Veneer or laminate for kitchen cabinets?

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Veneer or laminate for kitchen cabinets?

Please let me know which one will be better? Veneer or laminates on top of plywood, for the kitchen cabinets and wardrobes? What are the maintenance and lookwise difference in both?

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Veneer or laminate for kitchen cabinets?

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Oct 25, 2010
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Cabinet options....
by: Charlotte

Hi

You have three main options for choosing your kitchen cabinets and wardrobes.

Consider:
-plastic laminates (also known as melamine)
-RTF veneer (also known as RTF or vinyl wrapped)
-real wood veneer

Plastic Laminates

Also known as melamine.

These are a good bargain option - usually nicely priced

Usually lots of color options

Styles tend to be plain/flat as the laminates can't be easily shaped around flutes and molds

Plastic laminates often have a less attractive or 'cheaper-looking' appearance than the other options.

Wood grains, in particular, can look quite unrealistic

Reasonably durable

Lots of availabilty and options to get it custom-made for you, or off the rack

Use a mild soap and water for cleaning (dish soap)

Use a damp cloth to wipe with mild dish soap

Then wipe again with a clean damp cloth to remove any traces of soap

Dry off with a dry, soft, cloth

For any greasy marks, wipe with a mixture of vinegar and water, then wipe clean with a damp cloth, and dry off

RTF (Rigid Thermofoils)

Also known as RTF veneers, or vinyl wrapped

This is quite a new material

Relatively inexpensive

Usually available in a range of bright colors, or in styles that look like wood, granite or marble

Quite realistic wood grain, marble, granite effects - although they wouldn't fool you close up!

A very durable material - also resistant to mold, mildew and rot

A very versatile material - which can be shaped into lots of different curves, flutes and styes - and also can be used for seamless styles.

Can be more sensitive to heat than laminates or real wood.

Clean as for laminates - you can also use a window cleaner to clean RTF to get a nice shiny, glossy, streak-free finish

Continues on comment below...

Oct 25, 2010
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Continues from above comment
by: Anonymous

Continues from above comment...

Real Wood Veneer

This is the 'luxury' otption

A very attractive look and feel

But does come at a price - tends to be the most expensive option

Very durable - and can easily be maintained long term with light sanding, polishing, painting and re-finishing, as necessary

Clean as for laminates, but do not use dish soap on real wood veneer - a mild detergent is a good option, washing up liqiud or sugar soap

Don't use a wet cloth - keep it lightly damp - and don't soak the wood

Some care and attention not to scratch or use abrasive cleaners is needed on all the options.

All are good possibilities, and all have a range of attractive options you can use in your kitchen and wardrobes.

I hope these ideas help you to make your decision.

Best wishes

Charlotte

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Veneer or laminate for kitchen cabinets?

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Veneer or laminate for kitchen cabinets?