How to choose between Laminate and Wood Veneer?

The furniture in your home should not only be beautiful, but it should also reflect your personality. Wooden furniture has always held a special place in the hearts of Indians. However, furniture made from solid wood can be expensive and difficult to maintain. Enter decorative finishes such as laminates/Sun mica and wood veneer that help you achieve the look and feel of wood without spending a fortune on the furniture.

To decide on the furniture finish, you must understand the critical differences between laminates and veneer wood. With complete information, you can make an informed decision.

What is Laminate?

In modern days, laminate furniture has become quite common due to its cost-effectiveness and low maintenance features. Laminates are available in two different types:

a. Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL)

It includes fusing décor paper with synthetic resin to harden it. Manufacturers attach the resin-fused paper sheet to a substrate. The substrate can either be particleboard or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). TFL laminates are budget-friendly, and you will find color options to customize your living space.

b. High-Pressure Laminate (HPL)

Like TFL, manufacturing High-Pressure Laminates also includes bonding the resin-soaked decorative paper to a substrate. However, manufacturers add multiple sheets of kraft paper for superior impact resistance before attaching the resin-fused paper to the particleboard or fiberboard. For more durability, they even include a protective top coat and press all the layers under high pressure to create HPL. Due to a more complicated process, its cost is higher than TFL.

What is Wood Veneer?

Wood veneer has a thin layer of premium, high-quality wood attached to a substrate base of plywood to reduce its cost. Due to the use of premium wood in different colors, grains, and wood species, you will find several options. Often, wood veneer is ideal for creating statement pieces in your homes.

With wood veneer, you will find several options: raw veneer, paper-backed veneer, wood-backed veneer, phenolic-backed veneer, wood on wood, etc.

Now that you know what laminates and wood veneer are, let's understand how to choose between the two options:

1. Versatility in Terms of Usage

TFL: You can use the laminate material for cabinets, drawers, shelves, etc.

HPL: Most interior designers recommend using HPL for high-traffic areas: horizontal and curved spaces (for example, doors, walls, wainscoting, cabinets, drawers, fixtures, etc.)

When it comes to wood veneer, you can use them as statement pieces in your home. They stand out compared to other fixtures and give your home a unique aesthetic appeal.

2. Less Care; Less Maintenance

Laminates are far easier to maintain because they do not include the natural wood component. Often, modern laminates come with scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, wear-resistant, and stain-resistant features to make them more durable.

On the other hand, the veneer has a top layer of wood, requiring more maintenance. If you use veneer for cupboards and cabinets, you will have to polish them every couple of months to maintain the look and durability of the finished product.

3. Matters of Durability

As laminates do not have natural wood, they are not susceptible to water, ultraviolet light, and general wear and tear. So, laminates will be a better option if you are looking for furniture in a high-traffic area such as offices, commercial establishments, or even the cooking area in your home.

Wood veneer is not as durable as laminates. And, you will require to take care of veneer furniture as you would for solid wood.

4. Never forget the Price

When on a limited budget, you can opt for affordable and budget-friendly laminates. Veneer material can get costlier in comparison to laminates. However, compare different prices, look, and finish of the materials before making a final decision.

5. The Final Look

If you are looking for something unique without spending much of your budget on solid wood, you can opt for veneer wood. Veneer has a sheet of natural wood with a plywood substrate, providing a similar uniqueness to natural wood. You will be able to enjoy elegance with it.

If you are thinking of laminates of the past, Sun Mica offered an artificial look to the furniture. However, the reality is different today. When choosing laminates for your furniture, you will find several options for colors and textures. For example, experts recommend choosing laminate if your preference is a specific color or texture.

As Indians, we do not believe in replacing furniture every other year. We hold our living space sacred, and choosing the best furniture material is an important decision for us. So, do not make any haste while choosing between laminate and veneer wood. List down your preferences and budget to make an informed decision.

Shop with the best laminates and veneer dealer in Palanpur. Get in touch today to build the home or office of your dreams.