http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2008/03/thermofoil-is-ideal-for-high-end.html
Earlier this year I decided to remodel my Kitchen and of course I used our product. Although this is certainly not the first Kitchen to utilize an affordable 3D Laminate in a high end Kitchen, each project is unique. I think that marrying kitchen design with the specialized knowledge of 3DL is key.
Below are pictures of the kitchen. I used the following products:
kitchen specs:
DACKOR
Legno Wenge drawers
DACKOR Stone Grey- custom color upper doors
Miele Speed Oven H4084BM
Miele Convection Steam Oven DGC4084XL
Miele 30" Induction KM5753
Miele 36" Hood DA 3490
Miele Dishwasher G5225SC
Subzero Refrigerator IT-36CIID
Everpure Water Chiller EV931830
Everpure Water Filter H140
Miele Dishwasher G5225SC
Pompeii Quartz Counters , Color Milky Way
Hafele Ribbon Strip lighting for under cabinet
Blum Soft Close and Blum Tandem Stainless boxesSolid Plywood boxes with white melamine overlay
Higher upper cabinets for mirror install
It should also be noted that the fridge gables were manufactured by mitre folding of our laminate however on the light valances, DACKOR Stone Grey peel and stick was used. Dackor, produces and sells this peel and stick directly to Membrane Press or Vacuum Press companies or via thepeelandstickstore.com.
My experience with this Kitchen gave me some unique perspectives. I was able to learn how truly difficult Kitchen design can be, I learned a lot about how high end European appliances require special considerations, about how peel and stick can be used on the job site for specific uses such as light valances, fillers and even fridge gables.
Above is additional storage to expand the kitchen visually into the hall
Above image shows drawers lined up with Subzero freezer drawers
Above image highlights how the contrasting upper cabinets look against Legno Wenge.
Above image shows light valance lighting. Aluminum track was router-ed in.
Above image shows upper side cabinet planted on box and meeting light valance.
Above image shows mirror only used on backsplash
Above image shows the Blum Tandem Aluminum boxes. Great having all drawers in bottom cabinets.
Above image shows the flush look of the door fronts with the waterfall countertop side. Be sure to really show your top company because they typically like to have the tops overhang more.
Shot of entire Kitchen above.
The Subzero Freezer drawer. Notice the 1" Fridge gables and how they frame out the fridge.
With over 150 stock colors, I really was perplexed as to which color I'd use in my own personal Kitchen. I knew that I'd be investing most into appliances and that they would cost more than the boxes and doors since I'm (In the industry). I ultimately chose our Legno Wenge which is a stock design and our Stone Grey which is a stock transfer from German Stock. The unique thing about this Legno Wenge is that it has hints of grey inside as well as taupe. All of the walls in the house were Benjamin Moore Mineral Ice 2132-70 and most of the floors are travertine and Brazilian cherry.
I'd like to give special thanks to Reid Pasternack. http://www.reidpasternack.com
He was the interior designer of the house interior and was instrumental in the color scheme and layout. Chris Buffington was key in the cabinet box sizing, light valance and really made the Kitchen production possible. And finally Zsolt Lovas, originally of Austria and now an Orlando based Cabinet installer did an outstanding job.
Hopefully more people will share their High End Kitchens that utilized 3D Laminates. If you have a project that used Dackor 3D Laminates and would like to share your project please email me.
2 comments:
Is 3D laminate another term for Thermofoil? We're renovating a kitchen and like the 3D options but are concerned that they have the same heat issues as Thermofoil, i.e., require heat shields when adjacent to or over/under ovens, dishwashers, etc. Could you please clarify?
Yes but... Not all 3D Laminate components are equal. Who you buy from is the most important. The variables are: the machine used, the glue used and the 3D Laminate used. So if you have heard of thermofoil delaminating, is it the product's fault or was it the application? With wood doors you can get cracking, expansion, warping and fading. Yet when a wood door fails you rarely hear that "Wood doors are a concern". A wood door producer would explain how they dry their wood and stabilize it prior to joining. Some companies change the spacing from the styles and rails to the center panel based upon whether the wood door will be installed near the ocean or desert such as in Southern California. So is it possible that they did this due to failures? You can bet so. So why would 3D Laminate or thermofoil be any different. We typically expect items which are more man made or products we do not understand should be destructible. Buyers often push for the lowest price for their doors and then when they fail the product category is blamed.
In my last house I didn't have handles and everywhere I touched the doors the stain wore off and also paper was used on the sides of the cabinet and it started delaminating. But I love wood still even though I'm in the 3D Laminate business. I don't fairly judge the failings of that product segment just because I had a bad experience with one Kitchen.
In my current Kitchen its 3D Laminate but I'm have zero issues. But since I'm in the industry I know that a quality wood kitchen will be flawless just like a quality 3D Laminate Kitchen.
One important thing to note is that most failures occur on one or two doors and they can be easily and inexpensively replaced.
See the following article on self cleaning ovens; http://thermoformingtimes.blogspot.com/2010/08/self-cleaning-ovens-affect-on.html
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