10 Questions You Should to Know about color steel phenolic panels
Jul. 28, 2025
Can You Paint Phenolic Panels? - Fundermax Blog
How to Install Phenolic Panels - Fundermax Blog
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Jul. 28, 2025
Fundermax has been around for over a century, and we love answering questions about high pressure laminates and phenolic panels. One question we commonly hear is, “Can you paint phenolic panels?” The answer is yes and no; or rather, you can – but you don’t want to, and you definitely don’t need to!
Phenolic panels are highly resistant architectural panels crafted for ultimate durability. They’re made from a core of kraft paper and phenolic resin that is coated in a protective outer layer of polyurethane acrylic and then cured under high pressure and heat. (Refer to this post on our blog for a more in-depth look at how phenolic panels are made.)
The highly resistant surface means that painting phenolic panels is not necessary or recommended. Read on to find out why.
Painting phenolic panels are not necessary. Often this question comes up because other types of panels (such as fiber cement or brick) require frequent upkeep including paint.
However, unlike other materials, Fundermax phenolic wall cladding has minimal fading or change in color. That means, with phenolic wall cladding, paint is not needed to keep your design looking fresh and new.
Sometimes this question arises because the phenolic panels are paired with a different material that requires painting, and the owner may be concerned about getting paint on the phenolic cladding. Not to worry. If you have already painted your phenolic panels (or if someone painted them and you didn’t want them to), removing paint on phenolic panels is simple with a harsh chemical like acetone (and it won’t damage the surface).
Occasionally the question of painting phenolic panels arises from color fatigue or a desire to keep up with changing design trends. However, it’s better to just reorder new panels, or even better, plan from the beginning to choose a timeless panel color and décor that is always on trend.
Phenolic panels are extremely durable. They are impact-, scratch-, weather-, UV-, and graffiti-resistant, and they are engineered for high-traffic areas. HPL panels are suitable for installations below 10 feet, in curved designs, and even in roof applications!
Crafted for ultimate durability, you can see a lifespan of 40-60 years from a high-quality phenolic wall panel. Even better: you can achieve maximum longevity with minimal maintenance.
No! The beauty of high-quality HPL panels is they require very little maintenance. The panels are non-porous, so when fungus, dirt, or dust land on the surface, it’s easy to clean away.
We get this question a lot because other panels like fiber cement require more upkeep. While definitely long-lasting, this longevity can only be achieved through frequent maintenance and repainting. Phenolic panel maintenance, on the other hand, equates to a lower lifetime cost of ownership because they are easier to care for.
The three main methods used to clean phenolic wall cladding are:
Water
Cleaning solutions
Solvent chemicals
Where water is concerned, rainwater also serves as a self-cleaning method for exterior walls. Due to its non-porous makeup, the surface is resistant to stains and spray paints, and routine cleaning is more than enough to maintain them. Contrast this to other highly porous exterior wall materials, which require sanding, grinding, and blasting to keep clean. The non-porous surface also allows phenolic panels to tolerate harsh chemicals like acetone (but avoid rough/sharp scouring pads as those can dull the surface).
The image above features the Roseland Toth Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia, Canada. Design and art by Christian Toth and owned by MacGillivray Law. Uses Fundermax Max Compact Exterior panels in Individualdecor.
Yes! Fundermax offers HPL panels in a broad range of colors, patterns, materials, finishes, and textures, including superior woodgrains.
But, what if the precise color is not part of a manufacturer’s standard range? Designers can specify custom panels in any color or design thanks to digital printing. The result is virtually unlimited design freedom.
The color capability of digital printing allows for any specific color to be printed. That means architects and designers can break out of even the widest range of colors offered by phenolic panel manufacturers. Fundermax also works with project architects to go beyond solid colors, creating panels with custom images that are crisp, clear, and perfectly sized. Our Individualdécor wall panels are digitally printed on one side (the reverse side remains a standard, matte color), and Fundermax stores the customer’s digital image for ten years, making panel reprints simple if needed (and painting unnecessary!).
Fundermax also provides wall panels that can be mounted both horizontally and vertically, use wood, steel, or aluminum substructures, and pair them with multiple options for fastening. This degree of flexibility allows architects to embrace the full breadth of their imagination and creativity.
As one of the world’s most trusted manufacturers and suppliers of phenolic panels, Fundermax has worked with countless designers and architects. We have perfected our products over time to cater to any design and decor needs and provide phenolic panels that promise durability, longevity, and easy maintenance. As a result, Fundermax is able to manufacture precisely what you need – paintbrushes not required!
Information abounds regarding the benefits of phenolic wall panels, and one commonly mentioned benefit is the ease of installation.
This, of course, begs the question: how do you install phenolic panels?
As a century-old and globally trusted phenolic panel manufacturer, we are pleased to share our instructions and tips for phenolic panel installation.
