General FAQ’s
Typical questions such as; what diameter dowel should I use? What maximum weight is recommended? For more information download our guide.
CoC refers to all the steps in the process for manufacturing timber products – from taking certified products from the forest through the various manufacturing and distribution stages and ultimately to the point where the final consumer purchases the product. It tracks the product from the forest to the shelf. For a product to be labelled as being made from certified material an unbroken chain is required. There are two key bodies who offer CoC certification in Australia – FSC and AFS. Porta holds CoC under these organizations, click here for more information on each organization. All Porta products carry a certification which means all suppliers and those involved in the supply process have been certified under the relevant Chain of Custody process.
Only buy timber products sourced from sustainable forests and suppliers. Supporting FSC timber not only ensures sustainable logging practices but provides job opportunities and better lifestyle for locals. Look for FSC or PEFC label/symbol that confirms it is from a sustainable source, and can be traced back to the certified forest.
Sustainable forest management is the process of harvesting trees in accordance with the highest standards of sustainable forestry as dictated by the relevant certification body. FSC® and PEFC™ are two of these globally recognised certification bodies.
It is recommended that safety glasses and masks are worn when working with any timber product, especially when cutting or sanding. Some people prefer to wear disposable gloves when using adhesives to minimise the exposure to their skin.
Porta Samples are only available to ABN holders. Click here to find a stockist and see our products up close.
For square corners, 45 degree mitres are required, however the method used depends on your application whether the moulding is to be affixed to a flat surface or wall as in the case of, for example, skirting or chair rail, or whether the moulding is to be affixed to two different surfaces at 90 degrees to one another e.g. wall and ceiling, as in the case of crown, cornice or scotia.
Porta is committed to the use of timber from environmentally responsible resources, and the majority of the Porta product range are certified under either the FSC® or the PEFC™ schemes.
For more information and to view a list of certified products view our Sustainability page.
Porta is committed to the use of timber from environmentally responsible resources, and the majority of the Porta product range are certified under either the FSC® or the PEFC™ schemes.
For more information and to view a list of certified products view our Sustainability page.
We suggest gently peeling the label off and lightly sanding to remove any residual gum. For smaller labels carefully remove with steam.
Older dry labels can be removed with the use of a citrus-based solvent such as De-Solv-it or Un-du, then allowing to dry before gently sanding.
Timber is a natural material that absorbs and releases moisture in response to ambient humidity and temperature conditions. Our production process reduces the moisture content to stabilise the timber against bow, spring and twisting movement, yet it is possible that timber will move slightly due to moisture levels during transportation and storage. Porta’s timber mouldings and products include the amount of acceptable bow, spring and twist movement is graded in accordance with Australian Standard 4785 and 2796.
The terms Hardwood and Softwood relate to the tree the wood is derived from.
Hardwood is produced from an angiosperm tree which have a flowers and produces seeds, and have a more dense and complex structure than softwood which has more pores and vessels. Porta’s Hardwood range is available in a variety of mouldings and timber products in a range of specie including Tasmanian Oak, Meranti, Cumaru and White Wood, and others on request.
Softwood is produced from conifer trees which have needles and produce cones, and are not necessarily softer than hardwoods. They are an affordable option of timber and come in various grades including a finger jointed option. Porta utilises softwood timber from Taeda Pine and Pinus Radiata species used in Porta Clear Pine, General Purpose Pine, Primed FJ Pine and H3 Treated Pine.
See our Timber for more information about timber species.
Porta has a number of timbers suitable for outdoor applications including Cumaru and H3 Treated Pine. It is important to determine whether the application is above ground or in-ground as the durability class of the timber will determine its suitability. Porta’s moulding range includes H3 Treated Pine which is suitable for above-ground exterior applications, having a natural durability class of 30 years above-ground. Hardwood such as our Tasmanian Oak timber is also suitable above ground with a natural durability class of 7-15 years above-ground.
For more information and FAQ visit our Timber page.
