Surface & Panel Q2-2015

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& U N I T I N G M AT E R I A L S , T E C H N O L O G Y A N D D E S I G N

triple play: quality • design • delivery sophisticated. Easy. do the "Bright" thing Häfele throws new light on interior design clawing back MDF Makes Spectacular Architectural Doors Possible special Section :

Finishing matters

Countertops 2015

NO BOUNDARIES

TEXTURE, PATTERN, COLOR Premeer OPP overlays offer unmatched hi-definition printing, giving your surfaces the stand-out texture, hi-fidelity design and vivid color that you’ve imagined.

We work with you to ensure your design reaches the height of its vibrancy.

To learn more about Premeer’s hi-definition designs and applications, visit premeer.com or call Interprint, Inc. at 413-443-4733.

At mHouse and S&P Symposium, You’ll Like What You See Ask anyone to describe their preference for interior furnishings, and you’re likely to hear, “I’ll tell you what I like when I see it.”

Articulating something as personal and ubiquitous as design preference is not easy. I’m no different.

Furniture stores, kitchen showrooms and design centers exist for this reason. But it is not always easy to gain visibility for a new surface material or a cutting-edge process. Sometimes, furniture and fixture manufacturers are slow to adopt spectacular new products. If the products aren’t among the manufacturers’ latest offerings, they will never find their way to the retail floor or be considered by consumers.

At Bedford Falls Communications, we are doing our best to reveal the latest and greatest products from around the world.

First, our design website, materialicious (www.materialicious.com), was launched to communicate quickly to a worldwide audience what a traditional distribution channel may take years to reveal. The site contains more than 40,000 images of some of the coolest products you’ll find. It is popular among the global design community and consumers alike. On materialicious, you’ll find what you like or simply an inspiration for what’s possible.

Second, we’ve taken the idea of materialicious.com to a new level. We are building a spectacular home called the mHouse. It is a residential research lab for tomorrow’s modern home. Its sole purpose is to demonstrate what’s possible in residential interiors (and exteriors) by uniting materials, technology and design.

The mHouse will showcase spectacular industry materials and products. You’ll have to see it to appreciate it.

I must confess that I am fanatical about the four P’s – passion for panel-processed products. This may sound a bit technical, so let me put it into context. The finest contemporary designs in furniture and cabinets employ panel processing to create some of the world’s most beautiful, valuable and sought-after products. Think Poggenpohl in kitchens, Herman Miller in offices, the Memphis Group in home furnishing and art. Panel products and decorative surfaces are the common thread that weaves them together.

Architect John Vetter and interior designer Amy Carman have been tasked with uniting materials from an array of sponsoring companies into a beautiful contemporary environment at the mHouse. From floors, walls and ceilings to cabinetry and furniture, panel-processed products will be everywhere. And I guarantee that you will like what you see.

The grand opening of the mHouse, located in Watertown, Wis., is Sept. 30. The first annual Surface & Panel Symposium is Sept. 29 at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wis. The symposium promises to be a special event, featuring an exhibit session, presentations by prominent industry professionals from the design community and round-table discussions. The Surface & Panel Symposium and the mHouse grand opening are the perfect one-two punch. You can learn about the world’s finest materials at the symposium and see them in practice in the mHouse.

You may not know what you like until you see it, but if you don’t see it, you’ll never know what you like.

Moreover, you’ll never know what you’re missing.

All symposium registrants gain access to the mHouse grand opening Sept. 30.

If you are an architect, designer, fabricator or distributor, this two-day event is designed specifically for you. Please consider this my personal invitation to attend free of charge.

Go to www.sandpsymposium.com to register today.

If you are a supplier to the industry and want to engage our special guests at the first annual Surface & Panel Symposium, please consider sponsoring the event.

All my best,

John Aufderhaar | Sur face & Panel | jaufderhaar @sur faceandpanel.com | 920 -206 -1766 surface&panel

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Triple Play Stow Company meets customers’ needs for quality, design, delivery in home storage and organization.

[ d e p a r t m e n t s ]

3 From the Publisher 66 From the Editor 64 Advertiser Index

12 Sophisticated. Easy.

CAD software makes the design and manufacture of cabinetry and closets a virtual snap.

18 Do the 'Bright' Thing Meet Michael Bright, an unabashed fan of MDF, who loves to mix decorative materials in unorthodox ways to create visually stunning custom cabinetry.

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22 Häfele Throws New Light on Interior Design Amy Carman showcases company’s innovative products in the cutting edge mHouse.

26 Clawing Back

p u b lish e r

The nation’s home improvement industry is strong and getting stronger, clawing back from a recession that hammered both it and the broader housing market.

John Aufderhaar President | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-206-1766 fax: 920-206-1767 jaufderhaar@surfaceandpanel.com

32 Enter MDF Medium-density fiberboard makes spectacular architectural doors possible.

content

Scott W. Angus Editorial Director | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1947 Scottangus47@gmail.com

38 Finishing Matters A special section highlighting the finishing industry.

38 Spray-to-Color Stain Consistency 42 New System Makes Finishing

More Efficient and Ergonomic

a dv e r t isi n g

Ryan Wagner VP Sales & Marketing | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1945 fax: 920-206-1767 rwagner@bedfordfallsmedia.com

46 Countertops 2015 Surface & Panel highlights the exciting and varied options that are bringing strength, beauty, convenience and more to today’s kitchens and baths.

Katy Schroedl Client Services Director | Bedford Falls Communications 302 N. 3rd Street, Watertown, WI 53094 Ph: 920-261-1947 fax: 920-206-1767 kschroedl@bedfordfallsmedia.com

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G r aphi c D e sig n / P r i n t P u b li c at i o n s

Karen Leno Graphic Designer | KML Design, Inc. 923 Forest Edge Circle, Coralville, IA 52241 kmldesign@mchsi.com Ci r c u lat i o n

surfaceandpanelcirculation@gmail.com

C o m p o s i t e Pa n e l A s s o c i at i o n Main Office

19465 Deerfield Avenue, Suite 306 Leesburg, VA 20176 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 Toll Free 1-866-4COMPOSITES www.CompositePanel.org Ca n a d i a n O f f i c e

Post Office Box 747, Station B Ottawa, Ontario CANADA K1P 5P8 Ph: 613-232-6782 fax: 703-724-1588 International Testing and Certification Center

73 Lawson Road, Leesburg, VA 20175 Ph: 703-724-1128 fax: 703-724-1588 www.itcclab.org

On the cover:

Wilsonart Coordinated Surfaces has combined high-pressure laminate, thermally fused laminate panels and edgeband into convenient collections to make specifying coordinating surfaces a breeze. Pictured is Granito Amarelo.

Surface & Panel is published quarterly by Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, Wisconsin 53098, telephone 920-206-1766, fax 920-206-1767. John Aufderhaar, President, Christine Aufderhaar, CFO. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form, electronic or mechanical without written permission from the publisher.

Subscription policy: Individual subscriptions are available, without charge, to manufacturers who engage in panel processing, qualified service providers and suppliers. Publisher reserves the right to reject non-qualified subscribers. One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. $50, Canada/Mexico $75, all other countries $100, payable in U.S. funds. Single issues are $15, and must be prepaid.

Bedford Falls Communications, Inc., does not assume and hereby disclaims any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions in the material contained herein, regardless of whether such errors result from negligence, accident, or any other cause whatsoever. Printed in the U.S.A. Postmaster: Send address changes to Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098. Please direct all subscription questions and mail to: Surface & Panel, 1617 Country Club Lane, Watertown, WI 53098 ph: 920-206-1766

3DUWLFOHERDUG

Triple Play Stow Company meets customers’ needs for

quality • design • delivery in home storage and organization b y

J i m

L e u t e

hen it comes to arranging their stuff, consumers are more and more interested in quality, custom design and speed of delivery, three buying factors that continue to keep The Stow Company at the forefront of the custom home storage and organization industry.

Founded in 1984, the Holland, Mich.-based company provides custom storage and organization solutions for all areas of the home, including closets, garage, pantry, laundry and mudrooms, as well as entertainment centers, wall-beds and more.

Stow last year acquired Distinctive Wine Cellars, a company that makes custom wood wine cellars. The DWC manufacturing operation runs from a 36,000-square-foot facility in Indianapolis, Indiana.

And in May, the company plans to roll out a partnership with The Home Depot that will allow customers in select stores and online to order custom organization systems for the closet, pantry, laundry room and other spaces.

The Stow Company’s innovative products and services are tailored to specific customers’ needs through authorized dealers, online and retail channels.

ORG Home custom solutions are available through a nationwide network of authorized design and installation dealers. The comprehensive line includes more than 20 colors, nine styles for door or drawer fronts, several types of drawer construction and a wide selection of accessories and hardware.

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“The speed and accuracy with which we fulfill orders is impressive because the customization process takes a lot of precision and effort, combined with advanced design and machinery.”

Randy Tallman, executive vice president and chief operating officer for Stow

Distinctive Wine Cellars custom-designed residential and commercial wine storage and organization systems are available through authorized design and installation dealers.

EasyClosets is a leading online provider of do-it-yourself, custom-cut products. The products are primarily sold online at www.

EasyClosets.com. Using an intuitive design tool, customers design custom systems fabricated from 3/4-inch commercial grade composite panels made from recycled and recovered wood fibers with a durable thermally fused laminate (TFL) surface. Configurations come in 11 colors and four hardware finishes.

