What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.
A sure way to recognize wood laminate is when the grain does NOT follow through your piece. Wood Veneer is a sheet or thin layer of 'quality-natural-hardwood' that is adhered to a lesser quality wood surface.
If you feel the surface, hardwood typically has texture and grains, while laminate is hard, glassy, and has a plastic feel to it.
Similar to laminate cabinetry, wood veneer cabinets take a thin piece of actual wood and adhere it to a manufactured interior. The result is a strong, reliable cabinet that has the look and feel of wood.
Thermofoil Cabinets
Thermofoil is a vinyl laminate that is heated and pressurized onto a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core.
What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.
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.
Wood cabinet doors are almost always more expensive than veneer in terms of upfront costs. When lifetime costs are considered, wood may be the cheaper option.
How They're Made. Wood veneers are made by attaching a thin slice of natural wood onto a panel of fiberboard or particleboard. It's important to note that veneers use a piece of real wood, not manufactured material made to look like wood.
They usually contain the same woods that are used in lumber, but they are combined to make them stronger and more durable. It is also known as engineered wood. Composite wood is a mixture of several components that may include wood, plastic and straw.
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.
Of the three materials, Plywood is the best option for cheap kitchen cabinets. While you can still get nice MDF or particleboard cabinets, we would say to look for plywood. Our least expensive cabinets are plywood boxes with solid wood doors. They are quality construction for a cheap price.
Laminate cabinets are more affordable than traditional wood cabinetry, and they are very easy to maintain. They are also less vulnerable to heavy wear and tear, making them an ideal option for young families.
Laminate Cabinets
Thermofoil is a vinyl laminate that is heated and pressurized onto an MDF core. This process leaves a completely smooth surface that does not show any seams. The lack of seams around the door's joints can be a clear indication that your cabinet doors are a laminate material.
By definition, laminate is a printed surface made to look like real wood, but usually made of plastic and bonded to a composite base. Whereas, the veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a less expensive material such as plywood.
Check the edges of the doors and drawers. If they are solid wood, you'll see end grain on the tops and bottoms. If they're engineered, you'll see edging material with a longitudinal wood grain, which looks unnatural.
Wood veneer is inherently more expensive than laminate for a number of reasons... Fundamentally, this is primarily due to wood veneer being a naturally made product, whereas laminate is a man-made product. Ultimately, anything that can be 'mass produced' is usually going to be cheaper!
The surest indication is price: Inexpensive veneered pieces will be around $1,000 while fine furniture is closer to $3,000 (or much more). But beyond price, it can be tough to tell what you're getting in a store. All veneered furniture looks great when new, no matter the real quality.
Design Deviations. Natural veneers are sliced from tree logs that each have a unique pattern. No two trees, even from the same species, have identical patterns. On the other hand, engineered wood veneers are man-made sheets that are sliced, dyed in vats, and glued together in blocks.
With the ability to provide natural wood aesthetic at a cost-effective price, it's no wonder wood veneer is such a popular kitchen cabinet material. Whether you're doing a budget-friendly kitchen renovation or designing your dream kitchen, wood veneer cabinets can be utilized to fit any budget or design style.
Wood veneers mimic the aesthetics of solid wood but unlike solid wood, they're durable and last longer. You don't have to worry about it splitting like solid wood. It's also aesthetically appealing. And the best part is that it's environmentally-friendly.
Our experts at Cabinet Coatings would never use veneers on your cabinets for 3 reasons: They damage easily. The material beneath them has a short lifespan. They don't look as good as other, high-quality finishes.
Laminate: Given their durability, laminates are the better choice for kitchen cabinets. Also, this material is the best choice for wardrobes and other frequently used furniture. Veneer: For furniture that you intend to use as statement pieces or as focal points, veneers are preferable.
It's Easy to Damage. Because it's made from natural wood, wood veneer is prone to scratching and gouging, which can quickly make it look weathered and worn. And unlike solid wood, when wood veneer gets damaged it's not easy to repair by sanding away scratches because the top wood layer is thin and easy to cut through.
The lifespan of dental veneers depends on whether you have porcelain or composite veneers, and how well you care for them. Porcelain laminate veneers can last from 10 to 12 years. Composite resin veneers need to be replaced sooner, since they last for around 4 to 8 years.