Product FAQ’s
Architraves and Skirtings
It is an individual choice but tends to be proportional to the height of the rooms ceilings. Large skirtings work well with higher ceilings. To create contrast select an architrave one size down.
USEFUL PORTA HOW TO VIDEO – How to install an architrave & How to install skirting.
Contours
When planning a timber lined wall with a lined door opening, it is important to design the door opening or jamb to suit the lining board width. Porta Contours has a 78mm cover width, so say 10x board wide or 780mm door would be typical. Also the face of the door, jamb and surrounding wall needs to be at the same height to provide an even surface to adhere the lining board to.
Simply working from the face of the door, progressively work from there to fix the location of the surrounding wall lining.
The cap the visible end of Porta Contours simple attach a dressed rectangular section (or DAR) of Tasmanian Oak or Pine. (Prime coat a piece of raw timber to apply to Pre-Preprimed Contours lining).
The size of timber is a personal preference yet consider 21x21mm Tasmanian Oak (DAR2121TOSL27) or Pine (DAR2121PICL27) which will finish flush with the top surface of the lining.
Please view our detailed installation guide as well as our video. Your carpenter or builder should also be able to provide these materials.
Lining boards are suitable for curved applications down to a 1000mm radius. For tighter curves corner beards are available for applications down to a 500mm radius. Corner beads are available for Riverine, Strata, Cirque, Vast, Wave, Ripple & Traverse profiles. Riverine Corner beads have been used successfully down to a 250mm radius. Please read our Curved Wall Installation Guide for more details.
Any clear (non-tint) coating will be suitable and enhance the timber grain. We suggest Cabots Cabothane Clear, Wattyl Estapol or Haymes Aquatic Floor or Resene Aquaclear coating. Alternatively consider OSMO Wood Wax Finish for a clear yet richer tone. Please refer to Section 10 of the Porta Contours Install Guide to Lining Board Range for more information.
A corner block arrangement can be used to complete the corner, as shown below. Firstly the tongue will need to be ripped & dressed on one side to create a square end. Then the width of a 12mm thick block is cut to suit the overall width.
The corner block can be made from various width of our 12mm thick Tasmanian Oak or Pine (Porta part DAR4212TOSL27 or DAR4212PISB24), which can cut or trimmed to suit.
The blocks are glued & nailed in position and finished along side the lining.
When applying the lining direct on existing cupboard doors. You will need to consider the extra weight on the hinges. Tasmanian Oak hardwood will be 890g per metre of each board. The alternative, Pine softwood will be a little lighter at 860g per metre of each board. Modern hinges are durable, yet the amount weight is dependant width of each door. Typically Contours lining board can be applied directly to the front face. Alternatively, start afresh and construct a cabinet door frame (to mount hinges to), and fix Contours lining board to this.
To finish the top edge, you may consider fixing a trim (Rectangular / DAR2012TOSL) to the top edge to finish of the look. The cover width of the board may not fit exactly across the width of the door. Don’t worry, cut the board length-wise (rip) to continue the look across adjoining panels, or centralise the look across the door. Handles can be fix directly to the board (dependant on the Contours profile you choose) or cut a rectangular panel into the face of the boards and insert a rectangular block – to fix the handle to.
Porta Contours in Engineered American Oak are designed for internal use only. We do not recommend installation in zones where water splash or high moisture levels are present, for example shower recesses or applications where a vessel (bath, basin or tapware) is within 75mm of a wall.
Installation in wet areas must comply with specified requirements according to AS 3740:2021, and NCC Vol 1 F1.7 or Vol 2 3.8.1. It is important that all edges are sealed with an appropriate sealer and cut outs to install services or other hardware must be sealed to prevent ingress of moisture. Prior to installation in areas of high moisture levels, Porta Contours in Engineered American Oak must be coated with an appropriate water repellent, preservative finish. Refer to Porta Contours Design, Installation and Maintenance Guide for further information.
The recommendation is for internal application only.
