- Home
- <
- Customer Service
- <
- FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
HPL Basics
How is high-pressure decorative laminate manufactured?
Lamin-Art brand high-pressure decorative laminate is manufactured by laminating phenolic resin-impregnated kraft sheets with melamine resin-impregnated decorative and overlay sheets. The lamination is performed under a minimum pressure of 1,000 psi (2,068 kPa) and at a temperature of approximately 300°F (149°C). The pressed laminate is trimmed to various sizes, and the back is sanded to provide uniform thickness, and to facilitate adhesive bonding.
How do I order samples of Lamin-Art products?
To request samples, either call our Customer Service Department direct at 800-323-7624, fax your request to 847-860-0246. You can also place your request online.
Where can I purchase Lamin-Art products?
Lamin-Art high-pressure decorative laminate is sold directly through our corporate headquarters near Chicago, Illinois. Our customer service representatives are available to take your order Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm Central Time at 800-323-7624. In addition, Lamin-Art products are sold through distributors in select locations. Click here to determine if there is a Lamin-Art distributor in your area.
Can I order sheet sizes other than 4’ X 8’ and 4’ X 10’?
We can produce 5’ X 12’ sheets on select items, however longer lead times will apply for these special order items. Contact our Customer Service Department for more information on special sizes.
What is the minimum number of sheets required for special order items?
Lamin-Art has removed minimum order requirements for all made-to-order items in our line. This includes special order post-forming grade or fire-rated material and any non-stock finishes including our exclusive Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection for Pearlescence products. There is no extra charge for ordering only one sheet. In addition, our lab can provide samples of special order items for your approval prior to placing an order. Please contact Customer Service for more information.
What is the typical lead time for Lamin-Art products?
Lamin-Art operates on a first-ordered, first-shipped basis with over 85% of orders shipped from our warehouse outside Chicago, IL within 48 hours from the time the order is taken. Non-stock or out-of-stock items typically ship in less than 10 days. Items marked with a star on our Stock List are available as part of our Guaranteed Shipment Program and are guaranteed to ship within 7 business days or Lamin-Art will overnight the material free of charge when it becomes available.
What is Pearlescence®?
Lamin-Art was the first high-pressure decorative laminate manufacturer to introduce the use of decorative papers featuring pearlescent inks and particles. Inspired by the use of pearlized pigments in the cosmetic industry, Lamin-Art has developed a line of Pearlescence solid colors and printed patterns that offer dramatic visual impact. We manufacture these items with a reduced amount of melamine overlay. This allows light to both reflect and refract from the decorative surface, enhancing the pearlescent effect. However, by reducing the amount of melamine used in the manufacture of Pearlescence products, we also reduce the durability and wear resistance of these items. Therefore, we recommend that Pearlescence products be specified for interior vertical or non-working, low-wear horizontal surfaces.
The resistance of some Pearlescence products may be enhanced with the addition of Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection.
How do I identify which items are Pearlescence items?
Pearlescence items can be found in our Pearlescence Solid Colors, Premium Wood Prints, and Abstracts collections. All Pearlescence items are identified with a P in our Stock List, on our library binder swatch cards, and on our website.
What is Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection?
Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection is the result of a manufacturing process exclusive to Lamin-Art that enhances the durability and versatility of our Pearlescence laminates. With the addition of Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection, Pearlescence items may be safely specified for any interior horizontal or vertical application regardless of the amount of wear the end product will face. The option of Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection is only available for items ordered in Textured or Velva-Tex finish. Items identified with an O in our Stock List, library binder swatch cards and website are available for specification with Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection. There may be a minimum order requirement and extended lead time associated with items ordered with Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection. Please contact our Customer Service Department for more information.
How are Chrysalis and Catalyst different from metal laminates?
Unlike metal laminates, Chrysalis and Catalyst are both made without using real metal or metal foils. A special manufacturing process and the use of decorative papers with unique reflective properties give Chrysalis and Catalyst a metallic look and feel. Unlike metal laminates or real metal, Chrysalis and Catalyst will not smudge or dent, will not wear out tools and does not require any special equipment for fabrication. Additionally, both products are a cost-effective alternative to pricier metal or metal laminates. Please contact Customer Service for pricing and availability.
Do Chrysalis or Catalyst require Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection for specification on high-wear horizontal surfaces?
We highly recommend that Chrysalis be specified for vertical or low-wear horizontal surfaces only. Unlike many of our Pearlescence Solid Color decorative laminates, we do not offer the option to specify Chrysalis with Oyster Shield High-Wear Protection for use on high-wear horizontal surfaces.
Catalyst, however, meets NEMA standards for abrasion/scratch resistance, therefore providing a maintenance-free surface suitable for both horizontal and vertical interior applications requiring enhanced durability.
