Laminates are the most commonly used finishing layer for MDF, plywood, particle board, wooden furniture, wall panels and flooring. A composite artificial material, they are made by pressing together thin layers of flat paper and plastic resins. The upper layer is printed with a decorative pattern or color.
Decorative laminates – These have greater aesthetic appeal in terms of finishes and patterns.They are used as ornamental overlays on furniture.Industrial laminates – These laminates have higher strength and are more resistant to wear and tear. They include high-performance laminates which are fire retardant, antibacterial and chemical resistant for application in hospitals and other industries.Compact laminates – These fairly thick laminates are self-supporting and do not need to be glued to any other material.Post formed laminates – These flexible laminates are thinner than regular laminates. They are used to wrap around tables, columns etc.High-pressure and low-pressure laminates – Differing only in the pressure with which the laminate is applied on a substrate, HPL is usually used with plywood while LPL finds its use with MDF.