Laminates - Enhancing the look of modern homes

The construction industry has seen a lot of change over two decades. Gone is the old polished wood. In its place, we see attractive, laminated surfaces in a variety of designs and colours. Coupled with the correct choice of paint shade for the exteriors, the look can be very striking. 

Laminates:

A few decades ago, we only had veneers. This was a fragile sheet of natural wood stuck or fastened to plywood. Only surfaces that were visible to the outside had veneers. The veneers were sanded and then polished to a shiny finish. The wood grains on the veneer surface gave an exceptionally aesthetic look. However, it wasn't easy to maintain. After some time, they became dull and needed polishing, which was a labour-intensive job. 

This problem was overcome by the use of laminates. Instead of wood, the material is made of plastics or resin. Like veneers, the laminates are manufactured in the form of sheets. They retain their shine and colour for very long periods.

A laminated wooden door was among the first applications. Since the laminate lends itself to printing, we have a variety of colours and designs. Archidply is one of the reputed manufacturers of decorative laminates. For example, the door of a childrens’ room could have images of cartoon figures, birds, and animals. A pooja room door could have an image of a Goddess. 

Uniformity:    

A technique called digital printing is used on the laminate. This ensures a uniform design throughout the surface. The joints between the adjacent laminate sheets will not be visible on a large surface area with good workmanship. Veneers cannot achieve this as the grain orientation of the natural wood and design cannot be matched between adjacent sheets. 

Properties: 

Laminates are waterproof and heat resistant. In addition, they are stain-resistant and are well suited to be used in children's rooms, bathrooms, and kitchen cabinets. The stains are easily removed with water and soap. They are also anti-bacterial and flame retardant.

Under extreme conditions, the surface may show cracks. However, the surface of the laminate is hard and is resistant to scratching and abrasion.

As the first choice for a laminated finish is a door, there are many wooden doors manufacturers in Delhi.  This is due to a lot of construction activity and the need for uniqueness. 

Conclusion

To ensure the quality of the final product, Indian Standard IS 12823 (2009) gives properties of pre-laminated boards. An ISI mark assures a minimum level of quality. Archidply is one of the reputed manufacturers whose laminated products are of high quality and one of the best in India. 

Laminates are artificial. They use chemicals like resins and plastics and are not environment friendly. However, the comparative cost and other advantages far outweigh this factor. In the future, we will see a lot more variety of this product.