Easy Track modular storage systems are available through leading home improvement retailers, such as Menards, Do It Best, Ace and many other participating retailers. The easy-to-assembly kits come in three colors and are simple to design and install. Closets are made with high-quality commercial grade composite panels and finished in thermally fused laminate (TFL).

“The strategy certainly is to cover the needs of all customers,” said Randy Tallman, the company’s executive vice president and chief operating officer. “We had the dealers and the retail channels, and we acquired the online component in 2008.”

While Stow now makes a specific Martha Stewart Living line of closet organizers for The Home Depot, the impending partnership with one of the nation’s largest retailers represents an exciting collaboration of Stow’s custom capabilities and The Home Depot’s online and retail channels, Tallman said.

“It’s a new avenue for a product line that will allow customers to touch and feel the quality of our system, input their specific dimensions and customize their space with our easy-to-use design tool,” he said.

“It will provide customers with more customization options than they’d normally get in the retail channel, and it’s appealing to The Home Depot because they don’t have to stock the product.”

The partnership is another extension of Stow’s mission to connect with customers, solve their home organization needs and make their lives more efficient and enjoyable, Tallman said.

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“We’re seeing the demand for quality over quantity. Consumers are equally concerned about the quality of their items as they are about the quantity. Mass consumption is being held in check by a desire for elements with substance, created with thought and that retain value.”

Jon King, Design Manager for Stow

Customer service, he said, is all encompassing, whether it’s interactions with Stow’s expert design, installation and customer support teams, its intuitive websites and design tools or the significant capital the company routinely invests in equipment and processes to make the manufacturing state-of-the-art for its customers and its 275 employees.

“Whatever it takes, our philosophy is to take care of the customer,” Tallman said. “That sounds simple, but it’s not always easy for a company.”

That extends beyond the company’s world class manufacturing operation that’s known for short turnarounds on orders of thermally fused laminated panels that are cut, drilled and edge-banded in a wide variety of colors, doors and fronts and hardware.

“Online orders typically ship in less than 24 hours,” Tallman said.

“Retail orders take about 48 hours, and the turnaround for dealers is about 72 hours.

“The speed and accuracy with which we fulfill orders is impressive because the customization process takes a lot of precision and effort, combined with advanced design and machinery.”

Discerning customers

Jon King, the company’s design manager, said The Stow Company recognizes several trends in the industry.

“We’re seeing the demand for quality over quantity,” he said.

“Consumers are equally concerned about the quality of their items as 8

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they are about the quantity. Mass consumption is being held in check by a desire for elements with substance, created with thought and that retain value.”

“They realize that better function and nicer surfaces really do matter. A lot of it, I think, is an affirmation of where they are in life.”

That thinking extends to closets, which are part of the bedroom “spa” or retreat, garages, mudrooms, laundry rooms and extra bedrooms that are now home offices, all targets for the custom organization that The Stow Company specializes in.

“Today’s consumers are more design literate,” King said. “They know what they want, and they know what matters.”

As the overall economy continues to rebound, consumers are more willing to spend money on projects that bear a higher cost.

In one sense, King said that could be an extension of a consumer mindset formed during the Great Recession.

“During these challenging economic times, more people stayed and entertained at home,” King said. “Meal preparation became part of the evening’s event.

“Out of that came a greater sense of community, and the ‘open plan’ home idea that has resonated with homeowners over the years is increasingly growing in popularity.”

For example, he said, the pantry is now seen as a cool, integral part of the kitchen that can be proudly displayed rather than a space that is hidden behind closed doors.

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High profile projects

Stow earned industry recognition and publicity in 2012 when its ORG Home line was used in the redesign of the home garage of Michael Andretti, legendary race car driver, team owner of Andretti Autosport and a contestant on TV’s “Celebrity Apprentice.”

The showroom-style makeover of Andretti’s garage featured ORG Home garage cabinets and work benches that provide a clean, effective way to organize equipment and keep clutter neatly hidden away.

Cool features included lighted display cases, tall cabinets with one-inch shelves that adjust easily, hanging rods that store racing jackets and dovetail drawers that provide a convenient place to store tools and other supplies.

A specially designed parking space for the family’s scooters included a wall system for storage of helmets, keys, jackets and more.

To blend with the Andretti home’s old world charm, Copper Blaze cabinets and textured work surfaces were used throughout the garage.

“My ORG Home garage is beautiful,” Andretti said in a Stow news release. “The whole solution was custom designed for us. We couldn’t ask for anything better.”

The company also redesigned and outfitted the Andretti pit garage at the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“We do a lot of work with celebrities, and most of them are not like the Andretti project,” Tallman said. “A lot of them are done very quietly, so we don’t always get the opportunity to do a big splash like we did with the Andretti project.”

The celebrity projects certainly are unique, he said. But it’s the everyday projects that King said fuel him and the Stow team.

“When it comes to design, we pay attention to the needs of the end-user, instead of reacting to the latest trend,” King said. “We care about what that person really needs and getting the right solutions to the right people. Our goal is to get to the forefront of that, across all of our channels.”

Tallman said continuous investment in new products, equipment and technology, as well as a focus on evolving customer needs, will keep The Stow Company on the leading edge as a provider of custom home storage and organization systems.

“We believe the future looks very good,” Tallman said. “We’ve definitely seen that the market has strengthened, and we’ve been able to grow along with it.” s&p

New Machine New Approach

With today’s advanced technology, it’s time for something new…. something even better….something a lot easier.

A Cut Center is different. It’s all in the machine, ready to run. No computer, no software and no programming.

Tens of thousands of products ready to run. Your products can be added.

Easy enough to run that anybody can use it.

If you just want to make cabinets and not program computers, this is your answer.

www.cutready.com 800.533.6901 | P.O. Box 436, Dale, IN 47523

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TFL Panel Trends 2015-2016 Top Decor H72 Ginger Root Color Trend: Wheat

Bottom Decor H76 Memento Color Trend: Sea Salt

Sophisticated. Easy.

B y

L e a h

S

W h e e l e r

ince the mid-1970s, computer-aided design (CAD) platforms have evolved to provide faster speeds, more features and functionality, and greater cost benefits for users.

CAD software makes the design and manufacture of cabinetry and closets a virtual snap.

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Today, CAD technology is used extensively in all phases of design and manufacturing from conceptual design and layout to defining the manufacturing methods and specifying the components. Many CAD applications offer advanced rendering and animation capabilities so designers, architects, builders, scientists and engineers can visualize their concepts in 3D, 4D, and even 5D dimensions.

The drawback to these highly sophisticated CAD platforms is that they can be difficult to learn and complicated to use. Fortunately, custom software designed exclusively for the design and manufacture of cabinetry and closets -- with tools users need and without other features and functionality they do not need -- is on the market.

KCD Software is an award-winning manufacturer of custom software designed to facilitate woodworkers, designers, builders and renovators of cabinetry and closets.

“Essentially, what KCD provides is software unique to the vocation that offers an easy access point for users to design creatively and align the design process to the manufacturing process,” said Ken Frye, a member of KCD Software’s marketing and development team.

Using the KCD platform, a designer can alter production parameters, such as dimensions or design characteristics, and the software automatically adjusts the cut list output to reflect the change.

The screen view makes it easy to design on screen and then rotate, re-size or otherwise modify an image.

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In addition to the design tools, the program allows users to take pictures, import photos, draw or make notes. It saves files to a cloud account for easy sharing with a production team or a customer. Users can integrate shapes, textures, frames, accessories, and other units that are preconfigured within the software design library or create them and add them into a custom woodworking process.

The KCD software CNC Manager allows for multiple jobs to be managed simultaneously for greater efficiency and enhanced productivity and yield.

Jady Day, owner of Wooded Hollow Cabinets based in Utah, has used KCD Software since he began doing CNC programming and computer-aided design in 2008.

“A huge benefit is that you can go directly from screen to machine, and the parts come out perfect,” he said.

He noted that the on-screen presentation “takes out 95% of the guesswork. You show an image to a customer, and they can see exactly what it will look like when it’s made, and they can decide if it’s what they want or not.”

As for the learning curve involved with KCD Software: “I hired a guy a few months ago who had zero KCD experience, and he was able to get up to speed really quickly,” Day said.

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KCD Software recently released its version 10 upgrade, which features platform enhancements and innovations that give users even greater flexibility and new workflow options for sharing.

New enhancements include an easy search feature; a back-up and restore feature; an expanded color palette and additions to the wood library; show or hide

shelf lines that allow a viewer to see shelves through doors.

Users can quickly customize shapes, shading, door styles, hardware, panels, mullions or other aspects, and swap out units with the click of a mouse.

“It allows for endless combinations from a simple starting point,” Frye said. “And everything the designer does is tied into the cut list so the design process is aligned with the manufacturing specs. Thus, production problems or errors are eliminated before they occur.”

KCD Software’s version 10 also features full-on touch-screen functionality.

“The touch-screen mode launches the full program so that users can access all features of the program on a touch screen computer or PC tablet without needing to use a mouse or a keyboard,” Frye said. “This provides flexibility for use onsite or out in the shop or when meeting with customers.”

“The making of custom cabinets and closets is a world we know, and our software is dedicated to the needs of this industry,” said Frye. “With today’s CAD software, designers now have tools, options and design features that enable them to express their creativity and really let their imaginations soar.” s&p

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A New Era of Technology for Custom Cabinet Makers Two industry leaders have combined innovative technologies to create a new way for builders to compete – and win.

