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DifferentattheCore:DistinguishingBetweenLaminatesandVeneers

The Demands of Contemporary Design and Construction

Introduction

Sustainability and economics are at the forefront of the design and construction industry, prompting designers and to seek out fresh, smart ways to minimise their environmental impact while keeping within increasingly strict budgets. This has led many professionals to reassess the materials they use and opt for those that are and perceived to have minimal negative repercussions on the environment, such as laminate and veneers. While the popularity of the two materials has grown over the past few years, some confusion remains as to the between the two materials and the characteristics and that each provide. The composition of laminate and veneer is vastly and each

unique attributes.1 This whitepaper takes a close look at veneers and laminates to provide clarity on each product and examines how laminates in particular provide superior qualities that cater to the demands of contemporary construction.

Around the world, the construction sector is in a period of marked growth. Market forecaster Construction Intelligence Center reports that by 2020, the total value of the global construction industry will reach an unprecedented worth of $10.3 trillion.2 This growth is driving margins and competition to new highs, but the expansion of the industry is also presenting designers and with a range of new or elevated demands.

there is a great demand for durability, versatility and minimal maintenance. When they are achieved, these attributes allow design professionals to provide dynamic,

projects that meet the long-term needs of the owner and occupant whilst maintaining aesthetics and achieving budget requirements. Against this backdrop, laminate and veneers have emerged as popular choices amongst designers and However, it is important to note that despite being used for the same purpose, the attributes of materials – such as their properties, availability, lifecycle and cost – are 3

There is great demand for durability, cost-efficiency, versality

and minimal maintenance

Laminates Versus Veneers: Understanding the Difference

Thedifferencesbetweenthesematerialsareduetotheircomposition.

Veneerisanengineeredtimberproductcomprisedofathinslice–typically0.6mm4inthickness–oftimberadheredtoabackingsheetofMDForotherengineeredsubstrate.Itisoftenusedtoincorporatehardwoodintoaprojectforalesserpricethanthatofsolidtimber.5Asitssurfacelayerisrealtimberithasthequalitiesofvariationincolour,texture,andpattern;however,thisalsocomeswithmanyofthedrawbacksoftimber,albeitonalesserscale.Suchdrawbacksincludeatendencytowardscratchesandelevatedmaintenancerequirements.6

Laminate,ontheotherhand,isacompositewiththreekeyelements:acoreofresin-impregnatedKraftpaper,adecorativefacepapermaterial,andmelamineresin-impregnatedoverlay.Therearethreetypesoflaminate:highpressure(HPL)andcompact,whichhaveKraftpapercoresofvaryingthicknesses,andlowpressure/melaminefacedboard(LPM),whichdoesnothaveacore.HPLlaminateisoftenusedasthedecorativesurfaceforresidentialandcommercialcountertopsandapplicationsincludingcabinets,worksurfaces,laboratorysurfaces,backsplashes,partitions,retailfixturesand panel applications.7

Lasting performanceLaminatesaresuperiortoveneersinmanyregardsbutparticularlyintermsofdurability,allowingthemtobeutilisedinareaswheredurability,impactandscratchresistanceareimportant.8Thethick,shockabsorbentcoreofHPLandcompactlaminatesaffordsahighdegreeofimpactresistancethatoutperformsveneerandmakesthemidealforheavyuseapplicationssuchaskitchencabinets,wardrobesandbenchtops.9Incommercialcontexts,HPLandcompactlaminatearewellsuitedtouseasreceptioncounters,lockers,workbenches,andotherloadbearingapplications.

Whiletheindividualattributesofaproductvarybetweensuppliers,testinginaccordancewithNEMA/ISO4586forthemarketleadershasshownthatincomparisonwithwoodveneer,laminatehas10to 12 times the wear performance. This is in addition to 4 to 5 times the impact resistance and 2 to 4 times the scratch resistance.10 Thecompositionoflaminatemeansthatdurabilityisinherentanddoesnotrequireongoingmaintenanceorapplicationofasurfacetreatment/finish.LaminateisalsoresistanttofadingandotherdamagecausedbyUVexposure,expandingitsapplicationoptions.11

Ontheotherhand,theunprotectedsurfaceofmostveneersispronetodentingandscratchingandsusceptibletodamageinthepresenceofwater,makingitunsuitableforheavy-dutyuse.ThisiscoupledwithatendencyforveneerstofadewithUVexposure.Whilesomeproducts’protectivetopcoatsmaycombatthis,such

coatsrequireperiodicreapplicationthatcanbebothtimeandcostintensive.Specialcaremustalsobetakenwhilecleaningthesurfacetopreventdamage,whereaslaminateonlyneedstobevacuumedor wiped with a damp cloth.12Inaddition,aseachsheetisexclusive,oncethesheetisdamagedasimilarreplacementisnotavailable,meaningtheownermusteitherputupwiththedamageorvariancein aesthetics or replace the entire area.13

