Extira is a revolutionary new-to-the-world material that is unique in three ways:

1. Extira is a panel product that resists rot, termites and moisture and offers excellent performance in exterior environments.
2. Extira can be used in any non-structural paint-grade application. It also works well for high moisture interior environments.
3. Extira has a 5-year limited warranty, unprecedented in its product category.

Extira: Take It Outside!

• Exterior panel product is available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses
  • Panel dimensions: 4 x 8 (49" x 97"), 4 x 16 (49" x 194") and 2x16 (25" x 194")
  • Panel thickness: 1/2", 3/4", 5/8”, 1", 1-1/4" (+/- .005")
• Smooth on two sides (S2S)
• Treated with zinc borate; rot and termite resistant
• Phenolic-bonded for exterior durability and moisture resistance
• 5-year limited warranty
• Essentially no formaldehyde emissions

Moisture Resistance, as measured by ASTM D1037 (water absorption and thickness swelling). Rot Resistance, as measured by AWPA E10 (standard method of testing wood preservatives by laboratory soft-block cultures). Termite Resistance, as measured by AWPA E7 (standard method for laboratory evaluation to determine resistance to subterranean termites).

Unlike MDF, Extira is manufactured through a patented process resulting in a uniform product.

The proprietary TEC™ manufacturing process uses a patented sealed press. Wood chips are converted into fiber. Both resin and zinc borate, a wood preservative, are added. The mat is loaded into a sealed cavity where steam is injected during the pressing process. This process facilitates uniform heat transfer throughout the mat. The result is a product with consistant physical properties from surface to surface that are better than standard MDF. This process, in addition to using phenolic-based resins, gives Extira maximum water resistance characteristics. Zinc borate gives the product protection against rot. Extira is termite resistant.

Step 1: Wood fibers are combined with phenolic resins, zinc borate and other ingredients and formed into a thick fiber mat.

Step 2: The mat is pressed between hot platens using a sealed cavity press.

Step 3: While pressed under intense heat and pressure, steam is injected directly into the mat. Accelerated heat transfer cures the center of the mat faster than conventional pressing. This process is controlled by forced convection, like some microwave ovens or convection ovens.

Step 4: Steam escapes rapidly from all edges of the mat.

Step 5: Extira is cooled, cut and sanded on both sides to the thickness tolerance of +/- 0.005"

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is made by converting wood chips into wood fibers, adding a resin or glue (typically urea formaldehyde resin), and consolidating this into a wood fiber mat. The mat is pressed under heat and pressure. The result is a product which does not feature the moisture, rot and termite resistance of Extira and is not as uniform.

Step 1: Wood fibers are combined with resins (typically urea formaldehyde resins) and formed into a fiber mat.

Step 2: The mat is pressed between hot platens using a conventional press.

Step 3: Heat is transferred from the platens to the mat. It takes time for the mat to become heated in the center, as moisture evaporates and escapes the mat around the periphery of the mat.

Step 4: The product is cooled and secondary processing begins.

Termite Resistance

As measured by independent laboratory testing, Extira stands up to tough termites. All scores are on a 10 point scale, with 10 being the best measurement attainable. AWPA E7 is the standard method for laboratory evaluation to determine resistance to subterranean termites.

Termite resistance as measured by AWPA E-7 resulted in high marks for Extira. After 3 years exposure scores, Extira earned an 8.8 on a 10 point scale for resistance to termite attack and a 10 out of 10 for withstanding decay. Southern Yellow and Pine and Aspen both rated 0 on a 10 point scale for both measurements.

Extira resisted rot far better than wood. As measured per AWPA E-10, Extira showed minimal rot decay for both white rot and brown rot as shown in the table below:

Thickness Swell

As measured by ASTM D1037-99, Extira showed thickness swell over 2½ times less than MR 50 MDF. Moisture Resistant Grade 50 MDF has a maximum thickness swell of 5%. (By comparison, Extira has a typical thickness swell of 2% for ¾" material).

Accelerated Aging Test

As measured by ASTM D1037-99, Extira retained 90% of its original strength after 6-cycle accelerated aging test. The accelerated aging test is a means of testing a product's durability when submitted to seasonal changes. In this test, the product undergoes cycles of freezing, thawing, and heating to mimic conditions in areas of seasonal change in terms of humidity, temperature and moisture.

Moisture Resistance, as measured by ASTM D1037 (water absorption and thickness swelling). Rot Resistance, as measured by AWPA E10 (standard method of testing wood preservatives by laboratory soft-block cultures).

1) EMMAQUA Testing: Accelerated weathering test conducted in the Arizona desert. The product was tested on a vertical test fence with southern exposure. During the day, an array of mirrors concentrates sunlight on Extira for maximum UV exposure. During the night, it is submitted to a series of soak, freeze and thaw cycles.

2) CMI Technical Center Rainwall Testing: Wet and Heated Dry cyclical testing

3) Environmental Chamber Testing for Buckling

4) Mechanical Property Testing

5) Test Fences at three disparate locations

CMI manufactures another product, Miratec Trim, using the same ingredients and manufacturing technology which has performed exceptionally on the market for more than 6 years.

Recommended

1. Any non-structural interior or exterior architectural component
2. Exterior or interior millwork, such as fluting, rosettes, raised panels, and dentil mouldings
3. Outdoor signage
4. Window and door parts
5. Other OEM components

Learn more at the Extira website.