Engineered for lasting performance, our engineered timber panelling combines the strength and stability of advanced construction with the natural beauty of real timber. Built for New Zealand and Australian homes, every collection is designed to perform as beautifully as it looks — for the life of your walls and ceilings.
Our panelling combines curated, authentic timber finishes with engineered performance designed for New Zealand lifestyles. Prefinished for convenience and crafted to the highest standards, every board undergoes real-world testing and rigorous quality control to deliver industry-leading durability, stability and long-term peace of mind.
Forté's Engineered Timber Overlay Wall & Ceiling System is designed for glue-down (and secret-pin) installation across a range of approved substrates, including GIB/plasterboard, timber framing/battens, plywood, and concrete, brick or blockwork. Each substrate type carries its own specific requirements around moisture content, level tolerances, and fixing method, all of which are addressed in full within the Design Guide.
Key specification points:
Approved substrates: GIB/plasterboard, timber framing/battens, plywood, and concrete/brick/blockwork
For internal use only, and walls must be load-rated to support the product's weight
Commercial spaces must meet Group 1-S fire rating
Wet area (E3) installations are limited to splash zones only (no continuous standing water or direct wet-floor showers) and must follow Forté's specified wet-area system, including waterproofing membrane, sealing, adhesives and edge detailing
Not recommended for areas with high moisture content or water splashes, such as kitchen splashbacks, bathrooms, toilets or laundries, unless installed per Forté's wet-area system
Full scope, limitations and technical detailing are set out in our Timber Overlay Wall & Ceiling System Design Guide.
Download our Timber Walls & Ceiling Panelling Design Guide
Shelves & Niches
Wall to Ceiling Continuity
Feature Walls & Headboards
Doors
A Range of Specifications
Across two collections, our European Oak wall & ceiling panelling offers extensive options in grade, dimensions, texture and finish to suit any space or style. Every board is prefinished with a durable finish and precision tongue & groove joint profiles for consistent, long-lasting performance.
Specifications | Forté Collections |
|---|---|
Species | European Oak |
Grade | Rustic |
Thickness | 15mm – 21mm |
Width | 50mm – 240mm |
Length | 400mm – 2200mm |
Wear Layer | 4mm – 6mm solid European Oak |
Construction | Multilayer Engineered |
Surface Finish Type | Prefinished |
Joint Profile | Tongue and Groove |
The Engineered Timber Overlay Wall & Ceiling System Design Guide is the reference point for specifying and detailing Forté's engineered timber collections with confidence. It covers the full system — from approved substrates and adhesive systems through to wet area detailing, transitions and trims, and climate control — giving specifiers the technical grounding needed to design a compliant, long-performing wall or ceiling from the substrate up.
Detailed system drawings and adhesive specifications accompany each substrate and condition, providing the construction detail required to translate the guide directly into working documentation.
The system addresses NZBC requirements across structure (B1), durability (B2), fire (C2, C3), internal moisture (E3), and hazardous building materials (F2). Every specification detail in the guide — from substrate build-ups to trims, transitions and skirting — is drawn from tested, documented practice, ensuring the system performs as intended across the full range of design conditions it's built for.
Download our Timber Overlay Flooring System Design Guide View on Eboss View on Programma View on Smartspec View on ProductspecCompliance & Testing
Forté's Timber Overlay Wall & Ceiling System addresses the relevant clauses of the New Zealand Building Code, giving specifiers a documented, reliable compliance pathway from concept through to Building Consent.
NZ Building Code Clause | Demonstrated by |
|---|---|
B1 STRUCTURE B1.3.1, B1.3.2, B1.3.3(a,j,q), B1.3.4 | Non-structural internal lining system, detailed to prevent detachment or hazardous failure and accommodate building movement without imposing loads on primary structural elements |
B2 DURABILITY B2.3.1(c1.1.1) | 25-year Structural Warranty and 7-year Finish Warranty; UV-lacquer coating protects the surface layer and core |
C2 PREVENTION OF FIRE OCCURRING C2.2 | Deemed to comply with Group 3 as per Table A1 of Appendix A in C/VM2, unless specified with an FR core |
C3 FIRE AFFECTING AREAS BEYOND FIRE SOURCE C3.4(a) | Fire performance properties meet applicable surface finish requirements as determined in accordance with C/AS2 |
E3 INTERNAL MOISTURE E3.3.4, E3.3.5, E3.3.6 | Durable, easily cleaned UV lacquer; not recommended for wet areas above 70% RH without Forté's specified wet-area system |
F2 HAZARDOUS BUILDING MATERIALS F2.3.1 | Super E0 Formaldehyde emission rating |
Forté is committed to reducing its impact on the environment across every stage of production, from responsible forest sourcing through to the long-term performance of the products themselves. This commitment is backed by third-party certification: Forté holds an FSC Promotional Licence and FSC Chain of Custody Certification (SGSHK-COC-510037), alongside PEFC Chain of Custody Certification (SGSCH-PEFC-COC-510014), ensuring products are sourced from forests managed to protect biodiversity, support local communities, and uphold fair labour practices.
Engineered timber itself carries genuine environmental advantages over solid timber. Because only the wear layer is solid hardwood, engineered panelling uses roughly a third of the timber resource required for solid timber of the same dimensions — alongside low VOC emissions, a long lifespan, and the ability to be recycled or repurposed at end of life.
What is engineered timber wall panelling?
Engineered timber wall panelling features a solid timber veneer bonded to a backing of plywood, pine or hevea. It offers greater stability than solid timber panelling while providing the same rich, natural appearance once installed.
What is a Lamella?
A lamella is a thin plank or sheet of solid timber, much like a wood veneer only thicker. Lamella thickness can range from 2.5-10mm, whereas veneers are usually less than 2.5mm thick.
What is HDF/MDF Core Wall and Ceiling Panelling?
HDF/MDF core wall and ceiling panelling features a high-density engineered fibreboard core made from compressed wood fibres and resin. It delivers exceptional stability and a smooth, consistent surface, ideal for decorative finishes. The result is a refined, uniform appearance with improved resistance to movement compared to solid timber.
What timber wall and ceiling options does Forté offer?
Two systems: our engineered timber overlay collections (Imondi and Tactile, in a range of engineered European Oak finishes) and Alor, a prime-grade European Oak or American Walnut veneer panel. All Forté flooring collections are also suitable for wall and ceiling use, so you can carry the same finish from floor to wall for a continuous look.
What's the difference between the engineered overlay collections and Alor?
The engineered overlay range (Imondi, Tactile) uses a thicker wear layer (4-6mm solid European Oak over a plywood core) and comes in rustic grading with visible character — knots, cracks and colour variation. Alor is a lighter veneer system (0.6mm European Oak or American Walnut over an HDF core) in a clean, knot-free prime grade, supplied in long 2.7 metre lengths with a locking joint profile that installs directly onto framing, without gib.
Why do some boards show more knots or colour variation than others?
That comes down to grade, not quality. Clear grade is close to flawless; Prime is mostly uniform with subtle character; Light Feature, Feature and Rustic grades show progressively more knots, cracks and colour variation. Markings such as knots, sapwood, medullary rays, cracks and pinholes don't affect strength — they're part of the timber's natural character, and the specification sheet for each product notes what to expect.