Fenix (yes, it is spelled correctly).

[Packard]

A couple of points first.  According to Apartment Therapy, the online interiors magazine, first, Formica is making a comeback.

Apparently, in order to seem old-fashioned, you would have to see old folks using it.  Those raised in the 1980s and 1990s mostly did not.  So Formica is different, but not necessarily old fashioned to that generation.

It is obviously less expensive than natural stone, and even butcher block countertops.

And finally, it requires none of the maintenance the natural stone and wood countertops do. 

The second point is Formica has come up with a new material called “Fenix”.  I guess they get the “F” from “Formica”, and the rest from “Phoenix” rising from the dead.

Fenix is made from paper products and resins.  I have not seen it, but they will send free samples.  It is supposed to be ultra-matte finished without the easily scarred surface that matte finishes are prone to.

Home Depot lists 4’ x 8’ sheets for $244.00 and 5’ x 12’ at $545.00.

Certainly cheaper than stone, but not cheap at all.  I wonder if Home Depot has samples.

More here: https://www.fenixforinteriors-na.co...3jSNfh4HErXwsEMaACXd3trFVp3MQI3oaAhVwEALw_wcB

 

[dlu]

It sounds a lot like the material from PaperStone (also CoverPly) and RichLite. If you're in the western Oregon or Washington area PaperStone sells "odd" sheets from their plant in Aberdeen, WA at decent prices (Green Countertops Direct).

I've used PaperStone's CoverPly material for a couple of projects and quite like it.

 

[Packard]

It sounds a lot like the material from PaperStone (also CoverPly) and RichLite. If you're in the western Oregon or Washington area PaperStone sells "odd" sheets from their plant in Aberdeen, WA at decent prices (Green Countertops Direct).

I've used PaperStone's CoverPly material for a couple of projects and quite like it.

Formica is quick to recognize that they did not developed this product themselves.  It was originally produced by a company in Italy.  I assume that either Formica is licensing the technology or perhaps bought the Italian company that developed it. 

It is reasonable to assume that others have developed similar (maybe better?) products.  It seems to fill a need for a matte finish.

I know that when I spray matte finish, it looks great.  But the finish quickly “scars” and gets shiny spots where it has be bruised.  The Fenix product claims to solve that issue.

To date, my best solution for a matte finish (especially on black) is first to apply a matte black paint or stain.  If I then apply a matte clear which uses dulling material in the mix, the “black” starts to look gray, and not a nice gray at that. 

So I apply a gloss clear over the black paint, and then using wax or oil specifically designed to with steel wool, I use 0000 steel wool and rub it over the surface. 

The wax looks and feels nice, but might make re-painting a challenge.  The wool oil (available on Amazon) is supposed to be easier to clean off.  I have used wool oil, but I have not tried to paint over it.  I like the wax better.  It seems so wipe easier.

But note, the 0000 steel wool is not fully matte (but a nice look).  It does make for a labor-intensive-but-durable finish.  I like it. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

To date, my best solution for a matte finish (especially on black) is first to apply a matte black paint or stain.  If I then apply a matte clear which uses dulling material in the mix, the “black” starts to look gray, and not a nice gray at that. 

The "dulling material", known as "flattening paste" is actually Talc (talcum powder) which is white. It is suspended in the clear coat itself, blocking the shine.
You can literally make your own with baby powder (and be shocked to find out how long that scent lasts)  [eek]
The flatter/duller it gets, the more gray it looks.
The trick to building up the material, without getting hazy, is to do the first few coats with gloss. You can put on as much as you want, then sand the surface and do the final coat with the satin or dull. This will give you the cleanest look, still flat, and skip most of that labor.

 

[Packard]

I used to call it “flattening” paste a you just did, but if you look back to my previous post you will notice I called it “dulling compound.

That because the Google A.I. hectored me with “corrections” and when I did some Google searches I found that several manufacturers use “flatting” instead which sounds dead wrong to my ears.  So I avoid the issue entirely by using “dulling”.

I would note that “flatting” is a real word, but none of the dictionaries I looked at use it as we would.
https://www.mohawk-finishing.com/products/wood-staining-finishing/reducers-additives/flatting-paste/

 

[4nthony]

Back in pre-pandemic 2020, I ordered numerous Fenix NTM samples when I wanted to reface my kitchen. I was hoping to achieve a style similar to Kerf designs with drawer fronts and doors finished in a variety of wood and laminates (I thought at one time, Kerf also used Fenix, but their FAQ now mentions their laminate comes from Abet Laminati and Arpa laminate).

Anyhow, I wanted matte laminate and the matte needed to resist fingerprints. The matte samples I received from Fenix were far superior in resisting fingerprints than the samples I received from both Formica and Wilsonart.

The problem I had was finding a company to order sheets from. It's good to know that Home Depot can now get it for you. Back in 2020, Fenix corporate (located in Italy) directed me to Willis USA, for ordering, but no one at Willis ever returned my calls or emails.

If I were to do a laminate project today, Fenix NTM would be at the top of my material list. It is a really nice material.

 

[Packard]

Back in pre-pandemic 2020, I ordered numerous Fenix NTM samples when I wanted to reface my kitchen. I was hoping to achieve a style similar to Kerf designs with drawer fronts and doors finished in a variety of wood and laminates (I thought at one time, Kerf also used Fenix, but their FAQ now mentions their laminate comes from Abet Laminati and Arpa laminate).

Anyhow, I wanted matte laminate and the matte needed to resist fingerprints. The matte samples I received from Fenix were far superior in resisting fingerprints than the samples I received from both Formica and Wilsonart.

The problem I had was finding a company to order sheets from. It's good to know that Home Depot can now get it for you. Back in 2020, Fenix corporate (located in Italy) directed me to Willis USA, for ordering, but no one at Willis ever returned my calls or emails.

If I were to do a laminate project today, Fenix NTM would be at the top of my material list. It is a really nice material.

Thanks for that review. 

All black kitchens are making a debut.  I don’t think I would enjoy that.  I do have black cabinets (after my recent reface project. But the walls, ceiling and back splash are not black. 

 

[Crazyraceguy]

I have used PaperStone many times, over the years. It is always the material of choice for school classrooms. The science departments (chemistry, biology, etc) love the stuff. It is tough and chemically-resistant to most things.
It's heavy, at little rough on tools, and requires edge treatment of some sort. Sanding at a bare minimum, and a little oil will pretty it up some.
If you need holes, for things like faucets, wire gromets, etc a jig and plunge router will give the best results. That stuff hates holesaws and it will smoke one very quickly.