Veneers vs Laminates

Veneers and laminates are two of the most commonly used materials for decorating plywood or any other wooden furniture.

Let’s see what veneers and laminates are, and how they are made.

What is a Veneer?

Veneer is basically a very thin slice of would, usually thinner than 3mm that are glued onto core panels to produce flat panels such as doors, panels and tops for cabinets and parts of furniture. They are also know as wood veneers.

How are veneers made?

The tree logs are mounted horizontally on a machine and rotated against a knife which peels off layers from the log. This process produces veneer sheets. Such type of veneers are called rotary-cut veneers. In sliced veneers the logs are sliced instead of being rotated and peeled.

What is a laminate?

Laminates - decorative laminates or designer laminates are produced artificially from paper and plastic resins. These are also used as an overlay over wooden surfaces.

How are laminates made?

Laminates are made of three layers. The bottom layer is a brown paper which is coated with phenolic resin. The second layer is a decorative layer which has some design pattern printed. This decorative paper is soaked in transparent melamine resin. The topmost layer is a clear translucent paper.  Resins are used to make the paper had and brittle. All the papers are hard pressed under high temperature and pressure to manufacture the laminate sheet.

Veneers vs Laminates:

The question of whether to choose veneers or laminates arises when we are redecorating our furniture. Another question that often arises is whether to go for Laminated Plywood or Veneered MDF for kitchen cabinets or other such furniture.

1. Which looks better?

Both veneers and laminates are meant to increase the beauty of underlying wood. Both are decorative overlay materials. If you prefer a natural look, veneer is a good choice as its a wooden material. There are many good looking wood veneers obtained from different trees. e.g. cherry, oak, maple, teak etc.

There is a wide variety of decorative laminates available in the market. They are made from designs printed on paper. There are also laminates available that resemble wood patterns and look exactly like wood, though they are not.

Veneers are natural and laminates are artificial materials.

2. Which is costlier?

High-quality veneers are costlier than laminates. The cost of laminates depends on quality and brand.

3. Which are easier to maintain?

Laminates are scratch-resistant, waterproof and usually, retain their look for years. Hence, laminates are easier to maintain. On the other hand, veneers require more maintenance. They need to get polished time to time.

4. Which one is better. Laminated plywood or Veneered MDF?

Good quality waterproof plywood which is made from phenolic resin is considered better and stronger than MDF.

In kitchen cabinets, veneered MDF is generally used in making doors and plywood is used in making the box frame.

Veneered MDF looks better than laminated plywood. But laminates have a wide range of designs and colors.