Conformable Laminate Training and Experience.

I was invited, many years ago, to be one of six companies in the United States to have a direct relationship with 3M as a Design Build Integrator representing the DI-NOC and FASARA product lines.  The decision for such a small number of representatives, at the time, was based in large part around the concern that promoting the product and process needed to be controlled and limited to a select few that could be trusted to make every effort possible to perform installations that would positively impact the product.  As one of the longest, continuous, ambassadors of DI-NOC in the country, I am compelled to weigh in on the many discussions taking place regarding training in the industry.

First, allow me to preface this discussion with a little background.  Since entering an agreement with 3M as a DBI, I have been a continuous and active national provider of DI-NOC installations.  I, along with my team at Eco-Surfacing, have performed some of the most complex and challenging installations in the country.  I have participated as a speaker and demonstrator at events hosted by the manufacturer and distributors to promote the product to Architects and Designers at locations all across the country.  I have been called on many times (many more than I’d like to admit) to correct a poor installation by others or to try to salvage the damaged relationship with the end user that resulted from a poor installation.  I have collaborated with the manufacturer regarding best practices and industry standards and I helped write and edit the initial training program to certify installers.  Prior to my involvement with DI-NOC, I also was heavily involved in the installation of similar products manufactured by others.  I am, by no means, a newcomer to this industry.  My experience with the product is extensive and uniquely qualifies me to speak to the recently renewed interest in training, which I am in complete support of.

There has been much written lately about the need to use properly trained professionals when installing Conformable Laminates.  This sentiment has been preached by me for the 15+ years I’ve been involved with these finishes to anyone who would listen (and quite a few that didn’t want to hear it).  All too many times in this industry, I have seen untrained individuals decide that these finishes are so simple that they can do it themselves.  The results generally look like someone hired a 2 year old to paint a room with their bare hands.  When the finish doesn’t turn out well or the installation doesn’t hold up, the untrained installer quickly points the blame at the material and walks away from any further responsibility; leaving the mess for someone else (like me) to clean up.

The reality, that we all know very well, is that any material is only as good as the installation.  Paint, for an example, is an extremely common finish.  We all know what a good paint job should look like and how well it should hold up under various conditions.  When good quality paint fails, for most any reason, we do not tend to blame the paint.  We lay the blame properly where it belongs, at the feet of the painter.  If the surface wasn’t prepared correctly or primed, we all expect that the paint will not adhere well.  If the paint is uneven, has bare spots, excessive texture, etc., we all understand that the problem is with the painter, not the paint.  We hire trained and experienced painters to avoid having issues with the installation. 

One of the biggest challenges with surface finishes like DI-NOC, is that consumers are still largely unfamiliar with them.  When paint fails, consumers know, almost automatically, why.  When these surface finishes fail and the untrained installer blames the product, so does the consumer because they have no other point of reference.  Once the product is blamed for the undesirable appearance or lack of durability, even though this condition resulted from a poor installation, the end user writes the project off as a bad experience and vows to never use the product again.

I am often asked questions like “How well does the material hold up?” or “Does it peel or bubble?”  The answer is “That depends.”  The material is very durable when installed by someone that truly knows what they are doing.  At Eco-Surfacing, we have installations that are 15+ years old, in high wear environments, that are still in excellent condition today.  No, the product will not peel or bubble if it is installed correctly.  The answer to nearly every question involving appearance and/or durability depends on the quality of the installation.  Let me add, however, that in my many years of experience, I have yet to see the material fail when installed properly. 

There is one other aspect that I believe to be equally important as training to the success of the Conformable Laminate process and that is experience.  Classroom training is an essential first step in being able to install these finishes well, however, real world experience is nearly impossible to duplicate in a multi-day training program.  I have seen installations by individuals with training credentials take on projects that are well beyond their experience level, only to end up with a finished product similar to that of an untrained individual. In Asia, where these finishes have been prevalent for many years, installers go through the equivalent of an apprentice program.  Only after having years of progressive training and experience, under the guidance of masters in the field, is an individual considered to be qualified to install material on their own. 

As consumers, we tend to hire professional painters, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. to perform their respective trades because we trust that they are trained and experienced to do the job we need done.  Installing surface finishes like DI-NOC should be viewed the same as any other specialty trade.  I cannot emphasize enough the importance of using companies that specialize in the field, have been thoroughly trained, and have the experience necessary to complete the project properly.  A company that has installed a few square feet of material on some basic flat surfaces is not, in my opinion, qualified to complete the installation of multiple roles of material on complex millwork or case goods. Relevant experience is imperative.

In addition to a poorly completed project, companies that take on projects exceedingly outside of their experience level often underbid the project.  Many end users have chosen these companies because of the low bid they receive only to find out that the company doesn’t have enough money planned for the project to actually complete it.  This usually ends in either the company taking short cuts to finish the project or not being able to complete the project at all.  Neither scenario is good for the end user and invariably tarnishes the reputation of the product and process.

I am pleased to see an increased awareness in the industry regarding the need to promote thorough training of those that wish to install these finishes.  For the sake of the entire process, I encourage installers to focus on sound training, proper technique, and remaining within their experience level when taking on new projects.  From a consumer aspect, I hope that end users will heed the warnings presented here and in the many other recent writings about the topic so as not to end up using an installer that does not possess the requisite skills and experience to complete the task at hand.  For those that promote the product, I ask that you exercise caution when recommending installers or selling material to those that do not possess the proper skills to complete the job properly.

Conformable Laminates offer an exciting opportunity in the architectural world to produce surface finishes that would be difficult to get any other way, even with natural resources.  In the hands of properly trained and experienced professionals, these finishes are a durable and aesthetically pleasing design solution.  DI-NOC is one of the most realistic surface finishes available.  With a product offering of over 1000 patterns emulating natural woods, metal, fabrics, stones and more, the design options are unlimited.  Surfaces can be refreshed in place, without disruption to business operations.  Resurfacing using DI-NOC keeps viable millwork, fixtures, and case goods out of the landfill by giving them a new lease on life.

I am proud, along with the team at Eco-Surfacing, to have a long history with Conformable Laminates and look forward to continuing to lead the Resurfacing Revolution. If you have any questions about using this process or need installation guidance, please feel free to reach out.