Yes. Engineered American Oak Contours will require the same treatment as the rest of the Contours range – acclimatisation for a minimum 48 hours prior to installation.
The same information applies as for other timber species, with the exception of wet area use. Refer to wet area information specifically for Contours Engineered American Oak.
Custom Mouldings
Yes, if your profile isn’t one of our existing moulding profiles, we can match it (or take it from your drawings) and make it to your requirements. The cost depends on the profile size and required species and any additional surface finishes . Your profile can be taken from an existing shape, a sketch, drawing or CAD model.
Endure
The width of the exposed face (excluding the joined or tongue width).
Endure Riverine & Endure Strata has the same shape as Contours Riverine & Contours Strata, even though the cladding overall is thicker.
The Endure Riverine and Endure Strata can connect with each other, similar to the Contours set – but you can not mix and match Endure and Contours profiles.
No, we do not stock cladding screws, refer to a local preferred Hardware merchant.
No, not at this time.
Butt join and fix over a batten (or stud).
Yes, coat & maintain the external face with a preferred oil, refer to the Install Guide for more information.
Yes, we recommend factory pre-oil all surfaces and coat any cuts.
Use cladding screws such as 4.0m x 45mm or equivalent, download the Install Guide for more information.
Endure
Porta’s Handrail range have been designed to suit handrail bracket generally available in Retail & Specialist hardware outlets. The Oval model features a centre groove to easy align the centre of the bracket.
Mouldings
Fill any holes or joins with a suitable coloured wood filler, allow to dry. To achieve a matt or semi-gloss paints, we suggest sanding the surface using a medium grit garnet paper (100 – 120 grit). Always sand WITH the grain, never against it, diagonally, nor across the grain. To achieve the smoothest surface, sand again with a fine grade sandpaper. Wipe away dust with a rag.
An alternative method to achieve the smoothest appearance especially for gloss paints is to apply a coat of water to the wood with a damp rag before sanding, then apply desired finish, such as a stain-blocking acrylic primer and allow to dry overnight.
Mouldings can be affixed to walls or backing panels with either nails or wood adhesives. When fixing with nails it is recommended to pre-drill the holes to avoid the timber splitting.
You can easily cover nail holes and blemishes in timber mouldings with wood filler. Push the filler into the hole, smooth it over, and lightly sand before applying your final finish. There is a wide range of readily available wood fillers that are tinted to suit the colour of the timber, which is ideal for staining purposes. Plain filler can be used if painting the timber.
Useful Porta How To Video – Finishing Your Mouldings
The type of timber finish you desire is dependant on the species of timber, application and use. Finishes are recommended to enhance durability, increase longevity and for protection of the timber. Leaving timber raw (unfinished) makes it susceptible to moisture damage and staining. Suitable finishes include painting or staining.
Useful Porta How To Video – Finishing Your Mouldings.
Although originally designed to protect walls from damage inflicted by the backs of chairs, the chair rail today serves as a decorative function. By encircling the perimeter of a room or separating different wall finish treatments it can define the room. It is generally affixed horizontally along a wall at a height of approximately 900 to 1000mm, or at about 1/3 of the way up from the floor to ceiling.
Another tip is to place your chair up against the wall, mark where it hits the wall and centring the rail at this level.
Useful Porta How To Video – How to install a Chair rail/Dado rail
Timber Species FAQ’s
American Oak
Contours Engineered American Oak is made from American White Oak adhered to a substrate of finger jointed Meranti.
Clear Pine
Porta Clear Pine has fire rating properties of Spread of Flame of 7 and Smoke Developed Index of 3 under AS 3837. General guidance on the properties can be found for this and other these specie at www.timber.net.au/index.php/fire-hazard-properties. Also further information can be found for a particular species at: https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Wood-Species/.
For Clear Pine DAR or square-dressed timber, remove sharp edges by chamfering with a hand plane or sandpaper. Apply a timber stain first to provide the desired colour, then protect the surface with a clear polyurethane coating. If painting, use an oil-based undercoat first then any acrylic paint for top coats.