Now cabinetmakers can use KCD Software to 3D design and price, and Cabinotch® to build, and watch their productivity and profits take a quantum leap.

KCD Software’s unique cabinet building technology, combined with the award-winning Cabinotch® custom frame cabinetry, brings a new highly competitive, hassle-free production option to custom cabinet makers.

KCD Software provides wall elevations, floor plans, dimension drawings and superb photo-realistic 3D renderings. Cabinet makers can create long connected face frame cabinets

in addition to many other custom features. It’s easy to work with clients selecting from an array of materials, colors, drawers, moulding and door styles.

With door and drawer sizes being produced by KCD Software, the ease of ordering or building these items is at their fingertips.

When the Cabinotch design is complete, a menu option sends the file to Cabinotch for a price quote and delivery date. The order is processed and precision-sized face frame cabinets are shipped directly to the shop, for quick assembly and custom finishing.

This smooth and easy-to-use process dramatically reduces the time (and cost) of building cabinets.

KCD’s powerful 3D design, price and build software for frame & frameless custom cabinetry is easy-to-use and offers the best building options for the custom cabinet shop’s success – Traditional, CNC and Cabinotch. Join us as our industry moves into a new era of custom cabinet making.

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Evaluate KCD Software for $95 and register to use Cabinotch for free. Plus, we’ve included free technical support and training with each 31 day trial. Make 2015 your best year ever. Call or visit KCDsoftware.com to try Cabinet/Closet Designer today.

Do the

‘Bright’ Thing B y R i c h C h r i s t i a n s o n

Meet Michael Bright, an unabashed fan of MDF, who loves to mix decorative materials in unorthodox ways to create visually stunning custom cabinetry.

M

ichael Bright is ultra-passionate about designing and fabricating custom cabinetry and built-in furniture that is environmentally sustainable and will stand the test of time.

For more than 30 years, the creative designs and exacting craftsmanship of Bright Wood Works have found their way into some of the most exclusive homes in and about the greater St. Petersburg, Fla., area.

Customers willing and able to spend up to $200,000 on new kitchens do not come to Bright to produce something run-of-the-mill. They bank on Bright and his eight-man crew to design, manufacture and install unique products loaded with the wow factor.

Operating from a 15,000-square-foot facility in downtown St. Petersburg, Bright Wood Works is up to the challenge to meet or exceed customer expectations. While the company is capable of producing traditional wood kitchens, Bright’s personal preference is modern minimalist designs. These projects invariably incorporate medium-density fiberboard, or MDF, Bright’s substrate of choice.

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“I have always loved MDF for a multitude of reasons,” Bright said.

“It’s a dense product; it’s stable, and it’s very versatile. Plus, it’s a green alternative because it uses every piece of a tree.”

MDF also lends itself to myriad design possibilities, Bright added, due to the ever-expanding palette of surface options available.

Bright traced his love affair with MDF to European excursions with his wife, Nathalie, a native of Paris. He recounted a particularly memorable experience during the couple’s first trip together in the late 1980s. While diners at a swanky Parisian restaurant studied menus and wine lists, Bright scrutinized the establishment’s intriguing interior woodwork.

“The interior was decorated with clear-coated MDF that created a very modern wainscoting system around the whole restaurant,” Bright recalled. “I thought, ‘What kind of a kooky person would choose to use MDF and put a clear coat on it?’”

Over the last 25 years, Bright has become one of those kooks. His shop has applied clear coating to MDF many times.

“More than a few people have raised an eyebrow. ‘Of all the choices of wood, this guy chooses to do MDF with a clear coat.’ But I think it’s a more truthful use of the material because it shows off its organic nature. I love to use materials in unorthodox ways and challenge what people will think.”

Curious Combinations

Bright has dedicated his long and successful career to mastering the art of mixing and matching natural and man-made decorative surfaces to make revolutionary fashion statements. He leans heavily on eco-friendly products, especially those made from recycled material and that are recyclable.

An annotated list of materials used by Bright Wood Works includes a wide variety of solid wood and veneer species; Smith & Fong’s Plyboo strand bamboo; Extira exterior panels; Richlite 100 percent recycled paper countertops, and Interlam‘s Art Diffusion sculpted architectural wall panels.

Bright is also conscientious in choosing building and finishing products that contribute to a healthier indoor living environment.

Columbia Forest Products PureBond hardwood plywood, made with no added urea formaldehyde, is used for the vast majority of Bright Wood Works’ case goods. GreenGuard- certified coatings from M.L. Campbell are invariably used for finishing wood and MDF. Two vastly different projects offer a glimpse of Bright’s material mastery.

The first is the jaw-dropping Art Deco-inspired Englander study.

It features quarter-sawn sapele veneer over MDF, accented by bendable mouldings finished with a metallic coating in Bright Wood Works shop. Complementing the mouldings are custom handles fabricated by a local shop.

The marriage of wood and metal is a perfect union. The metal adds form and function without distracting from the warmth and vibrancy of the veneer.

“The designers were going for an old 1920s steamship look,” Bright said.

The project capitalized on bent lamination techniques he learned working for a local boat builder immediately before launching Bright Wood Works in 1981, he added.

In sharp contrast is the Tampa White Kitchen. Painted MDF cabinets are aided and abetted by the smoothness of painted glass doors and juxtaposed by a sturdy concrete countertop. All bathed in white,

these three distinctive elements come together as one. Integrated appliances and pantries, also in white, complement the design.

Turning Heads in Vegas

Bright’s uncanny ability to add the element of surprise to his designs was on full display at the 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas. Hardware supplier Häfele America commissioned him to create an upscale kitchen to showcase its newest products. Included were the Grass Vionaro cubist drawer system and LOOX LED accent and task lighting.

Bright chose dark grey Valchromat – “my new favorite product” for the cabinets, doors and drawer fronts. It’s a specially engineered, through-color MDF panel distributed by Interlam that caught his attention at the 2014 International Woodworking Fair in Atlanta.

These three projects illustrate Michael Bright’s material mastery and design versatility. Facing Page: The Tampa White kitchen incorporates painted MDF cabinets, painted glass doors and concrete countertops. Top: The Englander Study melds quarter-sawn sapele veneer with metallic accents. Above: Upscale kitchen designed for Häfele’s KBIS display features Valchromat dyed-through MDF and deconstructed heart pine mouldings. surface&panel

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A Grass Vionaro drawer opens, revealing the soft glow of LOOX LED lighting in the KBIS display created by Bright Wood Works.

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“When I first saw Valchromat at IWF, I thought, ‘That’s an interesting painted MDF,’” Bright said. “Then, when I got close enough to touch the panel’s edge I could see all of the organic fragments of the MDF and realized, ‘How cool; this is dyed.’”

In what he called a “subtle” design twist, Bright came up with up an innovative idea to make the cabinets less boxy.

“I figured out how to rout a big wedge out of a 4-by-8 sheet of Valchromat that tapered from 16mm to 6mm thick, then rip it in half and glue the two halves together to make a stable panel that went from 32mm to 12mm,” he said.

To reduce fabrication time, Bright had Interlam rout the panels before shipping them to his plant. There, Bright‘s team applied Franklin Titebond II adhesive between the two tapered halves and joined them together on a Vac-U-Clamp vacuum press.

The Valchromat panels required no edgebanding. They were spray coated with M.L. Campbell high-performance conversion varnish to provide scratch and water resistance. For the countertops, Bright picked a nearly matching grey zone-flaked Stratificato compact grade laminate from Abet Laminati.

“People always want to have these big, thick, honking countertops, but I thought it would be more interesting to go with this ultra-thin 1/4inch material,” Bright said.

Bright sandwiched a 6-1/4-inch-wide heart pine moulding between the Valchromat panels and Stratificato countertop to add “earthy contrast.” The wood was deconstructed from the historic Sunset Hotel of St. Petersburg during a remodeling project.

A final unorthodox addition to the project was a low-iron, half-etched mirrored backsplash.

“It’s a chameleon color and doesn’t really make a statement,” Bright said. “It gives a milky reflection; you don’t see yourself in it.”

Bright said he had a field day watching KBIS attendees’ reactions to the display.

“So many people came into the booth and rubbed their hands on the surfaces. They wanted to know what was used and how it was done.

When they opened the doors, there was a nice glow from the LOOX lights.

“LED lighting has gone bonkers. It’s so much more natural today, not like that blue hospital lighting of only a few years ago. We hid the wiring and buried the transformers behind 6-inch knee space doors we fabricated. At the end of the day, it looked like the dashboard of the space shuttle.”

www.surfaceandpanel.com

Designed to Last and Do No Harm

Somewhere, Jerry Garcia is smiling to know that Bright Wood Works operates with a strong environmental bent, a carryover from Bright’s attendance of Grateful Dead concerts in the 1980s.

“I know this sounds corny, but I believe in being ‘Bright green.’ Recycling and repurposing things found locally, using no-added urea formaldehyde panels and spraying finishes that don’t off-gas harmful VOCs – those are just some of things that all wood products manufacturers should be doing,” Bright said.

What types of woodworking designs does Bright think will stand the test of time?

