High Pressure Laminate Vs Thermally Fused

Tfl is sufficiently durable and hard wearing for cabinets countertops and shelving.

High pressure laminate vs thermally fused.

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. The same decorative paper is used for thermally fused laminate tfl and high pressure laminate hpl. There are so many colours textures and products to choose from it can feel as though you have a dizzying array of selection. When durability style and affordability come together it s a heavenly combination for builders and contractors.

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. Hpl has an additional wear layer for increased scratch resistance and a kraft paper layer to improve impact resistance. It is bendable so it can follow the curve of a desk. Is tfl or hpl the better choice for my custom cabinets.

Pressure and heat activate the resin based sheet and create a cross linked bond with the core. Kraft paper is an extremely heavy duty paper that gives added toughness to the finished laminate once everything is fused together. It s great for vertical applications or low impact. This seals the core making it impossible to peel away.

Arauco prism tfl is ideal for on trend designs. Tfl is a melamine saturated paper that is thermally fused directly to the substrate. 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. For tfl the melamine saturated paper is thermally fused directly to the core.

Thermally fused laminate tfl panels are produced by fusing a resin based sheet of decor paper directly to a core. 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. Thermal fused melamine fuses directly to a solid piece of particle board that can only be cut not bent.

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.