Part 1 - Composite Panel Association

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U N I T I N G M AT E R I A L S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D D E S I G N
2016 BUYERS GUIDE
C O M P OS ITE
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Value Engineering the Perfect Union:
Beautiful, Innovative Decorative Surfaces made with Sustainable, Durable Panels
2 016 S U R FA C E & PA N E L B U Y E R S G U I DE
Your guide to the world of composite panels and decorative surfaces
C O M M E R C I A L • R E S I D E N T I A L • R E TA I L • H E A LT H C A R E • H O S P I TA L I T Y • O R G A N I Z AT I O N • E D U C AT I O N • E X T E R I O R S
The 2016 Surface & Panel Buyers Guide, sponsored by the
Composite Panel Association, provides the most comprehensive
product and specification information available for North American
composite panel and decorative surfacing materials. Included
within are design solutions using a wide array of standard
and specialty products.
Other Green Building Programs
DECORATIVE SURFACES
•
Decorative surfaces offer nearly limitless options for design and functionality. They are used in a wide variety of wood-based applications,
including cabinets, mouldings, flooring, furniture, countertops, store fixtures, doors and shelving. Composite panels provide an ideal substrate
for decorative surfaces – affordable, consistent, uniform in strength and
free of defects.
Decorative surfaces can be broadly separated into two categories:
overlays and coatings. Overlays include thermally fused laminate (TFL),
film overlays (3D laminates, 2D laminates, etc.), decorative foils, high
pressure laminates (HPL), light basis weight papers, wood veneer and
heat transfer foils. Coatings are utilized in both liquid and powder forms.
COMPOSITE PANELS
Wood-based composite panels, such as medium density fiberboard
(MDF), particleboard, engineered wood siding and trim (EWST) and
hardboard can be engineered to meet any project requirements.
Customers can specify physical and mechanical properties, as well as
surface characteristics, to create end-products with ideal attributes.
These composite panel products are produced from renewable and
recycled wood fiber. By their very nature, composite panel products are
among the greenest materials in the world and a great choice for environmentally conscious consumers.
All particleboard and MDF facilities in this Guide offer third-party
certified products to meet the California Air Resources Board (CARB)
Airborne Toxic Control Measure (ATCM 93120) regulation. The CARB
regulation excludes hardboard and EWST products. CPA maintains a current list of CARB-certified and exempt facilities at CompositePanel.org.
ENVIRONMENTAL CREDITS
The following programs are designed to recognize
the environmental efficacy and/or green building
claims of composite panel products available in
the marketplace.
Eco-Certified Composites
CPA’s Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) Sustainability
Standard is predicated on life cycle inventory and other
verifiable environmental practices. The Standard highlights the responsible use of wood fiber by composite panel manufacturers in North
America. The basis of the standard includes the CPA Carbon Calculator,
an expert tool developed to assess the life cycle and carbon footprint of
composite panels. Visit ECCProducts.org and click on “ECC Certified
Companies” for a comprehensive list of program participants.
The most prominent U.S. green building certifications are the USGBC
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building
Rating System and International Code Council (ICC 700) National Green
Building Standard.
SECTIONS OF THE GUIDE
SPECIFYING SURFACES & PANELS VIGNETTES
provide examples of
applications in specific environments.
•
PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS
•
PRODUCT GUIDES provide company-specific product information for
the major manufacturers and suppliers of these panel and surfacing
products, including designations for Eco-Certified Composites (ECC),
CARB-certified and no-added formaldehyde (NAF) and Ultra Low
Emitting Formaldehyde (ULEF) products.
•
SALES CONTACT INFORMATION is an alphabetical list of all panel and
surface companies listed in the guide.
detail the characteristics of the materials,
common applications and key physical properties.
CPA also offers an extensive online library of articles and technical bulletins on products referenced in this guide at CompositePanel.org.
ABOUT THE COMPOSITE PANEL ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1960, the Composite Panel Association (CPA) is dedicated
to advancing the North American wood-based panel and decorative surfacing industries. CPA represents both industries on technical standards,
industry regulation and product acceptance.
CPA General Members include the leading manufacturers of MDF,
particleboard, engineered wood siding and trim, and hardboard (representing nearly 95 percent of North American manufacturing capacity).
CPA Associate Members include manufacturers of decorative surfaces, furniture, cabinets, mouldings, doors and equipment, along with
laminators, distributors, industry media and adhesive suppliers.
CPA is a vital resource for both manufacturers and users of industry products. As a highly regarded and accredited standards developer,
CPA publishes the industry’s ANSI product standards. CPA operates an
International Testing and Certification Center (ITCC) and manages the
Grademark Certification Program, the largest and most stringent testing
and certification program for North American composite panel products.
CPA also compiles and publishes proprietary industry economic performance data and technical bulletins on the use of industry products
and other educational materials. The association partners with Surface
& Panel magazine in publishing an annual Buyers Guide and regular
editions of the magazine.
FO R M O R E IN FO R MATI O N
Composite Panel Association
19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306
Leesburg, Virginia, USA 20176
(703) 724-1128
www.CompositePanel.org
www.DecorativeSurfaces.org
surface&panel
BUYERS GUIDE 2016
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2016 BUYERS GUIDE
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3 About this Guide and the Composite Panel Association
6
Message from the Composite Panel Association
8
Selecting Composite Wood Panels 101
A primer for selecting the best panel for the application.
12
Specifying Surfaces
Examples and advice on the use of
multiple surface materials in specific environments
12Kitchens
14 Home Organization
18 Residential Furniture
22Retail
24 Office Furniture
28Hospitality
32 Health Care
36Education
48 Product Descriptions
Characteristics of the materials, common
applications and physical properties.
Surface & Panel magazine and the
Composite Panel Association thank the
following organizations who contributed
images for the production of this issue:
Amy Carman Design, Arauco, Arborite, Arclin,
ATI Decorative Laminates, Blum, Bright Wood
Works, Caesars Entertainment, California
Closets, Cefla, Chemetal, Closet and Storage
Concepts, Collins Products LLC, CT Designs,
Duraplay, DVUV, ECCO Salon, Formica,
Greenlam, Hafele, Harley-Davidson, Haworth,
IG Pulvertechnik AG, Interprint, JB Cutting,
Kimball Office, Kleiberit, KML-Kustom
Material Laminates, Krono System, Lamitech,
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, mHouse,
Midmark Corporation, Moore+Fries, Nemours
Children’s Hospital, Northern Contours, Nucraft,
O'Connells, Olon, Omnova, Panelite, Panolam,
Renolit, Riken, Sauder, Schattdecor, Sensosan,
Stevens Industries, Surteco, Synergy Thermal
Foils, Tafisa, Toppan Interamerica, TransFORM,
Treefrog, TruStile, TruWood Siding + Trim,
uglycute, Uniboard, VT Industries
and Wilsonart LLC.
C O M P O S I T E PA N E L A S S O C I AT I O N
MAIN OFFICE
19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306
Leesburg, VA 20176
PH: 703-724-1128 FAX: 703-724-1588
Toll Free 1-866-4COMPOSITES
www.CompositePanel.org
CANADIAN OFFICE
Post Office Box 747, Station B
Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1P 5P8
PH: 613-232-6782 FAX: 703-724-1588
INTERNATIONAL TESTING AND
CERTIFICATION CENTER
73 Lawson Road, Leesburg, VA 20175
PH: 703-724-1128 FAX: 703-724-1588
www.itcclab.org
48MDF
54Particleboard
60Hardboard
62 Engineered Wood Siding and Trim
64 High ressure Laminate
68 Thermally Fused Laminate
72
Film Overlays
78
Decorative Foils
79
Heat Transfer Foils
80 Light Basis Weight Papers
82Veneer
84 Liquid Coatings
85 Powder Coatings
86 Product Guides
Company specific product information for manufacturers
and suppliers of panel and surfacing products, including
designations for Eco-Certified Composite (ECC).
