Table of contents

DLV FAQ's (Decorative Laminate Veneer)

Impresa FAQ's

  1. Of what materials are the Imprèsa products constructed?
    There are two primary elements that make up Imprèsa doors and accessories. Framing and accessories consist of a medium density fiberboard substrate with a decorative laminate veneer (DLV) applied to the surface. The center panel material is 5/16” (8mm) thick MDF or particleboard with the identical DLV material on both face and back of panel to match the door framing.
     
  2. What is DLV?
    DLV or Decorative Laminate Veneer is a type of veneer that employs the same materials used to produce high pressure laminates.  DLV is very durable, but is manufactured using fewer layers than less pressure than high pressure laminates, allowing the material to remain pliable to be profile wrapped around the framing. 
     
  3. In overall appearance, how does Imprèsa’s DLV products compare to RTF doors? 
    Imprèsa’s DLV is a very durable product that offers the advantage of five-piece construction - the same as solid wood doors, versus the single-piece construction of RTF doors.  What this means to the cabinetmaker and homeowner is a more authentic looking door and drawer front with wood grain direction running horizontally on the rails and vertically on the stiles. 
     
  4. How durable are Imprèsa DLV products?
    Imprèsa DLV products are very durable, having been certified by the ANSI/KCMA, passing tests for moisture resistance, stain resistance and scratch resistance as well as all other testing conducted by the KCMA.  Imprèsa’s DLV products carry the same one-year warranty as Conestoga’s wood products.
     
  5. Is Imprèsa DLV material resistant to scratching and dents?  
    As with any door, dent resistance is somewhat dependent on the durability of the substrate. Imprèsa DLV framing is made with an MDF substrate, the same substrate as is used in most RTF products.  While Imprèsa DLV products are scratch resistant, they can ultimately be scratched, as can RTF, solid wood or plywood products. 
     
  6. What if it is damaged, can DLV products be repaired?
    Minor scratches can be repaired with touch up markers that are available through the Imprèsa program, but the quality of the repair is dependent on the depth, size and direction of the damage.  Scratches going with the grain are much easier to mask than scratches going across the grain.  Deep scratches will expose the substrate and may need a touch up crayon to be adequately filled in. 
     
  7. Is Imprèsa DLV resistant to heat, like from an oven?
    Yes, the Imprèsa product is very heat resistant.  In internal testing, DLV doors were placed in an oven for 30 minute intervals at temperatures starting at 200 degrees.  Every 30 minutes the doors were inspected and the temperature increased.  In all, doors were exposed to the heat in the oven for over two hours and showed no signs of delamination. It should also be noted that DLV products have been in use for over two decades in Europe and currently represent over 40% of the kitchen market in the United Kingdom, so these products have been field tested with appliances for many years. 
     
  8. Will Imprèsa DLV product delaminate or peel like RTF?
    DLV products are very resistant to heat and as a result, far less likely to experience delamination.  Since the decorative laminate veneer is profile wrapped around the contours of the framing with both edges captured within the panel groove, they cannot delaminate or work loose.  
     
  9. Does moisture affect Imprèsa DVL products the same as it affects wood miter products?
    Imprèsa DLV mitered products use a man-made substrate that is more stable than real wood. Because the material does not absorb and release moisture at the rate of solid wood, it will not experience the expansion and contraction that real wood undergoes.  This means less stress on the joints and the glue bond remains intact.  
     
  10. Do Imprèsa’s DLV products match melamines and high pressure laminates?
    Imprèsa’s DLV products do represent a close color match to several manufacturers’ melamine boards and high pressure laminates, although grain patterns and textures in these products could vary greatly from that of the DLV.  Conestoga provides a reference chart of laminates, melamines and PVC edgeband that show a color similarity to the Imprèsa DLV offering.
     
  11. What accessories are available in this program?
    The Imprèsa DLV accessories program includes mullion doors, frame only doors, fillers, fluted fillers, pilasters, corbels (knee brackets), outside corner moulding, scribe moulding, toe kick/base board moulding, cove crown moulding, small crown moulding, large crown moulding that will accept dentil moulding, dentil moulding, light rail mouldings, plinth blocks, 8mm thick sheet stock for cabinet backs, 5/8” thick end panels and rolls of PVC edgebanding.  If you’re looking for other accessories not yet available in the DLV program, wood accessories can be ordered through Conestoga and can be finished with stains that closely resemble the Imprèsa DLV colors.
     
  12. How should Imprèsa DLV products be routinely cleaned by a home owner? 
    Imprèsa DLV products should be cleaned using a non-abrasive damp cloth with a mixture of mild detergent that is fully dissolved in warm water.  The cloth should not be dripping wet as excess water will accumulate in the bottom rail of the door and as with wood, eventually compromise the integrity of the panel and joint.  Abrasive cleaners should never be used on DLV, wood or RTF products.