4.1Interior design with HPL

HPL is much more than just a material for manufacturing furniture. HPL can be used for optimum implementation of a variety of different interior design concepts, whether private, public or commercial. As the previous chapters showed, the exceptional design range of HPL is based on the vast range of colours and wood / stone / fantasy patterns in combination with different textures and gloss levels. In addition to this, excellent reproductions of materials, e. g. textiles, exotic veneer wood and stones, can be produced at customer request. This is made possible with printing technologies such as digital, screen and offset. In addition to this, alternative surface treatments such as real metal, real wood veneer or pearlescent effects are possible. HPL has a significantly longer service life compared to other decorative materials, e.g. paint, thermoplastic films and veneer. In addition to these virtually unlimited variations of patterns and colours, HPL permits a variety of different formats as well as large-area wall and floor coverings without gaps.

HPL can generally be used without limitations for applications on vertical surfaces, e. g. doors, furniture or wall panels. When selecting a surface texture for horizontal use, the type of expected stress should be considered. Standard HPL can resist temperatures up to 160 °C. Extreme heat, e. g. from Bunsen burners or infrared radiators, can lead to colour changes or destruction through carbonization. In these situations, the HPL surfaces should be protected with heat-resistant materials (e. g. steel, ceramics).