Familiar strangers

The next stage of the evolution of furniture panels is laminates. Materials and technologies for the manufacture of laminated countertops and panels for lining wall.

How humanity persists itself, that natural tree is better, anyway, someone seeks to come up with something like a universal one, with which it is easier to work with less. Laminates from the area of ​​"Power". In the last issue, the magazine talked about laminated floors, now it will be about tabletops and panels for wall cladding

Laminates are another stage of the evolution of furniture panels after plywood, joinery shields, wood-shaped (chipboard) and wood-fibrous (Fiberboard) plates. Most of the word "laminate" is associated with a method of thermal packaging of documents between two sheets of transparent plastic. It must be said that Laminate is literally translated from English how to "split into thin layers." In essence, laminates are multilayer panels from chipboard, fiberboard, MDFs, or other wood bases, in certainly molded, on one or both plates (large surfaces) and the edges of which plastic is applied at high temperature and under considerable pressure. The domestic market of building materials is currently filled with relatively inexpensive laminates, among them there are wall interior panels, post-forming and laminated parquet.

Materials and technologies

Before proceeding to the review of the laminate market, we will briefly focus on those materials from which they are manufactured. Melamine or alkidmelamine is usually used as a plastic coating. These organic compounds are "relatives" of alkyd varnishes, enamels (glyphthal, pentaphthalic and other), melamino-formaldehyde resins with moisture, thermo- and light resistance and also used in the production of paints and varnishes. The coating has a monophonic smooth or textured surface of certain shades of gray. Figure is applied over an alkidmelmine layer. It may be under stone, brick, marble, other natural materials or abstract. To do this, use paper with an appropriate image or polymer film. It is covered with a layer of colorless acrylic resin, which protects the drawing, provides a brilliant surface and prevents moisture penetration into the wood base. Polyacrylic varnishes have, like alkydmelamine, resistant to high temperatures (thanks to which a hot kettle can be put on a laminated worktop, without fearing it to spoil it) and mechanical damage.

The laminated coating has a one-photon smooth or textured surface with different patterns, for example, for any wood species, marble, stone, brick or with an abstract composition. All the foundations of the laminate of tree origin are well known. Some of the most common are chipboard, which are made by the method of hot flat or extrusion pressing of chips or sawdust mixed with binding. In the first case, the oblong particles of the chip mass are parallel to the plane of the plate, in the second - perpendicularly. As a result of pressed plates, the strength in the longitudinal direction (along the plane of the plate) is higher than in the transverse, and in extrusion - on the contrary. Pressed plates are separated by physico-mechanical indicators (per three density class), view and surface quality, hydrophobic properties. Upon allocation into the environment (emission) of formaldehyde, GOST regulates the separation of the chipboard into the class E1, E2 and E3 classes, which per 100 g of a dry plate contain formaldehyde to 10, 10-30 and 31-60 mg, respectively. The slabs of foreign production used even for construction work meet the requirements of E1 classes or F-zero. Formaldehyde emissions from class F-zero plates does not occur.

Thanks to modern technologies, it is easy to repeat the same shape in the elements of drywall (suspended ceiling), glass (shelf for bottles) and laminate (bar counter rack). Fell and fibrous plates are made of wood and other vegetable fibers with additives of special compositions ( GOST 4598) HOT pressing method. These plates are classified as solid (with alphabented indexation T or g) and soft (M). Solids may have a facial layer of three species: from fine wood pulp (T-C), tinted (T-P) and combining two previous finishes (T-joint). Increased strength Solid slabs are denoted by the letters of art, waterproof - T-B, having a combination of these properties - T-CV. Lower density slabs (semi-solid) have a PT designation. The volume of formaldehyde-containing resins in the fiberboard is less than in the chipboard, due to this, the first are considered an more environmentally friendly material.

Apparently, a big future expects wood-fibrous plates manufactured by a dry way. This material is commonly referred to as MDF, which is a MIDDLE DENSITY Fiber MDF MDF transliteration - wood-fibrous medium density stove. In the manufacture of these plates, additives of harmful phenolofehyde resins are reduced to a minimum, or refuse them at all (in the latter in the latter case it turns out to be a lignin contained in the wood). Due to this, according to its ecological indicators, MDF can be compared with natural wood. This material has twice the larger mechanical strength than the chipboard, and the nails and screws are kept stronger. The plates are produced with a thickness of 2.5 to 10 mm, and they can be glued under pressure, the resulting plates with a thickness of 12, 16, 19, 22, and even 28 mm. Finally, the MDF material does not have such flaws of wood, as the detail of properties, depending on the direction of fibers and the inclination towards cracking when the temperature and humidity is changed.

