FAQs

The Possibilities of Recycled Materials

Take a look at our frequently asked questions to find out about ordering, samples, shipping and more.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly via phone or email. Our team of plastic specialists are dedicated to helping you achieve your project goals.

We currently supply to built environment trade professionals only, but you can purchase Smile Materials products via one of our trusted third party suppliers. Please get in touch for our recommendations.

Like the circular economy, the possibilities are endless. Our materials have been used in applications from small-scale products and furniture, to large-scale commercial interiors and outdoor art installations.

Our plastics are 100% waterproof, mould and rot-resistant, so they are perfect in wet environments as an alternative for tiling and bathroom paneling or for bathroom vanities and cabinetry. However, our collection materials are not suitable for flooring. Remember to read our fabrication guidelines (pdf) and data sheet (pdf) before commencing any project.

A few customers have successfully used our panels for street furniture and fascia signage. All our Smile Plastics products are 100% waterproof and mould-resistant. However, it’s best to avoid direct sunlight and large temperature variations. • UV rays can begin to degrade the surface of the panels, particularly the Smile Plastics’ Alba material, which will yellow on the surface. Although this can be refinished, we do not recommend using Alba outdoors. • Large temperature changes may cause the panels to warp slightly, particularly if there are differentiating temperatures across the two sides of the panel. However, the panels should revert to their flat state when returned to room temperature. If you have a larger project which requires robust resistance to the elements, get in touch to discuss a custom material.

We don’t recommend using our materials for floor surfaces as they can be slippery when wet. If you are set on it, you could explore making small tiles, routing grooves in the material, or applying a slip-resistant coating to the surfaces. All testing would be completed at your own risk.

Alternatively, we could create a Custom rubberised material for this application. Contact us to discuss the possibilities.

Because they’re easy to clean, waterproof and resistant to stains, our materials have been installed as kitchen work surfaces. However, it is important to note:

• Scratch resistance. Our materials typically have medium scratch resistance but some materials are more scratch-proof than others. Our PET materials are our most scratch-resistant materials, and our HDPE materials are our softest as they’re made from recycled chopping boards and will scratch in the same way that a chopping board would. That being said, the pattern on the material often disguises any scratching and the surface can be refinished if necessary.

• Heat resistance. It is fine to place a hot cup of tea directly onto our surfaces. However, applying sustained heat at +95 degrees may cause the material to denature (burn, warp, etc.) over time. Avoid placing any of our materials close to a strong heat source and avoid any open flames as some of the materials are flammable. We’d also recommend giving the surface a really good supporting substructure, securing it from the underside to reduce warping through heat fluctuations. Please read our fabrication guidelines (pdf) before commencing any project with our materials.

We’d recommend using the thickest material (20mm for Smile Plastics products) for all tables and shelving as well as a good supporting substructure. A 1500mm x 1200mm tabletop with just 4 posts on the underside of the panel is not going to be sufficient to support the material. The panel may warp over time through gravity and excess weight. Please refer to our fabrication guidelines (PDF) for more details.

The accuracy of any material sample depicted on our website is significantly subjected to your computer screen’s capabilities. The sole purpose of showing the colour sample is informational and inspirational. Although we do our best to produce high-quality examples, we still need to emphasise the importance of ordering real samples as a true reference point for your project.

We can service single panel orders up to 1000+ sheet orders, so that, regardless of your project’s size or specific requirements, our materials can flex to suit. We have no MOQ for our collection materials and do offer smaller format sizes, should this be more suited to your creative project.

We offer Smile Plastics panels in a supersized format of 3000 × 1200 mm, while Smile Fibres panels are available at 2400 × 1200 mm. All panels can be cut to size to suit your project.

Smile Plastics panels come in standard thicknesses of 12 mm and 20 mm, with additional options available through our made-to-order service. If you need a custom thickness please contact us to discuss.

Smile Fibres panels are available in a 6 mm thickness.

Volume discounts start from 3+ sheets. Please contact us for more details.

Shipping full sheets will be done so on an oversized pallet to most parts of the UK for £275 + VAT. Oversized palletised shipping will accommodate around 11 of our heaviest sheets. We also ship internationally so please get in touch for an accurate shipping quote based on your location. We offer an in-house cutting and finishing service to cut your panels to your required sizes. Smaller parts can ship on smaller pallets or as parcels. This could be more cost-effective but also allows us to recycle any offcuts through our processes, minimising wastage. Contact us to get a quote.

Want to be an agent or a Smile Materials partner? Please get in touch.

As well as being featured in design libraries around the world, we are proud material partners of Material Source. You can explore our collections in both their Manchester and Glasgow locations. 

Core products are usually dispatched within 5 working days of payment confirmation.
Made-to-order and out-of-stock items will take a little longer, with lead times depending on material availability and order volume. Please get in touch to discuss your creative project further.

For non-website transactions, we request BACS payment, prior to dispatching your order. Unfortunately, we are unable to accept credit cards, USD, PayPal, or phone payments.

We’re afraid that like Elvis Presley, our past products will probably never come back. It’s unlikely we’ll be able to make the exact same product again. However, like Elvis, we may be able to create a good imitation (as a Custom piece of work!).

Aesthetic

Please specify the materials you would like to work with on your project.

If we know this, we can advise which materials and thicknesses would be best for your application.

Is this a one-off order, or will you need lots of material over a long period of time?

Check the material properties under the Material Category page.

Detail

Tell us where you are based so we can provide estimated shipping costs.

If you tell us the date you would like your order delivered, we can provide an estimated lead time for you.

We offer a cutting and finishing service. See the Services page for details. If you tell us your requirements in advance, we can include this in your lead time.

Aesthetic

Colour palettes, moodboards, mock-ups, and inspirations can all be very helpful. We can usually colour match RAL colours by eye if required.

They can feel and look different, so if you have a strong preference, please tell us.

If we know this, we can advise which materials and thicknesses would be best for your application.

How much material do you need? Is this a one-off order, or will you need lots of material over a long period of time? These can affect the costs and production methods we use.

We can usually source materials with specific properties (like higher fire resistances) if required.

Custom materials will usually take longer to produce than purchasing from our Core and MTO ranges. Where the timeline is urgent, speak to us about possibilities.

Materials

We can work with a range of different thermoplastics and materials. Please email us with details about your waste source so that we can review and advise on feasibility. Ideally, we would have a technical data sheet for the material, and we may well also ask for a small physical sample from you before commencing any project.

Usually, we would need the material to be cleaned and shredded before we can use it, but we may be able to do this for you.

An idea of the application of the sheets can help us advise on how we work with the material.

We can usually add pigment or patterns to the material provided or leave it to speak for itself.

We can help with a one-off project or look at setting up an ongoing partnership.

The costs of a Custom material will vary depending on the material, the preparation work required, and the number of sheets you need. There will also be significant economies of scale. Prices start from £150 per square meter.

we are
Smile Materials
A new chapter in Smile Plastics' story. 

Expanding our scope to give you greater choice, Smile Materials goes beyond plastic. We transform discarded materials into beautiful, functional surfaces, supporting you in contributing to the circular economy, one waste stream at a time.

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