“If you strip it down to the essentials, it will better stand the test of time,” Bright said. “If you have to think about adding some form of corbel, column or other embellishment too much, in most cases, you’ll be better off just ditching it because less is more timeless in my opinion.” s&p

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Häfele Throws New Light on Interior Design B y S c o t t

W . A n g u s

mHouse to Showcase Company’s Innovative Products

I

nterior designer Amy Carman was familiar with hardware from Häfele and had worked with the company’s products, but she didn’t fully appreciate the range of innovative offerings until she visited Häfele’s showroom in Chicago earlier this year.

The visit was “a great experience,” she said.

“We have the ‘Complete Häfele’ hardware catalog in our resource library, but seeing what they have to offer in person gave us a chance to connect with the high level of quality and innovation that is at the heart of their product line,” Amy said.

“The hardware they produce is so well engineered -- it operates Amy Carman so smooth and solid. It’s a great reminder of what sets Häfele apart.”

Amy is helping design the cutting-edge mHouse in Watertown, Wisconsin. The mHouse is the brainchild of John Aufderhaar, president of Bedford Falls Communications and publisher of Surface & Panel magazine.

The mHouse is a residential research project showing what’s possible when the industry’s finest materials are united with innovative technology and the latest design trends. The house will feature innovative and compelling products from more than 20 sponsoring companies from all corners of the globe used in new and unique ways.

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The mHouse is set for its grand opening Sept. 30, the day after the inaugural Surface & Panel Symposium at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

The mHouse is set for its grand opening Sept. 30, the day after the inaugural Surface & Panel Symposium at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee.

Amy and her staff at Amy Carman Design work on projects of all sizes and budgets out of their studio in a renovated, historic church in the Milwaukee suburb of Elm Grove. Amy is currently developing the design for the

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master suite at the mHouse, which offers unique opportunities to experience the range of storage and lighting options from Häfele.

“Rather than a typical walk-in closet with broad, general storage, our design calls for a long wall of wardrobe cabinets and built-in dresser storage,” she said. “Häfele’s hardware and lighting options really allowed us to take the functionality of those cabinets to the next level.

“Our wardrobe cabinets will now have lighted closet rods that illuminate as the doors are opened. If you think about it, this is the type of feature we take for granted on appliances, such as refrigerators. Having more visibility in an otherwise dark cabinet makes perfect sense.”

Häfele also offers tie racks, shoe racks, belt racks, jewelry trays, valet trays and walland shelf-mounted ironing boards as finishing touches for closets such as the one in the mHouse.

Amy was particularly impressed with Häfele’s Loox LED lighting system and its versatility.

“The motion and door switch options were seamlessly integrated into the cabinets. The LEDs could be installed in just about any length or configuration. We could also select the right ‘temperature’ of light based upon our needs.”

Amy plans to use Loox lighting around the base of the custom bed in combination with a motion switch.

“It creates an elegant nightlight for someone that might need it in the middle of the night. It certainly beats turning on an overhead light or lamp, and it is perfectly suited to the modern lines of our furniture.”

Paul K. Smith, Häfele America president, said the Loox LED lighting system was developed specifically to address the challenges of integrating lighting with cabinetry, closets and furniture.

“Recent advances in LED technology have fueled a whole new way of thinking about how to incorporate lighting in homes design. We worked very closely with designers and manufacturers to create a lighting system that was flexible, affordable and easy to install.”

The mHouse’s master suite design also includes docking stations in the nightstand drawers so there is a built-in spot to charge phones or tablets.

Smith said Häfele is excited to be involved in the mHouse.

“The quality of the design and craftsmanship will make this a great platform for showcasing our products,” he said.

Häfele was established in 1923 in Nagold, Germany, and has evolved from a local hardware business into a global company that still maintains its strong family heritage. It is now one of the leading international companies for furniture fittings, architectural hardware, electronic locking systems and LED cabinetry lighting. Its customers include furniture and cabinet manufacturers, interior designers, hardware dealers, building developers, architects and planners in more than 150 countries.

Headquartered in Archdale, N.C., Häfele America serves customers in all 50 states with distribution centers in North Carolina, Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago and Rhode Island. In addition to Chicago, Häfele maintains a showroom in New York City. s&p

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Clawing Back J im

L eute

Ši sto c k .co m / th e r ry

B y

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T

he nation’s home improvement industry is strong and getting stronger, clawing back from a recession that hammered both it and the broader housing market.

In fact, one respected industry watchdog says that while residential construction is still years away from a full recovery, the home improvement industry could nail record spending in 2015, surpassing the $324 billion spent in 2007.

Noteworthy in that for product manufacturers, specifiers and contractors is the broader extent of remodeling projects and the depths to which homeowners are willing Abbe Will to dive into their wallets to pay for them.

“Basic maintenance and repair projects don’t change that much, and they still happen during even the worst of downturns,” said Abbe Will, a research analyst in the Remodeling Futures Department of the Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University.

“What we’re seeing now is spending on those larger discretionary projects that could be deferred during the downturn.”

As the economy continues to improve and house prices recover, owners are spending more on discretionary work that generally includes significant, lifestyle-improving projects such as additions and kitchen and bath remodels, Will said.

The U.S. remodeling market was just under $300 billion in 2013, according to a recent report from the Harvard group. The market comprises four segments: owner improvements, owner maintenance, rental improvements and rental maintenance.

Owner improvements are easily the largest segment, accounting for $192 billion of the $300 billion overall market. Spending on discretionary home improvements – a subset of the owner improvement category – rose by almost $6 billion between 2011 and 2013, the first increase since 2007.

In 2013, discretionary spending on kitchen and bath upgrades contributed 17 percent of the $192 billion homeowners spent on improvements. Additions and major structural alterations added another 13 percent. Exterior replacements, system upgrades, property improvements, interior replacements and disaster repairs rounded out the category, according to the Harvard group.

To understand the remodeling market today, a brief recap of the Great Recession is necessary As the housing market crashed beginning at the end of 2007, many homeowners were unable to build new or move up to more desirable single-family homes.

Instead, they opted to remodel their homes, Often, that involved little more than basic maintenance and necessary repairs.

The sector got a boost from federal and state stimulus programs that rewarded energy efficiency. Rental property owners also improved properties for former homeowners who were foreclosed upon or were nervous about buying into the market.

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The Rebound in Homeowner Improvement Spending Has Lifted the Remodeling Market Back Near $300 Billion

stephen Melman

While the U.S construction industry is recovering, 2014 estimates put spending on home building at less than 50 percent of pre-recession levels.

The remodeling sector, however, dropped only 13 percent from peak to trough.

The home improvement industry is faring better because of routine maintenance and repair spending, as well the increase in spending on larger projects.

“From about 2009 on, the residential remodeling sector really saved the industry in some respects,” said Stephen Melman, director of economic services for the National Association of Home Builders.

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry recently reported that 67 percent of remodelers nationwide are experiencing growth. Only 15 percent are reporting declines. Seventy-three percent expect increased business in the short term.

“There has been long-term improvement in sales value, which indicates that larger projects are making a comeback,” said Tom O’Grady, chairman of NARI’S strategic planning and research committee and a builder based in Drexel Hill, Penn.

“Consumers are feeling that the economy will be good for the foreseeable future.”

Will and Melman said investment in the nation’s housing stock is expected to improve as prices for single-family owner-occupied and rental properties continue to increase.

“Remodeling is good now, and it will get better as there are more new homes out there that eventually need to be remodeled,” Melman said. “We’re at a very healthy stage right now.”

Melman’s group is forecasting 737,000 single-family housing starts this year. The group predicts a jump of 40 percent in 2016.

Even with the significant increase forecast for 2016, the number of single-family housing starts would be about 57 percent of the 1.8 million starts posted in 2006, the high-water mark of the last 10 years.

“When housing does well, particularly in sales, there is a lot of remodeling,” Will said. “Sellers spend money getting a house ready for market, and buyers then spend more money improving it to their liking.”

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Discretionary Projects Account for a SIgnificant Share of Improvement Spending

While the Baby Boomers are Still the Primary Drivers of Improvement Spending, Gen-Xers are Gaining Share

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The Northeast is Leading the Recovery in Home Improvement Spending

“It's only a matter of time before millennials become more active in the housing market and fuel growth in home improvement spending for decades.”

Chris Herbert,managing director of harvard's joint center

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The remodeling industry is highly fragmented, with larger shares of self-employed contractors and small-scale, singlelocation payroll businesses, Will said.

Many of them are former home builders forced to abandon their primary business during the downturn and focus on remodeling to keep crews working.

Some are forming relationships with manufacturers and retailers that position them as “preferred” installers and providers of specific products and services.

“There’s a certain degree of specialization that’s going on that was brought about by the recession,” Will said. “That’s certainly an evolving niche.”

Will said manufacturers and contractors have several opportunities for growth.

Members of the retiring Baby Boom generation already are boosting demand for accessibility improvements that will allow them to stay in their homes as they age.

Growing environmental awareness also holds promise for sustainable home improvements.

“A lot of the building product manufacturers spent money on research and development and are poised with a lot of neat products,” Melman said. “You want flooring? What kind of flooring? You want countertops? There are now so many options, so many designs, and most are easily installed or applied, less expensive and don’t have the maintenance issues.

“When a remodel is done by a qualified company that uses good design and good quality, owners are generally very pleased with the results.”

Millennials, those born between 1985 and 2004, present a huge growth market, Will said.

“Initially, we expect them to create a surge in the do-it-yourself market, which is a function of age and income,” she said.

