Outdoor wood panel applications you never thought possible
Unrivalled durability and design flexibility with MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME
In the world of outdoor applications and landscaping design, choosing the right material can make all the difference. Whether you’re working on a statement garden shed, a decorative bandstand, outdoor lighting installations, custom planters or a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, durability, design flexibility and sustainability are at the top of the agenda. Increasingly, landscape designers and contractors are turning to engineered wood solutions that meet these evolving demands. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is leading the way.
Meeting the demands of modern outdoor spaces
Credit: MTX garden room, Bakers Timber Building
Designing for exterior applications comes with its challenges. Weather conditions vary, environments are increasingly exposed, and today’s clients are looking for bespoke designs that combine function with premium aesthetics. Traditional materials like hardwoods, concrete, metals, PVC and other plastics are still commonly used across landscaping projects, but each presents trade-offs.
Hardwoods offer a beautiful, natural finish but demand frequent maintenance and can be sourced from less sustainable supply chains. PVC and other plastics bring weather resistance and low upkeep, yet their appearance can feel less premium, and their environmental impact is hard to ignore.
Concrete can offer structural stability and weather resistance, but its weight, inflexibility and high carbon footprint often make it a less desirable option for landscape features. Metals and alloys may provide longevity and structural strength, but design flexibility is limited, particularly when it comes to detailed or curved elements.
This is where MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME changes the game. As a wood-based panel engineered for exterior use, it offers the machinability and creativity provided by traditional MDF panels, but with a 50-year guarantee above ground and 25 years in-ground. It delivers both the performance and aesthetic qualities demanded by modern landscaping.
Durability and design freedom in one panel
Credit: MTX garden kitchen, Paul Newman Landscapes
One of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME’s greatest strengths is its ability to merge durability with total design freedom. Manufactured with acetylated wood fibre using advanced technology, it is more resistant to swelling, shrinking and warping, even in the most challenging conditions. Independent BRE testing confirms a service life of up to 60 years for exterior use. It is also perfect for coating as the improved stability enhances the service life of the coating. Damaged coating will not affect the core. This makes it ideal for outdoor furniture, bespoke seating, garden screens and even structural installations such as pergolas or outdoor kitchens.
For landscapers, this means creative potential without compromise. Like traditional wood panels, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME can be cut, shaped and joined with ease, with the added benefit of its perfectly smooth surface, free of knots and voids, allowing for fine detailing and intricate designs. It can be finished to a premium standard, painted in any colour and installed with minimal need for retreatment over time.
Sustainability built in
Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME panels are manufactured from fast-growing softwoods sourced from FSC-certified forests. In addition to being wood based, they are produced with a high-performance resin containing no added formaldehyde, meeting E1 and CARB2 standards. Throughout its lifecycle, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME continues to store carbon, contributing to a more carbon-efficient approach in the sector.
This commitment to sustainable practices was brought to life at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2022. MEDITE SMARTPLY headlined the show with the ‘Building the Future’ garden, created in partnership with acclaimed garden designer Sarah Eberle. The centrepiece structure, made entirely from MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME, was inspired by natural rock strata and demonstrated both the aesthetic potential and outdoor durability of MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME. The installation went on to win two prestigious awards: Gold and Best Construction (show garden).
But the story didn’t end there. True to MEDITE SMARTPLY’s circular values, all wood panels from the garden were carefully dismantled and reused by an environmental charity. The garden’s carbon footprint was assessed by circular ecology, which confirmed that reusing plants and trees helped extend carbon storage benefits, making the installation carbon negative. This year, MTX will once again take part in the Chelsea Flower Show, featured in several major projects.
Responding to industry trends
MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME is uniquely positioned to meet the key trends shaping landscaping today:
- Design flexibility: Clients increasingly expect outdoor features that are tailor-made, from curved set-ups to intricate details. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME supports creative freedom without compromising performance over time.
- Long-term performance: In harsh environments; coastal, high rainfall, or high UV exposure, materials need to hold their form and finish. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME resists all of the above.
- Sustainability: Specifiers and clients alike are placing greater emphasis on responsible sourcing and low-impact materials. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME delivers on both.
- Premium aesthetics: Whether part of a commercial project or private garden, materials must reflect quality and craftsmanship. MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME’s smooth, knot-free surface and paint-ready finish support this perfectly.
Ready to future-proof your next outdoor project?
From practical planters and stylish sheds to statement lighting installations and outdoor entertaining areas, MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME gives landscaping professionals the confidence to deliver designs that last, and stand out.
To learn more about MEDITE TRICOYA EXTREME and explore its potential in your next project, visit https://mdfosb.com/en/products/medite-tricoya-extreme.
About MEDITE SMARTPLY
MEDITE SMARTPLY is part of Coillte, an innovative, FSC certified Irish forestry and forest products manufacturer. Based in Clonmel and Waterford, Ireland, MEDITE SMARTPLY produces a versatile range of Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF) and Oriented Strand Board (OSB) building products.
Written by Jack Scanlan, Product Manager, MEDITE SMARTPLY.