Here we answer some FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
If you can’t find what you’re looking for – contact us and we’ll be happy to help.
What are Fibo Panels Made from?
Fibo panels are easy to fit and you can certainly do this yourself if you have capable DIY skills and are confident with using standard woodworking tools. Fitting instructions are included with the panels or can be downloaded from our website. If you are not confident in your ability, however, any competent professional tradesperson can be employed.
We would always recommend fixing Fibo panels to the walls using wooden battens, screwing through the tongue of the Aqualock on our 600mm and 900mm wide panels.
Use 1 1/2 inch No 6 screws for this purpose. However, panels can also be glued to the walls or over existing tiles if they are sound and straight using a high tensile strength waterproof adhesive. Where possible, however, additional mechanical fixing is always preferable.
Please refer to our fitting instructions provided with the panels or available for download from our website: https://fibouk.fibo.vps.dekodes.no/install-fibo/fibo-installation-instructions/
We recommend using a high tensile strength waterproof adhesive such as Fibo Adhesive, No More Nails(Unibond) or Stixall (Everbuild) to stick Fibo panels to the wall. One 380ml tube should be able to cover three 600mm panels.
See details on the manufacturers websites:
http://www.unibond.co.uk/en/diy-adhesives/no-more-nails/no-more-nails-waterproof.html
http://www.everbuild.co.uk/product/stixall/
A hybrid polymer waterproof sealant, such as Fibo Seal should be used to seal all joints and edges and we would recommend products such as Soudaseal 215LM (Soudal) or CT1 (C-Tec)
These sealants normally come in clear/white or with a range of colours, flexible and almost odourless and bond particularly well to the laminate of the panel. Using these recommended products should mean that there is no need for ongoing maintenance or replacement of the sealant. We would not advise using silicone sealant as this does not stick as well to the laminate and degrades quickly meaning that it has to be replaced a regular intervals.
All the products mentioned can be purchased at your local builders merchants or using the manufacturers websites.
Fibo panels should be kept dry and not be leaned against walls, stored vertically or balanced upon trestles but should be laid flat and, if stored in very cold conditions, should be acclimatised at room temperatures for 3 days prior to fitting. It is important that the panels being a wood based product are at the right temperature when installing.
Yes, Fibo panels can be fitted directly onto existing tiles or to plasterboard walls. We would always recommend mechanical fixing, using screws, in the first instance. However, should this not be possible or practical and, provided your walls are sound and straight, you can use just the adhesive to fix Fibo panels to the wall.
We recommend the use of a product called COLORFILL (Unika) which is an acrylic gap filler and sealant and can be used to repair small chips or minor scratches in the laminate of the boards.
It comes in a range of colours which can be matched to the colour of your panel. A list of nearest Colorfill match to common Fibo decors can be viewed here.
Colorfill can be purchased directly from their website or DIY shops.
Yes of course. Please email our offices: sales@fibouk.fibo.vps.dekodes.no, stating which designs you are interested in.
Fibo wall panels have a spread of flame according to test program NS-EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 Fire Certificate : D-s1.d0.
Fibo panels are constructed using exterior grade WBP plywood and, providing all exposed plywood edges are fully sealed with a recommended polymer sealant and fitted correctly according to the manufacturer's instructions, our panels are guaranteed fully waterproof.
Fibo offers customers a 25 year warranty that our Product will not delaminate, stain, fade or crack during the Warranty Period as a result of defects in materials and/or manufacture of the Product, when properly installed in accordance with Fibo’s installation instructions and cared for in accordance with Fibo’s instructions for “Cleaning and Maintenance” or Product Guide and Handbooks. The warranty does not cover items such as sealant or profiles/trims. Fibo Product Warranty certificate 2021
A base profile should be used when installing in wet areas to prevent water damage occurring and, although the Fibo core material is water resistant WBP plywood, all joints and cut edges and areas around baths or shower trays must be sealed properly using our manufacturers’ recommended hybrid polymer sealant to make the panels fully waterproof. The guarantee may be invalid if this is not carried out.
Our guarantee does not cover faulty installation, accidental damage or misuse, structural movement or incorrect maintenance and storage including the use of inappropriate cleaning materials such as bleach or abrasives.
The guarantee does not cover the use of 1200mm panels joined together with an H-shaped stacking profile on a run along a wall. This method of installation will not be fully watertight and the 600mm and 900mm panels with the Aqualock tongue & groove join are specifically designed for this purpose.
Please ensure that the panels are checked thoroughly, prior to fitting, for any damage, defects or flaws in the laminate and colour shading. If the panels are to be installed by a third party tradesperson, the colour should first be approved by the homeowner or end user. Where possible the panels should be dry fitted to check how they look prior to permanent installation.
This guarantee does not confer any rights other than those shown above. Claims for indirect and consequential loss or damage are specifically excluded. This guarantee does not affect your statutory rights as a consumer.
Yes you can. Heavy items such as washbasins or towel rails should always have additional battens behind the panel.
Fibo is sold by the panel and you can calculate how many panels you need to cover your area if you have measured this in square metres. Use the following calculation:
For 600mm wide panels - divide your square metre measurement by 1.488 and round up.
For 900mm wide panels - divide your square metre measurement by 2.208 and round up.
The 600mm and 900mm panels are the ideal size of panel to clad your entire room as they have our Aqualock tongue and groove system for perfect invisible joints. We do NOT recommend using a 1200mm straight edged panel (not Aqualocked) to go on a run around the room using an H-shaped profile.
The 1200mm panels are not designed for this purpose as the installation will not be guaranteed watertight. 1200mm panels are specifically intended to be installed as one wall - one panel, in shower areas. Our guarantee, therefore, does not cover 1200mm panels fitted any other way.
Fibo panels are very easy to clean. Clean on a regular basis with just a wipe down using a soft cloth with soap and water or a non-abrasive liquid cleaner. Do not use the shower clean “wash & go” products or limescale removers on the panels as the acidic content of some of these products can cause damage or discoloration over time. Do not allow bleach, abrasive cleaners, paint stripper, nail varnish, spirits or toilet cleaners to come into contact with the panels.
The sealant should also be cleaned often to prevent mould growth. If using silicone sealant, which is not recommended, regular checks of exposed sealant are necessary and this should be replaced if required. This should not be needed, however, if using a permanent polymer sealant as recommended. Steam cleaning machines are not suitable for use with Fibo panels.
We have an H-shaped profile available for this purpose. It enables you to stack panels on top of each other for areas higher than 2.4m.
Yes, we have a specific Kitchen Splashback range. All panels are 600mm wide, and are offered in both 580mm heights for above the worktop, and 900mm heights for above the hob.
No, Fibo panels are for wall use only.