What are laminates and how do we use them?

What Are Laminates?

Laminates are man-made building products that are formed by fusing together multiple layers of components in order to make a composite materials that can be used as an alternative to wood. For example, MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) is a type of laminate that is formed by pressing layers of wood fiber together with resin.

This base layer of MDF (or a similar material) is then often combined with a decorative print layer to provide a variety of finish options. Then a surface laminate such as melamine may be applied, in order to increase durability.  

What is Melamine?

Melamine is a hard resin commonly used as an overlay for materials such as MDF or plywood.  It is an organic compound that, when combined with a glue, forms a durable plastic.  This plastic is then added on top of laminate board to create a protective coasting.  Below is an example of a laminate with melamine overlay:

Advantages of Laminates

The majority of millwork, casework, and retail fixtures that we produce at FC Dadson are made from laminates.  Laminates possess a number of advantages over traditional materials like wood, which make them them a popular option for commercial and retail furniture. These advantages include durability, versatility, and affordability.  For additional detail on the advantages of laminate furniture, check out this blog post.  

What is FC Dadson's Manufacturing Process for Laminate Millwork?

Working with our clients, we determine what type of laminate and finish is the best fit for their business.  Because all of our work is custom, our engineers then create designs that detail how each piece of furniture will be made, including all of its component parts. 

Using a CNC machine, large sheets of laminate are then cut into the pieces that will be used to make the finished products.  These component pieces are then often fed through an edge bander, where a narrow strip of material is applied to the raw edges to improve durability and appearance.  

Assembly is the next step in the process, as the component parts are put together on the shop floor to create the finished product.

FC Dadson Builds Laminate Furniture to Fit Your Locations

Here at FC Dadson, we use high quality laminates to help create retail, healthcare, and educational environments that are practical and consonant with our clients' brands.  All of our furniture is custom-designed and made in the USA.  We have nearly 50 years of experience building millwork, casework and retail fixtures for thousands of growing businesses.  If your business is growing and adding locations, please contact us to see how we can help!