In a value engineering (VE) study conducted by EGGER Wood Products, in partnership with case goods and cabinets manufacturers Nexis3 and Thompson Millwork, it was revealed that thermally fused laminate (TFL) offers greater material and labor cost savings when compared to alternative wood-based decorative surface materials. The study was conducted using real world and speculative projects to compare the cost of EGGER’s Eurodekor TFL Particleboard to high pressure laminates (HPL) and wood veneers.
“Our experience has shown that using a combination of TFL and laminates versus plywood and wood veneers for cabinet, furniture and interior design projects can save architects, designers and fabricators valuable time, money and resources,” said Lisa Thornton, Head of Marketing for EGGER North America. The VE study confirmed that when it comes to wood-based decorative surfaces, material cost and labor hour estimates clearly show TFL as the best option for optimizing budgets without compromising design, quality and performance.
Cost efficiencies are gained using TFL for low- to mid-traffic areas and vertical applications, with laminates for high-traffic, horizontal and curved/postformed applications. This combination of TFL and laminates is far more affordable than wood veneers. Both TFL and laminates are high quality, versatile, fade- and scratch-resistant and easy to clean. These two decorative surface materials are also highly durable when used in the appropriate setting.
Case Study: The Metropolitan by Nexis3
Nexis3, a custom architectural millwork firm, helped to transition the former Chase Tower in downtown Rochester, N.Y. into The Metropolitan, a high-end, loft-style apartment complex for professionals. Each of the project’s 65-units required a kitchen with an island and cabinets and a bath and laundry room with closet cabinetry. By incorporating Eurodekor TFL, Nexis3 delivered a finished project that met the developer’s luxury design, quality and performance requirements, but at a significantly lower cost.
The Metropolitan project featured four woodgrain reproductions from EGGER. This included two Feelwood decors, which deliver deep embossed-in-register (EIR) textures for the look and feel of real wood. The authentic nature of Feelwood decors make them an excellent alternative to veneers but provides greater durability and is more cost efficient.
Compared to only HPL or wood veneers, the cost savings for EGGER TFL were substantial, both for materials and labor. The total project cost for the kitchen and bath was approximately 36% higher for HPL and 79% higher for wood veneer.
“As a commercial project, it needed to be repeatable, cost effective and on time,” said Jim VanHouter, Estimator and Business Development for Nexis3. “EGGER made all this possible.”
EGGER’s Decor Match System was also a huge benefit for Nexis3. With matching TFL, laminates and edge banding available and manufactured by one single supplier, Nexis3 saved engineering and purchasing time and was assured the best possible match in color, pattern and texture.
Cost analyses conducted on a range of theoretical commercial and residential projects once again demonstrated the cost savings of TFL versus alternative materials. Speculative value engineering and estimates for material and labor costs were provided by Thompson Millwork, a Durham, N.C.-based commercial casework and specialty millwork provider, using CGI renderings with pre-selected materials.
Projects included a luxury walk-in closet, a retail space, a luxury hotel guest room and an upscale restaurant and bar. In every instance, TFL was the top choice for value.
Walk-In Closet
The 16’8” x 16’8” luxury walk-in closet features shelving and closet space along the entirety of one wall, a closet island and a dedicated shoe system with additional storage space. The rendering incorporates 1 1/8” and 3/4” Eurodekor TFL in White Frozen Wood (H1290 ST19) with matching edge banding for the closet frame and shelving. For the closet base and top trim, 3/4” TFL in White (W954 ST14) is used as an accent. The countertop for the island includes EGGER Laminate in the same decor as the closet base and trim.
Compared to only HPL or wood veneers, the cost savings for TFL were again greater, both for materials and labor hours. The walk-in closet estimate that Thompson Millwork provided was approximately 21% higher for only HPL, and 55% higher for wood veneers.
Retail Space
This 35’ x 21’ retail space contains display shelves and clothing racks with shelving along each wall, four display stands with storage cabinets and a check-out stand at the entrance. The rendering features 1 1/8” and 3/4” Eurodekor TFL in Stone Grey Frozen Wood (H1288 ST19) for the display shelves and stands. For the display stands doors, Taupe Grey (U750 ST9) is used with matching edge banding. The display stand countertops include EGGER Laminate in the same decor as the display shelves and stands.
Compared to using a combination of TFL and laminates, estimates were 34% higher for only HPL and 55% higher for wood veneers.
Hotel Guest Room
This 19’ x 14’ hotel room features 1 1/8” Eurodekor TFL in Pebble Grey (U201 ST9) on the headboard and bed frame and 3/4” Eurodekor TFL in Hazelnut Tossini Elm (H1220 ST33) for two nightstands and a desk. The decor for the dresser and accent wall is 3/4” TFL in Black (U999 ST14). The bed façade is made with EGGER Laminate in Hazelnut Tossini Elm as well.
Thompson Millwork’s assessment showed TFL being 32% less expensive than using only HPL and 48% less compared to the cost of wood veneers.
Restaurant
This 90’ x 30’ restaurant and bar features the exceptionally authentic Feelwood decor in 1 1/8” and 3/4” Eurodekor TFL in Brown Halifax Oak (H3180 ST37) on the tables and bar backsplash. To complete the look and feel of the space, the laminate version of the Brown Halifax Oak is used on the 30-foot bar. EGGER laminate is also used on the liquor shelf and façade of the restaurant, but in Diamond Grey (U963 ST9).
Once again, TFL paired with laminates were the clear leader in value. Estimates by Thompson Millwork showed a 21% increase for HPL alone and a 50% increase using wood veneers.
