What is laminate?

What Is Laminate?

Laminate is primarily made from a combination of kraft paper (similiar to brown paper bags), melamine and phenolic resins (a combination of phenols, melamine and formaldehyde) and high quality print paper (this is where the image or print is printed on). These layers of paper and resin are fused together under heat and pressure and the end result is laminate.

Laminate today has a vast range of colours, prints and textures. You can get laminates that look like natural stone, granite, marble, timber or you can even get any image you desire printed as a laminate.

There is also an array of differing surface textures. You can have a glossy, satin, matt, or textured surface. Laminates that have a glossy surface tend to show scratches very easily (they are usually recommended to be used in vertical applications) and should be avoided in horizontal applications such as benchtops.

Laminates with a textured surface are favoured for benchtops as scratches are less easily seen (due to the way light is scattered on the textured surface). Deeply textured surfaces should be avoided as it is often difficult to remove grease and dirt that can get trapped.

Laminate is a very tough and durable material and will give you many, many years of service if looked after correctly. It will not take kindly to heat and will blister and break if a hot saucepan is placed on its surface. Sharp knives will cut into the laminate surface and once this is done it cannot be repaired. Always use a trivet or surface protector when putting hot saucepans on the bench and likewise use a cutting board when using knives for cutting.