For decorative applications, lightly sand (sanding with the grain) then fill any holes with a wood filler. To achieve a smoother finish, wipe down with a damp cloth, allow to dry for 30 minutes to raise the grain, then sand with a garnet or aluminium oxide 220 to 240 paper. Apply an undercoat (prime) and a finishing coat, lightly sanding between coats, for a great finish.
Cumaru
Density kg/m3 dry (1) = 1085
Durability in ground (2) = Class 1 – 25yrs+
Resistance to Split (Nailing) = Good
Specific Gravity (1) = 1.0
Durability above ground (2) = Class 1 – 40yrs+
Resistance to Split (Screwing = Good
Hardness (Janka kN) (1) = 14.8
Susceptible to Lyctid Borer = No
Gluing = Fair
Modulus of Rupture MPa dry (1) = 175
Termite Resistance = Resistant
Machining = Good
Modulus of Elasticity GPa dry (1) = 22
BAL Rating (3) = 19
Finish = Good
Radial Shrinkage % (1) = 5.3
Bending = Poor
Stability = Excellent
Tangential Shrinkage % (1) = 7.7
Sanding = Good
Growing Region = South America
Bleed* = Near-zero
(1) Wood Solutions (2) Expected performance (3) Australian Forest Research Company 20161118 (May 2017) (4) AS 3959 Construction of buildings in bushfire-prone areas *Compared to other hardwoods tested Porta Cumaru demonstrated no apparent or near-zero tannin bleed. However, Porta recommends cleaning of timber prior to installation and using a suitable sealer to protect the timber and minimise any potential run-off of natural resins onto surrounding surfaces.
Product: Timber will be Porta Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata). Technical Features: FSC® certified, near-zero tannin bleed, with a density of 1,085 Kg/m3, certified Class 1 durability to AS 5604 natural durability above ground and resistant to Australian termites, min. Janka hardness of 14.8kN, a seasoned structural rating of F34 (beams) and bearer and joist width must not be less than 45mm, MOE of 22GPa, MOR of 175MPa, or unseasoned rating of F27 (posts). Where unseasoned Porta Cumaru timber is used, appropriate construction procedures must be adopted to compensate for the shrinkage. Porta Cumaru timber supplied for structural purposes such as posts, bearers and/or joists shall comply to AS 2082 and deck boards timber shall comply with AS 2796. Porta Cumaru timber should be pre-finished in the factory and a quality coating applied on all sides. Cut edges should be end sealed.
Certification: Porta will provide a compliance guarantee with all orders indicating the Porta Cumaru timber has FSC® certification.
Porta Cumaru has been used in a broad range of demanding external and internal construction in domestic housing, commercial construction, and landscaping/civil projects. Click here to view our case studies.
Logging by certified suppliers protects the forest from forest clearing and unsustainable processes. Our supplier harvests less than 1 tree per hectare every 20 years. Our supplier carefully selects the trees to harvest and follows FSC directed low impact techniques ensuring preservation and investment of the forest, source of income for the workers, preserving the wildlife, and supporting local economy.
Porta Cumaru is FSC® certified as being responsibly harvested and processed using responsible forest management and practices and certified by a third-party organization. This assures that Porta Cumaru protects the forests biodiversity and ecological processes. Buying FSC® certified timber helps support sustainable forest management, which reduces the emission of greenhouse gases and protects wildlife habitats. Porta is committed to sourcing timber from sustainable and environmentally responsible resources. By focussing on certified timber, we are helping maintain the ecological, sociocultural and economic balance of forest environments by preserving the world’s forests for generations to come.
Porta Cumaru is sourced from sustainably managed forests in Peru. Our supplier is FSC certified and harvests the timber in a manner that preserves the forests, wildlife and surrounding communities for future generations. Porta holds Chain of Custody certification which means our suppliers are certified.