Cost effectiveness at all stagesDuetoitshighdegreeofdurability,laminateofferscosteffectivenessatallstagesofaproject’slife,frominitialspecificationthroughtoinstallation.Laminatesaremoreaffordablethanveneersastheyhavealowerpurchasepriceduetotheirmaterialsbeingcheaper,andoftenlastlonger.Thepriceofveneervariesgreatlydependingonthespeciesoftimberused,resultinginanaddedlayerofcomplexitywhenspecifyingthatcomparesunfavourablytothemoreconsistentthe cost of laminate.14Minimalmaintenancerequirementsalsoequatetolow–ifany–operationalcostspost-installation,andensurethatlaminatecanperformatoptimallevelsforextendedperiods.15

Versatility and breadth of design opportunitiesThemyththatwoodgrainlaminateslackrealismisoutdated,withmanyproductsvisiblyindistinguishablefromrealwood,whileprovidingsuperiorperformance.16New,advancedphotoimagingtechniquesallowleadingmanufacturerstoproducehyperrealisticfacepapersthatarevirtuallyindistinguishablefromnaturaltimber.Themelamineoverlaycanalsobeimprintedwithapurpose-builtdyetoemulatethedistinctivefeelingandsurfacequalitiesoftimber.

Inaddition,laminateprovidestheflexibilitytocustomiseallelementsofthesurfacefromthespeciesandtexturetotheglosslevel,sheenandshade.Veneer,ontheotherhand,limitsdesignerstothenaturalqualitiesofthespecieschosenandthedesiredeffectmayonlybeachievedusingspeciesthatareexpensiveorotherwiseunavailable.Evenifthematerialsforthedesiredlookareavailable,theabilitytomanufactureandstaintheproductconsistentlypresentsanotherchallenge.17

Flexibilityisaquestionofnotonlyaesthetics,butalsoapplication.SusceptibilitytodamagefrommoistureandUVexposuregreatlylimitstheapplicationsofveneers;thisislimitedtoareasnotpronetowearandtear,suchasconferenceroomsandotherlow-trafficinteriors.Veneeralsocannotbeusednearwindowsorotherareasexposedtodirectlight,norisitsuitableforareaspronetomoisturesuchaskitchens,bathrooms,orlaundries.18Inaddition,thematerial’slowimpactresistancemakesitunsuitablefordemanding,hightrafficenvironmentsincludinghealthcareandagedcarefacilities.19Thisisasignificantrestrictionforbuildingprofessionals,especiallygiventhattheindustryispredictedtocontinueitssteadygrowthduetoanageingpopulation,20resultingintheexpansionand construction of new facilities in Australia.21

HPL is made up of several components:

1. Protectiveoverlayforprinteddecors2.Decorativepaperimpregnatedwithmelamineresin3. Layersofkraftpaperimpregnatedwithphenolicresin

HPL thicknesses vary from 0.7mm to 25mm. Thicknesses over 2mm are generally classed as compact laminate.

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Wilsonart

Forover50years,Wilsonarthasledthegloballaminatemarketwithadiversecatalogueofstylish,highlyfunctionallaminatesurfacesolutions.Renownedforitsfocusonqualityandinnovation,Wilsonarthasapresenceinmorethan100countries worldwide and manufacturing facilities throughout NorthAmerica,theUnitedKingdom,France,Germany,China,ThailandandAustralia.Wilsonartproductscanbefoundaroundtheworldinhomes,schools,offices,hospitals,retailstores,hotels,airports,andanyspacethatrequiresadecorativesurfacesolution.TheWilsonartportfoliorangesfromaffordablelaminatepanelsolutions,compactlaminateforhigh-wearareas,andthechemical-resistantChemsurffortoughenvironments,throughtomarkerboardlaminateandmetallaminatesthatusefinemetalfinishes.22

AllWilsonartlaminatesareextremelyphotorealisticandsignificantlyoutperformcompetingveneerproducts.NEMA/ISO4586testresultshavedemonstratedthatWilsonartlaminateshave12times the wear performance and 5 times the impact resistance ofveneers,inadditiontooutstandingresistancetofadingwhenexposedtoUVlight.Thisisinadditiontoscuffresistanceperformanceuptothreetimesthatofcomparableveneers.23

Wilsonartproductsprovidestunninglyrealisticfinishesthatincludethesought-afterclassicspeciessuchasOak,Walnut,

Maple,TeakandCherry.ThiswidevarietyiscomplementedbyrealisticfinishesincludingXtremeMattandfingerprint-resistanttechnology(Traceless),whichensuresthatsmears,smudges,andstreaksarealmostneverseen.24XtremeMattcaterstothetrendofbringingnaturalelementsinside,allowingdesignerstoprovideaseamlesstransitionbetweentheinsideandtheoutside.25Wilsonartoffersanextensivecollectionofwoodgrainlaminatedesigns,ensuringarchitectshavenodifficultyfindingtheidealwoodgrainfortheirproject.

