Shadowline System

Intrim Shadowline is a skirting board and door jamb system, where the shadowline is moulded into the timber providing a precise architectural line, unlike the P50 bead and plastic bead method to create a shadowline.

Explore the difference between Intrim’s SK800 shadowline, and the other two methods of creating shadowline: 

Intrim SK800 Shadowline® System: SK800 is Intrim’s patented one-piece Shadowline system. With SK800 you get a consistent shadow line, no variation in the grooves, and most importantly, ease of installation. It saves around 30% time on installation over other Shadowline products and installation methods, which means comparatively less installation cost. Because it is all timber it is easy to paint and gives a consistent finish. It also removes the issue of cracks appearing on the shadowline provided all the instructions were followed during the installation.

Shadowline Skirting using P50 bead: Using P50 bead is a traditional way of creating Shadowline. It can produce inconsistent and messy Shadowline grooves, and you can also see some cracking at the bottom of the Shadowline after installation. Because it is a two-piece system and requires blocking behind the skirting to support the joint, it takes longer to install, which results in high installation costs. 

Shadowline Skirting using Plastic bead: This method removes the issue of cracks appearing at the bottom of the Shadowline. Cracks may occur on top of the Shadowline, but they are not visible to the eyes. This method still does not guarantee crisp and consistent grooves, takes longer to install, and incurs high installation costs. 

Comparison Chart of the different methods for creating Shadowline.

Intrim Shadowline is a skirting board and door jamb system, where the shadowline is moulded into the timber providing a precise architectural line, unlike the P50 metal angle and plastering method to create a shadowline.

We often get asked by builders and installers who have worked with the P50 system, “how strong is the join?” and “is it going to crack?”. This concern stems from what seems like an unusual partnership between timber and plaster at a join, and the worry that the two surfaces may not bond well, be as strong or that moisture may affect the join over time.

When selecting our timber suppliers, we choose only the best. Our careful selection ensures that our timber is of the highest quality and the moisture content in the finished timber is tested and correct. As well as this, we rigorously test all of our timber materials to ensure they meet the high standards and specifications required for achieving ultimate strength and durability.

As an added safeguard to your project, we only offer our Shadowline System pre-primed, which provides an additional moisture barrier around the timber to further reduce moisture intake over time and potential timber changes during acclimatisation.

During installation we recommend using Fiba Fuze tape which creates a strong, seamless join, without the risk of crack appearing. To avoid cracking you must also allow the jointing compound to dry fully between coats as per the manufacturer’s specifications and instructions. Drying times are approximately 24 hours in normal conditions or 48 hours in cool conditions between each coat. See USG Boral instructions here.

You can see in our demonstration video that even a sledgehammer cannot break the join.

With the Intrim Shadowline System, common issues experienced when using a P50 metal angle are eliminated, such as messy Shadowline grooves, misalignment and length of time to install. Intrim’s Shadowline saves 30% time on installation over other Shadowline products and install methods.

This ease of installation experienced with the Shadowline system and the neat finish saves time on rectifying defects that commonly occur, resulting in faster, high-quality projects with fewer costs.

Not only does the Shadowline save on time and money, but it also achieves a stunning, neat finish that creates phenomenal residential and commercial interiors.

See what our clients say about Intrim Shadowline system.

Intrim Shadowline System door jambs are available to suit 70mm and 90mm stud widths and available in 30mm and 40mm thicknesses. Shadowline Skirting Board are available to suit 10mm (most common for residential applications) and 13mm plasterboard thickness. 18mm thick FR MDF is used for fire rated skirting board.

Many skirting heights are available ranging from 90mm to 285mm, which delivers a visible height from 65mm to 260mm. Custom sizes can be made to suit your project, however when choosing the height of your Shadowline Skirting Board, be mindful that the Shadowline itself sits 35mm down from the overall height of the timber. To make selecting your Shadowline skirting we have referenced the sizes as the visible height, which is the height from the bottom of the board to the top of the Shadowline groove. See the Shadowline table of dimensions to easily select the size and type to suit your project.

The Shadowline groove is offered in 10mm or 5mm to suit the look that best suits your particular project.

As our timber mouldings are made to order we can customise the dimensions to meets your project requirements on request.

Select the options that match your project requirements to determine the most suitable profile code for your project.

Yes, the Intrim SK800 Shadowline® FR MDF skirting board meets the AS1530.4-2014 standard and is considered fire rated meeting the requirements for BCA fire compliance.

The pilot scale fire resistance test was carried out by CSIRO North Ryde in accordance with AS 1530.4-2014 of a non load bearing plasterboard lined wall system.

The specimen comprised a 1200mm x 1200m plasterboard lined wall system which incorporated 64mm steel stud wall framing lined on both sides with 16mm thick CSR Fyrchek platerboard. The wall specimen included an Intrim 800 Series Shadowline skirting board, screw fixed along the bottom of the framing, on both sides of the wall.

The bottom of the cavity was lined with friction fitted 300mm x 50mm thick x 60kg/m3 Bradford Fibretex 350 Rockwool board continuously behind the skirting board.

The skirting board was Intrim® SK800 Shadowline® System, made from FR treated medium density fibreboard (FR MDF), that was 18mm thick and 140mm high. The joint between the plasterboard and skirting board was set using a standard plaster setting compound.

The proposed construction to meet the fire rating shall be a 64mm steel stud 16mm fire grade plaster board lined wall (achieving an FRL of at least-60/60 without cavity insulation) that includes Intrim’s FR MDF SK800 skirting board backed with 50mm CSR Fibretex 350 Rockwool insulation and a Bead of Bindex Fire & Acoustic Sealant between base of skirting and floor substrate, as shown in the diagram below.

The proposed construction shall be a steel stud plasterboard lined wall than includes an Intrim Mouldings FR MDF skirting board backed with 50mm CRS Fibretex 350 Rockwool insulation as tested in FSP 1997 and subject to the following variations:

• The wall linings may vary to include other proprietary brands and 16mm Fire grade plasterboard provided they have been tested or assessed to be fixed to each side of a 64mm steel stud without cavity insulation and achieve an FRL of at least 60-60. The plasterboard used in this test was 16mm CSR Fyrcheck plasterboard.
• The wall may increase in height.
• If the wall increases in thickness the maximum difference between the insulation thickness and the cavity size shall be as tested 14mm.

When tested the specimen achieved an integrity performance of 85 minutes and insulation performance of 65 minutes.

Intrim Shadowline MDF FR meets fire resistant AS1530.4-2014 standards it will achieve a FRL: -/60/60

Revision B from the CSIRO Short Form Assessment Report FCO-3351, dated 28 July 2021)

Installation instructions for fire rated Intrim Shadowline do vary from the non-fire rated instructions. See instructions FR instructions here.