Technical Data Sheet for Barker-Tile(1) Manufacturer
J.J. Barker Company Ltd. Phone: (450) 263-0222 or (800) 567-2635
105 Barker Street Fax: (877) 263-9171
Cowansville (QC) Canada Email: Info@barker.ca
J2K 2P8 Web Site: www.barkertile.com(2) Product Description

Recommended Uses
Barker-Tile is 100% waterproof when installed using 100% silicone caulking and Barker’s high quality solvent-based adhesive.

Barker-Tile is available in 4’ x 8’ or 5’ x 5’ and is specifically designed for interior wall covering in any high moisture, high humidity application such as bathrooms, saunas, laundry rooms or kitchens. Tub enclosures and shower walls are the most predominant use. Kitchen back splashes; commercial restrooms and certain institutional applications such as dormitories and hotel/motel facilities are also popular applications. Barker-Tile is also a practical and attractive wainscoting in any of these areas.

Properly installed, Barker-Tile, in addition to offering the look and feel of expensive ceramic tile, will withstand years of use. Whether used in new construction or renovation, Barker-Tile makes installation rapid and easy with the look of a professional job. One 4’ x 8’ or 5’ x 5’ panel of Barker-tile covers the same area as over 200 individual 4” ceramic tiles.

Product Composition
Smooth-two-side 3mm thick hardboard panels are draped with specially formulated coatings. These coatings crosslink or dry within seconds when exposed to a catalyst; in this case a gas which is circulated within the curing chambers. The vapour permeation cured (VPC) finish is extremely durable, hard yet flexible and superior to conventional melamine finishes. (Please refer to Annexe A for photo of the different coatings.)

Basic Limitations
Barker-Tile panels are intended for interior wall surfaces only and not as structural materials. They must be adhered to a suitable, solid wall using a high-quality solvent-based adhesive.
Barker-Tile is permitted for use in areas where a flame-spread rating of 160 and a smoke developed classification of 150 is allowed.

When used as a waterproof wall finish, all seams, edges, holes and/or punctures must be adequately sealed with 100% silicone caulking. Panel swelling will occur if water is allowed to come into contact with the uncoated hardboard.

Pattern & Color Availability

See enclosed brochure for pictures of the different models.
Please note that due to their nature, the Dover White and the Plain White are not shown in our brochure.

Sheet Thickness & Density

(3) Structural Properties & Flame Spread Index (Based on Independent Testing)

*Standards required by Canada Mortgage & Housing Corporation
Accelerated Aging

Testing conducted by Forintek Canada Corporation Test Report #45-80-568
Underwriters’ Laboratories of Canada Test Report #CR1687

Chemical Resistance

Procedure: Few drops or each reagent is applied to surface and covered with watch glass for four (4) hours. (Refer to Annexe B for photos of this procedure.) Surface is then washed with water and left one (1) hour before checking.

Reagent % Solution Effect
Results: Sodium Hydroxide 5% None
Ammonium Hydroxide 10% None
Hydrochloric Acid 5% None
Citric Acid 5% None
Acetic Acid 5% None
Liquid Detergent (Fantastik ™) None
Liquid Bleach (Javex) None
Nail Polish Remover Film swollen very slightly
Mineral Spirits None
Stain Resistance
Procedure: Small amount of each material is applied to surface and covered with watch glass for four (4) hours. (Refer to Annexe B for photos of this procedure.) Surface is then wiped with damp cloth and left one (1) hour before checking.
Results: Material Effect
Lipstick None
Mercurochrome None
Grease None
Shoe Polish (Black Paste) Stained film *
Mineral Oil None
Wax Crayon None
Mustard None
Soft Drink (Coke) None

*Stain is completely removed with liquid bleach.

Heat Resistance
Procedure: Sample of finished product in oven at 150° F for 24 hours. Colour retention was then checked.
Results: Very slight change in colour

Steam Resistance
Procedure: A panel is first submitted to three (3) flexions of the surface, and three (3) flexions of the back to verify that the panel’s flexibility is good. A 4" x 4" sample, taken from this panel, with back and edges sealed with acrylic lacquer is then suspended face down, 1" above mouth of a 500 ml Erlen Meyer flask. The flask half filled with water is maintained at mild boil and the first cycle runs for eight (8) hours. Let sample recover for 16 hours and grade. (Please refer to Annexe C)

Results: 1st cycle: Slight colour change - no cracking
2nd cycle: Test ran for 40 hours – slight colour change – no cracking

Humidity Resistance
Procedure: Sample of finished product 6" x 8" with back and edges sealed with acrylic lacquer and vinyl tape is exposed face down on Q. panel tester. Water at 125° F is condensed on surface of panel for period of 1.5 hours. Surface is dried by warm air blowing on surface for one-half hour. This cycle is continuous twenty-four (24) hours per day. Exposure time: minimum of two (2) months. Sample checked every week for cracking, peeling, delamination, etc.
Results: After an exposure of twenty-four (24) weeks, no cracking - slight colour change.

Colour Retention
Procedure: In darkness, a sample of finished product is exposed in 'black box' (absence of light). Tray at bottom of box contains a 10% solution of ammonium hydroxide. Exposure time is minimum of one (1) month. Check for colour change.
In UV light, a sample of finished product is exposed in window to sunlight. Exposure time is minimum of one (1) month. Check for colour change.

Results: After three (3) weeks: Beige - changed more in light than darkness.
After twenty-five (25) weeks: White - very slight change.

Abrasion
Procedure: Tester consists of a reservoir for the abrasive (Ottawa sand). Guide tube 36". Test panel supported at an angle of 45° to the vertical at a distance of 1" below the axis of the guide tube. Panel is placed face up on the holder and the sand is allowed to fall on the surface until topcoat has been worn away up to ink portion. (Ink exposed over diameter of approximately 5/32").
Results: (Expressed as litres of sand required)
27 litres of sand

Adhesion
Procedure: Lines are scored into surface of sample with razor blade to form a configuration similar to the diagram below. Masking tape is applied to the scored area and firmly pressed onto the surface. Masking tape is then removed by pulling off in a fast, swift motion. (Please refer to Annexe D)
Measure amount of coating removed along edges of score lines.
Representation of score lines ∫
Results: Excellent – no coating removed along edges of scored lines

(4) Warranty
Barker products have been manufactured, inspected and tested in accordance with our high standards of quality and we affirm that every effort has been made to ensure that our products are free of manufacturing defects.
Barker-Tile is covered by an exclusive, 25-Year Limited Warranty provided:

* Installation is done according to Barker’s written instructions
* Installation is done with Barker’s Adhesive and 100% Barker Silicone
* All seams, edges, holes and/or punctures are adequately sealed with 100% Barker Silicone
* No nails or screws are used to install Barker-Tile
* Barker-Tile is properly maintained

Note: If Barker Adhesive and Silicone are not available in your area, use a high quality solvent based panel adhesive and a high quality 100% silicone caulk.
Barker’s Responsibility
Any cracking, peeling, moisture infiltration and other alterations of the surface of the substrate caused by the manufacturer and/or a manufacturing defect.

Beyond our Control
Alterations due to improper handling, improper storage, incorrect installation, lack of proper maintenance or damages caused to the product once it has left our plant.
Barker’s liability shall be limited to the replacement or refund (at Barker’s option) of defective Barker products.
Barker reserves the right to validate any claim.
(5) Maintenance

Barker-Tile may be cleaned with any non-abrasive cleanser. The use of cleansers that contain abrasives, acids or alkalis may damage the decorative waterproof surface. Stubborn stains and soap scum may be removed with bleach such as Clorox® followed by rinsing with clean, warm water.