Wall panels

Who said the wall panels look rude in a residential interior? A little imagination and ability to look at things at different angles of view - and partitions in the bedroom will become a sample of abstract art. All the wall panels are divided by the thickness and material of the foundation, at least two types: leafy and typical or self-supporting. The first have a relatively small thickness - from 2.5 to 5 mm, the coating is applied on them on the one hand, and the foundations are used or MDF. The second side is processed by water-repellent composition or not processed, and in this case the panel should not be used where moisture falls onto its back wall. The panels are produced in the form of flexible sheets with an area of ​​several more than 2 m2 and attached to a solid surface or a crate with glue or nails. Usually, preference is given by "liquid nails", but joinery can be applied. If metal nails are used, they are not clogged into the panel itself, but in a special plastic lining with two grooves.

The basis of the set wall panels can be chipboard or MDF. The thickness of the type panels is 10-12 mm. It is usually produced in the form of a clapboard, that is, the boards width 125-200 mm and a length of 2400-3700 mm with docking grooves along the long edges. Unlike leafy, type panels are not necessarily fixed to the wall. Of these, for example, you can create a partition in the room. Docking panels without additional details, "board to the board", or using an intermediate insert. In both cases, the panels are not strengthened too tightly to each other so that they do not occur in the expansion or compression of the material. Wall-skinned walls, ceiling is similar to clapboard, only instead of nails use special brackets. However, those who decide to design the interior with similar materials should be kept in mind some "national characteristics". In our houses, the walls and floors are far from always perfectly smooth. This means that mount panels directly on the walls can not, the irregularities of the latter have to be compensated by using the crate, selecting the rails of various thicknesses, and part of the panels must be written in accordance with the ceiling height. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that, firstly, the lattice "steals" is completely useful one or two square meters of the area, and, secondly, the cavities between the wall and panels can give the shelter not only dust, but also to home parasites.

Wall panels

Distributor	Manufacturer	The foundation	Dimensions, mm.	The number of colors	Price for 1 m2, $
"Altais"	"Alta- profile", Russia	MDF.	2600 x 148 x 8	-	3.9
Kronospan, Poland.	MDF.	2600 x 148 x 8	fifteen	4,2
2730 x 200 x 8	fifteen	4.5
"Inteko"	"Inteko", Russia	Chipboard	2600 x 167 (202) x 11.5	13	from 10.
DVP	2600 x 145 (150) x 10 (12)	13	from 12.
"OMS"	WestProfil- Blancopan, Germany	Chipboard and mdf	2500 x 148 x 8	27.	6.5
2600 x 150 (160,195) x 9	24.	from 7.
Petropropal	Petropropal, Russia	MDF.	2600 x 168 x 8	17.	from 6.
2600 x 192 x 8	17.	from 6.4.
"Profileline"	"Profileline", Russia	MDF.	2600 x 148 x 7	eleven	3.9
"Resource-Import"	Kronospan, Poland.	MDF.	2730 x 200 x (8 and 10)	12	from 6.2.
2600 x 148 x 8	12	from 5.9
SP "ETM"	Classen, Germany	MDF.	2600 x 160 x 8	-	8.5
"TUCH"	Hornitex, Germany Osmo, Germany	Chipboard	2620 x 2070 x (8-28)	-	6.9
Chipboard (MDF)	-	-	eight
"MORNING"	Georgia- Pacific, USA	MDF.	2440 x 1220, Thickness 3.2 and 4.3	four	from 15.4.
Kronospan, Poland.	MDF.	2600 x 148 x 8	-	5.9
2730 x 200 x 10	-	6.8.
Xm.	HDM, Germany	Chipboard	2600 x 168 x 10	nine	12
2600 x 168 x 12	fourteen	12
2600 x 180 x 12	22.	16.5
900 x 300 x 12	five	nineteen
MDF.	2600 x 168 x 8	6.	fifteen
2600 x 180 x 12	fifteen	23.

