Give each proposed panel a model reference and describe its construction in plain terms. Ask the supplier to identify what the face is bonded to, how the back and edges are supplied, and which application the exact product is intended for. Keep unknown fields open instead of assuming that similar-looking panels are interchangeable.
| Record | What to make explicit |
|---|---|
| Product identity | Record the manufacturer or supplier's exact model, material description and document revision. Keep the reference image beside the record, but do not use its filename as a confirmed material specification. |
| Face, body and back | List the visible finish, core or body material, backing and total thickness separately. For example, a decorative finish on a board substrate should not be described as solid timber merely because it has a wood pattern. |
| Panel versus wall substrate | Add a separate description of the wall or support receiving the panel. Ask the manufacturer and installer to review the proposed combination and identify which preparation or fixing documents are still needed. |
| Finish reference | Use a sample code to identify colour, texture, gloss and grain direction. Record which faces and edges are visible in the finished room, so that the quotation does not cover only the front surface by default. |
| Application evidence | Describe the intended location and request the exact product's technical information for any performance requirement. Treat claims about moisture, fire, emissions or acoustics as evidence to review, not benefits established by a category name. |
Take this into your next conversation.
- One material record links the sample, model and document revision.
- The panel's core and the building's wall substrate are not mixed together.
- Visible faces, exposed edges and grain direction are identified.
- Unverified performance statements are marked for review.