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Viroc is a composite panel consisting of a mixture of wood particles and cement called Cement Bonded Particle Board (CBPB). It combines the flexibility of wood with the strength and durability of cement, allowing a wide range of applications both indoors and outdoors. The production of Viroc panel complies with the specifications of EN 634 and EN 13986 standards and carries the CE Marking Certificate.
The Viroc panel has a heterogeneous appearance with different shades randomly dispersed, resulting from the natural colours of the raw materials used and the chemical reactions. Tone differences may be observed on the same face, between the faces of the same panel or between different productions batches.
A range of applications
Viroc panels are widely flexible and can be used to surface everything from facades to flooring, partition walls and even kitchen or furniture.
Ceilings
The Viroc panel is used in false ceilings both indoors and outdoors, for its aesthetics and durability. When applying false ceilings, open joints between panels must be provided, both indoors and outdoors.
The minimum thickness of Viroc panels used in indoor ceilings in dry areas is 10 mm and 12 mm in wet areas, whether indoor or outdoor.
It is also suitable for supporting roof coatings, due to its mechanical resistance, insulation index to aerial sounds, thermal resistance and humidity resistance.
Finishing
Viroc panel is supplied raw and unfinished. The surfaces have some irregularities and imperfections, such as small incrustations, marks, scratches and salts from chemical reactions.
Whenever the panel is to be applied to open view, even if a varnish finish is not planned, a surface cleaning/polishing must be performed with a cleaning disc to remove dust, scratches, dirt and salts.
The cleaning/polishing does not change the natural look of the panel, it will remain the stains and heterogeneities that characterize it, as well as some salts and incrustations that are embedded in the surface. Viroc has suitable cleaning discs, that will be supplied upon request.
Varnishing
The application of varnish on the Viroc panel is recommended. It aims to protect against aggressions of the environment where it is inserted, such as sun and weather exposure, increasing durability, facilitating cleaning and maintaining its appearance over time.
Applying a varnish may change the natural color tone of the Viroc panel, giving it a “wet” look with some gloss. Before applying varnish to the panels, the surfaces must be completely clean and dry, without grease, dust or surface salts. Surface cleaning should be done by polishing with a cleaning disc or alternatively sanding the surface with fine grit sandpaper 120 or higher.
There are no specific paints and varnishes to apply to Viroc. The panel has a surface alkalinity (PH) of 11 to 13, so that paints and varnishes suitable for both concrete and wood surfaces are usually the best performers when applied to the Viroc panel.
Cutting, drilling and machining
Boards are adaptable and can be cut, drilled and machined with power or compressed air tools commonly used in carpentry or mechanical metalwork.
Cutting, drilling and machining of Viroc and V-Urban boards releases dust that may contain traces of silica and cement constituent material. Appropriate personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, goggles, etc. should be worn.
-Cutting: The cutting of Viroc boards must be performed with circular saws with high wear-resistant carbide (tungsten) or diamond cutters. To make multiple cuts or to cut boards with a thickness of 19 mm or greater, a horizontal cutting table should be used. The cutting table will increase profitability.
-Drilling: Drilling should be performed with non-impact drills using HSS (High Speed Steel) drills suitable for drilling metal.
-Edge machining: Simple edge machining can be carried out on site using a portable router. Using the correct cutter, edges can be made by: Bevelling, rounding, annd grooving. The board edges may be supplied with factory grooves, tongue and groove or halved joint.
Investwood, a Portuguese company
Investwood, SA is a Portuguese company that manages the production and sales of wood fibre boards and cement-wood boards. Viroc, SA produces cement-wood boards, Viroc®, a composite material, composed by a compressed and dry mixture of pine wood particles and Portland cement. The plant was created in 1979 in France and established in 1992 in Portugal.
