HPL and ACP – Widely used material of Laminate Industry
Which is better HPL sheet or ACP sheet?
There are many cladding options available in the market but in recent years, ACP and HPL have outdone the other options and made a concrete place in the laminate industry. Due to their distinctive and unique properties, ACP and HPL have become the most widely used materials in the making of commercial and residential properties. The choice between ACP and HPL Sheets will have a significant impact on the project’s cost, utility, durability, and attractiveness. However, understanding the differences between the two cladding materials can eventually help make a decision that meets the needs and specifications of the customers.
With the growing urbanization and mind shift of people towards home décor and aesthetics, the laminate industry has seen an inclination in people’s choices to shift from traditional cladding to modern claddings like HPL and ACP. One needs to be very particular in choosing between HPL and ACP as these sheets may look the same but vary in composition, utility, pricing, installation, etc.
If you are confused about selecting the best option for your property, this article will help you narrow down the options as per your preference, usefulness, and budget.
Before going further, let us first understand what an HPL and ACP are:
What is an HPL Sheet?
HPL (High-Pressure Laminate) is a versatile material that is widely used in both exterior and interior applications because of its strength, aesthetic appeal, and resistance to a variety of environmental factors. As a result, it is quickly becoming the best option for both commercial and residential properties. Many residential and business buildings are moving to HPL and are happy about it.
Due to the multiple properties of HPL sheets like weather resistance, durability, and aesthetic appeal; more and more designers, contractors, and architects are choosing it and advising it to their clients.
What’s inside is what matters!
Composition of HPL Sheet:
- Overlay Paper: The topmost layer is usually a transparent protective layer, often referred to as overlay paper. This layer provides scratch resistance, and durability, and helps protect the decorative layer beneath it.
- Decorative Paper: Beneath the overlay is the decorative paper layer, which provides the color and pattern. This layer can mimic various materials like wood, stone, or metal, and comes in a wide range of designs and finishes.
- Kraft Paper Core: The core of an HPL sheet consists of multiple layers of kraft paper, which are impregnated with phenolic resin. This core gives the laminate its thickness, strength, and rigidity.
- Resins: The overlay and decorative papers are typically impregnated with melamine resin, while the kraft paper core is impregnated with phenolic resin. These resins are thermosetting, which means they harden and set permanently under heat and pressure, bonding the layers together into a solid, durable sheet.
Making of HPL Sheets
Manufacturing process:
During the manufacturing process, these layers are stacked and then pressed together under high pressure (about 1,000 to 1,500 psi) and high temperature (about 120-150°C or 248-302°F), resulting in a hard, dense, and durable laminate sheet.
What is ACP Sheet?
ACP is known as an Aluminium Composite Panel, made from a thin layer of aluminum coil. It usually has three layers. ACP has two kinds of materials, the first is polythene plastic core material and the second is a fire-resistant material and this is sandwiched between two aluminum sheets.
ACP can be molded to 90-degree and 45-degree angles and is available in thicknesses ranging from 3 to 4 mm. These sheets are available in a variety of popular finishes, including mirror, hardwood, glossy, marble, and more.
Composition of ACP Sheet:
- Coil-coated aluminum surface (on both sides)
- Thermoplastic polyethylene core or Fire retardant core made up of non-aluminum material.
What to choose?
HPL v/s ACP
Raw material and manufacturing: ACP is made up of aluminum alloy, low-density polythene material (LDPE), and thermoplastic polythene while HPL is made up of kraft paper, overlay paper, thermosetting resins, and melamine.
Durability: Both ACP and HPL are weather-resistant, stain-resistant, impact-resistant, fireproof, anti-termite, and easy to clean. However, due to the metallic nature of ACP, it is prone to lose its shine in long-term usage. HPL, on the other hand, has a better lifespan that can last up to 3 to 4 decades.
Thickness: ACP is thinner than HPL and usually comes in a thickness that ranges from 2mm to 6mm while HPL is thicker and usually comes in a thickness of 6mm which makes HPL sheets suitable for extreme Indian weather conditions.
Cost: In a typical laminate market, HPL sheets are at a higher price point than ACP due to their composition, manufacturing process, durability, design availability, and aesthetic looks.
Applications: Both ACP and HPL can be used in varied ways with the possibility of multiple application. HPL is the perfect material to be used for exterior wall claddings, gate panels, countertops, bathroom panels, partitions, and kitchen cabinets, selves whereas the bending property of ACP makes it a perfect fit for false ceilings, pillars, and other curvy applications
Qualities and comparison:
Which is better?
Both ACP Sheet and HPL Sheet offer a variety of advantages and characteristics. As a customer, you must pick which cladding material is appropriate for your project depending on your requirements, budget, area, and vision. You should also examine the visual appeal that ACP Sheet and HPL Sheet provide, make a note that ACP Sheets have a metallic appearance, whilst HPL Sheets have a broad variety of colors and designs to choose from.
Finally, while choosing an ACP Sheet or an HPL Sheet, you must examine everything from pricing to design. Your decision, based on all of the considerations, will result in the ideal product for your home or workplace.