Postforming

Postforming is a technology for the production of laminated tabletops, windowsill and similar plates. However, the name was fixed and for the products itself. Postforming, in fact, represents the same laminate as the wall plate, but its lower surface is covered with plastic without pattern. Another difference in postforming from the wall panels is that there are no grooves for pillars at its end, but the front edge is molded in a certain way. It is rounded or has a complex profile. On the stove for kitchen countertops is similarly decorated only the front edge, and the plates for the manufacture of shelves and window sills have three rounded edges.

Use postforming mainly for the manufacture of kitchen and office furniture.

Postforming

Distributor	Manufacturer	Name	The foundation	Dimensions, mm.	Variety	Price for 1 pc., $
"Altais"	Kronospan, Poland.	Countertops	-	-	-	45.
Window sills	Chipboard	3060 x 300 (400)	3.	From 36.6.
"OMS"	Alpex-Karlin, Poland	Countertops and window sills	Chipboard	3050 x (300-800)	12	From 43 to 125
2440 x (300-800)	12	From 35 to 100
"Resource Import"	Kronospan, Poland.	Countertops	Chipboard	3660 x 600 x 28	-	From 50.
Window sills	Chipboard	3050 x 600 x 28	-	From 50.
"SCYTHIAN"	Skiff, Russia	Countertops and window sills	Chipboard	3000 x 600 x 28	More than 35.	45.
3000 x 600 x 40	More than 35.	61.
"Sothery"	Alpex-Karlin, Poland	Countertops and window sills	Chipboard	3050 x (300-800)	12	From 43 to 125
2440 x (300-800)	12	From 35 to 100
"STROYINVEST-2000"	Kronospan, Poland.	Countertops and window sills	Chipboard	(2800-4050) x (300-1200)	32.	From 45 to 65
"TUCH"	Westag amp; Getalit, Germany	Window sills	Chipboard	Length - 4100.	-	From 48.
Countertops	Chipboard	4100 x 600 x 29	-	85.
Also	Chipboard	4100 x 600 x 39	-	95.
"MORNING"	Kronospan, Poland.	Countertops	-	3660 x 600 x 28	-	48.6
3050 x 600 x 28	-	48.6
Xm.	HDM, Germany	Countertops	Chipboard	2800 x 600 x 28	thirty	41.
2800 x 600 x 38	thirty	48.
3720 x 600 x 38	thirty	63.5
Window sills	Chipboard	2750 x 200 x 38	four	From 38.5
3000 x 300 x 22	3.	From 28.

Edge stickers (edges) and accessories

All of the above plates, except for two large surfaces (or plastics), have, as well as the edges (ends). When the edges are not covered with plastic, all layers of laminate can be seen on the cut. They decorated with special stickers based on the melamine resin, which has a high heat resistance. These are either self-adhesive tapes or tapes without adhesive base.

It is necessary to add that in stores selling those or other decorative laminate slabs, usually there are a variety of profile details: cartlers, plinths, eaves and others that are manufactured by the same technology as laminates.

Accessories

Distributor	Manufacturer	Name	Dimensions, mm.	Variety	Price
Petro Profile	Petropropal, Russia	Plinth	2600 x 50 x 8	17.	$ 3.4 per 1 m2
"OMS"	Alpex-Karlino, Poland	Edge stickers	31 and 40.	12	$ 2.5 per 1 p / m
Profile elements	300 and 600.	12	From $ 4 for 1 p / m
"SCYTHIAN"	Skiff, Russia	Edge stickers	3000 x 35.	More than 35.	$ 3.5 per 1 pc.
"Sothery"	Alpex-Karlino, Poland	Edge stickers	31 and 40.	12	$ 2.5 per 1 p / m
Profile elements	300 and 600.	12	From $ 4 for 1 p / m
Skhodnenskaya Factory	Skhodnensk Factory, Russia	Profile elements	-	-	From 6 to 30 rubles. For 1 p / m
"TUCH"	Westag amp; Getalit, Germany	Edge stickers	4100 x 45 x 60	-	$ 4.2 for 1 pack
Plastic plinth	4100 x 33 x 33	-	$ 18 for 1 pc.
"MORNING"	Gossen, USA	Profile details	-	-	From $ 10 per 1 pc.
Xm.	HDM, Germany	Edge stickers	32 and 43.	thirty	From $ 0.5 per 1 p / m