Piano Lacuqer Kitchen Cabinet(1)

Piano lacquer finishing imparts a sleek, bold sheen to interior residential and commercial surfaces. The perfect piano surface is a fusion of maximum gloss level, smoothness, depth effect, scratch resistance, cost effectiveness and technical feasibility.

To be considered high gloss, a surface must reflect at least 80-85 percent of incoming light, as measured by a reflectometer. The popularity of high gloss has soared since it was introduced by leading-edge Italian design houses more than 20 years ago, and today piano treatments can be seen throughout the world in applications ranging from signage and displays to cabinetry, furniture and paneling.

Another high-end option for high-gloss surfacing is solid acrylic. Solid acrylic panels have a superior gloss level throughout, and they can be refinished or repaired when scratched or marred. They are waterproof and do not warp or discolor when exposed to sun. However, while solid acrylic panels are popular in luxury European kitchens, they are extremely heavy and cost-prohibitive in many other applications.

As the market for high-gloss surfaces grew over the years, the need for more affordable solutions and variety in design became apparent. Fortunately, materials technology and manufacturing processes have advanced and enabled new manufacturing breakthroughs, and today truly high quality high-gloss finishes can be achieved at a relatively modest price using a technique that involves thin sheets of acrylic laminated with PUR glue onto melamine-faced wood-based panels.

The surface aesthetic of these laminated panels rivals that of solid acrylic, and thermally fused laminate surfaces rate favorably in terms of quality, strength, luminosity, durability and scratch resistance.