Ingredients for optimal light reflectance
The project brief required a high gloss level on the walls and kitchen ceiling, both for easy-clean and a high light reflectance value.
The glazed Fenta tiles are about the best option on the market for these requirements because of their non-scratchable surface and unique paint finish.
The UV-cured polyurethane provides a luminous surface. Lighting is amplified in the space, making the artificial lighting more efficient. This leads to improved working conditions and lower energy costs. ‘We have no natural light,’ says food service manager Hellen Donnithorne, ‘so they help make the kitchen light and bright and easy on the eye.’
A durable surface and a flexible solution
The James Hardie compressed sheet substrate makes the Fenta tiles incredibly tough, while the UV-cured high-gloss paint surface is smooth and hygienic.
This makes them very easy to wipe down and maintain in this busy commercial kitchen.
Sheppard and Rout architect, Tim Dagg, describes them as ‘one of the better options for durability and flexibility, where you can pop out the tiles from the ceiling grid to access and maintain services concealed above.’
In addition to hygiene and light-reflectance, the other key feature required for a kitchen environment is fire safety. The fire rated ceiling tiles achieve the maximum New Zealand Building Code Fire Safety Standard – Code 1-S – and also meet the New Zealand requirements for non-sprinkler environments, making them an ideal choice for food prep and commercial kitchen areas.
