High Pressure Laminate Vs Thermally Fused

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.
High pressure laminate vs thermally fused. Is tfl or hpl the better choice for my custom cabinets. There are so many colours textures and products to choose from it can feel as though you have a dizzying array of selection. Arauco prism tfl is ideal for on trend designs. This seals the core making it impossible to peel away.
Thermally fused laminate tfl panels are produced by fusing a resin based sheet of decor paper directly to a core. Hpl has an additional wear layer for increased scratch resistance and a kraft paper layer to improve impact resistance. The thermal fused melamine surface is thinner than high pressure laminate so it is more vulnerable to scratches and chips. It s great for vertical applications or low impact.
There are no kraft paper layers used in tfl. Kraft paper is an extremely heavy duty paper that gives added toughness to the finished laminate once everything is fused together. Thermal fused melamine fuses directly to a solid piece of particle board that can only be cut not bent. A high performing durable engineered surface used for a variety of vertical and horizontal applications wilsonart s hpl also offers a broad range of attractive patterns and texture possibilities.
When durability style and affordability come together it s a heavenly combination for builders and contractors. It is bendable so it can follow the curve of a desk. The same decorative paper is used for thermally fused laminate tfl and high pressure laminate hpl. For tfl the melamine saturated paper is thermally fused directly to the core.
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. Thermally fused laminate tfl also offers excellent hardness and scratch resistance that can stand up to the high demands of many environments. Pressure and heat activate the resin based sheet and create a cross linked bond with the core. Tfl is sufficiently durable and hard wearing for cabinets countertops and shelving.
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.