Real wood, wood veneer, and laminate are common materials used in everything from kitchen cabinets to living room furniture to office furniture. Even though these are 3 of the most widely used materials in furniture, many of us are still left scratching our heads wondering, &#;What&#;s the difference?&#;
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Conventional wisdom says that solid wood, or real wood, is best. But is that always the best choice when shopping for furniture? We&#;ll define each of these materials and run through the benefits to help you determine which material is right for you. The answers might surprise you.
Wood veneer is a thin layer of real hardwood applied to a less expensive material like plywood or medium-density fiberboard (MDF).
Laminate is an engineered material usually constructed of plastic and bonded to a composite base. Office furniture shoppers should know about 2 types of laminate. High-pressure laminate (HPL) is constructed of multiple layers bonded together under high pressure and heat, making the product incredibly durable. High-pressure laminate is favored by some of the biggest companies in the world because it&#;s been designed to resist stains, scratches, and heat.
Low-pressure laminate is more widely known as melamine. Melamine is constructed of a single layer bonded to the base material. Because melamine is less durable than high-pressure laminate, it performs better in lower-use areas.
Because of the way laminate is constructed, it can be designed to create different styles and mimic other surfaces like wood or marble.
Solid wood, often referred to as &#;real wood,&#; refers to natural wood or plywood rather than plywood. You may find furniture that has been constructed of solid wood or as a combination of materials. For example, it&#;s common to pair a solid wood desktop with metal desk legs. You might also find solid wood as an element within a mixed-material construction.
Debating which option to go with for your new office furniture? Here are some distinguishing features of each material to make it easier for you to choose which is best for your needs.
Laminate is engineered to stand up to high traffic and heavy use, making it a popular choice for commercial offices, home offices, doctor&#;s offices, schools, and anywhere else you expect your furniture to see a lot of &#;wear and tear.&#; It&#;s often easier to care for than real wood or wood veneer.
Durable, manufactured surface
Scratch, stain, and heat-resistant
Easy to clean and maintain
Modern, on-trend finishes
Budget-friendly and easier to manufacture
One downfall of laminate is that, since it's a manufactured surface, you will not get the natural variations and true wood grains that you see with real wood veneer; however, the color possibilities are endless.
Wood veneer gives you a solid wood look without the matching price point of solid wood furniture. Because the veneer is composed of natural wood, it has a richer and more varied look. Since more effort goes into crafting a veneer top, they are usually priced higher than laminate alternatives. Wood veneer is softer and more susceptible to scratches and dents when compared to laminate, so we recommend using desk pads and coasters to protect your surfaces.
Real wood finish with natural variations
Richer, stained finish options
Requires coasters and desk pads
Higher price point versus laminate
Wood veneer can be more delicate because it&#;s topped with a very thin layer of natural wood, making it susceptible to chipping and scratching.
Solid wood gives you a natural wood finish that is beautiful and luxurious. In furniture production, solid wood has become a stand-in for &#;luxury.&#; Nothing sounds more opulent than a solid mahogany desk (however heavy it may be in real life). Solid wood gives you the beauty of the natural grain, and because it&#;s a natural material, it will break down faster than laminate wood or wood veneer, making it a sustainability favorite.
Beautiful natural grain
Luxurious
Sustainable
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While not as fragile as wood veneer, solid wood can be prone to chipping, staining, and rings. Because of this, many shoppers will choose solid wood for their homes and laminate for their offices.
If you plan on using your desk or table for years, you'll want to know how to keep that beautiful finish looking its best even after daily use. Always consult the manufacturer of the product to ensure that you are using the proper cleaning method for your furniture. Make a habit of performing these regular maintenance tasks, and you'll thank yourself for it in the long run.
Pay special attention to wood veneer and solid wood finishes. They require a special cleaning process to ensure the wood is not damaged.
Choosing between laminate, veneer, and solid wood really comes down to durability and consistency versus natural beauty and variation. Consider which of these benefits is more important to you when making your decision.
Veneers and laminates have emerged as the most popular surface finishes for different types of furniture and cabinets. The main difference is that veneers comprise thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base while laminates are manufactured by pressing together layers of flat paper and plastic resins under high pressure. These materials are pasted on a sub-base of plywood, MDF or particle board and give the furniture a finished look. Confused between veneer or laminate? We help you out.
Since veneers are sourced from trees they look like real wood where each sheet of veneer has a unique appearance. Unlike laminates, no two sheets of veneer look alike.
Veneers are made of thin layers of wood that are pressed on a plywood base. Photo credit: Duy vo/ Unsplash
Design
The natural grain patterns of wood gives the veneer sheets a rich, warm and aesthetically pleasing look. Additionally veneers can be stained into different colours and finishes like gloss and matte.
Polishing
One disadvantage is that veneers are prone to scratches and the polishing peels off over a period of time. However just like wood, the veneer surface can be sanded and polished to achieve its original look.
Maintenance
Veneers require periodic maintenance as they are not waterproof and may get damaged by heat. Therefore, veneer finishes should be avoided in moisture-laden areas like the kitchens or bathrooms because moisture can seep under the veneer and loosen the top layer. Note that a melamine coating can make the veneer surface waterproof.
Eco-friendly
Sine these are made from a renewable resource, veneers are sustainable. However, laminates comprise plastics and resins which will end up in landfills over a period of time.
Cost
Since veneer sheets are made with thin layers of real wood, they are more costly than factory-manufactured laminate finishes.
Laminates can be categorised into the most preferred high pressure laminates or HPL and less durable low pressure laminates or LPL. The topmost layer of each sheet comprises a decorative print or colourful sheet which is finished with a plastic coating that gives the laminate a shiny look.
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