Phenolic panels (also called high-pressure laminate or HPL panels) are manufactured with natural core materials, decorative layers, and thermosetting resins cured under high heat and pressure.
The result is a highly resistant architectural panel. Crafted for ultimate durability with maximum design freedom, phenolic wall panel systems provide a versatile and sustainable option for architects and designers around the globe.
There are three main factors that can affect phenolic wall panel installation: substructure material, mounting orientation, and fastening system.
The three primary options for substructure materials are wood, steel, and aluminum.
Wood is an accessible and sustainable option but can have a shorter lifespan. Most phenolic panel manufacturers recommend using an EPDM membrane for wood substructures.
One benefit of steel is the wide availability of hat and zee shapes, but the steel must be 16 ga or higher, and cut ends must be painted to avoid corrosion. Not all phenolic panel manufacturers allow for steel substructures, so compatibility may also be an issue.
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Aluminum has a far superior lifespan than wood or steel, making it a great value as a substructure material. There are also many supplier options, and compatibility is essentially a nonissue as all phenolic panel manufacturers allow the use of an aluminum substructure.
Regardless of the final design aesthetic, when it comes to the actual phenolic panel installation, there are two mounting options: horizontal or vertical.
Overall, horizontal wall panel installation tends to be faster and more straightforward than vertical.
Vertical phenolic panel installation can be more challenging and time-consuming but can also offer even more durability by mirroring the vertical path of precipitation.
Fundermax panel installation offers four fastening system options: Exposed, Concealed, Modulo, and Scaleo Lap Siding.
An exposed fastening system does not conceal the fastening points. Fundermax exterior phenolic wall panels and color-matched screws allow for maximum design freedom at an economical price point.
A concealed fastening system is how to install phenolic panels without exposing the attachment points. This is achieved by using anchors embedded in the back of the phenolic cladding panels that hang on horizontal rails attached to vertical wall brackets.
Modulo employs a concealed fastening method that utilizes a hidden clip system installed with routed edges in the panels. Phenolic wall cladding panels in this modern plank system can be installed in a running bond, stacked bond, or a combination of the two.
Scaleo Lap Siding is an application of concealed fastening that is easy to design and use. The lap siding system provides a robust, modern exterior façade.
For more details on each fastening system, including downloads available in Adobe and AutoCAD formats, click here.
Prior to the installation of a phenolic wall panel system, including the phenolic cladding panels and underlying substructure, the wall substrate must be inspected by the installing contractor to ensure that it is in good condition.
Typically the substrate must be plumb and true with a maximum variation of ⅛” in 10', but this tolerance can vary. Refer to the project specifications for your particular project, and report any problems to the General Contractor or Owners Representative. Deviations from the specified requirements must be corrected prior to the start of installation.
Measure the wall to determine exact panel locations and starting points for the phenolic panel system layout. Mark the positions of the subframing on the wall per the substructure shop drawings when provided, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for the correct fasteners, as they may vary depending on the wall substrate.
Where applicable, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for fixed and sliding point fasteners in the aluminum extrusions. Verify that the actual phenolic panel positioning coincides with the substructure layout during substructure installation.
Correct positioning of the subframing is critical to the quality of the final product because it determines the positioning of the phenolic cladding panels on the wall. Errors during this part of the installation can cause significant losses of time later in the installation.
During phenolic panel installation, to ensure the exterior phenolic wall panels perform properly, special care must be taken to allow for panel expansion and contraction. This is achieved in Fundermax panel installation by using a Fixed Point and Sliding Points.
Note: Fundermax panels are intended to be cut to size and drilled under controlled workshop conditions, with field cuts and drilling kept to a minimum (window openings, corner details, mechanical penetrations etc.). For field drilling of holes, it is critical that the proper tooling be used. Proper tooling requirements for Fundermax panel installation are provided in this document.
It is critical to the performance of the phenolic cladding panels that a “centering tool” be used during installation. This tool ensures that the fastener is centered within the Sliding Points, which are slightly oversized holes in the panels.
It is also critical that the center point of the drill hole in the substructure coincides with the center of the hole in the phenolic panel. Drill with a centering tool. Installations without centered fasteners in the Sliding Points may cause the panels to cup or bow on the walls.
Install fasteners from the middle of the panel outwards, and throughout installation, check to ensure that panels are level. Quality control during installation is the best way to ensure a proper end result.
For additional details specific to Fundermax panel installation, including our downloadable resource library, click here.
The benefits and applications of exterior phenolic wall panels are extensive. Below, you will find a sampling of the most notable features and uses of phenolic resin panels. For a more in-depth evaluation, consider this Guide on the Versatility of HPL (Phenolic) Panels.
Durable
Sustainable
Long-lasting
Code compliant
Minimal maintenance
Weather-resistant and suitable for any climate
Colorfast and lightfast, with a high level of UV stability
Non-porous
Scratch and abrasion-resistant
The company is the world’s best color steel phenolic panels(tr,uk,es) supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
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