“But we also expect to see them in the green market.

“Based on some small-scale surveys, we’re hearing from contractors that they’re doing more of that type of work.”

Growth in the remodeling sector, particularly as it relates to green initiatives, is important to the composite panel industry, a hallmark of which is the use of recycled materials.

Chris Herbert, managing director of Harvard’s Joint Center, said it’s only a matter of time before millennials become more active in the housing market and fuel growth in home improvement spending for decades.

Melman said the interests of millennials are not dissimilar to those of their older brothers and sisters.

“Like the Gen-Xers, they want fewer walls, more open spaces, better quality, more light and cooler materials and finishes,” he said. “Energy efficiency is important, as are green initiatives.

“So, too, is storage and organization. They want places to hide all that clutter.”

Overall, NARI’s O’Grady said all the indicators point to slow, steady growth in the remodeling industry.

“The majority of remodelers are seeing growth and are confident that the market is improving,” he said. s&p Source of graphics:

www.renolit.com/design | www.laminatefinder.com | (856) 467-3800 30

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Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, "Emerging Trends in the Remodeling Industry 2015," www.jchs.harvard.edu. All rights reserved.

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Enter

MDF Medium-Density Fiberboard Makes Spectacular Architectural Doors Possible B y

L e a h

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rchitectural doors have become a personal signature that expresses the unique character of a home and the style of those who live in it. Doors have evolved from functional access points into design features that not only complement a home’s architecture and dÊcor but stand out in their own right.

With innovations in design techniques, materials and tools, it is possible to create unique and beautiful custom doors in any genre.

When it comes to custom architectural and largeformat doors, medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is the manufacturing material of choice.

MDF performs better than solid wood in this application for a variety of reasons. MDF is more stable than solid wood, and it stands up better to changes in heat and humidity. Solid wood boards typically expand and contract both horizontally and vertically with variations in temperatures and moisture, so doors made from solid wood require a high level of care and maintenance.

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Because of its stability, MDF panel stock can be milled by computer-operated machinery (CNC) in one-piece frames with cut-outs for recessed panels. MDF does not move independently from the frame due to its density, and the inserted panels do not need to float as they would in a conventional five-piece solid wood door. Since the MDF panels don’t float within the frame, hairline cracks do not form along the edges of the panel or at the style and rail joinery.

When it comes to painting and finishing doors, MDF offers advantages, as well. MDF is made of processed wood fibers and has no visible surface grain. Thus it takes and holds primer, paint, stain, veneer, foil and other coatings extremely well. The issue of wood grain and knots bleeding through is not a factor when MDF is used. What’s more, paint or finishing material goes on evenly and does not crack or peel at the joints, a common problem associated with traditional wood doors.

Architectural doors made from sturdy, durable, biodegradable MDF can be customized in many ways to enhance a home’s curb appeal, create a sense of spaciousness and bolster the market value of a property.

pembroke s+p ad 2015 q2.pdf

MDF panels may be fabricated from various wood species, composed of different fiber sizes and binders and made in varying densities and consistencies. Each of these factors has an impact on product processing costs, including cutting tool life, defect rate, the amount and thickness of coating or laminating material needed, and the labor required for sanding, filling and other tasks.

Some MDF producers offer superior grades of fiberboard made from high-quality, regionally sourced softwoods that have ultra-smooth unblemished surfaces and homogenous cores.

Plum Creek Timber Co., for example, makes a premium-quality MDF known as HDM (highdensity machine grade) that is known for its low abrasive content and uniformly light color. Plum Creek uses fiber from its own manufacturing facilities in the Northwestern U.S., as well as a special resin technology and pressing strategy in the manufacture of HDM. Maintaining tight control of the fiber mix and content ensures that the product has extreme consistency and uniformity. Thus, it requires even less sanding and routing than standard grade MDF and is ideal for architectural doors, cupboard doors and other high-end applications.

Customers like the fact that MDF is an environmentally friendly construction material, a byproduct of the lumber industry that is made from recycled content. MDF can be formulated to meet a range of green and sustainable product standards, including SFI® Sustainable Forestry Initiative; California Air Resources Board (CARB); Eco-Certified Composite (ECC) Standard 4-11; LEED® US Green Building Council; Green Globes® System Green Building Initiative credit support; and ICC 700-2012 National Building Standard. Certification by the Composite Panel Association (CPA) verifies that fiberboard is made from at least 75 percent recycled, recovered or post-consumer fiber content.

MDF’s stability provides balance that gives even large-format doors a nice swing weight.

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“... the design possibilities are endless, so customers can configure doors to their exact specifications and add design features such as panels made of glass, resin, leather or metal.” cate vanegas, marketing manager at Trustile

954.420.9553 www.SynergyThermofoils.com 36

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“When you close a door made of MDF, there is a nice weighty feel,” said Cate Vanegas, marketing manager at TruStile, a manufacturer of high-end custom architectural doors. “It’s similar to the experience of closing the door of a luxury car.”

Doors crafted from MDF are also energy-efficient and virtually sound proof.

“The sound-proof aspect is definitely a plus in the interior of a home,” Vanegas said. “It provides privacy and also enhances safety and security.”

Architectural doors made from sturdy, durable, biodegradable MDF can be customized in many ways to enhance a home’s curb appeal, create a sense of spaciousness and bolster the market value of a property.

Denver-based TruStile is a national leader in the design and manufacture of stile-and-rail architectural doors.

“At TruStile, we make our MDF doors in the true architecturally correct way using individual components and assembling the stiles, rails and panels into a door,” Vanegas said. “This allows for 90-degree angles that you cannot achieve with a routed door.

“Also, the design possibilities are endless, so customers can configure doors to their exact specifications and add design features such as panels made of glass, resin, leather or metal.”

TruStile makes more than 400 styles of doors and offers customers a choice of 66 profile options, which are both functional and decorative, and 64 material inserts.

“The quality going into new-build homes has been increasing over the years,” Vanegas said. “Savvy homeowners realize that by investing money in details such as custom architectural doors that complement their interior designs, they can get more value and enjoyment out of their residences.”

She sees the trend toward custom doors, and especially large-format architectural doors, continuing to grow in the years ahead, particularly in markets such as Texas and parts of the Southeastern United States.

“In some regions where large luxury homes are fashionable, interior doors typically average 7/0 heights and may go up to 8/0 or 9/0 heights. We now warranty doors in our Reserve series up to 5/0 by 10/0. These are highend, custom doors that are built to specifications found in owner-built or contractor-built homes, which is one the highest growth areas in new home starts,” she said.

TruStile was one of the first door manufacturers to leverage the superior benefits of MDF for paint-grade door applications.

“TruStile’s goal is to make doors important again. We pride ourselves on making it easy to order even the most complicated door solutions,” Vanegas said. s&p

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June 2015

Matters

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Spray-to-Color Stain Consistency b y P h i l S t e v e n s o n , A W FI

Obtaining a consistent color of stain on wood can be challenging.

While maple has become a favorite in many sectors of the wood industry, it can be the most difficult on which to achieve a consistent stain color. A single-step wiping stain process often falls short of satisfactory results. Many finishing operations have moved away from single-step wiping to a spray-to-color stain only or a two-step dye stain, wiping stain process.

These types of stain systems give great results providing the color steps are engineered and applied correctly.

The following process elements are critical to success. • Correct stain formulation. • Appropriate gun technology and set up. • Application technique.

The following are typical for most solvent-based stains: Stain formulation:

Stain formulation has a major influence on color consistency. Many coating manufacturers formulate with 100 percent acetone for the stain-vehicle system.

Acetone is a favorite solvent to use for EPA compliance and reduced VOCs due to its exemption status. Acetone is an extremely fast-evaporating solvent and requires the most operator skills to apply uniformly. The fast evaporation of acetone causes poor stain wetting and flowing properties. This can result in uneven application and dry powder spraying in hot weather.

New exempt solvents have been approved in many air quality regions of the country. These solvents have a slower evaporation rate and provide a good replacement for acetone.

If volatile organic compounds are not restricted in your facility, other solvents such as ethyl alcohol and methyl ethyl ketone can be added to the formula to increase the uniformity of the application of

the stain. A slow- to medium-evaporating lacquer thinner blend can also be used as a vehicle for good results.

The color strength of the stain should be formulated to allow for two to three passes of stain application. If time permits only one pass, the strength of the stain color needs to be formulated precisely to allow the operator to hit color without going too dark or too light.

All stain colors should be formulated to the same color strength to allow the use of a standard application process throughout the range of colors. surface&panel

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Adding 5 to 10 percent binder to the stain improves consistent stain color and will allow the operator to “read” the color more accurately.

Spray equipment selection and set-up

We recommend using a precision high-end HVLP spray gun for spraying all spray-to-color materials. A uniform pattern is essential in spraying spray-to-color stains consistently. Many spray-to-color stain inconsistencies are due to striping of the color because of poor stain atomization. Expect to invest over $500 to buy a gun with a consistent pattern and uniform application.

For pressure-feed guns, a point 6mm to 8mm set-up works best with spray-to-color stains. For other non-pressure fed guns, a 1.0mm to 1.2mm tip size is commonly used.

Pressure-fed systems should be set up with a fluid backpressure regulator. Generally, the fluid pressure should be set between 5 to 10 pounds.

