Thermally fused laminate (TFL) decorative panels are the next generation of what were once simply referred to as “melamine panels.”
Originally a rather pedestrian cabinet and shelving panel available only in a limited range of colours (white, almond and grey), today’s TFL panels feature innovative, trend-leading wood grain designs and textures that have made them a staple for commercial furniture and fixtures in Europe, and increasingly a go-to option for designers in North America.
Reasons behind the growth in TFL specification include the panels’ eco-friendliness, durability, ease of installation and maintenance, and design flexibility.
Better than carbon neutral
TFL’s composite wood panel core, either particleboard or MDF, is comprised of wood fibre that would otherwise be landfilled or incinerated. And because 50 per cent of wood’s chemical structure is carbon, composite panels have a negative net carbon footprint. This means TFL is much more environmentally-friendly than steel, cement, plastic and glass.
Certified green
TFL is available with FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and as an eco-certified composite (ECC). ECC is a sustainability standard that provides an audited chain of custody verifying products with a low carbon footprint, low emissions and a great life cycle story.
In some cases, TFL panels can help specifiers achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits in several categories.
Flexible and long-lasting
TFL can be custom engineered for a wide range of applications and code compliance. Fire and moisture resistance, weight, density, dimensional stability and many other properties are available off-the-shelf and on request.
TFL will also never delaminate. The decorative layer is thermally fused to the panel core with cross-linking resin systems, making it literally part of the panel.
High-efficiency production
No separate glue line is required, streamlining production. In many manufacturing plants, wood fibre goes in one end and finished TFL panels emerge from the other, reducing processing steps and transportation requirements.
Commercial-grade performance
The finished panel surface has wear and scratch characteristics very similar to high-pressure laminate (HPL), which is why TFL is often found in commercial office worktops, as well as in retail and health care fixtures and casework.
Matching design programs
TFL surface designs are created from the same digital files used to create HPL, 3-D laminates and other decorative surfaces, allowing specifiers to value engineer for performance without compromising design harmony.
Real world textures
The latest generations of TFL sport wood grain textures. This is why it is often used as a much more durable replacement for solid woods and veneers in commercial furniture and millwork.
Cost-effective
TFL is a more cost-effective option than other decorative surfaces, offering the same design options and performance as materials costing much more.
Kenn Busch is a journalist and continuing education (CEU) specialist for the Composite Panel Association (CPA). The CPA is the trade association representing manufacturers of composite wood panels and decorative surfaces.
