FAQ

MicroLite!™ is a seamless, encapsulated, lightweight composite invented and produced by KMDI.

No, MicroLite!™ is as much a process as it is a material. MicroLite!™ is a proprietary method of constructing soffits, fascia, signage, displays, and other architectural, visual merchandising, and wayfinding elements out of a variety of raw materials that results in an amazing strength-to-weight ratio.

MicroLite!™ is the ideal material for soffits, fascia, signage, displays, and other architectural visual merchandising and interior decorative elements. It is most beneficial when lightweight, exquisite fit and finish, extraordinary consistency and swift, no-mess installation are important.

With MicroLite!™, we can create an object or element of any shape, size and finish you can imagine, without being confined by weight limits, on-site labor quality or expertise. You don’t have to worry about “how” it gets built. It arrives from our manufacturing facility with complete install instructions ready to uncrate and install.

Key benefits include being lightweight, high-strength, durable, seamless, and having a smooth and consistent surface. MicroLite!™ can be finished with virtually any appearance—e.g., paints (solid, metallic or decorative), vinyl appliques, wall paper, wood veneers, laminates, metals, films, etc. When panel sizes or shipping or installation requirements result in the need for seams, they can be handled in a variety of methods, including hairline, flush seams, or joints.

Another benefit is simple, no-mess installations. Most MicroLite!™ items can be assembled and installed by one or two people within just one or two hours. This even applies to when outside installers or tradespeople are utilized for larger elements. Because everything is manufactured with ease of installation in mind, time and expense is minimized. It is rare that even a large item cannot be installed in less than 4 hours. Lighting can also be pre-installed to minimize on-site electricians’ time and expense.

Any size! Depending on the comprehensive criteria for a project, MicroLite!™ elements can be joined together to form any size of element you want, or they can individually be made as large as possible to transport. Sizes of finished elements are only limited by imagination.

While we manufacture elements that are incredibly and consistently smooth and flat, and any other shape you can imagine are our specialty—including curves, circles, angles, and more.

One of the benefits of KMDI’s products and services is that all you have to draw or even not draw, but just describe what you want the finished product to look like.

We’ll take it from there. Your completed project will look just like what you imagined and we’ll do all the shop drawings, samples, submittals, etc. We’re here to make your life easier and to solve your challenges.

Yes. Class A fire-rated elements are available.

Depending on the project and our production schedule we typically have about a 10-12 week lead time. If needed quicker there are a variety of options we can look at to expedite a project.

Although MicroLite!™ has many advantages over other materials, it is comparable in price. The more we make of something at one time, the less each one costs, of course. Naturally, the more detailed or the more expensive of finishes that are desired, the more the total price will be. Sharing your budget constraints or goals with the KMDI team will help us work with you to satisfactorily make your project and meet your budget.

You may be thinking, “Yeah, but drywall is $3.00 a square foot.” This is true, perhaps, for a straight, plain-painted wall. However, suspended, complicated shapes, especially curves, cost more to build. Regardless, drywall requires days or weeks of framing with metal studs, hanging, taping, and repeated mudding and sanding. Drywall work is also often poor and inconsistent in quality.

Compare this to MicroLite!™ installation, which can be completed in just a few hours and without the huge mess and associated cleanup costs. MicroLite!™ also eliminates lost sales and increased labor costs. It may have other possible tax advantages versus traditional drywall construction. MicroLite!™, the quality is consistent and the detail precise. Plus, MicroLite!™ allows you to create much more complicated shapes than drywall, and you don’t have to worry about adding structure to support the weight of it.

If you have further or more specific questions for KMDI about MicroLite!™, our process, or about your project, don’t hesitate to reach out! See our contact page to get in touch with our team.