When using multiple guns on an automated-spray machine, the fluid flow rate on the gun should range between 60-80 grams per minute per gun when using an average 3-4 meter feed speed. For feed speeds higher than 4 meters, expect to use much higher flow rates.

The actual flow rate must be determined by gun speed and number of passes to achieve a slightly wet appearance that evaporates immediately. The flow rate should not be too low to cause dry spray or too high to mottle or puddle the stain on the surface of the wood. For hand spraying, the HVLP gun should be set at a flow rate at the tip of around 90-100 grams per minute.

The atomization air should be set to the lowest value possible to minimize “halos” and “bounce back.” The air pressure setting will vary greatly depending on the volume or CFM delivered to the gun.

To provide the volume of air necessary to operate, the HVLP guns must be fitted with a 3/8-inch diameter hose, high-flow fittings and regulators. Insufficient airflow to the gun will cause the gun to perform poorly, resulting in stain flutter and large particle size. Atomization air and the air cap should be set to 7-8 PSI and 15-25 PSI at the air regulator.

If the PSI setting at the regulator requires higher than 25 pounds, the volume of air is insufficient and may cause poor gun performance and a pressure drop. Air-to-fluid ratio at the gun must remain consistent or a color variation in the stain may occur.

Fan pattern width of the gun should be set to a relatively flat pattern with uniform amount of stain across the width of the fan pattern.

Normally, an 8-inch fan pattern is ideal and 8-10 inches at the part.

Spray application technique

An 8-10-inch gun-to-part distance must be maintained at all times when using proper technique.

Always use a 50 percent overlap with the first and last pass, starting and ending with half of the width of the spray pattern spraying off the part to maintain a consistent coverage of the part.

Use a gun speed to achieve 40 percent color on the first pass, 80 percent of the color on the second pass and a light touch-up and blend-to-color on the final pass. Compare color to a color block step panel standard to maintain control of the stain color to the correct depth of color.

As in all processes, these recommendations are for guidelines only. However, standardizing the process with these metrics and techniques will provide a process for successful applications. s&p

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New System

Makes Finishing More Efficient and Ergonomic

B y

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L e a h

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ears ago, when Michael Halverson was talking to a loan officer about innovative ideas for better professional painting and finishing processes, the banker told him: “If it’s not already out there, there’s no need for it.”

Halverson, who has been a painting contractor for more than 20 years, ignored the banker’s silly advice and went on to design a novel finishing, drying and racking system, which he has now brought to market.

“It was an evolutionary process,” said Halverson, founder of Fast Rack Equipment in Appleton, Wis. “I’ve been tinkering with ways to re-engineer the finishing and racking process for roughly eight years. We finally launched the business in August of 2014, and already we have had sales throughout the U.S. as far away as Alaska and in Canada, Australia and England.”

A Great Finish is Only the Beginning

“Color is key - and so is the partnership I have with my Chemcraft Distributor.”

Michael Harrison, President Yorke Towne Supplies Limited

Louie Forestieri Multiflex Custom Cabinet & Millwork Solutions

Sam Cesario, Sales Representative Yorke Towne Supplies Limited

“With the current trend having moved from laminate to paint, accurate and consistent color matching is more important than ever. Usually, our jobs begin by meeting with interior designers and reviewing the color palette they’ve selected for a project. From there, we begin collaborating with our Chemcraft Distributor.

Their color team works alongside myself and my color finisher to recommend the substrates, products and finishing techniques that will bring the designer’s color vision to life. Our reputation depends on accurate color matching, and our Chemcraft Distributor provides the products and support that helps us deliver the results our customers expect. It’s a great partnership.”

Louie Forestieri Multiflex Custom Cabinet & Millwork Solutions Toronto, ON Founded in 1977, Multiflex Custom Cabinet & Millwork Solutions provides high-quality custom crafted cabinetry and millwork to the corporate, hospitality, retail and high-end custom home markets.

Their Chemcraft distributor is Yorke Towne Supplies Limited in Richmond Hill, Ontario. © 2015 AkzoNobel

Chemcraft® is a registered trademark of Akzo Nobel Coatings Inc.

Visit chemcraft.com to locate your nearest distributor.

Discover the UV Advantage

www.dvuv.com UV-Cured Powder Coated MDF Components Retail Fixtures POP Displays Healthcare Education Office Furniture & More

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The Fast Rack line includes an adjustable drying rack, transfer cart, cabinet stacker, door handle, trim arm, cross support and a specially designed sawhorse.

Fast Rack modular components are versatile, ergonomic and adjustable, allowing a user to create a custom workstation. Each piece has multiple uses, and all of the pieces are designed to work together as a system.

The equipment fits through most doors and can be disassembled in a just a few minutes and moved from shop to job site.

Fast Rack’s racking and spraying carts have a left side, a right side and telescopic tubing that can be assembled quickly with connecting pins. The drying racks and carts feature specially designed locking pins that allow a user to adjust the rack’s length.

Fast Rack sawhorses can be adjusted for installation and transport, and they are open-ended so carts and racks can be wheeled under them, and users – or even a single user – can transfer doors safely and easily.

“The racks are designed so you can spray flat, which allows you to get thicker mills with no rungs or sags,” Halverson said. “I always crosshatch the sealer coat and the topcoat or, in the case of paint, coats of primer, paint and topcoat from vertical to horizontal to achieve a consistently smooth, even coating.

“Fast Rack equipment rotates and simplifies this procedure tremendously,” he said. “One person can spray a door in about 3-1/2 minutes; two people can spray two doors in under four minutes.”

The system allows a single user to rotate and finish both sides of full-sized doors, window sills, stair end caps, plywood sheeting and cabinet doors simultaneously. Even when a door is wet, a single user can easily and safely transfer doors from the spray transfer cart to the drying rack.

“The single-user capability means that production doesn’t come to a standstill due to a staffing shortage or equipment failure,” Halverson said. “You don’t have guys standing around waiting for paint to dry so that they can move on to the next step.”

This is a big-dollar issue in the industry, said Stacey Mischker, Fast Rack’s operations manager.

“The system’s single-user capability means that you don’t need someone standing by to help you flip doors. You can get the job done by yourself, and this means you don’t have to keep guys on the clock and possibly pay them overtime to meet a deadline.

It’s a huge savings.”

Halverson noted, too, that the Fast Rack Equipment system has enabled him to reduce his finishing operation footprint from 5,000 square feet to about 2,000 square feet, thereby freeing up some 3,000 square feet for shipping, receiving and growing his business.

Over the years, the finishing industry has seen significant advancements in the quality of products, such as stains, paints,

primers and topcoats. Gear such as brushes, roller covers, respirators and safety equipment has become more durable and improved noticeably over time.

With the Fast Rack Equipment system, the finishing operational process is now also taking a leap forward.

“We are really excited to get the word out about Fast Rack Equipment for there is nothing else like it out on the market,” Mischker said. “This is a revolutionary new system that makes finishing more effective, efficient and ergonomic whether you’re a single user or part of a production team.” s&p

surface&panel

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Countertops

2015 Strong and stable. Timelessly beautiful. Safe and easy. These are among key elements and attributes of today’s newest and best countertops as described by the companies that make them.

Countertops are integral components in the function and style of kitchens and bathrooms. Selecting the right materials ensures that a project fulfills a consumer’s needs and dreams. Following is a small sample of the exciting and varied options that are bringing strength, beauty, convenience and more to today’s kitchens and baths.

Wilsonart

Selecting multiple surface options for a project has long been a daunting task. Matching different products and finishes has turned low-pressure and high-pressure options into, quite simply, a lot of pressure. Until now.

Wilsonart Coordinated Surfaces has combined their high-pressure laminate, thermally fused laminate panels and edgeband into convenient, best-matched collections to make specifying coordinating surfaces a breeze. When you select a Wilsonart design for your project, you can be confident it will look just as you had planned. Wilsonart Coordinated Surfaces gives you the best possible matches in surface design and texture, no matter which pattern is used. Even more assuring is knowing it is all backed by the superior product quality and service you’ve come to expect from Wilsonart.

Wilsonart's "trinidad lapidus"

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www.wilsonart.com

Countertops

2015

Caesarstone

One of 10 new colors launched in January 2015, Fresh Concrete is Caesarstone’s answer to the ever-growing industrial trend, inspired by concrete with the benefits of Caesarstone quartz. www.caesarstoneus.com

"Fresh Concrete" by Caeserstone

RIDGE

Intr oducing I N S P I R E D

BY NORTHERN CONTOURS

Black Walnut

866-344-8132 | www.northerncontours.com/inspired

Maple

Textured Wood Veneer | Textured Face | Internally Edgebanded

White Oak

Floating Shelves Doors & Drawer Fronts

Countertops

2015 Formica

Formica Corp., the inventor of laminate, introduces four new additions to its 180fx laminate line.

180fx features a large repeat pattern that captures the natural detail of wood and stone for true-to-scale visual drama, with the durability and low maintenance of laminate.

The large repeat pattern provides a realistic appearance for applications, including countertops, islands and tables. The new 180fx designs focus on a modern and sophisticated neutral palette and are versatile enough to pair with any interior design concept.

Formica's "Ferro Grafite"

www.formica.com

Paperstone

Endless solutions.

Limitless colors & textures.

Custom built display and retail.

All projects are comprised of multiple pieces. JB Cutting will take your designs to a whole new level. Our capabilities include membrane pressing, CNC machining and panel processing. Let us be the final piece of your design puzzle.

