3D Laminate – Working Hard and Looking Good in Healthcare & Hospitality

By Nate | February 1, 2022

In the Hospitality and Healthcare industries, items and materials need to pull triple-duty – they need to be clean, durable, and attractive. If chosen correctly, they will seamlessly integrate into their spaces, while unassumingly aiding industry workers and appealing to customers. 3D laminates meet all these criteria and have numerous applications within a variety of locations such as nursing homes, senior living facilities, hotels, restaurants, office spaces, and more.

What is 3D Laminate?

3D Laminates go by a few names – thermolaminates, rigid thermofoils, RTL, or 3DL. What makes 3DL such a superstar compared to Formica or Wilsonart (High Pressures Laminate – HPL), is its ability to form around items as opposed to only lying 2-dimensionally on a flat plane. The thermolaminate is a continuous roll of PVC film that easily conforms to heavily contoured surfaces and shapes, including edges, curves, and corners. Its flexibility eliminates the seams that occur with HPL. Instead of using a resin to adhere the film to the base, it is molded around a substrate using heat and pressure creating a smooth and ergonomic surface. Stratis Industries, based out of Centuria, Wisconsin, is among the very elite group in the country that has mastered this process.

3DL Applications

Almost all industries can benefit from 3DL in a multitude of ways. Specifically, within the Healthcare and Hospitality industries, craftsmanship and items need to perform at a commercial level with extreme durability and withstand almost constant cleaning. 3DL works great for these items and surfaces, among others:

3DL in Healthcare and Hospitality Settings

Spaces in these industries are high-traffic and high-touch. 3DL is built to handle situations such as these. Compared to many surfaces, especially wood, 3DL is more durable than most, and exceptionally resistant to heat, moisture, and impact.

Water-resistant. 3DLs are water-resistant via polyurethane. This is important for dining tables and healthcare surfaces that are being cleaned constantly. Stratis’ 3DL can withstand standard cleaning as well as mops that come within contact of furniture bases.

 

Cleanliness. The cleaning solutions used in these settings often include strong chemicals. 3DL can withstand everything from a coffee cup ring to standard disinfectant cleaners. Also, 3DL has the option of safe, soft edges and zero seams, which helps to reduce the growth of bacteria.

 

Durability. Wear and tear are extremely heavy in healthcare and hospitality industry spaces. 3DL is impact-resistant, which is necessary for roughly handled or dropped items, the continuous re-arrangement of furniture, and run-ins with walking aids, luggage carts and rolling suitcases, hospital/dining carts, and medical equipment. Also, unlike wood, 3DL is warp-resistance, which is necessary in high-moisture climates and environments. Stratis Industries references their 3DL’s durability when they shipped an order to Qatar, where it sat in the hot sun for days without any damage to the laminate.

Aesthetics

Functionality and durability do not equal boring or the cliché “hospital green.” In fact, since 3DL does not require protective coatings, sealants, or paint, the surfaces are completely finished and offer a considerably wider variety of looks. With a myriad of colors to choose from, decorative surfaces can be a solid color, metallic, solid wood grain and reclaimed wood in appearance, and abstract patterns – all with a choice of glosses, textures, and finishes. Graphic and custom overlays are also an option. Additionally, there are multiple options for 3DL’s contoured edges. The possibilities are endless!

Healthcare Considerations

While nursing homes, assisted living spaces, and senior housing share many of the same needs as the hospitality industry, it does face a few challenging situations that are unique to the healthcare field. 3DL is a great choice for each one for the reasons below.

  • ADA Compliant. In nursing home settings, table and desk heights need to accommodate wheelchairs, and considerations need to be made for medical equipment and cords within furniture and panel design. The space and furniture also need to be very accessible to both staff and patients.
  • Sanitation. Easily cleanable surfaces are a must in healthcare. They need to withstand frequent scrubbings using potent cleaners and yet show no signs of wear. Also, with seamless 3DL, dirt-catching and hard-to-clean crevices and joints are avoided.
  • Environment. In many healthcare settings, it is not just a facility, it is home to the residents. Thoughtful design helps to create a welcoming décor and additional health benefits. The use of a cheerful palette of familiar colors and non-reflecting finishes is reassuring. As are natural looking materials and textures – biophilic design has been proven to reduce stress and improve health outcomes. Specific colors and patterns can be helpful in directing residents within the facility of their current location, their destination, and how to return. It is important to keep in mind that some colors are inappropriate and can possibly disorient or agitate impaired individuals.

To learn more about 3D laminates and their uses, visit Stratis Industries for more information.

 

Posted in 3D LAMINATE