Is it possible to obtain sheets of a design that has been discontinued?
There may be limited availability of sheets for an item that has been discontinued. If you are considering a recently discontinued item for a project or have a pending specification for an item that has been discontinued, please contact your local Architectural Representative or our Customer Service Department for availability. Click here to see a list of recently discontinued items.
Can Lamin-Art design a custom laminate?
Many of our products can be manufactured in different thicknesses, sizes and surface finishes. For larger projects, we can also design made-to-order laminates to meet your special requirements. In both cases, our lab would be able to provide samples for your approval prior to placing an order. Please contact us for more information.
Are Lamin-Art products suitable for food service applications?
Yes, NSF International has certified Lamin-Art high-pressure decorative laminate as a safe surfacing material for food preperation areas in commercial applications. The NSF #35 "Laminated Plastic for Surfacing for Food Service Equipment" certificate is available upon request.
Are Lamin-Art products suitable for maritime vehicles such as ships or yachts?
Yes, Lamin-Art high-pressure decorative laminates pass IMO Res. A 653 (16) for maritime usage. Maritime certificates are available upon request.
Does Lamin-Art offer matching edge banding?
At this time, Lamin-Art does not offer matching edge banding. However, we recommend contacting the following company (ies) for assistance with matching our product lines:
Edgebanding Services, Inc.
Doellken-Woodtape
Rehau
HPL Technical Information
What is the difference between Standard and Vertical Grade?
The term “grade” actually refers to the thickness of the laminate. Standard Grade (GP48) laminate is .048” (1.2mm) thick and is the most commonly used grade of laminate. It is recommended for any horizontal or vertical applications where maximum impact-resistance and durability are required. Vertical Grade (GP28) laminate is much thinner at .028” (0.7mm) thick. It is suitable for applications that require a more pliable sheet and where impact resistance isn’t as critical. As the name implies, vertical grade is commonly used for vertical applications.
Why are some items available in GP38 and what is it?
Some of the items in our line are imported from Europe where the standard thickness for general purpose high-pressure laminate is a bit different from our own. GP38 laminate is .038” (1mm) thick and, like Standard Grade (GP48), is suitable for any horizontal or vertical surface where moderate impact resistance and a long-lasting surface are desired.
How far can I bend laminate?
There are two ways in which laminate can be bent; either cold or with the addition of heat. Standard Grade (GP48) laminates can be cold bent to a maximum radius of 12" (304.8 mm). Vertical Grade (GP28) laminates can be cold bent to a maximum radius of 7” (177.8 mm). By applying heat to the area of the sheet that you want to bend (about 325°F or 162°C), you can perform an outside bend on Standard Grade (GP48) laminate down to 4” (101.6 mm). With heat applied, Vertical Grade (GP28) laminate can bend to 5/8” (15.88 mm). Due to the lower blistering point of the pearlescent pigments in our Pearlescence-branded items, we do not recommend applying heat to Pearlescence products; they should always be cold bent.
What is NEMA and how does it apply to high-pressure laminate?
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) is a standards association that in conjunction with the manufacturers of high pressure decorative laminate, has established performance standards for our industry such as abrasion, impact and burn resistance. Unless otherwise noted, Lamin-Art products meet or exceed applicable NEMA LD3-2005 standards for high pressure decorative laminates.
HPL Installation and Maintenance
What types of material can high-pressure laminate be applied to?
Laminate should be applied to suitable substrates such as 45 lb. density particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or high-density fiberboard (HDF). We do not recommend using plywood, plaster, gypsum board and concrete.
What type of adhesive does Lamin-Art recommend?
Laminate should be bonded to the substrate using contact, PVAc, urea, or resorcinol adhesives following the adhesive manufacturer’s instructions. The substrate surface must be smooth and free of grease, dust and other impurities that may obstruct adhesion.
Should I use a backing sheet when applying laminate to a substrate?
A backing sheet is not necessary, but should be used when it is necessary to balance the assembly and prevent warping.
Is there a way to eliminate the “brown line” I see along the edge of the laminate and its substrate?
The easiest way to eliminate this “brown line” is to purchase and apply a matching edgebanding material along the edge of the substrate. However, you can achieve an even neater, more seamless appearance by employing the miter fold technique. Simply undercut the materials using a routed bit to bevel the edge of the laminate to a sharp 45 degrees. Click here for more tips on how to create unique self-edges.
Does laminate need to be pre-conditioned before application?
Laminate and substrate should be allowed to acclimate for at least 72 hours in the same ambient conditions. All surfaces to be laminated should be inspected prior to lamination to ensure that they are clean and free of surface defects.
Does the color of laminate fade?
The color of your laminate will fade over time if exposed to direct ultra-violet light.
