Thermally Fused Laminate Versus High Pressure Laminate

If you re making changes to cabinet doors one of those choices you may come across is choosing between thermally fused laminate tfl which is known sometimes as thermally fused melamine tfm or thermofoil doors.

Thermally fused laminate versus high pressure laminate.

Thermally fused laminate tfl panels are produced by fusing a resin based sheet of decor paper directly to a core. Tfl is a melamine saturated paper that is thermally fused directly to the substrate. Wilsonart a world leading engineered surfaces company is driven by a mission to create surfaces people love with service they can count on delivered by people who care. Thermally fused laminate tfl also offers excellent hardness and scratch resistance that can stand up to the high demands of many environments.

The thermal fused melamine surface is thinner than high pressure laminate so it is more vulnerable to scratches and chips. Tfl is sufficiently durable and hard wearing for cabinets countertops and shelving. This seals the core making it impossible to peel away. The company manufactures and distributes high pressure laminate quartz solid surface coordinated tfl and edgebanding and other decorative engineered surfaces for use in the office education healthcare residential.

High pressure laminate is more durable than thermally fused laminate but it s also more expensive due to the added complexity of its manufacturing process. There are so many colours textures and products to choose from it can feel as though you have a dizzying array of selection. The low quality melamine will not last as long as most laminate surfacing. However the thicker textured thermal fused melamine has the same kind of life expectancy of high pressure laminate.

Pressure and heat activate the resin based sheet and create a cross linked bond with the core. When its time to have the look of high pressure laminate hpl with similar performance thermally fused laminate tfl also referred to as thermally fused melamine tfm is often used. Also just like laminate the melamine surfaces have lower quality and higher quality products. Is tfl or hpl the better choice for my custom cabinets.