PALIGHT® Trimboard

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PALIGHT® Trimboard

Trimboard & Accessories

Available in three Color2Core™ colors – White, Sand, Clay – in sheets, boards, PostWraps®, corners, milled profiles, and decorative mouldings.

With Palight Trimboard, you'll appreciate the familiarity and workability of wood – without any of wood's drawbacks. Palight Trimboard won't rot, split, or get damaged by insects – because it's made from long-lasting, low-maintenance, free foam PVC. Palight Trimboard holds a beautiful appearance for decades, so contractors, architects, and builders can incorporate it into any trim project for a sophisticated, worry-free finish.

Why Use Palight Trimboard?

Color2Core™ Sand & Clay

EverClean™ Protective Film

Palight Trimboard vs. Wood

COLOR-MATCH PAINTS, CAULKS, ADHESIVES

To assist contractors with installing Sand and Clay colors of Palight Trimboard, we partnered with top paint and caulk manufacturers to formulate the perfect color matches.

PAINTS: PPG® SidingSafe™ exterior paints in several finishes for painting other building products to match color Palight Trimboard
CAULKS/SEALANTS: OSI® Quad® and Quad® Max and Color Rite® to seal color Palight Trimboard
FILL STICKS: Mohawk® Fil-Stiks® to fill nail holes and other small repairs in color Palight Trimboard

➤Get specific product codes and links to manufacturers' websites.

Palight Trimboard AIA-Approved CEU Course for Architects

Our Palight Trimboard CEU course is available for individuals or groups. Your HSW Credit earned upon completion of this program will be reported to AIA/CES for AIA members. The course covers cellular PVC trim and its many uses within the residential/commercial construction and remodeling industries, including:

The different types of foam PVC
Best practices for installation
Pros & cons of alternative products
And much more

Contact marcom.usa@palram.com for more information.

Palight Trimboard AIA-Approved CEU Course for Architects

Palight Trimboard FAQS

What is the purpose of the protective polyethylene films on certain sheets?

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The protective films in flat (non-corrugated) Palram sheets are for protection against dirt and scratching during the long journey from manufacturing to the job site. In some cases, the film also carries important installation and other product information.

The film will also indicate which side is UV-protected. This side should be installed facing outwards (extremely important).

In most cases, we recommend peeling off the protective films after installation. If this is not possible for practical reasons, always mark the UV protected surface, if there is one, so that the sheet will not be installed upside down.

Important note: The protective films that cover Palram sheets are highly sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Excessive heat and direct sunlight before taking off the film can cause gluing of that film to the sheet surface, after which it will be extremely difficult to remove it from the sheet.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

How important is it to follow Palram general recommendations on product usage?

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Very. Palram recommendations for the storage, installation and general treatment of products are drafted to ensure that the product’s quality and serviceability is met to full extent, and following these recommendations ensures that product warranty isn't void. Please be sure to view the specific product's documents for more information.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Can I install Palight Trimboard with EverClean™ Protective Film on?

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You can – and you should! EverClean keeps Palight Trimboard clean all the way from manufacturing through the end of installation.

Think of it as built-in masking. Patch nail holes. Paint around it. Stack, cut, nail, screw, glue, all with the film in place. EverClean can stay in place for up to 30 days after installation – a must for longer jobs.

What tools can I use to work with Palight Trimboard?

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Just like a good pine board, Palight Trimboard can be worked with standard woodworking tools for cutting, drilling and routing. You can even laminate pieces together and turn them on a lathe (great for making spindles). Our dense HDF2 free foam core virtually eliminates tear-outs or chipping.

Carbide-tipped blades, drill bits and router bits perform best. Avoid using fine-tooth blades that are intended for cutting metal – the blades will heat up and can burn (discolor) the boards.

Can I paint Palight Trimboard?

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Our three fade-resistant, UV-stable colors – white, sand and clay – go all the way to the core, so painting isn’t necessary. But you can paint it if you want to. No special surface prep is required. Just wipe to remove dust and static.

However, the type of paint you use is VERY important. Always use a "siding safe" paint with a Light Reflectance Value* (LRV) of 55 or higher. Paints with an LRV of less than 55 will absorb more heat, and can lead to damage or warping of any PVC trimboard product, including Palight Trimboard.

