Improve Build Programme Efficiency with Prefinished Timber Cladding, Panels and Flooring

In recent years, the national median time to complete a stand-alone home has experienced a dramatic rise as bank lending restrictions, labour shortages, material costs, and supply chain disruptions have increasingly affected timelines. According to recent reports, the average completion time has grown from approximately 300 days in 2019 to over 500 days in 2024.

As the construction industry adapts to these challenges, architects and builders are looking for innovative ways to improve build programme efficiency, including using prefinished and prefabricated materials, streamlining council consent processes, and using advanced project management tools to ensure faster delivery.

To better understand these solutions, we spoke to Forté’s Kylie Bosanac who shares the innovations improving the situation.

Streamlined building materials

When it comes to timelines, high-performance, pre-engineered, prefabricated and prefinished building materials can enhance efficiency and significantly reduce time spent on on-site assembly.

“Forté’s cladding, flooring, wall panels and veneer are all prefinished which means you don’t need to send them to anyone to add a finish or coating,” shares Bosanac. “This reduces the number of trades required on site because you don’t have to get the painter or floor sealer back in once the product is installed.”

For kitchens and bathrooms, where additional on-site finishing is common, using products that don’t require finishing greatly decreases construction timelines.

“For example, for our veneer cabinetry panels, once the cabinet maker has cut the panels and formed them to the right size for the cabinetry, they don’t have to send them away for finishing,” shares Bosanac.

How product testing and certification reduces build timelines

When products have clear documentation, architects and specifiers don’t lose time on searching for product specifications or having difficulty getting council consents.

“The CodeMark accreditation on Forté’s flooring, for example, makes it easier to specify. The testing we do do on our products also means there are less product failures, and councils know the products are high quality, and have the right accreditations (which are readily available on the website) so they pass easily through the council consent process.”

Using quality products that are well regarded, premium quality and have detailed documentation can streamline the consent process and reduce construction timelines, says Bosanac.

“By using companies that have transparent product accreditation, leveraging the latest manufacturing technology and methodologies, it is possible for the industry to turn the tide on project delays.”

Engineered Timber Wood Flooring — Moda Collection

Forté

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Moda is a collection of engineered timber overlay flooring suitable for residential and commercial applications.

PEFC Certified

Overlay flooring suitable for residential and commercial applications.

Glue down installation over plywood, particle board, concrete, existing timber
4-sided tongue and groove planks
Compatible with underfloor heating
Prefinished, can be sanded and recoated up to 3x if required
Matching stair nosing available

The Forté Timber Overlay Flooring System is certified for use in:

a) all buildings
b) in all areas, including level access routes likely to become wet, except:
i. garages and commercial kitchens, and
ii. unsprinklered sleeping areas and exitways in buildings where care or detention is provided, and
c) installed on the following substrates:
i. Concrete floors (slab-on-grade or suspended)
ii. Timber flooring (structural or overlay)
iii. Concrete floors with Hydronic Underfloor Heating system
iv. Electric underfloor heating system
v. Wet-Area Membrane systems
vi. Acoustic underlay

B2 Durability — By analysis and comparison with Verification Method B2/VM1
C3 Fire affecting areas beyond the fire source — By testing and comparison with Verification Method C/VM2
D1 Access routes — By testing and comparison with Acceptable Solution D1/AS1
E3 Internal moisture — By analysis and comparison with Acceptable Solution E3/AS1
F2 Hazardous building materials — By testing and comparison with the performance requirements of the New Zealand Building Code clause F2.3.1

CodeMark

Engineered Timber Interior Panelling — Muuro Collection

Forté

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Made in Spain using the highest quality materials, Muuro is a contemporary collection of engineered timber wall and ceiling interior linings for residential and commercial applications.

PEFC Certified

Forté Interior Timber Panelling is a non-structural engineered panelling system for use internally as a decorative, non-structural wall or ceiling lining.

