Bevel & surface technologies
Over recent years Unilin Technologies has done an enormous amount of research and development on bevel and surface technologies.
Bevels in combination with surface technologies give walls a high-class appearance with a nicely structured texture. They can be produced in various forms.
Different surface technologies
The surface technologies provide certain technical advantages. In addition, textural surfaces improve the appearance of walls and can appear in different forms.
Compressed wood technology
The compressed wood technology improves the integral strength of the wood while reducing wear damage. After the wood has been processed it retains its original appearance and grain texture, but has become stronger. The compressed wood technology also improves the stability of the wood considerably.
Embossed in register
True-to-nature surface structures are created by means of the press plates used in the lamination process, giving the planks a realistic texture that matches the decor.
Deep embossing/scraped
The MDF board of the laminate wall panel is deformed to create deep structures, imitating scraped wood, cracks, gaps and beveled edges found in real wood planks.
Gloss-matt contrast
This technology enables the creation of surface structures by means of different degrees of gloss finish that are in register with the print of the wall panel. Wood species such as "wenge" can be imitated very reliably.
Different bevel technologies
Lacquered bevels
The beveled edge is created by milling away part of the top layer of the panel and then finishing it with a lacquer. This technology is most suited to the creation of uniform-color beveled edges.
Transfer foil bevels
The beveled edge is created by milling away part of the top layer of the panel and then decorating it by transferring a print to the milled surface. The technology enables a motif to be applied onto the bevel.
Printed bevels
The beveled edge is created by milling away part of the top layer of the panel and then decorating it by printing directly onto the milled surface, e.g. by means of an inkjet printer. The technology enables direct integration of a motif onto the bevel.
Pressed bevels
The beveled edge is created by pressing down the decor layer during the lamination process. The beveled surface carries the same decor as the surface of the panel.
LVT bevels
The beveled edge is created by milling away part of the top layer of the panel to expose an underlying layer of thermoplastic material. The underlying layer determines the color of the bevel, which can match or contrast with the top surface. A second technique consists in milling away part of the top layer of the panel and finishing it with paint or lacquer.
Post-form bevels
The beveled edge is created by pressing down the decor layer after the lamination process. The beveled surface carries the same decor as the surface of the panel. Unilin has entered into a cooperation agreement with the company Berry-Alloc in order to increase the patent protection on this technology.
HPL bevels
The beveled edge is created by milling away part of the top layer of the floor panel to expose an underlying kraft paper. The kraft paper determines the color of the bevel.