HPL stands for High Pressure Laminate: a hard, dense board material created by pressing together multiple layers of synthetic-resin-impregnated paper under high pressure and temperature. The top layer (decorative paper) determines the colour or pattern, with a wear-resistant top coat beneath it. The result is a strong, wear-resistant and easy-to-clean surface.
Properties
- Wear- and impact-resistant — resistant to daily use and scratches
- Moisture- and cleaning-resistant — suitable for wet and intensively used spaces
- Hygienic — the dense surface does not absorb dirt
- Special versions — with an extra protective layer it can also be used outdoors (facade panels) and in fire-resistant or anti-vandalism grades
Application
- Worktops and furniture — kitchen worktops, cabinet doors and tabletops (often as a thin layer on a supporting board)
- Wall cladding — in sanitary rooms, kitchens and public buildings
- Facade cladding — as a weather-resistant, colour-fast external facade panel on a framework
- Doors and toilet cubicles — where wear resistance and hygiene are important
Thin HPL is glued to a supporting board (such as chipboard or MDF); thick, self-supporting “compact” HPL can be used without a backing board. For facade panels, a ventilated cavity behind the panel is important for durability.
Related terms
- Board material
- Laminate
- Facade cladding
- MDF
- Plywood
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