Laminate is a hard and brittle sheets having thickness around 1mm used to overlay on wooden furniture’s which gives furniture more fine and attractive look. These Laminates are water resistant, abrasion resistant and scratch resistant and gives decorative look to furniture. Size of laminate sheet available in market is 8 feet X 4 feet and generally thickness is vary from 0.6mm to 1.5mm.
Laminates can be classified into various types based on the following:
- Based on Manufacturing Process
- Based on Usage
- Based on Surface Finish
- Based on Advanced Properties
- Based on Built
Types of Laminates
A. Classification Based on Manufacturing Process
1. Low Pressure Laminates
In low pressure laminate decorative paper is soaked in melamine resins and dried naturally and then it will bonded over MDF,HDF or Particle Board with heat activated glue and laminator having a heat rollers for consistent and fine bond.
2. High Pressure Laminates
High Pressure laminates are hard decorative sheets which fixed on plywood and MDF using Adhesive and pressed using cold process.
B. Classification Based on Usage
1. Decorative Laminates
Decorative Laminates are mainly used for decorate and protect furniture. These laminates give premium finish, touch and feel. They can mainly use in conference rooms, Home interiors, walls etc. to give it attractive and auspicious look.
2. Industrial Laminates
Industrial Laminate have higher resistance against scratch and wear and tear. They are more durable to use in Industrial areas. They can mainly use in office cabinetries, office furniture’s etc. Circuit boards are made using Industrial Laminates.
C. Classification Based on Surface Finish
1. Matt Finish Laminates
It creates matt like effect on laminate surface. It mostly used in Corporate and business offices which gives subtle but stylish finish to the furniture.
2. Glossy Finish Laminates
It creates glossy effect on laminate surface. Glossy finished laminates create print on it more eye catchy and attractive than matt finish. These types of laminates are used in clubs or event industry and they are also suitable to use in kitchen as it makes cleaning more easily.
3. Mettalic Finish Laminates
As name indicates it gives metallic look to furniture’s. This laminates are more durable and glossy. These laminates are mainly used in commercials and showrooms.
4. Texture Finish Laminates
In these type of laminate when you touch it you can feel texture of the laminate. These laminates create impressive impact on furniture. These type of laminates are used in corporate offices, commercials etc. in which they create subtle and classy look.
5. Solid Color Lamiantes
These type of laminate have single solid color without any prints or textures on it. They are mainly used in kitchen counter tops and Bathroom areas.
6. Digital finish Laminates
Digital Laminates are actually the customized printed laminates for interior. Which offers architects and designers an easy, simple and reliable mode of artistic expression.
D. Classification Based on Advanced Properties
1. Fire Retardant Laminates
These are fire resistive laminate. It used in fire prone areas like kitchen, Industries etc.
2. Anti-Bacterial Laminates
These laminates are mainly used in hospitals as first priority is for hygiene. These laminates are bacterial resistant.
3. Electrostatic dissipative Laminates
These laminates are used in electronic assembly for manufacturing circuit board.
4. Magnetic Laminates
Magnetic Laminate, an innovative high pressure decorative laminate which has an unique property of holding magnet. These laminates can use in offices for holding reports, notice boards etc. In Hospital it can used for holding operation schedule, charts, reports etc. and in houses it can used in bedroom for holding photographs, Schedules, planning’s etc.
5. Mark or Chalk board Laminates
These laminates have non-porous Glossy White laminate surface which gives excellent properties for marker pens for writing, wiping and rewriting. These laminates have extra thickness with abrasive resistant property.
E. Classification of Laminate Based on Built
1. Unicore Laminate
These laminates have attractive and edge lining laminate matching to surface facing. It creates neat and even look to the work piece. These laminates Avoids usage of un-matched plastic edge Bandar.
2. Non Core lamiante
In these type of laminate edge of laminate is generally black i.e. wood. These laminates are economical than Unicore laminate.
Recommended Use of Laminate Based on Its Type
| Types of Laminate | Preferred areas |
| Matt Finish Laminate | Corporate and Business offices, Living Room , Bedroom etc. for subtle and stylish look |
| Glossy Finish Laminate | Clubs, event Industry, Showrooms, Kitchen etc. It gives glossy effect to furniture and it’s also very easy to clean. |
| Metallic Finish Laminate | Commercials and showrooms |
| Textured Finish Laminate | Living Room , Decorative Units, Corporate , Business offices etc. for subtle and classy look |
| Solid Color Laminate | Kitchen Counter taps, Bathroom Areas, Bedroom etc. |
| Unicore Laminate | Kitchen , Bedroom, Commercials and water prone areas etc. as it has a single core they are good water restive. |
The above table has to be used as a general guideline. You can choose laminate of various finishes, Design and colours anywhere in your home to give your furniture a great look.