High Pressure Laminate Vs Thermally Fused

Today s thermally fused laminate tfl panels formally referred to as melamine come in an array of attractive designs and when paired with the right particle board can be both an economical and eco friendly choice.

High pressure laminate vs thermally fused.

There are so many colours textures and products to choose from it can feel as though you have a dizzying array of selection. Kraft paper is an extremely heavy duty paper that gives added toughness to the finished laminate once everything is fused together. Tfl is sufficiently durable and hard wearing for cabinets countertops and shelving. A high performing durable engineered surface used for a variety of vertical and horizontal applications wilsonart s hpl also offers a broad range of attractive patterns and texture possibilities.

The thermal fused melamine surface is thinner than high pressure laminate so it is more vulnerable to scratches and chips. Thermally fused laminate tfl also offers excellent hardness and scratch resistance that can stand up to the high demands of many environments. When its time to have the look of high pressure laminate hpl with similar performance thermally fused laminate tfl also referred to as thermally fused melamine tfm is often used. There are no kraft paper layers used in tfl.

It is bendable so it can follow the curve of a desk. If you re making changes to cabinet doors one of those choices you may come across is choosing between thermally fused laminate tfl which is known sometimes as thermally fused melamine tfm or thermofoil doors. Pressure and heat activate the resin based sheet and create a cross linked bond with the core. For tfl the melamine saturated paper is thermally fused directly to the core.

When durability style and affordability come together it s a heavenly combination for builders and contractors. It s great for vertical applications or low impact. Made up of a wear resistant overlay decorative sheet and impact resistant kraft wilsonart high pressure laminate hpl offers long lasting beauty function and performance. High pressure laminate is more durable than thermally fused laminate but it s also more expensive due to the added complexity of its manufacturing process.

Hpl has an additional wear layer for increased scratch resistance and a kraft paper layer to improve impact resistance. This seals the core making it impossible to peel away. Thermal fused melamine fuses directly to a solid piece of particle board that can only be cut not bent. Is tfl or hpl the better choice for my custom cabinets.

The same decorative paper is used for thermally fused laminate tfl and high pressure laminate hpl.