Panels & Furniture March/April 2022

PRODUCT HIGHLIGHT
Finishes to enhance
wood substrates
Wood is a versatile material with various
functions, and wood finish is equally diverse.
Wood finishing refers to the application
of a protective layer to the bare wood
substrate to protect it from different natural
and manmade factors, and make it easier
to clean or sanitise. It also gives wooden
surfaces a desirable appearance, capable of
creating wooden designs to make them look
attractive, perform well for a longer time and
enhance their durability.
Teknos believes that selecting the
right materials and finishes can make
substrates easier to maintain with
additional protection. The selection
of appropriate coating materials must
take into consideration the following
aspects as well: characteristics of the
wood materials; functionality of the final
product; performance properties such as
adhesiveness to a substrate, to be protected
from abrasion, chemicals or stains, moisture,
UV radiation, and others; requirements
to health, safety and environment; and
specifications and production processes
related to application conditions, equipment
and personnel.
By far the most common material used for
kitchen cabinets is wood. Kitchen cabinets
are fundamental parts of all modern kitchen
layouts. There is a selection of substrates
ranging from solid wood and wood-like
materials, such as melamine, mediumdensity
fibreboard (MDF) and veneer that
are used for the manufacturing of kitchen
cabinets, providing end users with choices to
complement the interior of their new home or
renovation project. Depending on the types
of wood used, it will change the look and cost
of the kitchen design.
Melamine starts with a compressed wood
particle core. It is then covered with a resin
and paper finish that can be manufactured
to embody various styles and colours.
Engineered products using melamine
are less expensive, such as high-pressure
laminate (HPL) or thermally fused laminate
(TFL) that are melamine fused with MDF, or
particleboard, which are made from wood
chips.
MDF is made from recycled fibres, wax, and
resin pressed together and sealed through a
high-pressure system.
Solid wood is a material from a natural
source that comes in various species and
hardnesses including, oak. birch, maple,
walnut, among others.
Wood veneer is a thin layer of solid
hardwood stripped from a log. Veneers
could come in various thicknesses from
0.1-5mm which are typically pressed and
glued to fibreboard or particleboard to
create flat panels.
30 Panels & Furniture Asia | March / April 2022