What Is Lamination in Woodworking & How to Use It

Lamination in woodworking involves the process of gluing plastic or other materials to wood to produce different finishes. When you use lamination in woodworking, you can significantly transform the appearance and function of any project. From tabletops to cabinets to furniture, laminate for woodworking offers a versatile covering for a variety of residential and commercial uses. Invest in quality woodwork laminate materials with Smartech International, LP, where we partner with Steinbach AG, a highly trusted name in the 3D lamination industry. Choose Smartech for effective and high-quality membrane options to use in the woodworking industry. We offer silicone and rubber membranes for use in 3D lamination and woodworking projects, which have high durability and strong consistency in both appearance and texture. If you are working with a wood surface, lamination in woodworking can help improve your project and create aesthetic visuals for the finished product.

Lamination in Woodworking
Laminate can fit around tabletops, countertops, and shelving units to help prevent chips, dents, and cracks. Join laminate to the substrate for a smooth finish that overlaps corners and edges to help prevent liquids or dirt from getting behind or underneath the project. Apply lamination in woodworking to the edging first and flush trim the ends, then trim the edging so that it becomes flush with the substrate. Save the long edges to laminate last, which can also help hide the end edging. Roll the edging firmly so that it extends past the edge and trim so that it is flush. You can add wood edging before or after the finished product to boost the look and style of the project. Wood edging applied after the laminate can create the appearance of an inset laminate panel on your project. When laminating large woodworking surfaces, you will want to rely on quality 3D lamination products designed to evenly apply to the substrate and create an appealing finished product.

Traditional and 3D Lamination
At Smartech, we believe 3D lamination technology improves projects in woodworking and other industries. Traditional lamination applications can result in a poor adhesive product, lack of supply with certain products, and issues that affect your bottom line. Here is the difference between traditional and 3D lamination and their applications in woodworking.

Flat Panel Lamination
Flat panel lamination will involve rolling on adhesive to the base substrate or as an adhesive coating to the laminate material. In some cases, the application of adhesive to both will be required for traditional lamination to work. Some water-based adhesives used in traditional lamination can cause swelling in the wood fibers and grain rise. This can negatively impact the aesthetic quality of your project. Adjusting the heat and rate of application can help reduce the risk of these complications, but all applications require very precise handling of all materials to ensure an acceptable finished product. Traditional panel lamination can also cause wrinkles in the overlay and impact the overall aesthetic of the woodworking project. If the product is not kept free of dust and debris during lamination, contaminants could be present under the laminate material. This can impact both the aesthetic look as well as the proper functioning of the lamination.

3D Lamination
3D lamination, on the other hand, can be heated and applied over three-dimensional substrates like medium density fiberboard or particleboard. When you use 3D laminate for woodworking, the thermoplastics used in 3D lamination will soften during the heating process and still maintain their rigid, three-dimensional shape once it has sufficiently cooled. 3D lamination offers a superior application to corners and edges, allowing for much more successful contouring of woodworking components. Coatings on 3D lamination are also designed with chemical-resistant and scuff-free properties to improve the look of the final product. 3D lamination is also available in a variety of finishes and gloss ranges to suit a wide range of industry applications.

Benefits of Silicone Membrane in 3D Lamination
Choose 3D lamination for your next woodworking project and enjoy the benefits of this product versus its traditional counterparts. 3D lamination in woodworking is a popular choice in residential and commercial spaces, including countertops, tabletops, furniture, fixtures, and retail displays. This type of wood 3D lamination can wrap around custom shapes, various edge styles, and contoured surfaces to create an exceptional product. Here are 5 benefits of using high temp silicone membrane in 3D lamination in woodworking.

Easy to Clean
3D lamination with silicone membranes is easy to clean without wearing down the laminate over time. When you use 3D lamination in an office setting, the tight seal around the edges can prevent the buildup of bacteria. Germs can hide along the seams of traditional laminate, but 3D laminate offers a seamless, non-porous product that does not deteriorate with cleaning chemicals. 3D laminate is also thermoformed, which reduces the number of places where bacteria would be able to grow.

Water Resistance
A 3D lamination membrane has a non-porous and water-resistant design. Water and other liquids will slide right off the surface of 3D laminate, which means you do not have to worry about staining the surface with liquid spills or strong disinfectant and cleaning products. With traditional laminate, the seams can allow for some water to seep into the product and cause damage. The water-resistant surface of 3D laminate is designed for a variety of residential and commercial applications.

Damage Resistance
3D laminate is also resistant to damage, including scratching, etching, or mold buildup. This type of membrane has the ability to withstand common ingredients in foods, beverages, and cleaning products that could otherwise damage the surface and compromise the laminate seal. 3D laminate surfaces do not require edge banding or T-molding, which can make a woodworking product more susceptible to damage. Surfaces that are not completely smooth or flat may be more prone to damage with traditional lamination methods while 3D lamination is designed to combat this problem.

Durability
3D lamination in woodworking offers long-lasting durability that far exceeds the strengths of its traditional lamination counterparts. 3D lamination prevents water damage and damage from humidity and absorption while extending the overall life of the product. 3D lamination is also extremely resistant to scratches and general wear and tear. Edges will not degrade over time when you invest in 3D lamination for wood products. 3D lamination also has a low flame spread and class-A fire safety rating.

Visit Smartech online to view all available options for 3D lamination in woodworking. We offer a wide range of products, including Steinbach silicone and rubber membranes. Speak with one of our experts at Smartech about your specific needs and we will work with you to determine the best product for you. Call or fill out our web form to ask a question about any of our products and receive great recommendations on how to improve your experience with 3D lamination in woodworking.