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March 2010 No. 18 School of Interior Design on practical DIY design ideas
School of Interior Design features article on DIY concepts for kitchens...
October 09 No. 17 Solid Surface benchtop by LG
HI-MACS solid surface is developed by LG Hauys, is a world leader in manufacturing technology, made for seamless installation. HI-MACS is different from traditional decorative surfacing products, as it is non-porous and easy to clean, impact resistant and repairable.
May 09 No. 16 Wear resistance laminate
Laminates are not all scuff resistant and environmentally preferable laminate. This is why Smartpack has chosen a laminate with double the wear resistance performance for the standard range benchtops.
June 08 No.15 Splashback Update
Two new splashback alternatives have now become available for the handyperson to install...
October No.14 Handleless Doors
Finally there is a proper hinge and catch to replace the tip latch and push catch to make a handleless door open enough to get your fingers behind without breaking your nails....
August No. 13 Becoming a Kitchen designer as easy as DYOS
SmartPack Kitchens’ DYOS program gives renovators the ability to design, view in 3D and cost their kitchen or home office renovation. With SmartPack Kitchens’ new Design Your Own SmartPack (DYOS) software, renovators can point and click their way to kitchen and home office designs – seeing the results in 3D and getting an estimate of cabinetry costs – in their own home and without talking to a salesperson.
April No. 12 Kickboards- building on a solid base
The bases of cabinets are made in 3 ways: 1. plinth attached to the cabinets. 2. Legs attached to the cabinet. 3. Inset kickboards with the cabinet sides going to the floor. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type.
December No. 10 Timber benchtops in the kitchen
The can only warmth that timber benchtops bring to a kitchen can only be surpassed by the oven.....
February No.11 Soft Closing Mechanisms for Cabinet Doors and drawers.
The latest technology from Blum and Hettich has been the introduction of soft closing doors and self closing drawers.
November No.9 Flatpack installation hints and procedures.
Some flatpack cabinetsare easier to assemble and install than others but in each case if you follow a simple procedure, organise yourself and have the correct tools and good clean workspace.....
October No.8 Environmental issues in the kitchen
Even the manufacture of a kitchen cabinet can impact on our environment. If you have any environmental conscience then read this short article about how to choose better....
September No. 7 It's a question of Splashback
Above the benchtop and underneath the overhead cabinets is an area of exposed wall which needs to have a surface finish which is easily cleaned using standard non toxic household cleaners.
August No. 6 Door options made simple
Most kitchen companies will offer about five styles, each having a range of colours and finishes. How to choose is the question.
July No.5 Flat pack Wardrobes
Flatpack kitchens are now well publicised and popular. The same system of construction also applies to wardrobes....
No.4 June - Creating a temporary kitchen
Making preparations for a temporary kitchen well before you start...
No.3 May - Flat pack kits
Flat pack kits.......how difficult are they anyway? The question most often asked
April No. 2 Veneer types
Veneer boards are made in a number of different ways. The latest and most consistent in appearance is the restructured type compared to the natural veneer type. Both have a beautiful wood appearance.
March No. 1 Smartpack creates a new website
The new DYOS- Design your own smartpack program downloadable from this site ...
Friday, 24 April 2009
May 09 No. 16 Wear resistance laminate
Laminates are not all scuff resistant and environmentally preferable laminate.

This is why Smartpack has chosen a laminate with double the wear resistance performance for the standard range benchtops.

Introduced more than two decades ago, ARP is one of the most significant improvements in the performance of high pressure decorative laminates.  The armored protection surface is engineered using aluminium oxide particles blended with clear resins.  Together they form a protective layer that allows objects to slide over the laminate surface as if they were on ball bearings.

Unlike other laminates using overlays that cloud the design, ARP’s patented process always allows the subtlety and depth of the decorative paper to show through.  This dramatic clarity isn’t compromised by the surface protection during the serviceable life of the laminate.
Why Aluminum Oxide?
Aluminum oxide is harder than common everyday objects, protecting laminates against the wear caused when those objects slide across the surface.  Yet, aluminium oxide is softer than silicon carbide or diamond which are commonly used in making cutting tools and blades.
Armored Protection keeps laminates looking new longer in the following ways:

It protects the laminate’s color by reducing surface wear caused by common abrasive substances such as sand (silica) particles present in dirt, dust, paper bags and boxes.  Standard industry wear  resistance tests (NEMA LD3) show armored protection outlasts conventional laminates.

It reduces gloss change (dulling and buffing).

Substance

Knoop Hardness Value

Diamond

7000

Silicone Carbide

2480

Aluminium Oxide

2100

Steel Can

1570

Silica /Quartz

820

Glass

530

Iron Can

430

Aluminium Can

125

Armored Protection gives Nevamar laminates more than twice the wear protection than  standard laminates.( ANSI/NEMA LD3 test method)

Added protection during fabrication and installation.

Thanks to their superior abrasion and scuff resistance, Nevamar Armored Protection laminates go through fabrication shops with less damage and waste. Expensive furniture and fixtures are also less likely to be damaged in transit. You save time and money while maintaining high finished quality.  And, when you’re done, you can be confident your designs will retain their beauty for a long time to come.  Armored Protection also beautifies as it protects. It actually enhances the clarity of the laminate design, providing a cleaner, truer look and appearance when compared to other laminates.

Only Nevamar offers Armored Protection surface.

Armored Protection laminates are a prime example of Nevamar’s commitment to high quality products.  Nevamar pioneered the technology, patented it and improved it over the years. Today, Armored Protection gives Nevamar laminate more than twice the wear protection than standard laminate (ANSI/NEMA LD3 test method).

Everyday, Nevamar with ARP, proves its toughness in hospitals, hotel and restaurants, airports, retail shops and other commercial environments.  This rugged performance and long lasting style also makes it a great choice for residential installations.

It is for this reason Smartpack is now offering Nevamar laminates as the standard range for benchtops with a tight 8mm radius top and bottom for a squarer look.

A note on scratches

Many marks often perceived as “scratches” are actually scuffs. Armored Protection laminates are highly resistant to scuff damage. A true scratch, however, involves actual removal of material from the laminate surface, and typically caused by a hard, sharp object, such as a knife or razor blade.

Armored Protection laminate is not more resistant to this type of abuse than conventional laminates. The effect would be the same on both types of laminates. (It is  also important to note that on any laminate, medium to dark colours tend to highlight scratches more than lighter colours)

Environmentally friendly

  • Water saving

Non contact cooling water is used during the manufacturing process. Nevamar employs a closed loop system to recycle 60-95% of cooling water depending on ambient temperatures.

  • Sustainable Resources

All decorative papers used in the laminate production process contain a portion of recycled content.

  • Green Guard Certification

The Green Guard Environmental Institute is an independent non-for-profit organization that overseas the Green Guard certification program. Nevamar laminates have been scientifically tested to earn Green Guard Indoor Air Quality Certification for low emitting products.

  • Ecospecifier

This product has been independently assessed by Ecospecifier and included on their list of environmentally preferable materials and products. In addition, Ecospecifier has determined that this product may contribute to Green Star credit points. Visit www.ecospecifier.org for further information.