Differences between Cabinet Finishes! Lamination, Acrylic, Veneer, Pu, Duco Painting, Chalk Painting, Solid Wood

While designing or remodelling a home, cabinets play a crucial role in enhancing the look and functionality of the space. Along with providing storage solutions, the cabinets must also promise longevity and a high-quality finish.  However, due to active pets, small kids, and daily activities, wear and tear or scratches on these cabinets are very common. If you want to save yourself from the heartbreak caused by accidental scratches on the cabinets go through this blog. Here we bring you a quick comparison of various options of cabinet finishes recommended by interior designers in Bangalore that will suit your requirements.

Lamination for toughness

Suppose your ultimate goal is to provide ultra-durability to your modern kitchen cabinets, then you can go for a lamination finish. As in lamination, an extra layer of plastic or resin is bonded with the underlying surface; this gives it extra strength to fight dents, scratches, and daily attacks. Due to its robust nature, it is highly recommended if you have a pet or kids at home.   

Moreover, cleaning and maintaining the laminated wood kitchen cabinets is super easy. You can say goodbye to polishing and waxing, just a quick wipe, and your kitchen will appear as good as new. The only problem you face with lamination is it can compromise on looks and if damaged severely, it can be difficult to repair.

Acrylic for matte, gloss, or high reflective shine

Similar to Lacquer, Acrylic is also a transparent paint that has a high gloss finish, which gives your cabinets a smooth appearance. As compared to lamination, it is the more expensive option; however, it is nontoxic and gives a glossy shine to the cabinets. If you have a high-end kitchen, acrylic will make it more eye-catching and striking as it comes in a wide range of colours. Due to its shine, it might appear dirty and will need timely cleaning.

Veneer for classic wood finish

Do you believe that whether it is a crockery cabinet, TV cabinet, or washbasin cabinet design, the wood finish is the showstopper? Then you must consider Veneer coating as a cabinet finish. Since it has the look and feel of an actual wood, it provides a classic touch to your modular kitchen design. With its razor-thin slices of real wood, a Veneer coating can give your cabinets the look of a solid wood, without burning a hole in your pocket. 

Moreover, a Veneer finish is a more eco-friendly option than lamination or acrylic and it gives your cooking area a touch of natural beauty. However, veneer requires regular upkeep and maintenance and when compared to lamination, it is less scratch-resistant. Nonetheless, it can easily be recoated so it takes some of your maintenance-related worries away.

PU / Polyurethane Cabinet finishes

If you intend to create a happy equilibrium space between Lamination and Veneer finishes, PU or Polyurethane can be perfect for you. As PU is a liquid coating, it creates a solid yet flexible barrier between cabinets and scratches, dents, other impacts, etc., thereby creating a very high resistance. 

To elevate the appearance of your wash basin cabinet, TV cabinets or modern kitchen cabinets, PU comes in a range of matte to glossy finishes to cater to multiple needs. Another advantage of PU over other finishes is that it does not hide the original colour, feel, and look of the original wood. However, one of the major cons of PU is that its application needs a lot of time and attention to detail, and it could also show discoloration if overexposed to UV rays and sunlight.

Duco –Laminating In style

With its luscious shine, Duco finishes are considered the most high-end cabinet finish. Whether you want to give your Crockery cabinet and wooden kitchen cabinet a makeover or just a pop of bold colour; Duco has so much to offer. Due to its high-quality and higher-ratio binders, when sprayed, it creates a glossy and hard shell. Its pros are its ability to make cabinets glossy and eye-catching, along with custom colours and hues. However, its application process is time-consuming, multi-stepped, and needs professional skills.

Chalk Painting

If you are looking for matte, vintage and shabby finishes, a water-based chalk paint will work for you. The best feature of this finish is that it sticks to any surface without priming or sanding. However, it requires a top-quality coating, or else it might get flaky and hamper the complete look of your cooking area. Compared to PU, its scratch resistance capability is not up to the mark and it could lead to chipping from worn-out areas after a few years.

Solid wood

If you are willing to invest in long-lasting cabinetry for your house, you can go for a solid wood finish. Although they are a little high-budget when compared to other options, their finish and durability are much better. However, a solid wood cabinet needs a lot of maintenance and repair. Since solid wood is heavy, these activities can require more effort than usual.

Quick Wrap Up

Still confused about which finish options will suit your cabinetry in terms of look, budget, durability, and maintenance? Don't worry! You can get in touch with interior designers in Bangalore to get customized solutions and a detailed comparison between cabinet finishes.