NOTE: Please be sure to visit our painting tips page here for detailed information on paint types. You will also find color codes for paints to match our three colors of Palight Trimboard (White, Sand and Clay).

What kind of paint should I use on Palight Trimboard?

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Be sure to specify "siding safe" or "vinyl safe" latex paint when buying paint. A paint with a light reflectance value (LRV) of 55 or greater is required, or you will risk damaging the boards and joints due to excessive heat buildup.

We have partnered with PPG® Paints to create matching colors for our sand and clay trimboard. Click here to get the correct PPG color codes to use at your favorite paint store.

What fasteners should I use with Palight Trimboard?

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For the cleanest look, use Palight Cortex® fasteners, which come with a countersink drill bit and color-matching plugs for our white, sand and clay trimboard. With Cortex, no pre-drilling is necessary. Cortex fasteners are designed to cut through both the EverClean Film and the trimboard, enabling you to insert the matching plugs with the film in place.

Nail guns also work well with Palight Trimboard. Fill nail holes with a PVC putty or wax fill-stick. (Keep the EverClean film in place to provide masking.) Color-matching Mohawk® Fil-Stiks® for our sand and clay trimboard are available. Click here to get the correct color codes to use at your favorite lumberyard.

What kind of adhesive should I use on Palight Trimboard?

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Never use a silicon-based adhesive. A vinyl or PVC cement (white or clear) is required. Always "glue and screw" joints together and to the substrate. Glue alone is not enough – additional mechanical fastening is always required.

Some adhesives have a very limited working time, so read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before use. For best results, surfaces should be smooth, clean and in complete contact with each other. To attain the optimum bond, the Palight material surfaces must be cleaned and degreased using a clean white cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol.

Popular PVC-to-PVC adhesives include Weld-On 705, OSI Quad, Christy’s Red Hot and PVC TrimWelder. PVC-to-substrate adhesives include Liquid Nails Subfloor or Heavy Duty and NPC Solor Seal 900.

Download our installation guide for more details on gluing and fastening Palight Trimboard.

What kind of caulk/sealant should I use on Palight Trimboard?

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Do not use a silicon-based caulk/sealant. A vinyl or PVC sealant is required. We have partnered with OSI® Quad™ and Quad Max™ as well as Color Rite® to create color-matching caulk/sealant for our sand and clay trimboard. Click here to get the correct color codes to use at your favorite lumberyard.

What's the best way to make small repairs Palight Trimboard?

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When using our white trimboard, any standard PVC filler or sealant will work, as long as it is not silicone-based. For smaller repairs, we're big fans of wax fill-sticks. We have partnered with Mohawk® to create color-matching wax Fil-Stiks™ for our sand and clay trimboard. Click here to get the correct color codes to use at your favorite lumberyard.

Will Palight Trimboard expand/contract?

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All foam PVC trimboard products expand and contract to some degree. Foam PVC expands and contracts linearly – along the length of the material – in reaction to changes in temperature. If you follow our installation guidelines, you can limit the variance to just 1/8IN in either direction per 18FT of run. Note that longer runs of uncut boards will expand and contract more than shorter runs.

Always consider the temperature at the time of installation, and gap the boards accordingly. If you do not fasten PVC trimboard properly, and if you do not account for future movement, problems with gapping or buckling can occur. This is especially true if the board is very hot or very cold on installation.

There is no hard and fast calculation, but you will need less gapping when installing hot boards, and more gapping when installing cold boards. Always use "hidden" joints like scarf or ship lap joints to minimize the appearance of gaps.

When gaps are glued on a long run of Palight, allow space for expansion and contraction at each end of the run. Download our installation guide for more details on proper gapping.

Do I really need to buy Palram's recommended fasteners and related accessories?

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To ensure long-term warranty coverage, it is strongly recommended to use Palram-approved fasteners and accessories, which have been tested to ensure high quality and function.

Palram products + fasteners + related accessories should be thought of as a system meant to provide the best possible installation. Proper use of the complete system greatly reduces the possibility of problems and insures that product warranty will be honored.

Please see the installation instructions for the specific product for details.

AG-TUF®SUNTOP®

Do Palram sheets expand in heat?

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Yes. PVC and polycarbonate sheets expand with heat, and contract with cold.

