Weather and temperature resistant, easy to clean and durable – HPL is a material with excellent properties. It is characterized by high stability, particular hardness and very good resilience. Since the HPL panels can easily withstand rain, snow, frost or blazing sun, they are perfect for outdoor use. We tell you more about the properties of high-pressure laminate panels and show some of the most common applications.
What is HPL?
HPL panels are actually not plastic panels, but rather high-pressure laminates. The abbreviation “HPL” stands for High-Pressure Laminates. Several papers soaked in thermosetting phenolic resins are pressed under pressure. In this way, the structural properties of the panels reach a high level. The top layer is impregnated with melamine resin and has decorative colors or printed designs. The core of the plates is often brown or black.
Features and properties of HPL panels
Compared to similar materials such as MDF, HPL has a significantly higher density and hardness - from 1350-1550 kg/m³. 6 mm thick panels can withstand around 8.7 kilos of load per square meter of surface. 12mmFacade panels, on the other handcan be loaded with up to 14 kg/m². The standard formats depend on the manufacturer. Typical dimensions of the elements are 1300 x 2800 mm, 1300 x 3050 mm, 1540 x 3660 mm.
The thickness of the HPL panels varies between 3 and 30 mm. These for indoor use have a lower thickness (3-6 mm) and a density of around 1400 g/m³. The HPL panels for outdoor use are characterized by a higher density (from 1450 g/m3) and a thickness of 6 mm to 30 mm. A minimum thickness of 8 mm is required for drilling, milling or sawing.
Panels with a thickness of 10 mm or more are considered self-supporting and can be used to make doors and furniture. The extreme moisture resistance of the panels allows them to be installed even in rooms with high humidity. HPL panels for facades are also weather and UV resistant.
The prices for HPL panels depend on various factors. The brand, for example, plays a certain role. The best-known manufacturer of HPL panels is Trespa®. Therefore they are popularly known as “Trespa panels”. However, there are many other HPL producers that offer the same quality. For example, you canhplplattenshop.deNot only buy HPL panels from the exclusive private label, but also high-quality HPL panels from our own production. You can also order a custom-made cut there for free.
Possible outdoor applications
Facade cladding
HPL panels are weather-resistant and are therefore ideal as facade cladding for private and public buildings. The good material properties enable an aesthetically pleasing and particularly long-lasting solution. At the same time, all HPL facades are curtained and ventilated. This means they are mounted on a metal frame, ensuring optimal air circulation. In this way, the insulation and cladding components are structurally separated from each other.
Fence and privacy screen
The innovative material is now also conquering home gardens. The extremely easy-care and robust HPL elements are very popular due to their timeless look. This allows private properties and terraces, for example, to be designed and bordered in a particularly stylish way. HPL panels with a thickness of 6 or 8 mm are ideal for use as a fence or privacy screen. If it is a free-standing structure, it is better to choose a panel thickness of at least 10 mm. The panels are also easy to process and can be cut into various shapes. So you can customize the size and type of fence to suit your needs and even combine HPL with other materials.
Garden furniture
On streets, restaurants andGarden furnitureParticularly high demands are placed on weather resistance, stability and longevity. And only a few materials can meet all requirements. No wonder that HPL is convincing more and more people. The HPL furniture is extremely scratch- and shock-resistant, dimensionally stable, stain-resistant, lightfast, waterproof and weatherproof. HPL panels are easy to bend and process, allowing furniture to be made with a minimum number of joints. The large selection of colors and structures further expands the scope for design.
These are just some of the typical outdoor applications of HPL. However, there are many other areas of application for which the robust laminate panels are particularly suitable. They can also be used for garden sheds, carport cladding, garbage box systems or bicycle garages. Due to the variety of dimensions, thicknesses and colors, there are hardly any limits to creativity in the architecture and design of the facade!
