Ball Impact Resistance: NEMA LD3.8

In this test, an 8-ounce (224-gram) steel ball is dropped from a certain height with no surface fracture in three replicate drops. The higher the number of inches in the result, the more resistant the material is to fracture.

Examples of impact resistance include:

• 36 inches: Solid surfacing
• 53 inches: Decorative protection panels with a fiberglass core

Fire E84 Class A

This is the Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials.

The most stringent rating available for building materials is Class A. Class A materials have a flame spread rating (FSR) of 0 to 25. Flame spread is used to describe the surface burning characteristics of building materials and is one of the most tested fire performance properties of a material. The test for flame spread is sometimes referred to as the Steiner tunnel test. This test is applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings.

For best results when specifying decorative protection panels, choose a product with a Class A fire rating.

Chemical Spot Test: SEFA 8.1

This test was developed by the Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association to evaluate the resistance a finish has to chemical spills. The procedure tests samples for chemical resistance using 49 different chemical reagents. The results of the test constitute the rating system:

• Level 0: No detectable change
• Level 1: Slight change in color or gloss
• Level 2: Slight surface etching or severe staining
• Level 3: Pitting, cratering, swelling, or erosion of coating; obvious and significant deterioration

For best results in specifying a high-pressure decorative laminate for vertical surfaces, choose a product with a rating of 0.

Bacterial Growth Resistance: ASTM-G22

This is the Standard Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to Bacteria.

This is especially important for health care, food services, or any location where human and material contact will be present. In this test, the material is inoculated with various bacteria and intubated at 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) at 85 percent humidity. After the period, the material is examined to determine if any growth of the bacteria has occurred.

For best results, choose a product whose ASTM-G22 results are: “No growth observed.”

GREENGUARD Gold Certification

According to GREENGUARD, the Gold Certification standard “includes health-based criteria for additional chemicals and also requires lower total VOC emissions levels to help ensure that products are acceptable for use in environments like schools and health-care facilities.”

For best results, choose a product with a GREENGUARDGold Certification

Other Laminate Choices for Vertical Surfaces

Besides decorative protection panels, a number of other options are available for walls. They include metal laminates, writable laminates, and custom laminates. Let’s look at examples of each.

Metal Laminate Wall Panels

Metal laminate wall panels deliver lustrous color and sheen with textures reflecting energy, modernity, and a feel for craftsmanship. They are useful for adding flair to vertical applications for walls, furniture, retail fixtures, signage, exhibits, and displays.

CASE STUDY: WRIGHT GROUP ARCHITECTS

A total makeover was called for at Wright Group Architects.

“A complete overhaul” is how Wright Group Architects designer Marlen Zuñiga described what was needed in the remodel of a law firm office building in Dallas. It was not just that the decor was outdated (with 1970s-era wood trim); there were functional issues as well. The space was not properly utilized or ADA compliant, and there was water damage on the exterior walls. “We took it down to the studs,” Zuñiga says. “This project truly gave us the opportunity to start over, changing both the look and layout of the office building.”

With a clean slate to work with, Zuñiga and team:

• closed off the two-story lobby to create extra office space on the second floor;
• added new elevators and stairways that were ADA compliant;
• added new electrical and mechanical systems; and
• created a fresh, clean look that changed the office vibe from dark and dreary to sleek and contemporary.

The new design included exposed ductwork and fixtures that gave the building an industrial feel. For finishing touches and accents, the designer needed a material that would complement the new look.

The designer wanted an industrial look. She was inspired by the law firm’s black and blue logo.

Inspired by the metallic black and blue logo of the law firm, she sought out materials that could help create a three-dimensional wall while still staying true to the industrial look. When she found the decorative metal laminates, she knew they were a perfect fit.

Zuñiga used brushed black aluminum metallic panels in the law office lobby to highlight the company’s logo on the wall and the reception desk. She liked the look of the material so much that she added brushed aluminum wall panels on the metal stringer for the stairwell to carry the industrial look into the lobby.

The design was recently honored with a silver award in the Muse Design Awards.