Black Formica



Black Formica, owned by the Fletcher Building Limited Company, is an interesting surfacing material which shows a vast depth of visual interest in its reflective surface. It is an artificial material, fashioned out of plastic and melamine resin, which is resistant to heat and is easy to clean. Formica has often been used as an alternative to natural materials because of its propensity to long life and resilience through wear. The company has been building this material for over one hundred years. It was originally created as a substitute for mica insulation, thus its name for mica.



The decorative element was later developed as its durability was proven. Fabrics and plastics are arranged in interesting patterns which are then covered and set with resin. While these certainly do not have the feel of natural materials like stone, marble, or travertine, nor can they be safely used as a cutting surface, they do have a great aesthetic, quality appearance, and affordability. They are great to use in kitchens, bathrooms, or laundry rooms. It's wonderful to use as an accent material in bedrooms and closets. Furniture is often made out of the material as well. It is especially popular as table tops for retro furnishings. Even with all its benefits, formica does take a lot of effort to maintain its beautiful look over a long lifetime. Formica is a realistic way to have the appearance and function of luxury products without the exorbitant price tag; however, the cost of maintenance required for the laminate somewhat offsets the low initial investment.

The Formica Group has a vast array of options available, even within the black color group. The finishes they have developed over the life of their company mimic real life materials and beyond. Finishes include brushed, quilted, sparkle, artisan, punched, etchings, powdered, matte, honed, MicroDot, luxe, polished, naturelle, riverwash, radiance, and sculpted. Samples of the different textures are available to be mailed through their website.

Formica does have some drawbacks. These counters and surfaces require special care to prolong their life. For example, standing water should not be allowed to accumulate on the surface of the material. This could result in raised spots, fading, or discoloration. While formica is resistant to heat, as mentioned before, allowing hot pots to cool on a counter lined with it is not a wise idea.

Blacklined Envelopes