RENEW YOUR HOME WITH DESIGNER LAMINATES

Laminates are items of finishing that are mostly used in surface of furniture and are also popular for wall paneling. There are two kinds of laminates – HPL (High Pressure Laminates) and LPL (Low Pressure Laminates). HPL (also called High Pressure Veneer Sheets) and LPL (also called Low Pressure Veneer Sheets) essentially are made from the same process of heating under pressure; the only difference between them comes from the amount and duration of processing. HPL (High Pressure Veneer Sheets) is the original and direct derivative of plastic laminates. High Pressure Veneer Sheets are widely recognized for durability and is a popular decorative surface material with special properties like resistance against fire, chemicals and abrasion. Special grades for High Pressure Veneer Sheets are labelled as post-forming because they can be bent around the surface of furniture with the application of heat and pressure.

High Pressure Veneer Sheets is produced by condensing many layers of kraft paper together phenolic resin. A layer of decorative paper is put on the kraft paper before pressing down. The combination is consequently pressed down under the action of heat and pressure. Phenolic & melamine resins have the quality of taking shape and getting set on cooling down after being heating to high temperatures. This long curing process helps in making permanent cross-linking bonds that converts layers of material into a single Laminate sheet and contributes to its durability. Particle board (aka MDF) is the most suited substrate because it lends stability, durability, consistency and foundation. High Pressure Veneer Sheets are stronger, more resistant and the first choice of material when it comes to flooring, desktops and counter-tops.

Some Places to use Laminates –

• Counter-tops
• Table-tops
• Flooring
• Cabinetry
• Case Goods
• Furniture

It may interest you to know that Laminate counter-tops aren’t only for home kitchens; Laminate counter-tops deliver to the needs of science labs and classrooms. Laminates can also be used for vertical areas with heavy-duty settings like in hotels, office furniture, hospitals and health-care, retail stores, commercial interiors and educational facilities.

High Pressure Laminates also can be used for many other areas depending on their type.

1. GENERAL PURPOSE
Typical thickness 0.028” – 0.048” (0.71 to 1.22 mm).Mostly used for horizontal and vertical surface applications at places mentioned above.

2. POSTFORMING
Maximum thickness is 0.038” (0.97 mm) – 3/8” (9.5 mm).Post-forming laminates can be curved around the edges of furniture, cabinet etc. by application of heat & restraint.

3. BACKER
Backer is basically High Pressure Veneer Sheets without any decorated surface. It is available as the most common type and is slightly thinner than HPL.

4. SPECIAL PRODUCTS
HPL is sometimes infused with special properties that are specific to requirement, place of use, and functionality. Some HPL sheets are infused with deep colour, some may be especially made for doors and still other may be ideal for kitchens. These also find uses in cabinet-liners, high-wear, fire-rated, electrostatic and chemical resistant laminates.