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Turn recycled paper into a durable attractive surface? That is what PaperStone does using heat, pressure, proprietary Petro Free resin and organic pigments. PaperStone, made in America, is great for countertops, furniture surfaces, laboratory worktops, decorative indoor wall surfaces, commercial kitchens and many other purposes.

PaperStone’s recycled content is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Most PaperStone products are certified by the National Sanitary Foundation (NSF). PaperStone, a non-porous surface, is scratch, stain and chemical resistant. www.paperstoneproducts.com

Paperstone in "slate"

Countertops

2015 Panolam

Panolam Surface Systems, a leading supplier of integrated surface solutions, recently introduced The Indulgence and Quarry Collections by Pionite, the company’s line of technically innovative and design-driven high-pressure laminate (HPL) products. Comprising 13 exquisite woodgrains and eight intriguing abstract visuals, The Indulgence Collection features a perennial color palette that is designed to balance tranquility and inspiration among all finishes and furnishings in a wide range of interior environments. The Quarry Collection features 18 large-scale stone designs. www.panolam.com

Panolam's "Quarry"

"Indulgence" from Panolam

New Engineered Flooring System Only from Union Tool Engineered flooring is used as an alternative to solid hardwood flooring. The Union Tool Corporation offers a complete material handling and coating system for laminating engineered flooring.

• Includes a hot melt roller coater, lay-up conveyor and multi-nip roll machine.

• The hot melt roller coater applies a controlled and consistent amount of (PUR) adhesive.

• The lay-up conveyor allows a piece of lamella to be placed on top of the coated core.

• The multi-nip roll machine is then used for pressing and holding the two pieces together.

Count on Union Tool for your next engineered flooring system.

The Union Tool Corporation 574-267-3211 E-mail: sales@uniontoolcorp.com 50

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Call or visit our website today to learn more about Union Tool’s complete line of automated machines!

www.uniontoolcorp.com

AWFS visitors, prepare to be amazed by Polylac Panels the highest gloss the best scratch resistance the best heat resistance the most colors European inspired designs come to life in Polylac High Gloss panels. These multi-layered panel products provide the highest gloss level, scratch and heat resistance on the market.

Visit Polylac Booth 4882 For more information visit: www.jutrasdistribution.com Phone: 1 (855) 214-2464 Email: info@jutrasdistribution.com

Polylac is distributed across North America by:

SPELLMAN HARDWOODS

Countertops

2015 white concrete countertop with inset walnut chopping block.

Brooks Custom

Brooks Custom’s Verdicrete concrete countertops continue to be one of the most requested countertop materials. The rise in popularity of transitional décor in kitchen and bath design has raised concrete’s popularity due to the material’s versatility; concrete tops can be made in any color and can accommodate innumerable customization options.

As homeowners are getting more comfortable with mixing materials, we are seeing concrete frequently used alongside other materials, such as zinc and walnut butcher blocks. www.brookscustom.com

Keep calm and design in high gloss... a website dedicated to the highest quality high gloss acrylic laminate in North America.

www.designinhighgloss.com stylelite@ssinorthamerica.com 52

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Countertops

2015 Richlite

Richlite is made with both Rapidly Renewable FSC Certified paper and recycled paper fibers. It can be milled easily, like wood, but is much more dense, durable and long lasting. The color of Richlite surfaces is determined by the paper color used in the manufacturing process. The resin used in the manufacturing process darkens the color, giving it deep, rich tones that run through the thickness of each sheet. It is stain, water and scratch resistant and will not degrade or off-gas. www.richlite.com

"Black Diamond" from Richlite's Northwest Collection

Photo by Alex Wang

Architects, craftsmen, designers and manufacturers of cabinets, furniture, casework and store fixtures specify States superior hardwood panel products to develop beautiful and durable designs.

What are you creating today?

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Provencal feel.

2015

Lamitech COLLECTION Lamitech Ref.: French Walnut 1510

2014 COLLECTION areare inspired by by natural creativity.

2015 COLLECTIONWeWe inspired natural creativity.

Phone: (57-1)(57-1) 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897 Phone: 644 9898 Fax: (57-1) 644 9897

Countertops

2015

Consentino's Dekton "Aura"

Silestone

Dekton by Cosentino is the new ultra-compact surface with advanced technical properties for both interior and exterior design. The luminary of the new color offerings is Aura – Cosentino’s interpretation of rare Italian Calacatta marble with dramatic, large-scale grey veining on a pale white background.

Dekton’s superior technical characteristics include UV resistance for color stability outdoors, exceptional strength and high resistance to impacts, scratches and abrasion for use in high-traffic areas and very low water absorption. www.silestoneusa.com

tafisa

alto

crystalite

origen

isola

®

texture by tafisa® Featuring ORIGEN, ISOLA, ALTO and CRYSTALITE. An ensemble of textures and stunningly tactile surfaces for decorative panels.

Available in a broad selection of mix and match colours, these textures are yet another design innovation from Tafisa® – the company that leads the way in fashion-forward interiors, touching off world-class trends right here in North America. And raising industry standards too. Tafisa’s wood-fiber panels are manufactured using 100% recycled and recovered wood materials, saving millions of trees every year. Now that’s making a statement.

Find out about Tafisa’s green mission and see all textures at tafisa.ca Customer Service: 1.888.882.3472

®

Decotone Surfaces is one of the largest distributors of Lamitech Laminates in the world with stocking locations in New Jersey, California and Florida

Decotone Torino Laminates Italian Inspired Designs

Decotone Custom Digital Laminates

Decotone Metallic Laminates

Decotone Translucent Panels

Lamitech Decorative Laminates

by Decotone Surfaces

Zenolite High Gloss Acrylic Panels

All products marketed and distributed by Decotone Surfaces in the US, Mexico and Canada

Tel: 908-301-0600

www.decotonesurfaces.com

sales@decotonesurfaces.com

Countertops

2015

Greenlam

Easy-to-care-for countertop laminates for worktops in kitchens, bathrooms, offices and more can make your life easier while looking great. Not only do they complement your decor beautifully, but they also help keep it free from stains, moisture and abrasions. Available in a range of sizes and colors to let you enjoy the process of selection, Greenlam’s exclusive Countertops Collection makes it easy to look for the perfect laminate that matches your lifestyle and taste. www.greenlam.com Surface_Qtr_2_SolidGlassDoors2015_Final.pdf

Introducing:

Solid Glass Doors

• Featuring CRISTALLO hinges • Tempered 6mm glass doors • Custom factory installed UV bonded hinges • Soft close, 125° opening • Several glass options available

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®

Aluminum Frame Doors PARAPAN® Doors and

Manufacturer of premier aluminum frame doors, high NEW! Solid Glass Doors gloss acrylic doors and featuring CRISTALLO backpainted glass surfacing Hinges by systems.

• Cabinet Doors • Aluminum Frame Doors • Sliding Door Systems • Sliding Door Systems • AVENTOS Door Systems • AVENTOS Door Systems • Glass Door Systems • PARAPAN® Highto Gloss • Ready install Custom made to size Acrylic • Doors • Numerous • Glass Door Systems finish options • No minimum orders • Backpainted Glass • Quick lead times • °eluma LED DecoPanel • °eluma LED Shelving • Aluminum Base Systems • GOLA Aluminum Channel

Silentia Face Frame

with integrated soft-close

NICkEL fINISh

TITANIuM fINISh

More adJUstMent caPaBilities adjustments made easy through eccentric cams. the best side to side adjustment in the industry (+3 mm - 2 mm) ensures butt door problems are easily resolved. the Xr version has also a vertical adjustment by eccentric cam making it a breeze to install multiple doors.

easY to oPerate on/off switch when a different soft closing strength is desired the decelerating mechanism on the hinge can be easily deactivated by using the activation switch clearly visible on the front of the unit. consistent closing speed from one door to the next.

shallow cUP 11mm (7/16�) cup depth is maintained all through the line making it easy to standardize production even with heavy profiled doors. turning radiuses for all overlays are below 1/4� to eliminate doors rubbing.

SALICE AMERICA INC. 2123 CROWN CENTRE DRIVE - CHARLOTTE NC. 28227 - TEL. 1 800 222 9652 / 704 8417810 - FAX 704 8417808 info.salice@saliceamerica.com - www.saliceamerica.com

ThinkGlass

NO ADDED FORMALDEHYDE.

Entertain your guests with the timeless beauty and versatility of a handcrafted ThinkGlass raised bar in your kitchen, den or even poolside. At ThinkGlass, we have been perfecting our unique process for more than 15 years, using exclusive technologies that enable us to create truly unique products with the highest quality. The result is a perfect merger of integrated art design and functionality. With ThinkGlass’s glass countertops and raised bars, you can literally showcase the main gathering area of your habitation. www.thinkglass.com

LIKEWISE.

FSC®-certified Collins Pine FreeForm Particleboard was used throughout the Hillside House in Mill Valley, California by SB Architects.

Photo: Mariko Reed

Collins Pine Particleboard and FreeForm® Mike Shuey 503.826.5222 mshuey@collinsco.com Cindy Wigen 541.885.3217 cwigen@collinsco.com CollinsWood.com

Engineered wood products shouldn’t take a toll on the forests from which they came.

Our particleboard products have earned numerous environmental accolades. We make the most out of every tree, so you can do the same.

