Chandler Finish Panel for Open-Shelf and Double-Face Cabinet Work
The SALT 5 A/A Decorative Panel in GSA89 Expresso brings a warm, dark-toned surface to casework components where both faces need to look finished. At 61 inches by 110-1/4 inches and 19 mm thick, this thermally fused laminate panel is built for cabinet boxes, open shelving, room dividers, and any interior component that is visible from more than one side.
Key Features
- 13-hour water-resistant core — a vendor test result, not a wet-area rating, and useful where spills and humidity are routine.
- 100% post-consumer recycled core — the Gruppo Saviola board program is built entirely from reclaimed wood fiber.
- CARB2 compliant — meets the California formaldehyde emission limits that commercial and residential specifications ask for.
- A/A grade pair means both faces carry the same decorative Expresso decor, so either side can face out without a secondary operation.
- Chandler finish gives the surface a structured texture suited to contemporary and transitional casework environments.
- 19 mm thickness supports standard confirmat joinery and pairs directly with 23 mm edgebanding on a square-edge build.
- 61 x 110-1/4 inch sheet size provides coverage for tall cabinet runs and full-height closet components in a single sheet.
- TFL construction fuses the decorative face directly to the substrate under heat and pressure, with no adhesive layer to open at the cut edge.
- Matching ABS edgebanding is available in this color to close the cut edge so face and edge read as one surface.
Where This Panel Fits the Work
A/A construction makes the most sense when the design exposes both panel faces simultaneously. Open bookcases, peninsula cabinet backs, room dividers, and retail display cases are the natural home for this sheet. The Expresso color runs dark and warm, reading as a rich espresso-brown tone that anchors a space without going to a stark black. In a two-tone kitchen or closet layout, it provides enough contrast against lighter door fronts to define structure without competing with hardware selections. The 61-inch width clears most tall-door and full-height-panel cut lists without a rip, keeping yield high on straightforward jobs.
Construction and Surface Details
SALT 5 panels use a thermally fused laminate face, meaning the decorative paper is pressed directly into the board at the factory rather than bonded as a separate sheet. The result is a face that does not peel or lift at the edge under normal shop and service conditions. The Chandler finish family applies a tactile surface texture that diffuses light across the panel face, reducing glare and fingerprint visibility compared to a flat matte surface. At 19 mm, the core provides the fastener-holding depth that confirmat and dowel joinery require, and the sheet size gives a production shop a natural fit with standard nested processing. Matching ABS edgebanding is stocked in this color for the SALT 5 collection; note that matching HPL is not available for SALT 5, so countertop and horizontal surface continuity needs to be addressed with a complementary rather than matched laminate.
Who Orders This Panel
Cabinet shops running production boxes in a dark Expresso palette will find the A/A format eliminates the secondary step of applying a matching backer or flipping stock. Custom millwork operations specifying open-back cabinetry, display shelving, or retail fixture work benefit from the same reason: the back face is already finished and ready to show. Designers specifying a contemporary kitchen or closet with dark, grounded tones can call out GSA89 Expresso with confidence that edgebanding is available to carry the color all the way to the cut edge.
Does an A/A panel weigh the same as an A/B panel in the same color?
Yes. The A/A construction adds a second decorative face rather than a heavier core, so the sheet weight is essentially the same as an A/B panel of identical thickness and sheet size.
Is matching HPL available to carry the Expresso color onto a countertop?
Matching HPL is not part of the SALT 5 program. For horizontal surfaces, a complementary high-pressure laminate from another collection is the practical path. Matching ABS edgebanding is stocked for vertical edges.
What edgebanding width should I order for a 19 mm panel?
A 23 mm band is the standard choice for a 19 mm panel on a square edge. It gives enough overhang on both faces to trim flush cleanly in one pass.
Can this panel be used in a bathroom or laundry cabinet?
The SALT 5 core is a hardwood particleboard. It is suited to normal interior environments. For a cabinet directly under a sink or in a space with regular moisture exposure, confirm whether the core's water resistance hours meet your project requirements before specifying.
One Sheet, Two Finished Faces
The GSA89 Expresso A/A panel in the Chandler finish removes a step from any job where the back of the cabinet is part of the design, letting a shop cut, band, and install without a separate finishing operation on the reverse face.
