Laminate withstands heavy use. It is less susceptible to color change from UV-ray exposure. It holds a uniform stain color, making the cabinets look exactly alike. Additionally, laminate can be relatively easy to install.
One of the great advantages of laminate kitchen cabinets is the ease with which they can be cleaned. All you'll need to clean laminate cabinets is a water-based household cleaner and a damp sponge. In terms of durability, laminate places second to most wood species.
Laminate Cabinets
Here are the pros and cons of laminate cabinets: Pros: Aesthetic possibilities and durable—laminate protects against scratches, stains, etc. Cons: Laminate isn't invincible, so any damage done is likely irreversible. Price can vary depending on variety.
Wood Lasts Longer, But Laminate is Easier to Clean
If your cabinets get dirty often or are more prone to scratches, you might consider laminate cabinets over wooden cabinets. Wooden cabinets are made with a much softer material and, as a result, get scratched more often. But, wooden cabinets are far easier to repair.
If your old floors are in bad shape, any new flooring will help. While solid hardwood flooring would add more value, laminate will give your home the look of hardwood at a much lower cost, will look good for years, and your return on investment should be solid.
While laminate flooring has many strong points, its most significant downside is its poor resistence to water. Laminate flooring can tolerate some water on top surface but it should not be allowed to pool and remain for long. Otherwise, the water may seep below and affect the sensitive core layer.
Formaldehyde exposure may potentially cause a variety of symptoms and adverse health effects, such as eye, nose, throat, and skin irritation, coughing, wheezing, and allergic reactions.
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.
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.
The laminate material is very durable and scratch-resistant, making it an ideal material for kitchen cabinets. However, it is not indestructible.
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.
Laminate flooring is a great choice if you want a high-end hardwood look but need something more durable for pets and kids. Laminate is a much better choice against scratches and dents. It is also much more affordable than hardwood.
And a lot of people started opting for white cabinets. Laminate cabinets emerged in the 80's and many kitchens adopted the “Euro-style” cabinet, which was a white cabinet with a wood trim. People of the 80's didn't struggle with questions like painted vs stained cabinets.
So, if you're looking to stick to a tighter budget during your project, laminate may be the better route to take. However, if you plan on selling your home at any point in the future, it's worth noting that wood cabinets will add value to your home.
Laminate flooring lasts between 15 to 25 years on average. The exact lifespan will vary depending on the product quality of your floor, how well you maintain and care for it and the overall wear-and-tear it receives. In some cases, laminate floors can last over 25 years.
Laminate is also pretty water resistant, a great quality for a kitchen floor; you don't have to worry about a few drops hitting the floor while cooking, loading the dishwasher or if your puppy has a little accident. The top wear layer of laminate is nice and smooth, which makes it easy to clean and maintain.
Being comprised of wood fiberboard, laminate flooring is susceptible to permanent damage if it comes into contact with water for a considerable amount of time. When the proper precautions are taken, however, it can deliver long last performance.
Affordability. For homeowners who want durable and attractive flooring, laminate flooring is a great and affordable option. The cost of laminate flooring varies depending on factors like the quality of the material, the brand and the location. It is also significantly less expensive than hardwood flooring.
Vinyl has come a long way when it comes to style choices in recent years, though. You can find vinyl flooring that realistically mimics not only the look but also the feel of stone, tile, and even wood floors. Vinyl also has a longer lifespan and better overall durability than laminate.
Laminates last longer, install easier, are more eco-friendly are absolutely gorgeous and, with their embossed grain or hand scraped finishes, impossible to tell apart from hardwoods. And they're still usually much less expensive than hardwoods.
Buyers tend to prefer hard surface floors over carpet. If you choose a quality laminate, you'll likely get a decent return on your investment. Laminate is also relatively affordable, which means you won't have to shell out a lot of your budget upfront.
What costs more: hardwood or laminate? Hardwood flooring almost always costs more to install than laminate. But depending on how long you live in your home, you might save money in the long run because hardwoods have a much longer lifespan.
Laminate flooring has a shorter lifespan than hardwood and it cannot be refinished. But it's less expensive than hardwood, especially since DIY installation is so easy. Learn more below about the major differences between these flooring types and decide which is better for your home between laminate and hardwood.