Laminates and their uses

Laminate has become one of the most preferred materials for home decor and is mostly used as an overlay over wooden furniture. Laminates are easy to maintain, durable and cost effective.

Let us have a look at different laminates and their uses.

1.       Based on pressure applied

·         High pressure laminates:  These are hard and are fixed by carpenters over plywood while making furniture.

·         Low pressure laminates: These laminates are manufactured by soaking the decorative paper in melamine resin and the laminated paper is then bonded to fibre or particle board.

2.       Based on usage

·         Decorative laminates: They are used to protect and decorate wooden furniture. The look and feel is important.

·         Industrial laminates: Industrial laminates have higher resistant to wear and tear. They have higher strength and are durable too. Such laminates are used in making circuit boards.

3.       Based on thickness

·         Regular laminate sheets: Such sheets are glued to substrate materials such as plywood with an adhesive and thickness range is from 0.6 mm to 1.5mm

·         Compact laminate sheets: They have a thickness range from 3mm to 30mm. They are self-supporting and do not need to be glued. Both sides of the laminate sheets have decorative surfaces.

4.       Based on surface finish

·         Solid coloured laminates: Such laminates are generally used for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity.

·         Gloss finish laminates: They have a glossy finish and the print is more eye catching. They are commonly used on clubs or event industry.

·         Matt finish laminates: Such laminates are usually used for corporate painting as they have subtly but stylish finish.

·         Wooden finish laminates: These give an aesthetic touch to the home interiors and are designed using chemically treated timber.

Some other uses of laminates are:

·         Standard laminate sheets are used for making furniture, kitchen cabinets etc.

·         They are ideal for use in office furniture as it is resistant to wear and tear and cost effective.

·         They are also used for wet area paneling.

·         Post forming laminates are used in kitchens and offices where a clear look is required.