• CARB Exempt • Declare Product • NAF-no added formaldehyde • 100% post-industrial recycled/recovered content • MR50 particleboard offers maximum moisture resistance

Feel good about it

Thinkglass 1.5" Bar top/Brossa texture /Crystal color

Countertops

2015

Edge Grain Walnut from J. Aaron

Made by generations to last for generations.

From our founding in 1918 as a single ply veneer mill, Darlington Veneer has grown into one of the oldest and most successful manufacturers of quality hardwood plywood products in the nation. Third-generation family owned, we’ve merged our knowledge and expertise with modern manufacturing techniques and craftsmanship.

From the selection of raw materials to completion, you’ll find outstanding quality in our hardwood plywood products that include cores of: • MDF, Particleboard, Domestic and Imported Veneer Core, OSB, Combi-core, FR MDF, FR Particleboard J.Aaron

Form and function never looked better.

Edge grain walnut with clean simple edges and a silky waterproof finish complement the contemporary faucet and stainless undermount sink. The linear appearance of the wood grain adds a layer of interest that plays well to the modernity of the other elements while lending an organic touch to the whole.

• Forest Stewardship Council Certified Products • Custom and Special Orders Available Contact us for a trusted relationship that will last for generations.

Darlington, South Carolina 800.845.2388 dvci@darlingtonveneer.com www.darlingtonveneer.com

www.jaaronwoodcountertops.com surface&panel

Q2 2015

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Countertops

2015 Cambria

Cambria is a stain resistant, nonporous, natural quartz surface that is harder, safer and easier to care for than other surfaces. Its nonabsorbent nature protects against more than just stains; it’s also extremely hygienic. Cambria’s industryleading design palette of vibrant colors and striking movement has captured the attention of the industry and the imagination of the consumer. Cambria continues to push the envelope of innovation by developing additional designs to meet the demands of the most discerning consumers and designers. www.cambriausa.com

Cambria's "Montgomery"

"windermere" from Cambria

Cambria's "Langdon" "Snowdon" from Cambria

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a d v e r t i s e r

i n d e x

Page

Page

American Laminates 63 800.800.2536 www.americanlaminates.com

Kleiberit 45 704.843.3339 www.kleiberit.com

Blum, Inc. 67 (IBC) 704.827.1345 Perfecting motion www.blum.com

Boise Cascade 5 888.264.7372 www.bc.com Cabinotch 16-17 877.413.4299 www.cabinotch.us/CabinotchDesignLibrary Cefla 41 704.598.0020 www.ceflaamerica.com

Chemcraft, a brand of AkzoNobel 43 336.841.5111 www.chemcraft.com Collins 60 541.885.3217 www.CollinsWood.com

Darlington Veneer Co. 61 800.845.2388 www.darlingtonveneer.com Decotone 57 908.301.0600 www.decotonesurfaces.com DVUV 44 216.741.5511 www.dvuv.com

Element Designs 58 877.332.3396 www.element-designs.com

Euro Vinyl Plus 25 305.362.9900 www.EuroVinylPlus.com

Federal Brace 62 877.353.8899 www.federalbrace.com Genesis 20 877.266.8292 www.GenesisProductsInc.com Grass 21 336.996.4041 www.grassusa.com

Greenlam America Inc. 53 877.647.0388 www.greenlam.com Hexion 37 888.443.9466 www.hexion.com Hunstman 31 281.719.4916 www.huntsman.com

Interprint, Inc. 2 (IFC) 413.443.4733 www.interprint.us

JB Cutting Incorporated 48 586.468.4765 www.jbcutting.com Jowat 27 336.434.9000 www.jowat.com

KCD Software 16-17 508.760.1140 www.KCDsoftware.com/cabinotch

Kings Mountain International 13 704.739.4227 www.kmiinc.net 64

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KML-Kustom Material Laminates 9 888.358.5075 www.KMLcorp.com

Krono System 15 +39.0422.850418 www.kronosystemsrl.it

Lamitech S.A. 55 +571.644.9888 www.lamitech.com.co

Northern Contours 47 866.344.8132 www.northerncontours.com

Panel Processing 7 800.433.7142 www.panel.com

Pembroke MDF 35 844.722.3939 www.pembrokemdf.com Renolit 30 +1.973.706.6912 www.renolit.com

Riken USA Corporation 34 248.513.3511 www.riken-usa.com Roseburg 49 800.245.1115 www.Roseburg.com Salice 59 800.222.9652 www.saliceamerica.com Schattdecor 33 314.400.6100 www.schattdecor.com

Sierra Forest Products, Inc 51 866.265.0624 www.sierrafp.com

SierraPine Composite Solutions 65 800.676.3339 www.sierrapine.com

States Industries 54 800.626.1981 www.statesind.com

Stevens Industries 23 800.574.7838 www.designartsurfaces.com

Stiles Machinery, Inc. 29 616.698.7500 www.stilesmachinery.com

Surface Source International 52 973.598.0152 www.ssinorthamerica.com

Synergy Thermal Foils 36 954.420.9553 www.SynergyThermofoils.com

Tafisa Canada 56 877.882.3472 www.tafisa.ca Thermwood 10 800.533.6901 www.thermwood.com Uniboard 11 800.263.5240 www.uniboard.com

Union Tool Corporation 50 574.267.3211 www.uniontoolcorp.com Wilsonart 68 (BC) 800.433.3222 www.wilsonart.com

We can open the door to a better way of doing business At S i e r r a P i n e p e o p l e yo u k n ow A n d t ru s t tA k e c A r e o f yo u r n e e d s o n A p e r s o n A l l e v e l . w he n yo u r b u s i n e s s d e p e n d s o n yo u , d e p e n d o n S i e r r a P i n e .

sierrapine.com

800-676-3339 速

©istock.com/micha 360

f rom

the

editor

“I look forward to playing a key role. I’ve always been passionate about writing and telling a good story, and now I’m passionate about composite panels and decorative surfaces and the infinite possibilities they offer for homes, offices, stores, hotels, health care facilities and more.”

Surface & Panel Opens New Doors for Longtime Editor and News Executive Creating great publications and helping move a business forward are what I’ve been doing for decades.

Now, I’m stepping in to do those things for Bedford Falls Communications and Surface & Panel magazine.

It’s a great fit.

Earlier this year, I decided it was time for a change after 36 years at Bliss Communications in Janesville, Wis., where I was vice president of news and editor of The Gazette newspaper. I approached my old friend John Aufderhaar about prospects at Bedford Falls, and he told me he needed an editorial director for his publications, including Surface & Panel.

We quickly agreed that my background and skills matched his needs.

I had read Surface & Panel and was familiar with the composite panel and decorative surface industries through my experiences and longtime connection to John. I have written and edited hundreds of stories on successful businesses in Wisconsin and the U.S. I was a key strategist and analyst and was the face of my company, often speaking on radio and appearing on television, including on CNN and CBS during the 2012 presidential campaign.

I also know how to tell a good story. I’ve studied writing extensively, and I’ve been an editor, coach and teacher for most of my career.

I’m now fully immersed in the panel-processing world and helping spread the word about topics ranging from cutting-edge machines that are continually improving the process to the best uses for different surfacing materials to the innovative hardware that improves access and lighting and makes lives easier inside homes and businesses.

When I say John and I go back, I'm not exaggerating. We grew up as next-door neighbors in Fort Atkinson, Wis. We played ball together through high school. We went to UW-Madison together, and we've stayed close.

I had written stories for John, and we'd often joked about how I should come to work for him. It's funny how things work out.

So here I am, diving into my job and enjoying what I’m finding. The composite panel and decorative surface industries are growing rapidly as more consumers discover the quality, beauty and versatility of the products.

It’s exciting to be involved with industries that are enjoying so much success and see such a bright future.

Speaking of that, new S&P writer Jim Leute, who is a former newspaper business editor, lays out the state of the remodeling industry in his story starting on page 26. Things are good, and the outlook is for continued growth. That’s great news, especially for suppliers, fabricators and interior designers. Leute’s business acumen adds a new dimension to S&P and will be on display in future editions, as well.

This edition also showcases the beautiful architectural doors made possible because of the consistency, durability and other properties of medium-density fiberboard. Leah Wheeler’s story starting on page 32 explores what’s possible when you combine MDF with the creative manufacturing of Trustile doors.

Lastly, I’d be remiss if I didn’t single out Rich Christianson’s fabulous package on uber-creative Michael Bright and his Bright Wood Works in St. Petersburg, Fla., which starts on page 18. Talk about eye-opening.

Bright loves to innovate and surprise by matching natural and man-made decorative surfaces to make revolutionary fashion statements.

That’s interesting and useful content for the readers of S&P, and this magazine has much more. Future editions will build off this franchise’s strong foundation and offer more from businesses that are leading the way in their use of panel processing to meet the widening demands of today’s consumers.

I look forward to playing a key role. I’ve always been passionate about writing and telling a good story, and now I’m passionate about composite panels and decorative surfaces and the infinite possibilities they offer for homes, offices, stores, hotels, health care facilities and more.

Feel free to contact me with ideas or information you think would benefit me, Surface & Panel or our readers.

When I decided to leave the newspaper business, I didn’t know where my career path would lead. I'm thrilled it brought me here.

Scott W. Angus | Editorial Director | scottangus47@gmail.com

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AVENTOS HK-XS. Nearly weightless lift systems for smaller cabinets. / blum.com