86MDF
88Particleboard
90 Engineered Wood Siding and Trim
90Hardboard
91Laminators
94 Overlay Manufacturers
97
98
98
99
North American Composite Panel
Manufacturers Map
Coaters
Coating Manufacturers
Laminating Adhesives Suppliers
100 Sales Contact Information
Alphabetical listings provided for each producer
to help customers locate products.
104 CPA Member Directory
130 Advertiser Index
2016 BUYERS GUIDE
C O M P OS ITE
PA N E L
A S S O C I ATI O N
On the cover: Consistent and durable
composite panels combined with fashionable
decorative surfaces offer infinite design
possibilities in residential and commercial
applications. The Surface & Panel Buyers
Guide is your complete source for specifying
the right materials for any application.
Editorial Features
38 Trends in Printing for the Laminate
Market Over the Last 25 Years
66 New ISO Standard Ensures
Worldwide Consistency for
Laminates
Surface & Panel is published quarterly by Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., 302 N. 3rd Steet, Watertown, Wisconsin 53094,
telephone 920-206-1766, fax 920-206-1767. John Aufderhaar, President, Christine Aufderhaar, CFO. All rights reserved. No part
of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the
publisher. Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel
processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year
subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single
issues are $15, and must be prepaid. Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to
any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such
errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A.
Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098. Please direct all subscription questions and mail to: Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 PH: 920-206-1766
SPECIAL SEC TIO NS
108 Finishing Matters
A special section highlighting the finishing industry.
MATTERS
108 Finishing Equipment: Moving Forward
112 Two Tough and Fashionable Finishes
117 Distribution Matters
A special section highlighting the NBMDA
(National Building Materials Distribution Association).
118
An Interview with Raymond Prozillo
INCOMING PRESIDENT OF THE NBMDA
120 Distributor Roundtable Discussion
122 Supplier Roundtable Discussion
124 A Conversation with Kevin Gammonley
ON THE VALUE OF MEMBERSHIP IN THE NBMDA
126 NBMDA Member Directory 2016
PUBLISHER
John Aufderhaar
President | Bedford Falls Communications
302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
PH: 920-206-1766
jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com
CONTENT
Scott W. Angus
Editorial Director | Bedford Falls Communications
302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
PH: 920-261-1947
scottangus47@gmail.com
A DV E R T I SI N G
Ryan Wagner
VP Sales & Marketing | Bedford Falls Communications
302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
PH: 920-261-1945
rwagner@bedfordfallsmedia.com
Shana Ollarzabal
National Accounts Mgr. | Bedford Falls Communications
302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
PH: 920-261-1944
shana@bedfordfallsmedia.com
Steven Wolf
Client Services Director| Bedford Falls Communications
302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094
PH: 920-261-1947
administrator@bedfordfallsmedia.com
G R A P H I C D E SI G N / P R I N T P U B L I C AT I O N S
Karen Leno
Graphic Designer | KML Design, Inc.
kmldesign@mchsi.com
C I R C U L AT I O N
surfaceandpanelcirculation@gmail.com
N E WS
news@bedfordfallsmedia.com
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BUYERS GUIDE 2016
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F R O M
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C O M P O S I T E
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Distinctive Design. QUALITY. SUSTAINABILITY.
I
t is with great pride that I welcome you to the 2016 Surface & Panel Buyers Guide.
We have made significant efforts to redesign this year’s Guide to better highlight the
remarkable scope of design and functional capabilities provided by the North American
composite panel and decorative surfaces industry. No other products on the market provide
architects, designers, specifiers and manufacturers with such a combination of unique
design capability, quality and sustainability. We hope this Guide inspires you to think of
modern-day North American composite wood products in a whole new way.
DESIGN. It is important to begin with aesthetic – this is not your mother and father’s
composite wood. The North American composite wood industry offers a wide range of
beautiful finishes that can enhance the look and feel of any project – from retail store
fixtures to kitchen cabinets to a piece of furniture. New technologies continue to emerge,
while traditional finishing options have improved greatly over time. One need look no
further than the mHouse, a remarkable, architect-designed and designer-finished home
completed in 2015 in Watertown, Wisconsin, by John Aufderhaar and Bedford Falls
“No other products on the market
provide architects, designers,
specifiers and manufacturers with
such a combination of unique
design capability, quality and
sustainability. We hope this Guide
inspires you to think of modern-day
North American composite wood
products in a whole new way.”
Communications as a showcase for the beauty and versatility of composite wood products.
As John has said many times, the mHouse is about “what’s possible.”
QUALITY. Equally important, purchasers of North American composite wood products
can be assured that they are buying a quality product. The “60 Minutes” report on Lumber
Liquidators Chinese-made laminate flooring raised concerns with homeowners and the
marketplace regarding imported products that reportedly failed to comply with national or,
in this case, California regulations intended to protect public health. Purchasers of North
American-made composite wood products can be confident that products labeled as
compliant with applicable formaldehyde emissions standards in fact meet or exceed those
standards. The North American composite wood industry has, for over 30 years, been a
global leader in reducing formaldehyde emissions, and we will continue that commitment
going forward.
SUSTAINABILITY. Finally, we believe that North American-made composite wood
products tell a remarkable sustainability story. These products were born from a desire
to recycle residuals from sawmills to ensure the forest products industry uses the whole
tree and nothing is wasted. As we enter a more carbon-conscious economy, composite
wood products are part of the solution because they sequester carbon for the life of the
product. It is hard to think of any other product that brings to the table such a compelling
sustainability story.
The Composite Panel Association (CPA) – which represents North American
manufacturers of particleboard, medium density fiberboard, engineered wood siding/
trim, hardboard and decorative surfaces – is proud to work on behalf of the industry to
ensure it is the world’s most trusted source for compliant products in an ever-expanding
number of commercial and residential applications. We invite you to read this year’s Buyers
Guide edition of Surface & Panel to better understand the range of products offered by our
members. Please also visit CPA’s website to learn more about who we are and what we do,
including our Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) standard for composite panels. For more
information, visit www.compositepanel.org.
Jackson Morrill
P R E S I D E N T, C O M P O S I T E PA N E L A S S O C I AT I O N
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Give Your
Designs A
Competitive
Edge
Introducing
With DesignEdge™, our new domestically-produced multi-ply panel, your
next project can deliver a twist on the
distinctive exposed-edge look with
the added confidence of PureBond®
formaldehyde-free technology.
• Available as “blank” platforms or
with decorative hardwood veneer
faces.
• Can be ordered as FSC® Certified.
Visual Flexibility
& Appeal
Dining tables. Children’s furniture.
Drawer boxes. Display fixtures.
Just some of the typical items that
can be enhanced with the unique
“thick and thin” inner ply layers
that make Columbia’s new
DesignEdge panels so visually
striking.
DesignEdge can:
• Reflect a new sense of aesthetic
drama from every angle.
