Solid grade laminate is one of the best materials to use to create tabletops that will be used across commercial, hospitality or educational settings due to its excellent qualities and varieties of designs.

The material provides a durable, strong and lightweight material to create tabletops that can mimic the look of other solid materials, providing a high-quality looking, yet strong tabletop that can withstand heavy use.

If you’re thinking of specifying a laminate tabletop for your next project, it can be useful to know what they are, how they’re made and where they can be used.

In this guide:

What are Solid laminate tabletops and how are they made?

In recent years, solid grade laminate tabletops have become a popular alternative to materials such as solid wood, plastic and glass. Traditionally, laminate tabletops were considered to be lower quality than these materials and would need to be replaced more often. However, due to improvements in the manufacturing process, solid grade laminate tabletops now provide a great alternative across a number of sectors and applications.

Solid grade laminate is manufactured by layering multiple sheets of high-quality kraft paper together with thermosetting phenolic resins and are then pressed together using intense heat and pressure. This results in a sheet of material that is highly durable, strong and water-resistant.

The resulting laminate tabletops can be cut into a variety of shapes and sizes. Common shapes are rectangular and circular but, more abstract shapes can be cut, depending on customer requirements. CNC machining is commonly used to create high-grade laminate tabletops as the finished product can be controlled and manufactured to a high standard.

What are Solid laminate tabletops used for?

Solid laminate tabletops are extremely versatile which means they can be used for a wide range of applications in both domestic and commercial settings. It can be cut into a variety of shapes and is available in a range of finishes so provides a great solution across a number of uses.

Settings that are ideal for a table with a laminate surface include:

  • Restaurants, bars, and cafes
  • Student housing (communal areas)
  • Work canteens
  • Schools
  • Domestic kitchens
  • Kitchen Worktops

Benefits of a laminate tabletop

Solid grade laminate tabletops are used for a variety of purposes due to the following benefits: 

Variety of colours and styles

Solid grade laminate is available in a wide variety of colours and styles so can be specified to meet the needs of a project. This includes replicating finishes such as wood or marble to give the look of these materials without the weight or heavier qualities of using these materials as tabletops. The material can be cut into any shape so can be used to suit any application.

Hardwearing

Solid grade laminate is tough and hardwearing which means it can withstand heavy use and will last longer than other materials. Wooden tabletops and glass surfaces can be easily chipped and damaged (glass can also shatter) which make them an inferior choice for applications such as school tables or bistro tables. Solid grade laminate tabletops are also available in an external grade with UV protection making them perfect for use outside and in schools where they can easily be wiped clean, are more resistant to damage from rain or other weather conditions as well as vandalism. 

Water resistant

Wooden furniture can rot, warp and deform when exposed to water. However, solid grade laminate is water resistant. If any liquid is spilt or the table is left outside, the water will not soak into the laminate surface so will not cause any damage or stubborn stains. This makes the tabletops much longer lasting than many other materials and won’t need to be replaced as often. 

Easy to clean

Surfaces such as solid wood can be difficult to clean properly which can be unhygienic as bacteria can lurk in the material even after it has been wiped down. This is particularly important in settings such as cafes or restaurants where customer turnover is high and tables are cleaned in between sittings. Solid grade laminate is easy to wipe clean and will not be damaged by heavy cleaning substances.

Durability

Particularly in commercial, hospitality and school settings, tabletops can see a huge amount of heavy use. Solid grade laminate is extremely hard-wearing, durable and resistant to damage which means it has a long lifecycle and is well suited to these applications. 

Outside use

Solid Laminate is available in a UV protected grade making it suitable for external use.The durable, hardwearing and water-resistant nature of solid grade laminate table tops mean that they are ideal for outside use. This makes it suitable for all seasons and it can stand up to temperature fluctuations easily. When used as café or bistro tables, this is a great quality and make solid grade laminate the best material for the job. 

Space-saving

Able to be cut to any size or shape, you can save space by choosing this incredibly versatile material for your table. Any internal or outside space can benefit from its use in the design of their furniture.

Cut to size tabletops supplied by Panel Systems

Panel Systems has a huge amount of relevant experience and knowledge of laminate tabletops and we have all of the facilities available to ensure they are cut to the right specifications and to meet your needs.

We are experts in the design and manufacture of a range of materials across a number of applications. Our specialist design and manufacture teams take care of your project from design to delivery of the final product.

At Panel Systems, we use the latest state-of-the-art manufacturing tools and processes to ensure a high-quality finished product that meets your specifications. To find out more about our CNC machining service for cutting laminate table tops to size, read our guide.

If you’d like to find out more about laminate tabletops, their benefits or whether they would suit your application, please contact our expert team today.