HPL vs DPL Laminate

Two methods are used in the manufacture of laminate flooring., High Pressure laminate(HPL) and Direct Pressure Laminate(DPL). Direct pressure laminate is made up of three layers, while a High Pressure Laminate is made up of a minimum of 5 layers. Is one better than the other? Yes. HPL is a far superior product. The addition of Phenolic Treated Sheets make the HPL a far stronger, more dent resistant and stable product. The catch is that it comes with a higher price tag. Do you need HPL in your home? If you have a home subject to high traffic and you plan on living there a while, then the answer is yes. Read below for a cmplete explanation...

Laminate flooring is a rigid floor covering with a surface layer consisting of one or more thin sheets of a fibrous material (usually paper), impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine). These sheets are either pressed as such (HPL or CPL, Compact), and in the case of HPL or CPL bonded on a substrate, or in the case of DPL directly pressed on a substrate. The laminate flooring is normally finished with a backing primarily used as a balancing material. Laminate floorings performance values are set by the NALFA Standard.