What is the best way to maintain and clean high-pressure laminate surfaces?
Decorative laminate can be cleaned using warm water and a mild soap, or other common household cleaners.
Veneer-Art Basics
How is Veneer-Art manufactured?
Veneer-Art consists of selected natural wood veneers (Grade A or better) that have been impregnated with a protective melamine resin and laminated onto phenolic resin-impregnated kraft sheets. The resulting maintenance-free surface, resistance and durability make Veneer-Art as versatile as decorative high-pressure laminate.
Is Veneer-Art made with real or reconstituted wood veneers?
Veneer-Art is made with natural wood veneers (Grade A or better), not reconstituted wood veneers. While reconstituted wood veneers can offer advantages in terms of cost and consistency, natural wood veneers provide a richness of grain, variety and a uniqueness that is hard to replicate in a reconstituted product. Utilizing exclusive technology, Veneer-Art has been optimized for color consistency and book matched to make matching and joining easier.
How do I order samples of Veneer-Art?
To request samples, either call our Customer Service Department direct at 800-323-7624, fax your request to 847-860-0246. You can also place your request online.
Is Veneer-Art available in any size other than 4’ X 10’?
Additional sizes may be available for a small minimum order. Please contact us to discuss your specific project needs.
Where can I purchase Veneer-Art?
Veneer-Art high-performance wood veneer is sold directly through our corporate headquarters near Chicago, Illinois. Our customer service representatives are available to take your order Monday through Friday 7am to 6pm Central Time at 800-323-7624.
Veneer-Art Technical Information
Is Veneer-Art a structural material?
No, Veneer-Art must be bonded to a suitable substrate.
Will Veneer-Art scratch?
Veneer-Art is manufactured to have the same wear resistance properties as a high-pressure decorative laminate. Although it is not governed by the NEMA performance standards for HPL, Veneer-Art has been tested in accordance with the NEMA LD3-2005 standards. Results from those tests indicate that Veneer-Art not only meets, but exceeds the NEMA standards for scratch/abrasion resistance among others.
Is grain and color uniform from sheet to sheet?
Due to the inherent properties of wood and differing numbers of sheets cut from any given log, variations in color and grain will appear from one sheet to another. This is not a defect, rather a natural occurrence that adds to the character and warmth provided by a real wood veneer.
Can I bend Veneer-Art?
Due to the variations in grain structure of the real wood veneers, the bending characteristics are slightly different than high-pressure decorative laminates. Typically, we advise that Veneer-Art should not be cold bent to any smaller than an 8” radius.
What is the fire rating for Veneer-Art?
Material classified Class II (ASTM E84-89A); a flame spread of 50 and smoke developed value of 45 is achieved with unbonded class II Veneer-Art material.
Will the color of Veneer-Art fade?
A natural maturing and mellowing of color may occur with age. This is consistent with the behavior of real wood. In some cases, veneer surfaces left unprotected in sunlight or moonlight or exposed to temperatures in excess of 250°F (120°C) may discolor irregularly.
Veneer-Art Installation and Maintenance
Can Veneer-Art be stained or finished?
No, Veneer-Art is already pre-finished so it cannot be stained. Most Veneer-Art items are offered in a Tru-Grain finish which is a dimensional surface that follows the wood grain and cellular characteristics of any wood species. Select items are offered in Satin finish which provides a soft and uniform surface similar to the finish of wood furniture with moderate reflective qualities.
Does Veneer-Art require any pre-conditioning?
Like all wood-based products, Veneer-Art will react to ambient conditions. Veneer-Art and the substrate to which it is applied may absorb moisture and expand in high relative humidity or lose moisture and shrink in low relative humidity. We strongly recommend that you allow Veneer-Art and the substrate to acclimate to the same ambient conditions for at least 5 days prior to fabrication. Optimum conditions are approximately 75°F (24°C) with a relative humidity of 40% to 65%. Provisions should be made for the circulation of air around the components. Please note: Veneer-Art moves about twice as much across the grain as it does lengthwise. Whenever possible, reserve the cross-grain direction for small dimensions.
Do I need any special tools or processes to apply Veneer-Art?
No, Veneer-Art can be fabricated using the same tools normally used to fabricate high-pressure decorative laminate. We do, however, strongly recommend that special care be taken to seal the porous edges of the veneer with a diluted polyurethane or sanding sealer. This will minimize absorption of moisture which can adversely impact the real wood veneer.
Does Veneer-Art require a special adhesive?
