Balanced construction helps prevent warping and delamination in laminated panels by ensuring uniform expansion and contraction. Warpage often results from differences in expansion rates between the substrate and decorative surfacing materials. Factors such as temperature, humidity changes, improper acclimation, expired adhesives, or lack of expansion joints can also contribute.
A balanced construction involves applying the same surfacing material to both the front and back of the laminated panel. This is especially important for large applications like entry doors and wall panels. For smaller applications, such as drawer fronts, a phenolic backer or cabinet liner may suffice. While Chemetal does not supply cabinet liners, they are readily available from building material distributors.
Balanced construction is typically unnecessary when the substrate is mechanically secured, and thicker substrates (over 1”) reduce the risk of warping due to their rigidity.
Tips for Successful Balanced Construction
- Ensure the grain direction of the laminate, substrate, and balancing sheet runs the same way.
- Use identical adhesive, lamination, and drying methods for both sides.
- Choose materials of the same type and thickness for proper balance.
- Incorporate expansion/contraction joints.
- Avoid using dissimilar materials (e.g., metal laminate on one side and HPL on the other) as this may cause warping.
- Moisture barriers (paint, lacquer, etc.) do not provide structural balance.
Suitable Materials for Balanced Construction
100 Series
- Any solid aluminium from the 100, 400, 500, 600, or 900 series.
- Solid aluminums 346, 352, 353, and 354 from the 300 series may also be used.
150 Series
- Use 150, 151, 152, 153, or 157 as balancing sheets.
- HPL metals from the 200, 300, and 700 series can balance magnetic metals.
- Item 160 should only be balanced with item 160.
200 & 700 Series
- Any material from the 200 and 700 series can balance items in these series.
- Any 48” wide HPL from the 300 series is also suitable.
300 Series
- Items 310, 325, 337, and 338 can balance each other.
- Product 423 and 800 series items can also be used.
- Metal with a backer should be balanced with backed metal; metal-only installations should be backed with metal-only products.
- Items 313, 314, 315, 317, 318, 340, 343, and 355 can be balanced with each other or with 200 or 700 series items.
400, 500, 600 & 900 Series
- These can be balanced with any metal-only product from the same series.
- Four aluminium items from the 300 series may also be used.
- Avoid embossed metal-only products for balancing.
800 Series
- Use 800 series products to balance each other.
- Items 310, 325, 337, 338, and 423 can also be used.
- Metal with a backer should be balanced with backed metal; metal-only installations should use metal-only products.
- Economical alternatives exist but do not achieve true balanced construction.
We aim to supply balancing sheets from our seconds and discontinued stock when available. However, if the required size, finish, or quantity is unavailable, first-quality products should be used.
For more details, visit www.thatmetalcompany.com.au