliant
Finish	Rubio Monocoat Oil Plus 2C (0% VOC)
Documentation	Supplier data sheets and declarations for each material, supplied with the order
How to specify	State LEED or BREEAM at quote stage; applicable to standard and -MR builds

The rating is awarded to the building, not to individual products; credit eligibility depends on the project, the scheme and its version. We supply the material documentation the project's assessor needs.

Definitions

What the figures in each product's spec table mean, and how they were measured.

Light reflectance value (LRV)

Scale 0–100 · walnut 15–20 · oak 35–45 · ±3

The proportion of visible light a surface reflects, from 0 (absorbs all light) to 100 (reflects all light). Lighting designers use it to size artificial lighting; accessibility guidance (BS 8300, Approved Document M) uses the LRV difference between adjacent surfaces to judge visual contrast — a difference of 30 points or more is the usual target where contrast is required.

Walnut 15–20Oak 35–45

050100

Oiled hardwood sits in the low-to-mid range. Values on product pages are measured on a finished tile under D65 illuminant, 10° observer; natural timber varies, so treat them as ±3.

V-rating — shade variation

V1 uniform → V4 random · most Artimatum patterns are V2 or V3

The scale the ceramic and natural-stone trades use to say, before an order is placed, how much tile-to-tile and element-to-element variation to expect.

V1	Uniform — minimal difference between pieces
V2	Slight — visible differences on close inspection, intended
V3	Moderate — clear variation in tone and grain between pieces
V4	Substantial — random; no two pieces alike

Most patterns are V2 or V3 as standard, because the pattern comes from grain and relief rather than colour contrast. Where a product page gives a ΔL* figure alongside the V-rating, that is the indicative lightness difference (CIELAB L*) between adjacent elements: 3–8 reads as one family of tone; 15 or more reads as distinct blocks. A tighter or looser selection can be ordered under the -C suffix.

Element density

Face pieces per m² · ±10–15 %

The approximate number of individual face pieces per square metre. Higher density means more joints and more relief per unit area, and more handwork per tile.

Relief

Height of face above base, mm · 4–7 mm reads as texture · 8 mm+ reads as sculpture

The height range of the face elements above the base. It sets how strongly the surface shadows under raking or wall-wash light.

Timber colour and character

Walnut standard selection: mid-browns · Oak: pale straw to honey

Hardwood is selected for a consistent tonal band per product, not for uniformity. Walnut ranges from pale sapwood through mid-brown to dark heartwood; our standard selection sits in the mid-browns unless the product page says otherwise. Colour deepens slightly in the first months under UV, and the finish settles to a lower sheen.

Quarter-sawn

Growth rings at close to 90° to the face · straighter grain, more stable

Timber cut radially. In walnut it shows the fleck that catches directional light. Where a product says “quarter-sawn preferred”, most elements are quarter- or rift-sawn; some flat-sawn pieces are included for tonal range.

Tolerances

Tile length and width ±2 mm · course and line widths ±1 mm

Face element thickness as stated per product. Tiles are cut to be laid with staggered joints and small differences are absorbed in the stagger.

Weight

Per m², including base and adhesive · ±0.5 kg · boxes under 20 kg

Use it for fixing design and for delivery handling; boxes are kept under 20 kg so one person can carry them.

Lead time

Working weeks, counted from drawing approval

Depends on quantity and on whether a -FR, -IMO or LEED build needs materials ordered in.

Care

Care depends on the finish, which is stated on each product page.

Hard wax oil

Standard · -MR · LEED

Resistant to water, wine, coffee and household cleaners. Dust with a dry or barely damp cloth; marks wipe off with a damp cloth and mild soap. Scuffs can be spot-repaired: lightly abrade and re-oil with the same product — the new coat blends into the old without a visible edge. Re-oil high-touch areas when they begin to look dry, typically every few years; untouched wall areas rarely need it. Avoid silicone polishes, which stop the oil from taking next time.

Fire-retardant varnish and oil

-FR

Clean as above. Re-finish only with the specified FR product (Thermoguard Fire Varnish system or Rubio Monocoat FR Oil, as supplied); any other oil or varnish voids the fire classification. Keep the product data sheet with the building's O&M file.