•
Benefit from fabrication techniques
to make the most of the material
from flat to rounded and beveled
treatments.
Find out more at cfpwood.com
cfpwood.com
101
SELECTING COMPOSITE WOOD PANELS
C
omposite wood panels are the result of many decades of applied
materials science. These innovative products take sustainability and
environmental friendliness to new levels. Composite panels include medium
density fiberboard (MDF), particleboard, hardboard and engineered wood
siding and trim. Understanding the basic make up of the products, as well
as related industry standards and environmental accreditations, makes it
easier for specifiers to choose materials that meet both performance and
environmental criteria.
The Composite Panel Association (CPA) was instrumental in the development of these EPDs, which are sponsored by the American Wood Council
and Canadian Wood Council. The EPDs are certified by UL Environment,
a business unit of Underwriters Laboratories that is recognized by the
green building community as an independent certifier of products and
their sustainable attributes. EPDs sponsored by UL are recognized by US
Green Building Council’s LEED rating system, Green Building Initiative’s
Green Globes and other similar building certification programs.
By volume, composite panels are comprised of approximately 90 percent
wood and 10 percent resins. Most or all of that wood is recycled fiber. Preconsumer residuals, such as shavings, sawdust and plywood trim/chips, is
recovered from other operations. Post-consumer urban wood waste and
agri-fiber also provide source materials for composite panels.
TERMS TO KNOW
The stability, strength and homogeneity of composite panels make them an
ideal substrate for a broad range of applications. Wood composite materials are the substrate of choice for decorative surfaces because they can be
engineered for specific performance characteristics and physical properties including: strength, flexibility, moisture resistance, fire resistance and
low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Composite panels are used for a wide array of applications including:
• Hospitality • Healthcare • Education • Retail • Commercial
• Organization • Residential
VERIFIED GREEN
Environmental Credits and Certifications
Combining decorative surface materials and composite panel substrates is
an effective way to help earn points for environmental building certification
programs such as the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy
and Environmental Design (LEED) certification and the International Code
Council (ICC 700) National Green Building Standard.
ECO-CERTIFIED COMPOSITES (ECC)
The voluntary Eco-Certified Composite
(ECC) sustainability standard, launched in
2011, established the first certification of
its kind for composite wood products. The
ECC program verifies the responsible use of
wood fiber by composite panel manufacturers in
North America and focuses on life cycle inventory and other verifiable
environmental practices.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCT DECLARATIONS (EPDS)
Available for Particleboard and MDF
An Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a verified document that
reports environmental data of products based on life cycle assessment
(LCA) and other relevant information. This is the contemporary standardized format for communicating a product’s environmental impact to consumers, much like nutrition labels on food products, or credits in green
building rating systems. It works in accordance with the international
standard ISO 14025 (Type III environmental declarations).
EPDs give specifiers, designers and fabricators an important new tool to
objectively compare life cycle impacts of wood products with products
made of plastic, metal or other materials.
Building codes and green building rating systems are driving demand for
verified LCA information found in EPDs. In response, industry-wide EPDs
are now available for particleboard and MDF made in North America.
Based on ISO standards 14025 and 21930, EPDs have worldwide
applicability and include information about the following product
environmental impacts: use of resources, global warming potential,
emissions to air, soil and water, and waste generation.
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The composite panel industry continues to be a leader in working with
state and federal agencies to develop fair regulations that protect
consumers. The following terms are important to know and understand
when specifying and using composite panels:
NAF & ULEF: Panels with no-added formaldehyde (NAF) and/or ultra-
low emitting formaldehyde (ULEF), and have been exempted from
third party certification requirements of the California Air Resources
Board Airborne Toxic Control Measure (CARB ATCM 93120).
NAUF: No added urea formaldehyde (NAUF) products, as defined
by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED 2009 rating system,
may be used for low-emitting materials credit under LEED 2009
for Commercial Interiors and LEED 2009 for New Construction
and Major Renovations for projects registered by October 31, 2016.
Projects registered to LEED v4 (as of November 20, 2013) will offer
LEED credit to IEQ 4.4: Low-emitting Materials for NAF and ULEF
CARB compliant panels. LEED v4 does not recognize NAUF.
Detailed descriptions of the different composite panel products
described above begin on page 48.
Composite Wood Products may help achieve the following U.S.
Green Building Council’s LEED Credits:
LEED V4 RATING SYSTEM
• MR credit: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction: BD+C, ID+C
• MR credit: Environmentally Preferable Products: Homes
• MR credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization –
Environmental Product Declarations: BD+C, ID+C
• MR credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization –
Sourcing of Raw Materials: BD+C, ID+C
• MR credit: Building Product Disclosure and Optimization – Material
Ingredients: BD+C, ID+C
• MR credit: Furniture and Medical Furnishings: BD+C
• MR credit: Purchasing – Ongoing: OM
• MR credit; Purchasing – Facility Maintenance and Renovation: OM
• EQ credit: Low-Emitting Materials: BD+C, ID+C, Homes
• MR prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood: Homes
BD+C (Building Design and Construction) ID+C (Interior Design and
Construction) OM (Building Operations and Maintenance)
LEED 2009 RATING SYSTEM
• MRc4: Recycled Content
• MRc5: Regional Materials
• MRc7: Certified Wood
• EQc4.4: Low Emitting Materials
With over 95 percent of North America composite panel manufacturers
certified to produce ECC panels, specifying verifiable green products is
easier than ever. Visit ECCproducts.org for more information and a list
of program participants.
3DUWLFOHERDUG
Certified. Sustainable.
Eco-Certified Composites are Among the Greenest on Earth.
What are Eco-Certified Composites?
ECC stands for Eco-CertifiedTM Composite, as defined in the stringent ECC Sustainability
Standard and Certification Program for composite panel products – specifically particleboard,
MDF, hardboard and engineered wood siding and trim.
What makes a composite panel Eco-Certified?
Wood panels that carry the ECC mark are manufactured in facilities that are certified to meet
the stringent requirements of the ECC Sustainability Standard.
ECC panel manufacturing facilities meet rigorous environmental requirements utilizing objectivebased criteria and annual on-site audits. Each must ensure that its composite panels meet the
stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) formaldehyde emissions regulations AND
achieve at least three of the following requirements:
• Demonstrate a Carbon Footprint Offset
• Use Local Wood Fiber Resources
• Use Recycled/Recovered Wood Fiber
• Minimize Wood Waste in Manufacturing
• Hold a Valid Wood Sourcing Assessment or Certificate
What about LEED v4 Credit?
• MATERIALS AND RESOURCE (MR) CREDIT:
Building Product Disclosure Optimization –
Environmental Product Declaration
• MR CREDIT: Building Product Disclosure
Optimization – Sourcing of Raw Materials
• MR CREDIT: Building Product Disclosure
Optimization – Material Ingredients
• MR CREDIT: Furniture and Medical Furnishings
• INDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (EQ) CREDIT:
Low-emitting materials
The Composite Panel Association is committed to advancing and certifying the
sustainability of industry products for residential, commercial and industrial uses.
Who sponsors ECC Certification?