Various Palram sheet products require different installation and fastening methods to account for expansion/contraction.

Always review the specific installation instructions for each Palram product before installing.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Do any Palram polycarbonate products have a UL 94 fire rating?

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Yes, some Palram products do have a UL 94 fire rating.

PALSUN FAMILY
PALCLEAR
PALCLAD PRO

Click here to view the UL 94 Tech Brief for the most up-to-date information.

You may also click here to view the Palram UL listing on the official UL website.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Can Palram sheets catch fire?

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All plastic materials are flammable to some degree, and will catch fire in presence of exterior flame.

The ignition temperature of polycarbonate sheets is 915ºF (490ºC).

The ignition temperature of PVC sheets is 736ºF (391ºC).

Both materials are self-extinguishing, and fire will decay when the exterior flame source is removed.

Note that compared to polycarbonate and PVC, acrylic sheets (which are not produced by Palram) are more flammable.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Can Palram sheets be curved?

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Bending/forming instructions vary by sheet material. Always check the installation instructions of the relevant sheet material.

But in general, some of our sheets can be cold-curved for arched shapes, provided the relevant Palram specifications for minimum radius in cold-curving are followed.

Rigid flat sheets can be cold-curved in any direction.

Corrugated sheets can be cold arched "along the grain" of the corrugation (lengthwise). Corrugated sheets cannot be curved/arched "against the grain." That is, do not bend perpendicular to the direction of the ribs.

Like corrugated sheets, multiwall sheets can be arched only "along the grain" of multiwall (lengthwise).

Our Palight Trimboard "lumber-style" boards can be heat formed in any direction, with the proper heating equipment and forming jig.

Again, see the installation guidelines for each material for specific instructions.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

How should I store Palram sheets when not in use?

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Store sheets in a protected, shaded, ventilated site, with no direct exposure to sunlight and winds. For outdoor temporary storage, cover with an opaque protective tarp, avoiding heat-absorbing materials.

Important note: Palram flat (non-corrugated) panels have a protective surface film that keeps the product safe from dirt and scratches during the long journey from manufacturing to the job site.

These films are sensitive to heat and direct sunlight. Excessive heat and direct sunlight before taking off the film can cause that film to bond the sheet surface, after which it will be extremely difficult to remove the film from the sheet.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Can I use any of Palram's products as a hurricane screen?

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Palram has one product specifically designed for hurricane protection: Stormlite Multi-Wall Polycarbonate. Review the product page for more information.

Palram's other polycarbonate panels have excellent impact resistance, but the thin gauge of these products makes them inappropriate for this application.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

How long do Palram PVC and polycarbonate products last?

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Palram manufactures a variety of different products for different applications. Most have industry-leading warranties against manufacturing related defects, as well as specific warranties related to the intended use for the product.

However, with proper installation and maintenance, our products typically far exceed their warranty periods.

Many of our products are engineered to be installed outdoors and are warranted accordingly. Nevertheless, the lifespan of outdoor products can be affected by how well they were installed, as well as environmental factors like air pollution, sun exposure, winds and erosion by airborne particles.

Warranty details can be found in the Downloads tab under the Warranties section at the bottom of the page for each individual product.

AG-TUF®PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Can I recycle Palram polycarbonate or PVC panel scraps?

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Yes, Palram's polycarbonate and PVC sheet products are recyclable.

Polycarbonate products such as Suntuf, Sunlite, Palsun, DynaGlas, or ThermaGlas should be marked "Plastic #7" prior to recycling.

PVC products such as Palruf, Ag-Tuf, Palclad Pro, Palclear, or should be marked "Plastic #3".

If local recycling is not available, other resources are available. For PVC products, click here to visit the Vinyl Institute's Recycling Provider Database.

For polycarbonate products, visit The Association of Post Consumer Plastic Recyclers site and review their materials buyers and seller's list.

AG-TUF®PALBOARD™PALCLAD Pro™PALCLEAR®PALGARD™PALIGHT Project PVC PALGARD™PALSHIELD™PALSUN®STORMLITE SUNGLAZE™SUNLITE®SUNPAL®SUNTOP®

Trimboard & Accessories

Available in three Color2Core™ colors – White, Sand, Clay – in sheets, boards, PostWraps®, corners, milled profiles, and decorative mouldings.