Yes, Porta has conducted laboratory nailplate fixing trials and found the nailplates can produce a stable joint when used with Cumaru timber.
Porta Cumaru has been used in external exposed applications such as board walks and wharves, for many years. Our trials show Porta Cumaru withstands severe weather exposure and our experience is that it is highly durable. Read more about Porta Cumaru in the Atlantic City Boardwalk case study.
Cumaru is ideal for use in external applications such as posts and landscaping. For maximum performance, set posts in concrete to protect them against water. In landscaping applications provide good drainage and protect the timber from static water, where possible.
H3 Treated Pine
Yes, H3 Treated Pine can be used for a pet kennel or external projects. It is treated with a fixed waterborne copper preservative, known as Alkaline Copper Quaternary (ACQ). This protects against rot, decay, UV and weathering. Any chemical treatment may irritate the skin and it is advisable to seal all surfaces with an acrylic or urethane coating.
Porta Pine is conditioned with potable town water to stabilise the fibre. No chemicals or treatments are used in the production process. It is exclusively made from timbers sourced from independently certified, sustainable and renewable forest plantation operations. Porta H3 Treated Pine is treated with an ACQ process which is based on a Copper preservative.
Yes, only use recommended hot dipped galvanised or stainless steel fasteners.
Store boards on a rigid, smooth, flat surface. Boards should be kept covered from direct sunlight, well ventilated and adequately supported. To care for H3 Treated Pine we recommend a clear or tinted oil-based water-repellent timber stain or paint preparation to be applied to all faces and edges.
Meranti
There are two types of Meranti, Dark Red and Light Red. Meranti consists of 20 different specie meaning the span of colours is quite varied so you will see many shades from light-pink to dark-red. Porta manufacturers and moulds Light Red Meranti, which is less dense than Dark Red making it ideally suited to mouldings and internal joinery applications where decorative profiles are needed.
Meranti or Veneered Meranti is not recommended for external use. Porta Meranti is a Class 4 natural durability timber for indoor use.
Primed FJ Pine
Porta Primed FJ Pine is prepared to be ready to finish with a top coat of acrylic or solvent based coating. It is good practice to fill any nail holes or marks first. Lightly sand with 600 grade aluminium oxide paper and wipe down. Then apply a suitable acrylic or solvent based top coating in your preferred gloss grade – matt, semi-gloss or full gloss.
Porta Primed FJ Pine is available in a range of profiles across the range. The primed process includes pre-sanding, a first coat, sanding and a second coat. The final finish is ready for most applications of a top coat providing a substantial time and cost savings. For high gloss and after filling any fixing holes with a suitable wood filler, add an additional prime coat, sand and complete the job with a finishing coat of paint.
Yes, oil or solvent based paints can be used. Apply a light sanding and wipe down before applying the paint. Lightly sand and wipe down before applying your oil based paint coating.
The primer used on Porta Primed Pine is not formulated as a finish coat to withstand wear and tear. It is ready to accept a finish top coat, yet we recommended to firstly sand lightly, wipe down before applying a finish top coat (water-based acrylic or oil based solvent paint).
For more information view our Timber page.
Tasmanian Oak
Porta’s Tasmanian Oak timber can be used in structural application within it’s structural performance. Typical properties for the species can be found in our specification sheets and at www.woodsolutions.com.au. This information should be used as a guide.
Tasmanian Oak by Porta is exclusively made from timbers from independent, certified, sustainable and renewable Tasmanian operations. The timber is conditioned with potable town water, to stabilise the fibre. No chemicals are used in the production process.
Porta Tasmanian Oak is often used for windows and external doors in the southern states, but it must be painted or sealed to ensure protection from the weather. It is best used for protected and indoor applications. It is not recommended for applications in tropical climates and where there is a high potential risk of insect attack.
White Wood
Porta’s White Wood light weight trim mouldings can be easily glued with a PVA adhesive or nailed with a light weight brad to a panel or wall.