The Composite Panel Association (CPA) developed the ECC Sustainability Standard,
including its pioneering Carbon Calculator. CPA administers the ECC Certification
Program in North America as a third party certification agency accredited to ISO/IEC
17065 by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
www.ECCproduct.org
KITCHENS
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FA C E S & PA N E L S
According to NKBA polling, shifting consumer preferences
for cabinetry in North America put transitional styling
ahead of the traditional aesthetic. Contemporary design
is also making significant gains. Consider this trend
from the inside out. Both transitional and contemporary
designs favor frameless cabinet box construction, which is
standard in Europe. One benefit is that there are minimal
reveals between door and drawer fronts, allowing for
sleek, uninterrupted surfaces. Most functional hardware
is initially developed for frameless boxes (then adapted
for framed cabinetry), giving kitchen designers who work
with frameless cabinets access to the most cutting-edge
innovations – and when it comes to kitchen and bath
cabinets, hardware technology truly drives design.
➊
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➋
➊ With the advent of emboss-in-register (EIR) and rich
textures in thermally fused laminate, TFL is becoming the
dominant material used to make cabinet doors and drawer
fronts, as well as cabinet box interiors. In this kitchen, the
architect used TFL on the ceiling to give the kitchen a
secluded, intimate feel.
High pressure laminate (HPL)
has been the number one choice for kitchen counters for
more than 50 years. It is available in a multitude of colors,
patterns and textures and is affordable and durable. It
continues to be the preferred material in today’s kitchen.
High-gloss surfaces are gaining in popularity in solid
colors and patterns. New materials have been developed
in high gloss, including three-dimensional laminate (3DL),
acrylic laminate, HPL, polyurethane reactive coatings (PUR)
and lacquer . In nearly all cases, high-gloss surfaces
require an extremely smooth substrate for both coating
and laminating. Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is the
unanimous material of choice .
➋
➌
➎
➍
KITCHENS
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➌
➍ ➎
➏ 3DL is often used in cabinet doors and drawer fronts in the
kitchen. It is easily formable in a membrane press due to its
thermoplastic qualities. Two- and three-dimensional laminate
are excellent mediums for printing. Many consider the print
fidelity on these materials to be the best.
This unique
kitchen is made from colored MDF, which is both the substrate
and decorative surface. The thin countertop is made from solid
phenolic, also known as compact laminate.
➐
➏➐
See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
surface&panel
BUYERS GUIDE 2016
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HOME ORGANIZATION
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FAC E S & PA N E L S
14
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➊➋
Home organization products have been developed for just about
every room in the house. Each room and organization system
presents its own challenges in design and performance. Closets
tend to be the least demanding environment as storage for more
soft goods-related items. Laundry rooms are more demanding
as spaces that contend with cleaners, chemicals and frequent
use. Garage organization cabinetry must withstand a great deal
of abuse in an environment that can be just as demanding as an
industrial setting.
SEE MORE HOME ORGANIZATION APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 16 �
➊ The doors, drawers and cabinet interiors in this
unique storage design are produced from thermally
fused laminate (TFL).
➋ Three-dimensional laminate (3DL) is known for its
warmth, soft feel and superlative print fidelity. 3DL is an
excellent choice for the cabinet drawer and door fronts
in this closet system.
➌ As beautiful as these garage cabinets are, they will
take a beating over the years. The surface materials
must withstand impacts, scratches, chemicals, cleaners
and changes in the weather. Textured TFL was used
exclusively on all cabinet doors and drawer fronts, as
well as the interior cabinet boxes.
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➌
MORNING FOG
GREY ECHO
NATURAL ELM
THE BEAUTIES of TEXTURE
STEVENSWOOD's® newest beauties: Morning Fog,
Grey Echo, Natural Elm & Dark Elm are designs
inspired by the hypnotic beauty of a seaside morning.
(217) 857-7100
STEVENS-WOOD.com
© STEVENS Industries, Inc. 2016
Invoking tranquility & wonder, these designs join
the favorites of the popular Artika® & Rain® collection
as elegant additions to any design scheme.
SAMPLE
REQUEST
DARK ELM
HOME ORGANIZATION
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
� SEE MORE HOME ORGANIZATION APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 12
➊
➋
➌
➍
➊ Home organization is constantly changing, as this room shows. A combination
craft and sewing room doubles comfortably and efficiently as a home office.
Countertops are high pressure laminate (HPL). Cabinets are TFL. The slotwall is
made from MDF, surfaced in 60-gram finished foil. ➋ Garage organization is a
rapidly growing trend as these environments are valued and used as living spaces.
HPL, TFL and 3DL are all excellent choices here. ➌ This is an excellent
example showing TFL as a decorative material in these floor-to-ceiling wardrobe
doors. It also shows the versatility of TFL with particleboard at its core as a
construction material, easily handling the enormous range of functional hardware
storage items. Note the “system holes” drilled at 32 millimeters on center, a
standard for hardware and the basis for the “32-millimeter system.”
➍ Deep textures and a wide range of colors and patterns have elevated
decorative surface materials to the same level as solid wood and veneer. Even the
trained eye is hard pressed to distinguish one from another.
16
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See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
nothing to hide
The look and feel of
natural wood grain in a
composite panel.
KMLdesignerfinishes.com
(888) 358-5075
RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FAC E S & PA N E L S
18
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
Residential furniture and panel processing go hand in hand.
The majority of residential furniture being created today
includes panel-based goods to some degree in component
manufacturing. Beautifully designed pieces featuring the latest
in high pressure laminate (HPL), thermally fused laminate
(TFL), three-dimensional laminate (3DL), foils, veneers and
➊
more are also becoming room centerpieces. Design and
capability of material are essential qualities that panel-based
goods and decorative surfaces bring to functional furniture.
These materials provide cost-effective solutions yet offer
intrinsically beautiful characteristics to furniture made by
everyone from big box manufacturers to high-end custom
producers,
SEE MORE RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 20 �
➋ ➌
➊ Versatility of materials is key as furniture can have
varying degrees of style. Dimensional laminate as well
as veneer can achieve this look while providing design
characteristics necessary for continuity.
➋ Finish foils are a perfect solution for achieving the look
and feel of real wood. Texture is critical while maintaining a
perfect contrast between woodgrains and solid colors.
➌ Built-ins are becoming centerpieces in the design space.
High-gloss acrylic is a durable and beautiful option that
helps create a stunning and clean look for featured pieces.
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RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➊
� SEE MORE RESIDENTIAL FURNITURE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 18
➋➌
➊ Functional hardware can help homeowners take advantage
of spaces they might not have used otherwise. HPL, TFL or
veneer wall applications partnered with the right hardware can
showcase key components of a home or hide them if necessary.
➋ Desking and occasional tables can be made from a variety
of panels and decorative surfaces such as HPL, TFL, foils, light
basis weight paper, veneer and more.
➌ A key factor in the customization of panel-based goods
See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
20
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is the variety of options that are available. A simple piece of
furniture utilizing HPL, TFL or foils and be manufactured for
multiple uses.
RETAIL
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FAC E S & PA N E L S
Retail environments are some of the most
demanding in the commercial sector. High levels
of traffic, changes in weather and humidity and
constant impact take their toll on surface material.
Even high pressure laminate (HPL), the undisputed
durability leader in horizontal surfacing, might fail
➊
➋
prematurely with excessive abuse. We’ve all seen
counters at convenience stores where the wear layer
and decor paper have worn through to the kraft
backer. While the counter looks unsightly, it is still
performing – truly a testament to the material’s
longevity. Many other materials have entered the
market with performance characteristics rivaling
HPL. As specifiers, please remember that from an
abuse perspective, vertical surfacing is seldom as
demanding as horizontal surfacing. Look to the
wide range of matching programs – which include
HPL, thermally fused laminate (TFL), threedimensional laminate (3DL), foils and other paper
laminates – as you value engineer a solution.
