Smith & Fong has launched the first-ever palmwood exterior cladding using naturally durable and sustainable Indian black palm wood. PalmShell is a palmwood cladding product for commercial and custom residential projects. Derived from the same Indian black palm resource as Smith & Fong’s Durapalm interior products, PalmShell provides an entirely new look for modern exterior wall applications, particularly rainscreen systems. The first of its kind in the Western market, PalmShell’s durability and capacity to adapt to moisture make it ideal for humid or wet climates.
The new cladding range is made from solid palmwood with an easy-to-install groove/lapsystem—ideal for rainscreen or exterior cladding applications. Given its inherent weather-resistant quality, PalmShell can be installed and finished using standard exterior grade clear finishes or natural products such as linseed oil for a raw natural look.
Black palm is similar in density and hardness to Ipe and is harvested from both agricultural and residential environments. Frequently grown near homes and used for property demarcations, black palm timber, thatch and fruit provide a wide range of uses and leave an indelible mark on rural India. Like other exotic woods, palm weathers over time, taking on a rich deep patina. PalmShell is produced 100% urea-formaldehyde-free and can contribute to USGBC’s LEED Credit for Low-Emitting Materials.
All images courtesy Smith&Fong.
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