Laminate and wood are the two most popular materials used for kitchen cabinets, and they both offer a range of advantages and disadvantages related to price, durability and appearance. In general, laminate kitchen cabinets are chosen for more modern, updated kitchen designs.
In conclusion, if you are unsure if you have laminate cabinets, there are a few ways to check. One is to look for a paper or plastic film on the front of the cabinet. Another is to check if the cabinet is lightweight and has a smooth, shiny surface.
When scrutinizing real wood, look at the lacquer. The lacquer of real wood is much brighter than the dull shine of a laminate piece. Grain patterns are also a dead give away. Grain patterns are unique and similar to your fingerprint–the grain patterns do not repeat themselves.
The main difference is that veneers comprise thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base while laminates are manufactured by pressing together layers of flat paper and plastic resins under high pressure.
Although they're overall more durable than wood cabinets, laminate cabinets' coating can peel away and weaken over time, and it can be challenging to repair them. This means you may need to replace them after some time.
Cons of laminate cabinets
Damage: Despite their durability, laminate kitchen cabinets are prone to damage. Because the laminate is pressed together, it may start to lift. Additionally, thermofoil cabinets can be sensitive to excess heat and moisture, so it is best to keep this in mind when thinking about placement.
Made of pressed wood, MD, or plywood topped by a layer of paper coloured with a heat-fused melamine resin, melamine is the least expensive cabinet material. Variety. The assortment of colours and patterns is enormous, including a rather convincing faux wood grain and textured melamine option.
Yes! It's easier than you think to transform your laminate kitchen with paint. If you use the right products and follow this step-by-step guide you'll end up with a durable and long-lasting finish that will look great for a long time. Even after years of daily use, our cabinets still look perfect.
In summary, look for dado joints, all-wood frame and drawers, dovetailed drawers, soft-close drawer hardware, and a lifetime warranty. Don't be fooled, just because a door style is contemporary and the drawer mechanics are soft-close doesn't mean the cabinetry is of a good quality.
Wood Veneer and Laminate. Whenever you have a laminated or veneered material, you run the risk of delamination. For example, it is not uncommon for furniture made of hardwood veneer bonded to a solid wood core to begin peeling after a few years.
Laminate cabinets are durable and resistant to scratches, moisture, and stains, and when edge banded correctly the sides and edges will never chip or peel.
The most widely used kinds for cabinet boxes are constructed from medium density fiberboard (MDF), plywood, particleboard with melamine and sometimes stainless steel. MDF is a high-grade composite material made from recycled wood fibers and resin.
IKEA Kitchen Cabinet Box Construction
In IKEA cabinets, the boxes are constructed with: MDF for the box core. Melamine foil (a type of laminate that contains no wood) for the veneers covering the sides of the box.
Can you paint laminate? Yes — and it's actually quite simple. Follow our step-by-step guide on how to paint laminate furniture, including project-specific tips for painting laminate cabinets, desks, coffee tables, bookshelves and dressers.
Real solid wood furniture will always have a distinct grain that varies in pattern across the piece. If the markings lack texture, appear smooth or repeat themselves, the piece is most likely veneer. If it lacks a grain pattern altogether, it's likely laminate.
Laminate cabinets are generally significantly less expensive than wood cabinets, making them an attractive option for those looking for a contemporary style and operating on a budget.
With the proper prep and some hard work, you can transform the look of laminate cabinets. Keep in mind that any DIY painted finish will be more susceptible to damage than factory-finish cabinetry. Eventually, you may need to invest in changing out your cabinets altogether.
They're made of engineered wood.
Solid wood cabinets, esteemed for their strength and good looks, can quickly run up a five-figure price tag. Ikea cabinet units, on the other hand, are made from a cheaper melamine-clad, medium-density fiberboard (or MDF), a type of engineered wood.
Fiberboard and melamine foil are the main components of IKEA cabinet boxes. IKEA cabinet doors and drawer fronts are made of fiberboard, covered in melamine foil, paint, wood, or glass. Are IKEA cabinets good? With some basic maintenance, IKEA cabinets can be quite durable.
Solid wood/hard wood cabinets
Solid wood cabinets are the most common in the market. Although they cost more than any other kind of kitchen cabinet material, hardwood cabinets are more resistant to scratch and dent. This gives you value for your money.
Paint is the most popular finish for kitchen cabinets because it's easy to clean and maintain. It also has a wide variety of colors to choose from, so you can easily find a shade that matches your décor.
Solid Wood Cabinets
Solid natural wood cabinets are the gold standard when it comes to strength and longevity.
Some people are concerned that laminate could look 'cheap', but in fact high quality laminates are now widely available, which feature realistic designs, and even register embossing where the wood grain is mirrored by imprinting on the surface of the plank.