HPL Cladding

Laminates are low-quality, dull, and inexpensive product that cannot be used for the long term. Typically, a laminate is a thin sheet which is fastened on fibreboard and as a result, they easily delaminate. On the other hand, High-Pressure Compact Laminates (HPL) are a homogenous panel and therefore do not have problems of delamination.

The final stage of the process entails using and high pressure and high temperatures of heat for producing one homogenous non-porous material. The have immense importance in many applications such as facades, balconies, street furniture, external signs etc.

Features of HPL Cladding

• HPL Cladding has versatile applications and they are widely used in various industries such as facade of the buildings and edifices; balconies, partitions, railings, fences and many more.

• It is available in a broad spectrum of colours and patterns and there are more than 200 shades of HPL in the market. You can also choose the natural textures such as stone, wood, and abstracts that will complement and enhance the appearance of your place.

• HPL Cladding is resistant to damage by weather, high scratch, and they are impact resistant also.

• It also keeps the damage caused by solvents at bay as the material is highly capable to withstand high solvent résistance.

• HPL Cladding is also not prone to corrosion and damage by water or steam and thus it makes up as a durable substance which needs less maintenance.

• It does not contain any harmful substances and thus keeps the surroundings safe and healthy.

• One of the best features of HPL cladding is that it does not get dirty or breed bacteria. Thus it will remain spick and span even if you avoid cleaning it for long periods of time. It has a self cleaning feature which keeps it maintenance free.

• The cleaning process of HPL cladding is easy. It is very simple for users to repair it and take care of it.

• It has got a high mechanical strength which means you do not have to worry about breakdown or bending.

• It has a low smoke and non-fire drip performance.

• HPL Cladding is also resistant to stain, atmospheric conditions, and swelling in boiled water.

• It has an advanced UV protection which wards off harmful solar rays, chemicals, acid rains, and dust storms and does not cause any damage to the panels.

• It is light in weight and has immense dimensional stability as well as flatness.

• Another amazing feature of these panels is that they can withstand graffiti and vandalism.

• It has noise insulation and can dispel 14 DB of exterior noise.

• It is easy to install and comes with multiple fixing options.

Applications of HPL Cladding

HPL Cladding has a wide array of applications in both indoor and outdoor areas. Given the wonderful properties of HPL Cladding, they are extensively used in different sectors. By the dent of their light weight and resistance to corrosion, water, stain, etc.

It has easily made its way into the sundry applications in both residential and commercial constructions. The major applications are:

• roofed stadiums (seats, benches, tables, wall claddings)

• facades, balconies (doors, wall coverings)

• elements in farming

• cafe tables

• partition walls

• signs

• garden furniture

• sales booth

• balconies

• roofs

• roof shingles

• small-sized facade parts

• Tabletops

• High Pressure Laminate Flooring

• Cabinetry

• Case Goods

• High Pressure Laminate Furniture

• Vivariums

• spa and wellness facilities

• garage coverings

• facilities for sports and camping

• shelter (bus stops)

• play grounds

Different types of HPL Cladding

There are many types or grades of high-pressure laminates (HPL) available in the market for specific performance requirements:

• General Purpose

  These are the most widely used HPL and suitable for horizontal and vertical surface applications. Their typical thickness range from 0.028” to 0.048” (0.71 to 1.22 mm).

• Post Forming

  They can be formed around curved edges by using heat and restraint. The maximum thickness, in this case, can be 0.038” (0.97 mm) and can normally be formed to radii as small as 3/8” (9.5 mm).

• Backer

  This HPL comes without a decorative face. They are commonly available as thinner than decorative HPL or regrind ones.

• Special Products

  Special purpose high pressure laminates are cabinet liners, high-wear, fire-rated, electrostatic dissipative and chemical resistant laminates.

Top Manufacturers of HPL Cladding in India

High-pressure laminate claddings have seen a surge in their growth as well as popularity all over India. The industry is rife with leading manufacturers of HPL which are providing HPLs to a wide array of industries.

Let us take a look at below-listed leading exporters and manufacturers of HPL in India:

• Alfa Ica India Ltd

  This is a leading company which caters to a whopping 6 million sq.mts of laminates across different shapes, styles and colours. Their quality products are exported in large volumes to meet the consumption demands of Taiwan, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong, USA, Singapore, etc.

  Their products are noted and distinguished from others as being technologically superior. Alfa Ica produces HPL in consonance with global standards imposing quality checks to be done at every step.

• Sonear Industries Ltd

  This is one of the largest and leading manufacturers of HPL cladding in India. Sonear has been delivering cutting-edge products of the highest quality for various industries. Their manufacturing is spread over 3 spacious and technologically advanced facilities that diligently follows the strict B.I.S. Standards.

• Fundermax

  This is a top-notch name when it comes to producing High Pressure laminate. Be it facades, interiors, or furniture, Fundermax makes quality products via well its thought out wood-based materials and compact laminates.

• Green Future Solutions

  This is one of the major Indian companies which is a big-name vis-a-vis adhesive, bonding requirements and glazing related products. Their products are consumed by different clientele across the length and breadth of India.

  Green Future Solutions works in tow with key players of the industry like Momentive Silicone Rubber, Lohmann Adhesive Tapes, and Stanley Black & Decker etc.

Benefits of HPL Cladding

• mechanically robust

• resistant to scratch, water, stain, impact, and shock over a wide temperature range

• neither corroding nor corrosive

• frost resistant

• not brittle

• providing an appealing look

• easy to maintain

• easy to clean

• resistant to humidity

• resistant to termites

• hail resistant

• weather resistant

• eco-friendly

Advantages of using HPL Cladding

Owing to the amazing properties of HPL claddings, they cater to a large number of activities across different industries. A number of advantages are accrued to using HPL claddings and as compared to other materials; they are more reliable to construct solid facades and other things.

Let us see what are the advantages of using HPL cladding:

• They are durable and require less maintenance. They get automatically cleaned and therefore do not require much expenditure on its upkeep.

• Exterior HPL can be manufactured in standard and fire retardant quality.

• HPL does not show a change in surface properties and appearance and even after many years of exposure to the surroundings, you will see only a slight change in colour.

• They are highly resistant to weather, corrosion, water-damage, stains, impacts, breaking etc.

• Since HPL claddings have a large modulus of elasticity, they have a high flexural resistance.

• They are self-supporting, light in weight and can be easily processed.

• They can be easy worked with wooden tools.

• HPL is not affected by quick temperature changes. They can withstand damage caused by hail and frost. They are also rot-proof.

• HPL Claddings do not make any vibration noise.

Disadvantages of using HPL cladding

When we compare the advantages of HPL cladding with its disadvantages, we find find that the latter are only a few and HPL works as a wonderful material in different industries.

However, on the flipper side, there are a few disadvantages associated with HPL Cladding.

• If you are using wooden HPL cladding, then it becomes difficult to control the relative moisture content of the wood which would get deteriorated by ageing.

• In the case of wooden HPL, the material may twist or buckle.

• In the case of the traditional building structure (not timber frame building), the insulation might not be as homogeneous as it is ideally needed.

• Since it is necessary to maintain a flat supporting subconstruction, great care and time are spent on setting the primary wooden structure matrix. Thus it becomes a time consuimg process.