➌
➍
➊ Soft goods retailers can achieve the right look with any number of surfacing materials in this slightly less
demanding environment. Decorative foils, TFL and HPL are all appropriate. 3DL is also an excellent choice for its
ability to create seamless edges and for its resistance to impact. ➋ Cleanliness is important in food service
retail. Frequent use of cleaning agents and chemicals should be considered when selecting the right surface
material. HPL, 3DL and decorative metals are all excellent choices. ➌ High pressure laminate was used in both
the reception desk and the overhead gantry in this salon. ➍ The back wall was produced from routed medium
density fiberboard (MDF), laminated with high-gloss 3DL.
22
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RETAIL
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➎
➏
➐
➑
➎ High pressure laminate was the
material of choice in the high-volume, hightraffic beverage retailer. Vertical surfaces
take an above average level of abuse in
this application. HPL was specified for both
horizontal and vertical surfaces.
➏ Textured TFL in dark walnut was
selected for these salon stations. Acrylic
high gloss was chosen for the mirror
surrounds.
➐ Hybrid textured and colored laminates
produced from foils or thermoplastic
materials can make for a dramatic effect in
retail environments.
➑ This curved retail counter and the
cylindrical display cases demonstrate the
flexibility of HPL.
See pages 48-85 for more
detailed product descriptions and
performance characteristics.
surface&panel
BUYERS GUIDE 2016
23
OFFICE FURNITURE
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FAC E S & PA N E L S
24
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
Office furniture manufacturers have a long history as users
of composite panel products and decorative surfaces. As an
industry, these producers understand the characteristics of
surface and panel products as well as any other. Performance
is critical. Quality engineering is a necessity. A product’s long
service life is the ultimate goal. Specifying panel products with
the proper modulus of rupture (MOR) and modulus of elasticity
(MOE) is taken seriously. Surface materials must also conform
to exacting requirements. Value engineering is a way of life in
the office furniture segment,
SEE MORE OFFICE FURNITURE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 26 �
This home office was designed by an architect
and includes elegant storage cabinets made from
walnut faced hardwood plywood and thermally fused
laminate (TFL) cabinet interiors. The work surface is
an excellent example of the beauty and strength of
compact laminate (a.k.a. solid phenolic).
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This 3-inch thick
compact-laminate
work surface
demonstrates the
possibilities for a
designed edge by
producing the top
with alternating
black and white
saturated kraft
sheets.
A combination of high pressure laminate (HPL)
on the horizontal surfaces and high-gloss vinyl on
the vertical surfaces is perfect for this attractive
mid-century-modern office suite.
German quality you can trust
Hettich: Consistently new
In life, we often have to make decisions: here, we go for the appeal of something refreshingly new; there, we
want to stick with old familiar things. We have always aimed to combine the two. So Hettich is your partner
with some useful contradictions. Long established, and up to date. Cosmopolitan, yet faithful to our location.
Versatile, but reliable.
Technology for Furniture since 1888.
www.hettich.com
4295 Hamilton Mill Road
Suite 400
Buford GA 30518
1.800.438.8424
OFFICE FURNITURE
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➊
➋
➌
� SEE MORE OFFICE FURNITURE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 24
➊ TFL is the logical choice for this office system. ➋ A high-gloss
finish can be achieved in several ways: solid-color coatings and
lacquers, powder coating, or laminates from either acrylic or vinyl.
In this case, high-gloss acrylic laminate was used. ➌ The long
unsupported extension of this conference table is a clear indication
that it was produced with compact laminate (solid phenolic). No other
material has the rigidity and strength to accomplish this feat. ➍
Hardwood veneer on either a particleboard (PB) or medium density
fiberboard (MDF) substrate gives this office an attractive look. ,
➍
See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
26
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I N S I G H T S
Introducing Insights
OMNOVA Solutions is excited to announce the introduction of Insights, our visual
translation of emerging design trends with an intimate view of next generation surfaces.
Rooted in research and curated with character, this annual publication highlights
key color and finish trends. The first edition, Modern Authentic, includes four design
narratives with over thirty new laminate offerings. Be inspired with Insights.
BOOTH #1465
Lead with Design. Lead with OMNOVA.
Come see us at GlobalShop 2016 - Booth #1465 to learn more or visit
www.omnova.com/sp-insights
© 2016 OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
866.332.5226
www.omnova.com/sp-insights
laminates@omnova.com
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INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
HOSPITALITY
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FA C E S & PA N E L S
The various sectors of the hospitality industry,
including hotels, restaurants and entertainment
venues, all face the same dilemma. With each
new day, the space must look as good as it did
the day before. That’s not an easy task when you
consider the abuse these commercial spaces face
day in and day out.
Vertical and horizontal surfaces that come in
close daily contact with man and machine are
particularly vulnerable. Laminates are excellent
choices for these environments and are often
selected for their impact and scratch resistance.
The realism of today’s laminates makes them
nearly indistinguishable from natural materials.
SEE MORE HOSPITALITY APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 30 �
➊ Wood veneer and high pressure laminate (HPL) work
beautifully together in this creative restaurant. Veneer is
located in vertical surfaces away from potential abuse. HPL
on the bar top is the perfect specification – at the point of
maximum abuse.
➋ Hardboard, a composite panel product, is used as both
a decorative and functional product in this spartan but
comfortable bar.
➌ Textured thermally fused laminate (TFL), laminated on a
moisture-resistant medium density fiberboard (MDF), is an
excellent choice for this hotel bathroom.
➊
➋
➌
Decotone Surfaces is one of the largest
distributors of Lamitech Laminates in the
world with stocking locations in
New Jersey, California and Florida
Decotone Torino Laminates
Italian Inspired Designs
Decotone
Custom Digital Laminates
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Metallic Laminates
Decotone
Translucent Panels
Lamitech Decorative Laminates
by Decotone Surfaces
Zenolite High Gloss
Acrylic Panels
All products marketed and distributed by Decotone Surfaces in the US, Mexico and Canada
Tel: 908-301-0600
www.decotonesurfaces.com
sales@decotonesurfaces.com
HOSPITALITY
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➊
� SEE MORE HOSPITALITY APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 28
➋
➌
Leading to the Next Level
of Innovation
➊ and ➋ HPL, TFL and 2mm PVC
edgebanding, all part of a matching
program created for value engineering,
provide this hotel owner with the desired
performance and aesthetic.
➌ Decorative metal laminates with
RIKEN U.S.A. CORPORATION
www.riken-usa.com
info@riken-usa.com | 248-513-3511
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phenolic backers are produced much
like HPL and have similar performance
characteristics. They are flexible to a
point and easily laminated over curved
surfaces.
See pages 48-85 for more
detailed product descriptions and
performance characteristics.
Reinventing TFL
A new look at Thermally Fused Laminates
Arclin is reinventing its approach to decorative overlays for TFL. With more trend-forward designs —
and more application opportunities. With more advancements in resin technology — for more
efficiencies and better performance. With more tools and more support.
There’s more than meets the eye with Arclin overlays for TFL.
It’s time to take another look.
The Harvest Collection is here!
