feature INTERIOR SURFACES allowed us to bring durability, ease of cleaning, and economic value to the project.”
Innovations for the budget-minded Pushing the limits of print technology, laminate manufacturers continually re-imagine and reinvent their products to pioneer greater advancements in the surfacing industry. One example is the Formica Corp.’s, Cincinnati, 180fx collection, which captures the true scale, striking color variation, and veining of full-sized natural-granite slabs. Years ago, one sure giveaway that a laminate countertop was impersonating granite or quartz was an edge that was overly simplistic or revealed a brown line. These days, however, surfacing detectives will have to find another clue. Manufacturers now can add decorative laminate edges suitable for curved, clipped, or 90-degree corner installations. These profiles transcend the customary limitations of laminate by encasing all sides of countertops and other work surfaces. While commercial designers on a budget have long used laminate as a stand-in for natural stone to achieve a rich look, healthcare designers opt for laminate due to its durable, maintenancefree qualities. Exotic granites, marbles, and stones were never a practical consideration due to upkeep issues and their porous natures. How-
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The natural colors of the surfaces in this nurses’ station provide a soothing atmosphere for staff and patients. Featured Formica products include Prestige Walnut Fossil (doors and accent panels), MDF Solidz (accent panels), and Travertine (countertops).
ever, today’s laminates offer healthcare designers heightened design freedom. A longtime solution for the challenge of budget constraints, laminates provide designers with economical opportunities to achieve a rich ambiance through the use of extensive millwork. The custom work often serves as a major focal point, influencing the overall design appeal. Unfortunately, the use of engineered woods and different saw cuts and species also greatly affects the bottom line and are not feasible options with tight budgets. However, today’s laminates
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possess the aesthetic qualities needed in terms of color, vertical graining, and even texture, and they slash costs while allowing the integrity of a design as a whole to remain intact. Laminate also has the ability to create a fun and funky focal point. While bold, bright colors might not make their way into hospital lobbies or patient rooms, specifiers often use colorful laminates to bring cheer into pediatric settings. Since digital print is the basis of its design, laminate offerings are left to the imagination and include fun colors and graphic patterns. Laminate’s future will be driven by continued joint exploration with the design community to discover new innovations. The result will be expansion of the surfacing material’s many selling points and reduction of its impact on the environment, carrying laminate forward as a versatile, hygienic choice for healthcare settings. Bill Roush is director of communications at Formica Corp., Cincinnati, and a 20-year veteran with the surfacing manufacturer.
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