When it comes to buying furniture or a home, wooden furniture pieces are always given preference, especially by Indian homeowners. The sturdy outlook and durability are some of the factors, wooden furniture continues to be the primal choice for the majority of home interiors. But buying quality wood furniture also means keeping a good enough budget.
That’s why many of us look for more affordable options like furniture designed with laminates or veneers. Apart from pricing, such decorative surfaces enhance the look and feel of the wood too. This extends to the viable question - Laminate or veneer, which is the better finish?
Laminates and veneers (commonly referred to as Sun Mica in India) are the most preferred finishing materials for furniture pieces crafted from solid wood, plywood, particleboard, MDF, and more. Before you compare these two finishes, it is essential to know the features of the same and then make the best choice accordingly.
What Is a Laminate Finish?
Laminate and veneer - Both finishes look fabulous in their distinct ways!
A laminate is a man-made or artificial material crafted from pressing together thin layers of plastic and paper resins at a higher temperature and pressure. Out of the many layers of thin paper, one is a decorative paper that provides color or pattern to the laminate.
Laminates are available in different thicknesses like 1.2Mm laminates, 1Mm laminates, and more. You can select one that matches your requirements.
What Is a Veneer Finish?
Laminate and veneer - Both finishes look fabulous in their distinct ways!
A veneer is a thin layer of hardwood that is attached to the main material’s surface with a strong adhesive. Veneer is mostly utilized to camouflage the lower quality or basic look of the main material to make it look appealing and expensive.
Laminate vs Veneer: Which Finish Is Better For Your Furniture?
Let’s find out which finish is better based on various defining parameters:
Laminate vs Veneer: Variety
Attractive veneer panels provide a natural look in interiors!
Laminate - These are available in all possible colors and shades possible. Also, laminates are mainly classified as soft, matte, high-gloss, and textured. Textured laminates like wooden laminate help add the look and feel of a natural stone or wood. You can select any type of laminate that suits your preference or choice to add it to the main material like MDF or plywood.
Veneer - Veneer can be classified into raw, refurbished, laid-up, paper-backed, and wood-on-wood types. Since veneer comes under the natural materials category, it is hence available in limited shades as compared to laminates.
Laminate vs Veneer: Maintenance
Select laminate as a finishing material as it needs low maintenance!
Laminate - Laminates are known to be scratch-resistant, waterproof, and very easy to maintain. Compared to veneer, laminates can retain their original look for years.
Veneer - Since veneer surfaces require polishing from time to time, it is considered a high-maintenance material. When maintained well, a popular veneer type like natural veneer sure adds a rich look to the interiors.
Laminate vs Veneer: Looks
A veneer finish side table adds a unique look to the bed!
Laminate - You can get laminate in any color or design as expected. But, as laminates are mostly mass-produced, there is a possibility of one laminate color or design almost matching the other. That’s why laminate sheets may not provide a unique look like veneers.
Veneer - A veneer laminate is exclusively made of wood, that’s why it adds a unique and rich look to the furniture pieces. Popular laminate-like smoke oak veneer adds a graceful look to the parent material of the furniture.
Laminate vs Veneer: Durability
For kitchen design, high-gloss laminate makes a viable choice for its durability.
Laminate - Laminates are durable, scratch and stain resistant. Since laminates appear just like wood, they can be stuck to any strong core material like wood.
Veneer - Veneers are not as durable as laminates. It requires more maintenance and cares as it is more prone to scratches. That’s why more modern spaces have common choices like zero dry finish laminates and not veneer finishes.
Laminate vs Veneer: Cost
A veneer laminated walls and furniture pieces can amp up any designated corner!
Laminate - Laminates are more affordable compared to veneers. Mostly the price of the laminate depends upon the quality of the available brands like Greenlam, Royale Touche, Frikly Basics.
Veneer - Good-quality veneers like designer veneers are mostly costlier than laminates. The cost factor of laminate or veneer depends on the raw materials and manufacturing process. For example, the cost of the veneer depends upon the wood type.
Laminate vs Veneer: Utility
Frequently-used furniture pieces like wardrobe units with laminate add to durability and aesthetics.
Laminate - Laminates are durable and make a great choice for kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, centre tables, and other furniture pieces.
Veneer - For furniture pieces which are mostly used as focal point or statement pieces, adding metallic veneers or designer veneers to them makes a suitable choice.
Laminate vs Veneer: Heat Resistance
Add protective laminate for the modular furniture pieces.
Laminate - For protecting the furniture from heat, laminate makes a better choice as they are heat resistant. If exposed to extreme heat, then laminated pieces can get damaged.
Veneer - Veneer is basically posted on the main material of the furniture i.e.on surfaces with resin glue. If exposed to heat, the glue may loosen and make the furniture piece disoriented. Also, daily sun exposure may cause discoloration on the veneer surface of the furniture.
Laminate vs Veneer: Water Resistance
Laminates give more resistance to water as compared to veneer finishes!
Laminate - Water or any types of spills, laminates have higher resistance to it as compared to veneers. That’s why it is better to buy frequently-used furniture pieces like a coffee table, dining table, etc. adorned with wooden laminates or stone laminates.
Veneer - Veneer sheets are mostly porous in nature and may cause damage to furniture due to the accumulation of moisture. It is always better to clean the spills immediately to avoid loss of resin glue or permanent stains.
Laminate vs Veneer: Sustainability
Veneer is environment-friendly material!
Laminate - Since laminate sheets are manufactured from plastics, resins, and adhesives, these are not exactly environmentally friendly. Even though laminate sheets are more economical than veneers, you can’t reuse them.
Veneer - Veneer sheets are made of natural wood and hence can be reused or renewed. These sheets are easily disposable and considered to be biodegradable. Those who prefer living a sustainable life, tend to consider the best veneer types like natural veneer, dyed veneer, etc rather than laminates.
FAQs:
1. What is costlier, laminate, or veneer?
Since laminates are easier to manufacture, these are cheaper or more economical than veneers.
2. What is more durable, laminate or veneer?
Compared to veneers, laminates are more durable for their heat and water resistance abilities.
3. How to tell the difference between laminate and veneer?
Laminates are basically factory-made sheets that possess a wood-like texture and its grain pattern is repetitive. Veneers have real wood textures and have a natural look and feel to it.
4. Does veneers require high maintenance?
Any kind of dust and spills on veneers should be cleaned immediately. Since veneers are more prone to scratches and damage, one must care for veneers to avoid such damages.
