Smooth operator: Egger wood-based products

For sure, manufacturers of materials for furniture and interior design need to have a keen sense of emerging future trends. But companies that are not content to simply react to the needs of architects and designers, who prefer to take the creative initiative themselves, essentially become co-designers in the creation of sophisticated, durable, interior architecture – helping, in this way, to set trends rather than simply identifying them.

This is something which German company Egger understands clearly. From its laminates and furniture edge-banding to its compact and lightweight boards, the wood-based materials manufacturer supports the most exacting of interior projects. Its PerfectSense MDF lacquered boards which were introduced to the furniture and interior design product segment in 2015 quickly won over not just the industry, but architects, fabricators and end-users, too.

The lacquered boards are defined by their elegant appearance and the considerable creative freedom afforded by a diverse choice of decors. The matt version also offers pleasant haptic qualities as well as anti-fingerprint properties. Previously, Egger recommended limiting the use of lacquer finishes to vertical surfaces, as it was not suitable for heavy-duty applications, such as tables or furniture cover plates, but now it has further refined and enhanced its range of PerfectSense lacquered boards: PerfectSense Matt has become PerfectSense Premium Matt and PerfectSense Gloss has become PerfectSense Premium Gloss.

The word Premium indicates a significant improvement in the product’s properties. ‘The innovative lacquer system has noticeably improved the micro-scratch and scratch-resistance of our matt lacquered boards,’ explains Hubert Höglauer, Head of Marketing and Product Management Interior and Furniture in the Egger Group. ‘As a result, we are expanding the range of applications for this product to include horizontal surfaces, such as tables, counters and shelves.’ Combined with its anti-fingerprint properties, the new Premium Matt quality ensures that furniture stays spotless.

The further development of PerfectSense lacquered boards in Premium Gloss extends the range of applications for these mirror-finish surfaces with captivating depth effects. Premium Gloss is ideally suited to horizontal surfaces that are subject to less wear and tear, such as sideboards. The luxurious reflective surface helps to make furniture seem lighter, while the room itself appears larger.

In high-traffic public areas such as hotels or restaurants, PerfectSense lacquered boards offer another outstanding positive feature: the surface is antibacterial and reduces the risk of contact transmission of pathogens. Furthermore, there is no need to worry about accidental blemishes on the furniture as PerfectSense is resistant to stains as well as to heat, moisture and numerous cleaning agents. Both Premium Matt and Premium Gloss are completed by matching ABS edging or PMMA accent edge banding.

Each of the two versions – matt and gloss – exists in a choice of nine solid colours, as well as the White Levanto Marble and Black Pietra Grigia decor surfaces. The matt variant is also available in two extra finishes: Light Grey Metal Rock and Dark Steel.

The versatile application possibilities of PerfectSense lacquered boards are demonstrated by a reference project situated near Salzburg’s main railway station. Completed in 2019, the Arte Hotel in the 16-storey Perron building combines a 4-star standard with unpretentious modernity. PerfectSense Matt lacquered boards for vertical surfaces and the matching PerfectSense Topmatt Laminate for horizontal surfaces are employed in black throughout the building, from the reception and restaurant areas to the guest rooms. The interior concept is complemented with exposed concrete, plank flooring, harmonising textiles and atmospheric lighting.

Ultimately, one key aspect plays the defining role in such reduced interior designs: the perfection of the materials. And this isn’t limited to the aesthetic appearance and durability of PerfectSense. Egger also sets high standards in terms of sustainability: for example, the MDF substrate of PerfectSense lacquered boards consists of 87 per cent renewable resources, three-quarters of which are by-products from the sawmill industry and one-quarter fresh wood.

So, choosing the right surface can come down to a simple question of preference, as it is now so much easier to plan interior finishing needs with just a single product.

© Architonic