See our new designs at ArclinTFL.com
+1.877.689.9145 decorative.surfaces@arclin.com ArclinTFL.com
A Chemistry & Applications Company
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
HEALTH CARE
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FA C E S & PA N E L S
➊➋
Health care environments are ever-changing
design spaces. Comfort is essential to create
a therapeutic setting for patients while also
providing work areas that are functional and
effective. Panel processing is a great way to
use mass production for many rooms while
also achieving a level of customization. Some
of the materials that are a perfect fit for these
spaces are three-dimensional laminate (3DL)
and surfaces that incorporate antimicrobial
silver ion technology. Keeping everything
as clean as possible is essential for healing,
while making the space beautiful is important
for a great patient experience.
SEE MORE HEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 34 �
➌
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➊ Workstations in health care are becoming important pieces for functionality.
Durability and cleanliness are key, which is why materials such as 3DL are the
perfect choice.
➋ Design and haptic elements keep health care environments comfortable.
Beautiful veneers and routed design panels can create a feel-good space.
Coatings and 3D laminates provide the dimension and feel needed for comfort.
➌ High traffic areas such as reception desks and storage areas require
significant durability. High pressure laminate (HPL), thermally fused laminate
(TFL) and 3DL are the perfect solutions to these durability needs.
HEALTH CARE
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
➊
� SEE MORE HEALTH CARE APPLICATIONS ON PAGE 32
➊ Laminate and vinyl flooring are cost-effective solutions in health care
environments. Easy-to- clean flooring and durable TFL, HPL or veneer wall
applications make for great design and functionality.
➋ Storage solutions and smaller work spaces are essential in multi-room
clinics. TFL vertical faces with HPL or 3DL tops are a designer’s best option.
➋
Stunning Surface +
Sturdy Substrate =
Discover the best laminate components
when you choose Genesis.
GenesisProductsInc.com/laminated
PanelExperts@genesisproductsinc.com
See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
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Bohemian Folk
Trend
The magic of hydraulic mosaics now in a
unique design with all the advantages of
the best HPL.
New Hydraulic Mosaic
2016 Collection
Lamitech, Trendy design in a practical and
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®
*Please ask for our
certified references.
The mark of
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LAMITECH CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS
INTERNATIONAL SALES OFFICE
Carrera 19 # 92-65 Bogotá, Colombia
Phone: (57-1) 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897
www.lamitech.com.co e-mail: exports@lamitech.com.co
Our full range of LAMITECH HPL is
with Nanoguard
EDUCATION
S P E C I F Y I N G S U R FA C E S & PA N E L S
➊➋
Educational environments have become showcases for
panel-processed goods. Whether for desking, flooring,
cabinetry, work surfaces or other storage areas, panels and
decorative surfaces are the perfect answer. Aesthetics are an
important part of creating an environment that is conducive
to maximizing learning potential. Studies have shown that
environment-based education emphasizes specific critical
thinking skills central to “good science”—questioning,
investigating, forming hypotheses, interpreting data,
analyzing, developing conclusions and solving problems.
Durability is a key component in selecting materials to be
used in these spaces. Vertical and horizontal surfaces need
certain characteristics to create longevity in the products.
High pressure laminate (HPL), thermally fused laminate
(TFL), solid surface, compact laminate, three-dimensional
laminate (3DL) and others are perfect to meet these needs
while being aesthetically pleasing.
➊ Laminate flooring and vinyl flooring are perfect solutions
for educational spaces. Their durability along with various
decorative options provide everything needed to design the
space. Desks and work surface tops require impact resistance
along with other distinctive traits, which make HPL, 3DL,
compact phenolic and solid surface great options.
➋ Storage solutions such as lockers and cabinetry are key
components of schools and labs. The vertical surfaces can
be achieved using HPL, TFL or compact phenolic. If a custom
look is in order to give a decorative touch to the space, custom
laminates are the perfect option.
➌ Custom graphics can be a big part of educational space.
Whether it be the school mascot or quotations from literary
scholars, custom laminates offer the solution.
➍ TFL on the vertical surfaces with HPL tops complete
workstations that are both functional and decorative.
➌
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EDUCATION
INNOVATIV E PRODUCTS FOR A SUSTA INA BLE FUTURE
See pages 48-85 for more detailed product
descriptions and performance characteristics.
➍
Distinctive Designs
5108
Coal
SuperMatte
15014
Champagne
Acrylic
Metallic Acrylic Door and Drawer Fronts
Yo u r sour ce f or ins pired component s
866-344-8132 | www.northerncontours.com
surface&panel
BUYERS GUIDE 2016
37
TRENDS IN PRINTING
for the Laminate Market
OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS
B Y
T
he trends in printing for laminate
products have changed dramatically over the last 25 years. But
then again, what hasn’t? While a
lot of laminate has always been produced,
the vast majority, until more recently, was
solid colored. The HPL business was likely
70 percent and the TFL business probably
90 percent solid colors 25 years ago, with
white, almond and black being the most
dominant of those colors.
The abilities to photograph wood, stone
and abstract designs to the level we can
today was in its infancy, with significant
improvements in camera, film, scanning,
engraving, and digital technology yet to
come. The primary industry that saw more
print being used 25 years ago was residential paneling. However, the patterns were
rudimentary back in the 1980s. Even in
industries such as manufactured housing
and in-plant offices, the most popular patterns were white, almond, walnut and pecan.
In the late ’80s, new oak patterns began
to emerge as David Embry at Wilsonart
introduced Golden Oak and Solar Oak
and Alex DeGregori of Formica began with
Natural and Fine Oak. Nevamar, Pioneer and
Westinghouse followed suit soon thereafter.
But in 1990, North America saw the first
of what was to be the beginning of a major
trend toward light-colored prints, using
maple and birch patterns.
Suomi Birch was a light, creamy colored,
non-descript flat-cut woodgrain, perfect for
cabinetry interiors and produced by several
Japanese printers in both saturating grade
and light weight papers. Frank Densmore
from Pioneer made his mark in the
T O M
D R A Z E N
industry, introducing Hard Rock Maple. The
pattern was developed in conjunction with
the Orchard Company, and Pioneer brought
it to market first and then almost dropped
it several times within those first five years
before it began to gain traction. Others followed suit, and eventually maple joined oak,
walnut, pecan and mahogany to represent
the lion’s share of prints that HPL and TFL
producers sold. As time went by, Hard Rock
Maple and its lookalikes became the number
one printed product in every customer line as
it became the commodity that went on the
inside of virtually all case goods for years.
Before the ’90s, a number of abstract
designs were sold in the marketplace in
somewhat smaller quantities, but almost
all as an HPL product. Formica had some
success with its iconic boomerang pattern,
and there were a variety of monochromatic
crystal-like patterns and some fiber looks
all designed to be modified versions of solid
colors. The other printed designs were stone
FORMICA'S "BOOMERANG" PATTERN
patterns, primarily marble and granites that
provided laminate customers alternatives
to the white almond and black unicolors.
The stone patterns for countertop and work
surfaces tended to be color-coordinated to
those standard white, almond, and black
colors, but a verdi green was essential in
most lines.
In 1991, Herb Scheer, Judy Wolgast and
the design and sales team from Nevamar set
out to develop something revolutionary for
the HPL market, and they succeeded. They
began with a computer-generated image of
a series of dots printed over the top of white
paper and featured a unique dropout that
allowed a dot of white from the base paper to
show through. The pattern was designed to
give the ultimate optical solid. The new hint
of print looked like nothing ever seen before.
