Solid Grade Laminate Panels

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Solid Grade Laminate (SGL)

What is Solid Grade Laminate and Where is it used?

( 3 – 5 Minute Read )

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Overview of Solid Grade Laminate (SGL)

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Solid (compact) grade laminate is a thick waterproof panel built for intensive, high traffic spaces due to its durability and rigidity.

SGL is generally used in washrooms or sanitary areas due to its water resistance and ability to sustain in humid environments, however it can also be used in a variety of commercial applications.

Solid grade laminate is considered self-supporting and therefore can be used more freely as toilet cubicle partition panels or dividers.

How is Solid Grade Laminate made?

SGL is a thick high-pressure laminate manufactured by compressing layers of Kraft paper and thermosetting resin and merging them under great heat and pressure. This transforms the resin into a strong binding plastic and the paper into a single sturdy, water-resistant sheet.

What colour is Compact Grade Laminate?

SGL has a black core finish and typically has two decorative front facing sides. These can be coloured to meet your specific needs or infused (embedded) with artwork to produce a bespoke aesthetic that is durable and long lasting – even in a public venue.

We can offer graphic designs to suit any office, retail or learning interior as part of our fit out and refurbishment packages.

Protection against vandalism

This unqiue construction is exceptionally impact resistant and easy to clean thanks to its waterproof qualities. This makes it an excellent choice for public restrooms in retail, public, or school settings, which are more prone to vandalism.

Solid Grade Laminate vs High Pressure Laminate

HPL, or high-pressure laminate, is constructed in the same way as SGL, with phenolic resin kraft paper heated and pressurised at 5-10Mpa. The difference is in laminate thickness, with SGL having a thickness of more than 2mm and HPL having a thickness of only 0.7mm.

While High Pressure Laminates are still very robust and water resistant, they are not suitable for persistently damp environments and are not considered “self-supporting,” making them unsuitable for extremely heavy usage.

Where to use Solid Grade Laminate

Because Solid Grade Laminate has two decorative sides, it can be used in a wide variety of applications and environments.

Restaurants / Public Spaces

We have installed Solid grade laminate in a large range of public spaces, including restaurants washrooms and library toilets.

Water damage is common in these facilities, particularly in toilet cubicles and sink locations. SGL’s waterproof properties make it perfect for these locations, providing consistent splashback protection.

SGL is an exceptional solution for disabled facilities where there is a higher risk of water exposure.

Schools

Solid grade laminate provides increased impact resistance and moisture resistance, making it excellent for environments with children. SGL may also display an attractive design or vibrant colour on its two main sides, which has been demonstrated to deter child vandalism while diminishing the “blank canvas” attractiveness of a blank wall.

Retail / Shopping Spaces

Retail areas are subject to high volume of traffic, which increases the risk of vandalism in addition to the regular water damage. Solid grade laminate is perfect for the longevity of cubicles where heavy foot traffic is expected due to its resilience and ease of cleaning.

Gyms

Solid grade laminate is the perfect solution for gym washrooms and lavatories, providing the perfect waterproof solution for dividing shower cubicles, sink surrounds, open locker rooms and toilet facilities. Easy to wipe down, SGL is perfect for use throughout the gym space.

Solid Grade Laminate in the Office?

When it comes to the office space, we would typically not recommend solid grade laminate over high pressure laminate as the additional benefits are not usually required.

We seek the most cost-effective solution for each project, and aside from use in high-traffic toilet or washroom facilities, we would propose high pressure laminate or Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC), which we install on a regular basis.

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