Wilsonarthasastrongfocusonsustainability,andseveralyearsagobecamethefirstcompanyintheindustrytoreshapeitsentiresupplychainforitspapersource,whichmakesup70%ofitsHighPressureLaminate(HPL)productlines.26WilsonarthassincereceivedIndependentSCScertificationofaminimum20%post-consumerrecycledcontentforitslaminateranges.Thebrandwasalsothefirstadhesivemanufacturertohaveitslow-emittingPVAandwoodworkingadhesivesrecognisedbyUL’sGREENGUARDCertificationProgramforindoorairquality.ThecompanyhassincereceivedindustrycertificationsandcompliancerecognitionfromtheForestStewardshipCouncilandNSFInternational,ThePublicHealthandSafetyCompany.

TofindoutmoreaboutWilsonart’sextensiveproductrange,visitwww.wilsonart.com.au.

wilsonart.com.au

1 FurnishGreen.(2013).Thedifferencebetweenveneer,laminate&solidwood.FurnishGreen. https://furnishgreen.com/the-difference-between-veneer-laminate-solid-wood/2 ConstructionIntelligenceCenter.(2015).GlobalConstructionMarketWorth$10.3Trillionin2020(50Largest,MostInfluentialMarkets). MarketReportsStore. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-construction-market-worth-103-trillion-in-2020-50-largest-most-influential-markets-292235961.html3 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/4 http://www.veneerpanels.com.au/what-is-veneer/5 https://kitchencabinetkings.com/glossary/veneer/6 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/7 https://www.wilsonart.com/wilsonart-laminate-sustainability-information8 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/9 Wilsonart.(2016).HPLWoodgrainsvs.Veneer.Wilsonart. https://www.wilsonart.com.au/sites/anz/files/docs/resources/White%20Paper%20Laminate%20v%20Veneer%20Oct2016.pdf10 Wilsonart.(2016).HPLWoodgrainsvs.Veneer.Wilsonart. https://www.wilsonart.com.au/sites/anz/files/docs/resources/White%20Paper%20Laminate%20v%20Veneer%20Oct2016.pdf11 https://www.bestlaminate.com/help/laminate-flooring-durability-and-quality/12 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/13 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/14 AustralianFloorStyle.(2016).LaminateFlooring—Resilient,Convenient,andCost-Effective.AustralianFloorStyle. http://australianfloorstyle.com.au/blog/laminate-flooring-resilient-convenient-and-cost-effective/.15 Grassing,C.(2018).5BenefitsofLaminateFlooring.PrattHomes.https://www.pratthomes.ca/5-benefits-of-laminate-flooring/16 AustralianHouse&Garden.(2018).Timberversuslaminateflooring.AustralianHouse&Garden. https://www.homestolove.com.au/timber-versus-laminate-flooring-268017 Wilsonart.(2016).HPLWoodgrainsvs.Veneer.Wilsonart. https://www.wilsonart.com.au/sites/anz/files/docs/resources/White%20Paper%20Laminate%20v%20Veneer%20Oct2016.pdf.18 GharPedia.(2018).VeneervsLaminate:MaketheRightChoice.GharPedia.https://gharpedia.com/veneer-vs-laminate/19 ECF,HFA.(2015).Laminate,VeneerorSolidTimber,whichshouldIuse?ECF&HFA. http://www.ecf.com.au/blog/laminate-veneer-or-solid-timber-which-should-i-use20 Research&Markets.(2018).GlobalHealthcareIndustryOutlook2018–8MarketPredictions.MarketsInsider. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/global-healthcare-industry-outlook-2018-8-market-predictions-101374000721 A&D.(2018).Abetterwayofseeing:Thebenefitsofhumancentriclightingdesigninagedcare&healthcarefacilities.Architecture&Designwhitepaper. https://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/resources/whitepapers/a-better-way-of-seeing-the-benefits-of-human-centr22 Wilsonart.HighPerformanceLaminates.Brochure. https://static.wilsonart.com/sites/anz/files/docs/resources/WA006_Intro%20Brochure_HVG%20%26%20MRC_A3_v5%20-%20Copy.pdf23 Wilsonart.WoodgrainLaminatevsVeneersPerformance.Wilsonart.https://www.wilsonart.com/woodgrains-performance24 Wilsonart.NewTracelessDesignArrivals.HighPressureLaminates.https://www.wilsonart.com.au/laminates/new-traceless-design-arrivals25 Wilsonart.NewXtremeMatt.Wilsonart.https://www.wilsonart.com.au/xtreme-matt26 Wilsonart.OurSustainabilityJourney.Wilsonart.https://www.wilsonart.com.au/sustainability

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