Versatility of HPL Panels for Interiors
HPL boards (High Pressure Laminate) are made of kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resins, and subjected to heat and pressure. The decorative layer of synthetic polymer allows the panels to have many color and texture options, providing extremely high strength and durability. That is why HPL is widely used in facades, but is increasingly being taken into account for interior wall cladding, partitions and cabinets, as well as for furniture. It is a material that can be used both indoors and outdoors, and even on horizontal surfaces.
Versatility and strength are HPL panels’ greatest capabilities. Available in a wide range of surfaces, from high gloss to matte, the material can be easily processed and cut as needed during construction. It can also be easily perforated and embossed to create a variety of custom designs. For installation, they can use exposed or hidden mounting systems, including clamps as an option. This makes HPL panels ideal for any type of architectural condition, from rain facades or interior wall cladding to detailing exterior facades or laboratory worktops. Panels are sold in multiple paper sizes and thicknesses to give you the greatest yield possible and still meet the unique design elements of your project.
Once installed, the product is highly resistant to abrasion, shocks, dents and bumps. Since it is not porous, it is easy to clean and disinfect, which prevents the growth of pathogens. That is why it is widely used in places such as hospitals, clinics and schools, which require very strong and durable materials, but are easy to clean.
For example, at the Architects 2b ceiling extension of Silvana Hospital, HPL panels were widely used as wall cladding, installed below the handrails that enclose nearly every wall to help older patients move around. The selected texture, wood grain, brings warmth and comfort to the environment.
At the Embelgasse Vocational School: Open School of Management project, in an educational program for young people, HPL panels were used on some walls in vibrant colours, highlighting the minimalist context, featuring monochromatic surfaces in white and gray. For this project Fundermax supplied the architects with Max Compact Interior Panels, which provide a full color palette for the interior, while combining strength and ease of maintenance.
In a children’s museum in Bulgaria, “the structure’s glass volume is interrupted by three sculptural figures, or mountains, each of which indicates its own color scheme and textures of the country’s indigenous handicraft traditions.” It is interesting to note that the same cladding is used for both indoor and outdoor spaces, highlighting the possibilities of phenolic panels. In this case, the papers used were printed with a special pattern, made possible thanks to the single-decor production line.
Single Trim is a digital printing option that allows unlimited graphic designs to be included in indoor and outdoor applications. You can, for example, create a corporate identity that gives your build personality, or print an image on a front, on a product that offers the same durability, strength, and warranties as any other HPL board.
Thanks to the various possibilities of their use, the panels harmoniously combine with the overall look of any environment – perfectly meeting your design requirements, combining strength with ease of installation and maintenance.
See more options in the Fundermax catalog.