Elevate your kitchen with this beautiful benchtop.
As the heart of the home, the kitchen is typically the most used room in a household. It’s where our day begins; where we prepare meals made with love; and where we meet for informal glasses of wine. It goes without saying that this space should be both practical and aesthetically pleasing – and Laminex New Zealand’s elegant HIMACS surface fits the bill. Laminex’s technical manager Murray Christensen tells us more.
What is HIMACS?
HIMACS is an acrylic solid surface product (like Corian) made from two-thirds natural minerals, non-toxic pigments, and acrylic. HIMACS is smooth, silica-free, non-porous, durable, and easy-to-care for and maintain, making it a perfect choice for benchtops, splashbacks, and wall linings. Unlike some acrylic solid surface products on the market, HIMACS doesn’t contain polyester fillers which impacts overall performance.
What sets HIMACS apart from other kitchen surfaces?
With HIMACS you can have a top of any size and not worry about visible joins and patterns not matching. HIMACS uses a specially formulated glue adhesive in the process of adhering slabs together which provides a seamless, inconspicuous join – another reason why the tops are hygienic and easy to clean. You also have peace of mind that HIMACS is repairable in the unlikely event of a chip or scratch, as the natural pigments and minerals that make up the design are spread through the entire thickness of the slab so HIMACS can be restored and remodelled by a professional to extend its life. For people wanting to make a feature of their kitchen top, HIMACS can be curved, and there are certain colours that can be backlit too.
What are the effects of this seamless design in terms of hygiene and maintenance?
With the seamless join and the surface being non-porous, there are no crevices or surface texture where harmful bacteria and mould can reside, thus making the surface very hygienic and easy to clean. It’s why it’s a popular choice in settings where hygiene is imperative, like hospitals.
HIMACS is similar or better than natural stone in certain properties. How does this impact the fabrication phase and the life of the product?
Unlike natural stone, marble, engineered stone, and porcelain products which require special cutting equipment, HIMACS is crystalline silica free, this means that any adjustments and alterations can be processed onsite with no health risks from airborne dust particles. HIMACS does not require sealing, waxing or special cleaning products. HIMACS outperforms natural stone with regards to stain resistance and is easy to clean and maintain using household cleaners.
HIMACS is a more environmentally friendly material than other kitchen surfaces. Can you detail some of the environmental elements?
HIMACS is made from alumina trihydrate which is extracted from the natural mineral bauxite (not quartz which generates silica). Bauxite is also used in aluminium manufacturing thus giving the byproduct a meaningful use rather than going to landfill. HIMACS has a long lifespan because the surface can be renewed and damages repaired, so there is no need to replace. This is why HIMACS has green building programme certifications like Declare and contributes to Greenstar.
Are there any misconceptions about HIMACS?
Because it is made from acrylic, it has flexible properties, meaning it can be bent and curved, and some believe that’s all it can be used for. HIMACS is stunning in flexible designs, but at the same time HIMACS is a quality top that looks as beautiful when it is not curved or in geometric form. It has the same heat resistance as marble, but better hygiene and stain resistance and can have a supported overhang for a breakfast bar. The design flexibility is unlimited.
Lastly, how is HIMACS priced?
You’ll be pleased to know that it can be cost comparable to some engineered stone and porcelain surfaces, however the total price is relative to the complexity and final design – such as colour choice, size of top, quantity of slabs required, and labour. We always recommend owners contact a kitchen maker or solid surface fabricator to obtain a formal quote/consultation.
View full HIMACS range at laminex.co.nz
