Laminate office desks
Laminate office desks come in many shapes, colors and sizes.
The core construction of a wood desk is generally a particle board, fiberboard or some sort of other wood. More often then not it is a particle board.
Then a layer of laminate is put over the particle board for the finished look. One of the keys to make sure that you get a long lasting laminate office desk that does not peel is to assure it is a high quality manufacturing process. Laminate office furniture has come a long way over the last few decades, and the process that is used to make the desk is the key.
Another important aspect of a laminate office desks the edge detail. Around the top of the desk, you can get many different edge styles.
One type of edge is the self edge, which is a band of laminate that surrounds the edge of the office desk and makes a square edge. The problem with this is that there is a seam between the top of the desk and the edge, which can come apart or peel over time.
Another edge is a t-mold edge which is a rubber like edge that has a flat or rounded side to it. On the back side is a strip that comes out of it to form the T. The work surface top is routed on the edge and the T part of the T-Mold fits into that routed slot. This make it easy to replace in the field if needed, but this can come apart as there is a seam as well. However it can be pushed back into place.
PVC edge is perhaps one of my favorite edge styles from a durability standpoint. PVC edge is generally thermally fused on to the work surface and comes just slightly over the top of the office desk and seals the laminate under it. A PVC edge does not peel, and it holds the laminate in place and provides a durable long lasting edge. If you had a choice to pay a little more for a PVC edge over a T-mold or Self Edge then I would say go with the PVC edge.
Wood Edge is another favorite of mine, but you need to make sure it is a hardwood. A wood edge adds to the aesthetic value of your office desk or work surface by providing a natural look. It will be durable, but keep in mind that as with any wood you can damage it. Again, if I had to pay extra for a wood edge, I would go for it because the aesthetic look combined with the durability is what makes this one of the best choices.
