What to choose, laminate or veneer

Let’s not judge by its looks, either it is laminate or veneer. As it’s difficult to differentiate from the distance either it’s tea or coffee by their color. Likewise, it is difficult to differentiate from the distance either it’s laminate or veneer. Quality-wise both have a huge difference.

A layman can easily get confused between both of them.

For instance, veneers are high in quality and expensive whereas laminate is cost-friendly and affordable. Often, both look the same sometimes.

If you understand their manufacturing process, you will understand the difference between both of them. Since laminate is a machine-made sheet, manufactured by binding decorative paper and plastic resins together in the form of sheets. Whereas, veneer on the other side, is manufactured by very finely sliced pieces of real wood that are pressed on a plywood base.

Now the question comes, how to decide what to choose?

When it comes to choosing laminate or veneer, there are one of the most common factors that come out is your budget. If you are a budget constraint person, you can choose a laminate sheet. But if you are a person who chooses elegance, richness, natural appearance, and quality over budget, you would certainly go for veneers. Since furniture or cabinets made up of veneers are virtually indistinguishable from solid wood. Veneers give a timeless luxurious and naturally elegant look. Veneers are manufactured from a slice of real wood. Therefore, the magic is that no two veneers look exactly the same. However, laminates lack a natural appearance. Laminate sheets are mass-produced in factories and keep repeating the same surface patterns. That is why even if you choose wood that looks alike laminate, it will never give a natural appearance and look. But solid color and metal finish laminates look great in contemporary themed interiors.

Undoubtedly, laminate is more affordable and durable as well. It is incredibly customized. It is manufactured by pressing layers of heavy-duty paper with a compound known as melamine. That late hardens into a resin. The advantage of laminate is that it is flexible. It allows manufacturers to essentially print any type of decorative design on it. With the endless possibilities of design on the wood grain pattern is used in its manufacturing. In the end, a layer of clear proactive coating is applied to it to give it a beautiful look. it gives multiple choices to its customer in form of colors, textures, and print.

To make the final product durable and to add structure and strength, the laminate is attached to the substrate. Substrate usually consists of a fiberboard or particle board that forms the core of the pieces. Once all the layers are added, we get the final laminate product that can be used to create furniture, countertops, etc.

Even the laminate itself is categorized into two parts, i.e. high-pressure laminate (HPL), and low-pressure laminate (LPL). This is categorized based on the process of attaching the laminate to the substrate core. Both processes produce a durable product. But low-pressure laminates tend to cost less due to their low manufacturing costs.

When it comes to creating veneer furniture, it is a centuries-old woodworking technique used to create unique surfaces. This surface can include complicated inlays of different types of wood. Many manufactures have used different versions of veneering techniques to produce museum-quality pieces. Veneering methods offer flexibility and space for creativity to a craftsman. Office furniture that is manufactured on a larger scale, veneer products are typically constructed by gluing thin strips of wood. That is about 3mm thick onto a substrate.

Now let’s discuss the benefits and limitations of laminate products and veneer products. This will help you in making the decision more easily based on your requirement and vision for your business.

Benefits of Laminate Products

Laminate products are flame retardant. Some have antibacterial properties. This makes them a great choice for high traffic areas, such as waiting rooms.
Laminates are easy to clean. They just need to be dust with a damp, microfiber cloth regularly to maintain the furniture. Until laminate pieces aren’t placed in direct sunlight, they look like new for years.
Laminate products are much more stain and scratch-resistant. The manufacturing process enhances its durability that can withstand a demanding work environment.
Laminate furniture offers great value with ease of affordability.

Limitations of Laminate Products

While laminates are quality products, they can’t compete with wood when it comes to several areas.

Laminates can’t be sanded and stained.
They aren’t as strong as solid hardwoods.
Some also argue that replicated wood grain simply isn’t as beautiful as actual wood.
Ultimately, laminate furniture is your friend and is cost-saving in alternate to the veneer. While there are certain trade-offs when it comes to cost-effective durability, these products may be the best choice for your office.

Benefits of Veneer Furniture

Veneers give the look and feel of real and natural solid wood sheets. You can have the feel of the natural wood grain.
Veneer products can be sanded and refinished. While you have to be careful about removing too much material. Veneer furniture can be updated with a new look anytime. Whether you want to buff out scratches and stains or completely change the color, the veneer offers different options.
Veneer furniture can certainly hold its own and is more resistant to warping than wood. For that reason, veneer panels are often incorporated into pieces.
Allows creating unique designs. Using a veneer allows a craftsman to match grains. Also, it creates the entire surface from one tree. Besides, veneers offer the opportunity to use rare specimens and types of wood for truly unique furniture.
Easily maintained. You just have to do regular dusting of your furniture with a damp microfiber cloth and use furniture polish on occasion to maintain luster.

Limitations of Veneer Furniture

It’s not wood. Veneer products can be beautiful, and durable, but they will never be solid wood. For many of us, it is hard to get over the idea that veneer products might be on par with wood furniture in a lot of important categories.
The veneer is susceptible to water damage. Since the veneer is glued to the core materials, moisture can seep under the veneer and loosen the top layer. This can result in buckling and bubbles. This makes it vital to prevent water from sitting on any veneer furniture.

Now you have good knowledge of both the products. You can choose easily. By having this information, you might have understood, none of the choices is a wrong choice. It completely depends on your need, taste, and budget.

If natural rich finishes with elegant décor that simulates real wood make you feel contented then, certainly go for veneer as your surface material. You can also keep into consideration the cost factor and ease maintenance to take the final decision.

On the other hand, if you are looking for modern minimalistic interiors with solid colors or metallic finish, laminates win as this option is not available as a veneer.

To give an overview, laminates are good for workstations and desks that get a lot of use but may not be a focal point in the office. If tools and sharp objects are being used a lot in that space, laminate is a better choice instead of a veneer. Since, they can handle chipping, blemishes easily by enhancing their durability.

Whereas, the veneer is good for executive offices and reception areas. These are the areas where people visit more and more emphasis is required to be given on appearance and style than a workstation area. The expensive cost does all the justice for its appearance and elegance in front of your clients and visitors.

Divine innovation can help you in providing the best laminate and veneer. They are dealing with it for a decade now.

You deserve the best and divine innovation takes care of everything you deserve.

To contact, Divine Innovation, E-mail @ akhilesh.leekha@divineinnovation.com

Website: www.divineinnovation.com

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