While giving the same overall impression as a
solid color, it had the additional benefit of hiding dreaded fingerprints. There were a number of challenging technical issues in terms
of tracking in the original computer design,
cylinder manufacture and ultimately printing
in registration, which was originally thought
to be unnecessary. But the design proved to
be an unqualified success. In its introductory
year, the new pattern dubbed Matrix printed
and sold over 30 million square feet in the
initial four colorways. Before long, the palette expanded, and Matrix and the knockoffs that followed proved to be the single
largest-selling abstract decor in history. It
did not take long for designers such as Mark
Smith at companies like Steelcase, the largest furniture producer in the world, to discover the benefits and popularity of Matrix
and develop their own versions, selling office
CONTINUED ON PAGE 40 �
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YOUR
SUCCESS
IS OUR
BUSINESS
KNOWLEDGE
& EXPERTISE
How do you define success? As the industry leader
in providing comprehensive solutions and service,
Stiles is your dedicated partner. Whatever your business
demands, our manufacturing experts can help you
choose and tailor the right solution for your success.
LET’S START TODAY.
616.698.7500 | www.stilesmachinery.com
� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 38
furniture with millions of square feet of the
new pattern on them.
The mid ‘90s saw a great deal of
consolidation as far as those in the
laminate business. At the same
time, there began a major push
toward design innovation. New
woodgrain decors such as Formica
Brand’s popular Wild Cherry came
into vogue. More interesting, figured
woodgrain decors such as Wilsonart’s
Fusion Maple, Anigre and Sycamore also
came on the scene. The price of real walnut decreased precipitously when the parks
services released 1000s of acres of federal forest land for harvesting. The added
benefit to the laminate industry was walnut
decors gaining in popularity, with many companies adding new versions to their existing
standard ranges. Renee Hytry of Formica
went outside the box and hired an eclectic
outside designer to provide unique copy for
a collection of radical new designs, which
met with some success but more importantly increased the overall concept of better
original design for surfaces. Others added
more conservative new abstracts that they
hoped would provide volume and eventually become “The Next Matrix.” They all met
with varying degrees of success, but nothing
matching Matrix.
A major change for the printed design
business of the mid ‘90s was the introduction
of laminate floors in America. The already
popular flooring alternative in Europe was
being introduced through the Color Tile
retail chain and then other flooring retailers
here. All at once, a great deal of décor development resources began shifting to the
fast-growing flooring segment. Once again,
WILSONART'S "HARVEST OAK" LAMINATE FLOORING CIRCA 2000
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CHIP-CHAIN
FROM TAFISA IN 2004
the majority of the copy being pursued for
the market was woodgrain looks with over
50 percent of that directed toward oak. The
initial introductions were mostly three-strip,
short block, or what Europe called Ship
Board patterns, of oak and some maple.
The beech that marked the majority of that
being sold in Europe never caught on in
America. Regardless, the best part of the
program was that 100 percent of the decors
going onto laminate floors were printed.
In the late ‘90s, Panolam, having taken
over Pionite, took to the new interest in wood
and woodgrains that was being stimulated
by the laminate flooring business. David
Bell and his team developed a new collection they called “Knot Wood,” using the play
on words to promote their new TFL designs.
The new collection, which was completely
composed of woodgrains, doubled the number of Panolam’s woodgrain offerings at a
time when wood was becoming infinitely
more interesting. They chose an inordinate
number of cherry patterns that featured
a complete palette, including a new rusty
orange colorway. This caught the attention
of a number of laminate customers who
were in the process of making the switch
from HPL to TFL, thus giving them two new
things to talk about.
Coincidentally, some of those decors
began to feature a rift cut or straight-grained
style that simultaneously provided better
yields for some cabinet makers. In 1998, a
small office furniture manufacturer, Techline,
which bought and treated its own printed
papers and laminated its own boards, took
notice. Marshal Erdmann, the creative
owner of Techline, decided to make a major
change to the company’s 15-year-old line.
It was in that year that Techline chose a
cherry, also a straight grained rift cut,
with some small pin knots in a rusty
orange colorway to introduce to the
office furniture market. Techline’s
sister company, Marshal Erdmann
Architects, used Techline furniture in the new cherry colorway
on case goods for several large
hospital projects, including five new
Cleveland Clinic hospitals in Florida.
That proved to be one of several
industries popularizing the new look, color
and design over the next five years. And others followed along quickly.
At the turn of the millennium, while the
trend toward a classic rift cut, quarter-sawn
cherry was taking off for more commercial
markets, Jean Guyon and the design team
at Tafisa, a design innovator for TFL, made
a bold move. They introduced a different
fruitwood with a completely new look into
the residential market. The woodgrain was
Wild Calvados Apple, but the color was
the now familiar rusty orange, which they
coined “Cognac.” Cognac Calvados Apple
soon began showing up on kitchen cabinets
and soon thereafter became the signature
color and design for the burgeoning closet
market. Growing in popularity over the last
decade were kitchen cabinet doors featuring
white RTF or 12 mil vinyl, bladder pressed to
one-sided melamine boards. And by 2002,
kitchen cabinet door manufacturers were
beginning to utilize RTF printed with the new
Cognac Calvados Apple on one side and a
Cognac Calvados Apple melamine finish on
the backside. The new “Matching” look on the
front and back side of the same door made
those previously manufactured with white or
hard rock maple on one side look out of date.
The new “matching” doors increased the perceived value of all of the cabinets where the
doors, insides and outsides of cabinets all
matched. This required printers of saturating
grade papers to work in conjunction with and
share data with RTF manufacturing partners.
The program proved wildly successful to the
point that now there are more than 100 TFL
and RTF matching options available.
Flooring patterns became increasingly
more sophisticated as we embarked on the
new millennium, as short block three-strip
decors gave way to long strip, three-strip
CONTINUED ON PAGE 42 �
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“As we look to the coming years, savvy designers will be monitoring what they think
is coming and developing designs to reflect the trends they see.”
TOM DRAZEN, FORMER PRESIDENT AND CEO OF DÉCOR USA.
"DEEPSTAR," INTRODUCED BY WILSONART IN THE MID-2000S,
FEATURED A NEW COLLECTION OF STONE DECORS AND
COLORS THAT ALSO HAD A NEW, VERY DEEP,
IN-REGISTER EMBOSSING OR TEXTURING.
� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40
versions and then onto wider two-strip versions. The woods themselves became more
sophisticated, as well, as flooring producers
sought new ideas like those introduced by
Stuart Beatty and Mannington’s Historic
Collection of old-looking pines, chestnuts
and more exotic woods. The patterns were
designed to provide much more visual interest from the eye level of the consumers they
sought to influence. At the same time, the
colors on floors continued to be more warm
red than their yellow green counterparts,
popular in Europe.
In the mid-2000s, Gwen Petter and the
R&D team at Wilsonart made a bid to revive
an old category, the kitchen countertop. They
continued to supply both standard laminate
in a variety of colors and designs at an economic price point. And they manufactured
their own brand of solid surfacing material
that competed favorably with the Dupont
Corian brand and others, albeit at a higher
price point. However, with the introduction of
its new Deepstar product line, Wilsonart now
had a mid-point priced product that bridged
the gap. Deepstar featured a new collection
of stone decors and colors that also had a
new, very deep, in-register embossing or texturing. The market came out of the blocks
quickly and garnered an impressive percentage of the market within the first two years,
leading to more new design introductions,
an enhanced offering and soon thereafter
additional competitors.
