Architect Jay Warren Bright of New
Haven, Conn., recently posed four questions
about high-pressure decorative
laminates (HPDLs) following my January
column on woods used in kitchen
cabinets.
Since they're probably of interest to all
builders, I decided to devote this month's
column to all four questions—starting
with the easiest.
1. What temperature can high-pressure
decorative laminates withstand in hot pans
or pots?
The answer is 275 F, but who knows
the temperature of a pot? Put it this way:
You can take a pot of boiling water off the
range and put it down on the countertop
without damage. But don't try it with a
frying pan.
2. I've seen a 20-year-old woodgrain
countertop fade to white under a skylight.