Grades
By altering the resins and composition used in the manufacturing process, Formica® laminates can be made to achieve different performance characteristics suitable for different types of application.

Formica Limited produces the following grades of decorative laminate. Each grade has its own specific properties and performance characteristics appropriate for specific applications. These grades conform to EN 438 and, when bonded to a correct substrate (if applicable), the laminates are suitable for the typical applications shown below.

For more detailed information about the performance of particular grades of laminate, see under 'Data Sheets'.

The standard availability of grades for each design is shown on each particular item page in the web site, and is summarised under 'Product Availability'.

Grade Description Performance Category Typical Applications
HGS
(S333) 		Horizontal
General purpose
Standard 		Materials of high performance for general use
in horizontal applications. For use in vertical
applications requiring high performance. 		Kitchen work surfaces; restuarant and hotel tables; heavy duty
doors and wall coverings; interior walls of public transport vehicles.
VGS
(S232) 		Vertical
General purpose
Standard 		Materials of less high performance than HGS.
For general use in vertical applications.
For use in some horizontal applications where
only moderate performance is required. 		Kitchen front panels, wall cladding, doors, shelves and cubicles.
HGP
(P333) 		Horizontal
General purpose
Postforming 		Similar to HGS, but can be heated and formed
under controlled conditions. 		As for HGS, where curved details are required.
VGP
(P222) 		Vertical
General purpose
Postforming 		Similar to VGS, but can be heated and formed
under controlled conditions. 		As for VGS, where curved details are required.
VFP *
(FP222) 		Vertical
Flame-retardant
Postforming 		Similar to VGP, but also meeting specified fire
performance requirements. 		Areas requiring compliance with fire performance requirements
specified in construction, transport and marine fire safety regulations.
LTP * Light duty
Postforming 		Materials having special decorative effects.
For use in light duty, vertical, applications. 		Furniture front panels, wall coverings, etc, where curved details
are required.
CGS
(S3-3) 		Compact
General purpose
Standard 		Thick high performance materials for use in
applications requiring high impact and moisture
resistance. 		Cubicles, partitions, laboratory bench tops, and self-supporting
components in construction and transport applications.
CGF
(F3.3) 		Compact
General purpose
Flame retardant 		Thick high performance materials meeting specified
fire performance requirements. 		Areas requiring compliance with fire performance requirements
specified in construction and transport fire safety regulations.

The references above denote the product classification system contained in EN 438.

* VFP and LTP do not appear in the EN 438: Part 1 classification system.

Flame retardant laminates meet the Fire Performance requirements specified in European national standards: for example, Class 1 and Class 0 specified in the UK Building Regulations; Class B1 of DIN 4102 Part 1; Class M1 of NFP 92-501; Euroclass B. For further information on fire performance and certification, see under 'Fire Performance'.