It took about five years for the novelty
of the cognac-colored fruitwoods to begin
to slow. Tafisa added a dark brown colorway on the Calvados Apple décor, and it
began to take off immediately. With that,
42
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a coffee-colored wood revolution had
begun. Wilsonart took its rift-cut cherry and
enhanced it with a chocolate colorway and
sold millions of square feet for the retailing
and hospitality industries, as well as contract furniture. As an added effect, the dark
brown colorway’s popularity promoted a
return to use of more nut woodgrains, such
as pecan, chestnut, hickory and butternut.
Every laminate supplier rushed products to
market and whether on old familiar woodgrains, nut woodgrains or even some newly
introduced exotic species such as Wenge,
Acacia, and Koa, the colors were the same
as those found in your cup at your local coffeehouse, and they were just as hot.
As the decade drove on, it began to be
harder and harder to ignore the “Ikea effect.”
Ikea continued to add more and more locations in North America. The stores were
huge, and their marketing effect was even
A CALIFORNIA CLOSETS CREATION IN "WENGE"
bigger. This was particularly so with the most
influential 20-35-year-old demographic. The
simple clean Scandinavian design and
style was having an impact in the American
market, and the Scandinavian light-colored
woodgrains proved popular, as well. The first
decade of the 2000s ended with a major
recession in North America, which is often
marked by a darkening of the color palette
sold for many products, including those in
the laminate industry. The chocolate trend
more or less predicted the 2009 downturn,
and Ikea – never one to miss the boat – was
right on target choosing Chocolate Pine and
Dark Chocolate Rift Cut Oak patterns for
introduction prior to the new decade.
In the flooring industry, producers were
moving toward more floors with beveled
edges. The designs that worked best for
applications using a number of different
width formats were “Allover” decors. The
best Allover decors used only virgin material across the web without any parts being
stepped or repeated. This meant these
decors were able to be cut anywhere and
hence ideal for the new bevel-edge flooring
producers. This important new format innovation has produced some of the most popular flooring patterns using virtually every
species and style for the flooring customer.
The little trend that began with Techline
back at the turn of the century came into full
bloom in 2010 as every manufacturer that
was not already offering rift cut, straightgrained decors sought to introduce one at
that time. Italian laminators were bolstering the trend, selling their boldly colored
straight grains with strong texturing around
the world. And California Closets introduced
five new straight-grained patterns with an
Italian themed promotion. This gave the new
straight-grained decors even more life. To
add the perfect finishing touch, literally and
figuratively, Todd Wegman at Stevens was
the first to the market, introducing a new
coordinating straight-grained texture to go
on top of Stevens’ new rift cut decors. The
rest of the market was not far behind as virtually every TFL manufacturer could see the
added value of introducing their own coordinated texture to their own straight-grained
décor. Those who invested in new plates
decreased the perceived gap between TFL
CONTINUED ON PAGE 44 �
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That’s why, when it comes to wood, more people count on the
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www.performance-materials.basf.us
� CONTINUED FROM PAGE 42
fixtures. Many others in retailing, exhibit
manufacturing, hospitality furnishings, as
well as contract furniture, began choosing teak as their species of choice. Teaks
worked perfectly in popular coffee colors
and with the next new color trend to come.
That new emerging color trend was the graying of America. This had less to do with older
consumers and their purchasing habits and
more to do with their possibilities to coordinate to the new popular neutral color found
on surfaces and fabrics everywhere. This
brought in darker grays the color of poppy
seeds for those still interested in gray/black,
but also in slate gray, concrete gray and other
shades of gray, now designed for woodgrain
decors. North America embraced decors for
furniture that coordinated perfectly with the
most popular paint color being sold at home
centers nationwide – gray.
In previous trends, customers demanded
that the printed versions of wood be clean of
any typical wood imperfections, forcing only
the highest grades of wood to be used. The
first differences to this began to be seen
when customers began gravitating toward
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and veneer, and the TFL versions flourished.
It was almost a perfect storm of trends converging as the newly colored and textured
decors worked perfectly for so many trending applications in the marketplace. Kitchen
cabinets, residential furniture, closets and
retail store fixtures all bought in. And with
most office work being done on computer,
even office furniture embraced the new coordinated surface designs and textures.
Coming out of the recession, the safest color choice was chocolate, making it
the temporary king of color. Starbucks got
on board and put a straight-grained pine in
a chocolate colorway on all of its shelving
designs using more natural planks of wood,
ones with knots and natural elements left
in them. Bruce Smith at Steelcase chose
a rawer, natural, gray-brown walnut décor,
colored with a creamy light natural sap
wood streak. California Closets featured a
similarly designed cherry décor. The trend
was born and reinforced by the reclaimed/
repurposed movement. Many of the new
decors began to feature wood reclaimed
from old structures and farms, and virtually every customer was soon attracted to
products featuring these natural raw wood
elements. Old-growth wood for new developments played into this, as well, using a
natural wood, worn to the gray base of its
natural color. The gray-based woodgrain
became one of the most popular choices
over a three-year period. You cannot underestimate the influence of retailers such as
Restoration Hardware, West Elm and Crate
& Barrel, which picked up on the trend
theme of reclaimed wood for furniture
and gray-based colors early on. They liked
it, bought it, and promoted it heavily into
the residential markets, driving it into the
CONTINUED ON PAGE 46 �
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contract markets, as well.
As we look to the coming years, savvy
designers will be monitoring what they think
is coming and developing designs to reflect
the trends they see. But one might imagine
that there will be only more influence of the
green movement. It would only seem natural that because of the continuing story that
the underlying color may shift from gray
and brown-gray to more upbeat gray-green
and tan-green shades. As the general market improves, one could envision increased
momentum of more raw natural designs,
combined with a lightening of the color palette going onto furniture once again.
The trends also seem to include every
laminate manufacturer developing an
embossed-in-register texture that syncs with
a print that now has more cathedrals and
more structure, still chasing the look and feel
of real wood. What will continue to be needed
most likely will be designs that are, at the
very least, interesting in character. Most of
the TFL suppliers plan to develop this texture
two sided so that both sides of their boards
PANOLAM'S "INDULGENCE" SERIES REFLECTS THE
GRAY-BASED WOODGRAIN THAT BECAME ONE OF
THE MOST POPULAR RECENT TRENDS.
will have the same look and feel as if it had a
real wood veneer on it. Print development will
have to continue to take advantage of and
further enhance the new textures. As one
continues to find and develop woodgrains in
conjunction with laminating partners, they
must be designed to reach the goal of replacing real wood and veneers in the marketplace
and garner a greater share of the decorative
surfacing market.
You have seen a lot when you are old
enough to have been in this industry for the
last 25 years. You find everyone in the business will use every means at their disposal,
including analyzing the past, to try to predict
the future. That is because in this day and
age, many trends last only a few years, and
whoever is first to market with a design or
idea that matches the trend realizes the
greatest economic benefit, while those who
follow or knock off an idea never get as much
return for their investment as the originator.
So while there are lots of opportunities and
ideas that are worth the time and effort, one
never stops looking for the next Matrix. s&p
Tom Drazen is an ardent observer, commentator and adviser and the former president and CEO of Décor USA.
OUR 29TH YEAR!
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