While Veneer-Art does not specifically require a special type of adhesive, the strength of the bond between Veneer-Art and its substrate determines the amount of stress that may be transmitted to the substrate by the product. Contact adhesives are the weakest of all recommended adhesives because of their elastomeric nature. PVAc (white glue), urea, and resorcinol adhesives distribute greater stress to the substrate, making these assemblies more crack-resistant. Complete coverage with the adhesive is imperative since the material will not bridge adhesive gaps like HPL will.
Can I order edgebanding for Veneer-Art?
Lamin-Art does not supply edgebanding material, but there are some manufacturers who will produce edgebanding to match Veneer-Art. However, we recommend taking advantage of the real wood appearance of Veneer-Art and employ creative woodworking techniques to reduce the appearance of edge lines. Using a miter fold, solid edge or self-edge it is possible to create the appearance of solid wood. For more tips on edging Veneer-Art, click here.
What is the best way to clean and maintain Veneer-Art?
Veneer-Art should be cleaned with a damp cloth and ordinary soap or household cleaner. Stubborn stains may require organic solvents such as alcohol, acetone, lacquer thinner or paint solvents. NOTE: These solvents will not harm the Veneer-Art surface, but are flammable, and will attack contact adhesives at the glue line edges.
Environmental
Are Lamin-Art products "GREENGUARD certified"?
Yes, our high-pressure decorative laminates have been GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified® and GREENGUARD Children & Schools® certified by the GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). At this time, our Veneer-Art line of high-performance pre-finished wood veneers have not achieved GREENGUARD certification.
Are Lamin-Art products "LEED certified"?
No product or building material can accurately be classified as "LEED certified." The LEED Green Building Rating system was designed by the U.S. Green Building Council to classify entire building projects, not individual products. Lamin-Art is a proud member of the USGBC.
View our Environmental Statement
View our LEED Requirements Information Sheet
How can Lamin-Art products help earn LEED credits for my project?
As a high-performance surfacing material, Lamin-Art brand high-pressure decorative laminate should be considered for its "green" characteristics in cooperation with all materials used in a given building project. HPL alone cannot earn points under the LEED Green Building Rating System. Lamin-Art brand premium high-pressure decorative laminate may contribute to the following credits under LEED for New Construction (Version 2.2) and LEED for Commercial Interiors (Version 2.0):
- Materials & Resources Credits 4.1 and 4.2: Recycled Content
- Materials & Resources Credits 5.1: Local/Regional Materials
- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.1: Low Emitting Materials-Adhesives & Sealants
- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.2: Low Emitting Materials-Composite Wood & Laminate Adhesives
- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit 4.5: Low Emitting Materials-Systems Furniture and Seating
View our Environmental Statement
View our LEED Requirements Information Sheet
What are the raw material components of HPL?
High-pressure decorative laminate is composed chiefly of paper and resin. The actual composition of HPL is 87% paper and 13% resin.
Are any recycled materials used in the manufacture of HPL?
Our paper suppliers use significant percentages of post-industrial recycled pulp in their paper products. We source papers from a variety of vendors, but on average, there is approximately 40% recovered paper by weight in our supplied paper products. In addition, our Abacá collection is made with recycled banana fibers which make up approximately 1% of the total weight of the sheet (approximately 0.13 lbs. per sheet).
Where are your products manufactured?
The manufacture of our laminate products is done at our factory in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and is distributed to most of the U.S. through our corporate headquarters in Chicago, Illinois. In addition, Quality Design Products in Las Vegas, NV distributes Lamin-Art brand HPL exclusively in the state of Nevada, and PJ White Hardwoods is our exclusive distributor in western Canada with branches in Victoria, Vancouver, Edmonton and Calgary.
What other actions is Lamin-Art taking to reduce its impact and that of its products on the environment?
Lamin-Art is concerned about our environmental impact and that of the production of our high-pressure decorative laminates. As a committed and responsible member of the global community, we continuously strive to conserve energy and resources, reduce pollution and source raw materials that are environmentally friendly.
At the corporate level, Lamin-Art is a proud member of the USGBC and we have recently completed a conversion of our entire fleet of company vehicles to Toyota Prius, which offers greater fuel efficiency and low emissions. We utilize the minimal amount of material required to pack and ship our products. Our products typically ship either in cardboard boxes (containing approximately 15-20% recycled content) or on shipping pallets. Both materials are either re-useable (i.e. the pallets) or recyclable (i.e. the boxes). Our sample department actively recycles product binders as well as sample chips for re-use in the marketplace, and discontinued products are often donated to design schools rather than discarded as waste.
On the manufacturing side, we go to great lengths to ensure that our paper suppliers use only renewable forest products and are actively planting more trees than they harvest to create the paper pulp. No rain forest timber or tropical hardwoods are used in our products. In addition, our products do not contain, nor are the manufactured with ozone depleting substances.
For more information on Lamin-Art's environmental philosophy, view our Environmental Statement.