High pressure laminate (HPL) is a very durable decorative surface material. HPL performs well in high-traffic settings such as hospitality, office furniture, healthcare, retail casework, commercial interiors, and educational facilities. HPL is produced by saturating multiple layers of kraft paper with phenolic resin coupled with a layer of printed décor paper before fusing together under heat and pressure. As the added resins cure the process transforms into plastic by cross linking that converts the multiple layers into a single, rigid laminated sheet. HPL is then adhered to particleboard or MDF, which are ideal substrates to provide a stable, hardy, consistent, and affordable foundation. It is available with unique performance properties, including chemical, fire, and wear resistance. In addition to aesthetic attributes, the lamination of particleboard or MDF with HPL can improve the physical performance of the substrate.
| Why We Like It! High pressure laminates hit a high note, due to their durability and design options. “The vast majority of our casework has high pressure laminate on the exterior, which we lay up in-house,” and which is matched primarily with white TFL panels for interiors. “Almost every one of our projects is different,” and the colors, patterns, textures, and finishes available make this versatile material the perfect choice to complement any commercial interior design. Vinyl, decorative papers, and veneer are also used in projects. — Commercial casework and contract manufacturer |
MORE INFO Read the complete Design Portfolio: The definitive guide to sourcing decorative surfaces and composite panels. Composite Panel Association More information, plus industry news, testing & certification, policy and stewardship at the Composite Panel Association's website CompositePanel.org | 
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Inspiration: High pressure laminate is considered one of the most durable decorative surface materials. It performs well in both horizontal and vertical applications, including furniture, cabinetry, flooring, and wall treatments. It’s also well-suited for high-traffic areas such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, and corporate environments.
There are many types or grades of HPL engineered for specific performance requirements:
General Purpose
This is the most widely used HPL. Suitable for horizontal and vertical surface applications, typical thicknesses range from 0.028” to 0.048” (0.71 to 1.22mm).
Postforming
It can be formed around curved edges by applying heat and restraint. Maximum thickness is approximately 0.038” (0.97 mm) and can generally be formed to radii as small as 3/8” (9.5mm).
Backer
HPL is produced without a decorative face. It is available as standard (most common; slightly thinner than decorative HPL) or regrind (reclaimed HPL with decorative sheet sanded off).
Special Products
Special purpose high pressure laminates include cabinet liners, high-wear, fire-rated, electrostatic dissipative, and chemical-resistant laminates.
Continuous Pressed Laminate
HPL technology is utilized in the Double Belt Press (DBP) to produce Continuous Pressed Laminate (CPL). CPL is decorative paper impregnated with resins and fused under heat and high pressure with resin-impregnated backer(s). The properties are similar to standard HPL and have a typical thickness range of 0.4 mm to 1 mm. CPL is available in desired sheet lengths or continuous rolls.
Flexible CPL is decorative paper impregnated with flexible thermosetting resins and fused under heat and high pressure with resin-impregnated backer(s). This engineered CPL offers a unique range of formable decorative laminates for profile wrapping and edgebanding applications. The typical thickness range is 0.2 mm through 0.4 mm. Surface properties are like vertical grade HPL and are used significantly to complement HPL and TFL laminates.
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