stratifié

Stratifié is a French term that designates a laminated or layered material, and it is also used to refer to a laminated product itself. In manufacturing, stratifié typically describes a composite panel intended as a surface finish, produced by bonding multiple layers together.

A common stratifié construction includes a core material (such as particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, or plywood), a decorative face layer, and a protective overlay. The decorative layer is usually paper or foil impregnated with resin, while the overlay is a clear resin-saturated film that provides durability, wear resistance, and moisture protection. The assembly is formed by stacking the layers with adhesive and applying heat and pressure.

There are several variants. Low-pressure laminates (LPL) are pressed at lower temperatures and pressures, while high-pressure laminates (HPL) are cured under higher pressure and produce more durable surfaces. HPL panels are widely used for countertops, vertical surfaces, and heavy-use furnishings. Decorative options include imitations of wood, stone, or solid colors, along with textured or embossed finishes.

Applications and advantages. Stratifiés are used in furniture, cabinetry, flooring panels, wall coverings, and interior fittings because they offer uniform appearance, resistance to scratching and staining, and relatively low cost. They are generally more stable and less prone to warping than solid wood veneers, though heat tolerance and impact resistance have limits compared with natural stone or solid surfaces. Formaldehyde emissions depend on the resin system and can be mitigated with low-emission formulations.

See also: laminates, melamine, veneering.