Cabinet veneer is a thin covering that is applied to cabinet doors and frames as a means of providing a more attractive appearance. Veneers of this type are often uses to face cabinetry that is constructed with durable but less costly materials.
The result is a strong, reliable cabinet that has the look and feel of wood. Says Ethan, “Wood veneer cabinets are an excellent way to combine modern door styles with more traditional wood types and grains.” Why we love wood veneer cabinets: Potentially more cost-effective than solid wood.
Veneer cabinets are created with layers of wood that are thinner than 1/8 inch - the material which forms the front face or "veneer" being bonded to less expensive materials in the back. Veneer doors will also have banding that is wrapped around the sides of the door.
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.
Related Articles. Wood veneer is a thin layer of hardwood glued onto a cabinet face. It lasts for many years, but may eventually begin to peel away from the wood underneath it. If you are refacing your kitchen cabinets, you may be able to avoid removing wood veneer if the veneer is in good shape.
Can you paint veneer cabinets? You sure can! The key, like for any painted project, is in the prep and choice of primer and paint. Proper cleaning to remove all the grime and dust, sanding the right amount, and using the right adhesion-promoting primer can make a huge difference in the durability of the finish.
Start by cleaning and sanding the surface, making sure to avoid removing too much of the veneer in the process. Then repair any minor damage and apply the paint or stain of your choice. Finally, you'll want to seal your refinished cabinets to preserve their look over the long term.
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.
In terms of cost, pine is the cheapest cabinet wood you can use while mahogany is one of the most expensive, with oak and maple falling in the mid-range in terms of price. Durability of the various types of wood is also important to consider. Pine's budget pricing makes sense, as it scratches and dents easily.
Veneer is a decorative wood layer that's overlaid on a different surface. Veneer can be primed, painted, stained, and treated just like any other wood surface. Painting veneer surfaces is a great way to spruce up furniture, make older pieces look newer, or make an original piece match a new décor scheme.
Cheaper cabinets will often use thin panels which then require metal hanging rails with brackets, rails, and a picture frame construction. Sometimes they leave the panel out completely, so the wall shows through.
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're still very durable.
Just because veneer furniture isn't completely made up of solid wood, doesn't mean it's not durable. Because veneer furniture is not prone to the same aging effects as solid wood, such as splitting or warping, wood veneer furniture will often outlast solid wood furniture by years.
Some veneer-finished furniture can release toxic vapors. Veneer is a very thin layer of wood attached to particle board to create the look of solid wood, but the result contains sawdust and many adhesives (including toxic ones).
Basics of Laminate. Laminate furniture consists of synthetic materials used to form a thin layer that looks like wood. Since it's not actually made from wood, laminate pieces often look manufactured. The laminate gets its wood grain appearance through a printed process.
If the underside of the furniture you are inspecting has a grain that looks completely different than the top, then it's a veneer. Top and bottom veneer pieces are made from two different pieces of wood, meaning they won't match.
IKEA cabinet boxes are made of fiberboard and melamine foil. Cabinet doors and drawer fronts are made of fiberboard. They are covered in melamine foil, paint, wood, or glass.
On average, semi-gloss oil-based paint is the most durable finish for kitchen cabinets. Because of its sheen, semi-gloss paint can reflect light and remain durable for a long time.
Generally speaking, wooden cabinets are just much stronger than laminate cabinets because they're made from stronger types of woods. A top-quality wooden cabinet could last for decades if you take care of it properly and protect the wood from moisture with the appropriate topcoats and polyurethane layers.
This is incredibly easy to prevent by not placing your wooden furniture in front of windows or in direct sunlight. If that is not an option due to the design or layout of your room, you can always protect your veneer with blinds, curtains or UV screens and films.
If you are asking yourself “Can you stain wood veneer?” The answer is yes! Staining veneer furniture is a great alternative to paining veneer, and allows you to restore the beautiful wood.
The Best Way to Clean Veneer Furniture
Avoid harsh and abrasive cleaners and rely on simple soap and water. If you want to repair small scratches, you can apply oil polish and rub the area with a soft microfiber cloth until the scratch is no longer visible.