James Hardie Wall & Floor Products has announced an upgrade to the sealant used on their Scyon Secura interior flooring boards. Products manufactured since April 2016 will incorporate the improved penetrating sealant developed by James Hardie to enhance performance.

Formulated to penetrate deeper into the board’s surface compared with the previous coating, the sealer minimises damage on the board during the installation process. The sealant reduces water uptake in boards even if they are inadvertently left uncovered in wet weather, and also helps maintain the board’s water repellence.

Will the new sealant technology impact downstream trades?

No, it won’t. Extensive inā€house and third party testing has confirmed that there is no change in compatibility with applied waterproofing systems, adhesives and finishes.

Is the new sealant technology being used on Secura Exterior sheets?

James Hardie has not changed the coating for Scyon Secura exterior sheets because of the mesh applied to the back of the sheet to obtain a greater level of product performance in exterior wet area applications. The current sealer coating system will help retain this mesh performance benchmark.

Can I mix the old and the new?

Since the two products are compatible, it will allow a seamless change.

Do I still need to apply primer before waterproofing?

Most waterproofing system manufacturers insist on the application of primer, prior to waterproofing.

Will the boards be labelled on both sides to identify suitable finishing options?

Yes; however, installers will still need to correctly identify the right side for tilling or carpet/vinyl because the gap in the tongue and groove joint is designed to allow for the sealing of the joint with sealant prior to waterproofing and/or tiling.