For internal use only
Ensure the wall is load-rated to handle the weight of the product
Commercial spaces: must meet Group 1-S fire rating
5-10mm expansion gaps around the perimeter and all fixed items must be considered and allowed for in design
Not recommended for use in areas subject to high moisture content
Maximum 400mm spacing when fixing directly to wall framing/battens
Pre-finished engineered timber
Matching corner profiles available

B1 Structure: B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3(a, j, q), B1.3.4
B2 Durability: Performance Clauses B2.3.1(c)
C3 Fire affecting areas beyond the fire source: C/AS2
F2 Hazardous building materials: Performance Clauses F2.3.1

Millboard Envello Cladding — Shadow Line+

Forté

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Millboard Envello Cladding is a cost-effective composite cladding product that requires no maintenance or staining and is inert in composition meaning it is not effected by moisture, ensuring value for money over its lifespan.

The Millboard Envello Cladding system as per the Product Assurance Supplier Statement, is a hand-moulded, timber grain look, composite weatherboard cladding system, designed for use as an external cladding system.

Location:

In wind zones up to and including extra high as defined in NZS 3604:2011 or to a design wind pressure (ULS) of 2.1 kPa.
In all exposure zones as defined in NZS 3604:2011.
Any proximity to a relevant boundary.

Building:

Building In conjunction with a primary structure that complies with the NZ Building Code or existing buildings where the designer and/ or installer have satisfied themselves that the existing building is suitable for the intended building work.
On timber or lightweight steel-framing.
As an external cladding system.

Refer to PASS Certificate 19234.

Clause B1 Structure: Alternative Solution — Clauses B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3 (a, f, h, j, q), B1.3.4
Clause B2 Durability: Alternative Solution — Clauses B2.3.1, B2.3.2 (b)
Clause C3 Fire Affecting Areas Beyond The Fire Source: Acceptable Solution — Clauses C3.4 (a), C3.7 (a)
Clause E2 External Moisture: Alternative Solution — Clauses E2.3.2, E2.3.3, E2.3.5, E2.3.7
Clause F2 Hazardous Building Materials: Alternative Solution — Clauses F3.2.1

Refer to PASS Certificate 19234 for full information.

PASS

Millboard Weathered Oak Decking

Forté

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Millboard Weathered Oak is a part of a collection of premium range of decking products designed with style for Residential, commercial and public spaces applications.

The Forté Millboard Weathered Oak Decking System shall be:

In all exposure zones as defined in NZS 3604:2011 — Where microclimatic conditions apply, as defined in NZS 3604:2011, contact Millboard for technical advice.
Fixings must be in accordance with section 4 of NZS 3604:2011. In exposure zone D, stainless steel fixings must be used.
Greater than 1 m from a relevant boundary.
On timber framing that complies with the NZ Building Code or with the Millboard support systems (Plas-Pro, DuoSpan or DuoLift) — The framing must have a minimum design load of 2 kPa or be subject to specific engineering design. Joist spacing must be at maximum of 400 mm centres for residential applications or 300mm centres for commercial applications.
As an external decking board — Durafix® fixings must be used (4.5mm x 60mm dimension) to fasten the Millboard composite decking boards to a timber subframe. Durafix® 4.5mm x 45 fixings can be used to fasten the Millboard composite decking boards to a plastic subframe.

Clause B1 Structure: Alternative Solution - Clauses B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3 (a, b, c, e, f, j, m, & q )
Clause B2 Durability: Alternative Solution - Clauses B2.3.1(b )
Clause D1 Access routes: Alternative Solution - Clauses D1.3.3(d)
Clause F2 Hazardous building materials: Alternative Solution – Clauses F3.2.1

PASS

Alor Timber Veneer Panels

Forté

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Alor is a premium collection of pre-finished Timber Veneer panels, crafted in Europe with a durable UV-lacquer finish, Alor is designed for both residential and commercial applications.

Residential and commercial applications
Pre-finished and unfinished options
Matching hybrid timber-ABS edge banding
Square edge (Duo and Natural edge banding available)

7 year residential & commercial warranty

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