| NATURAL VENEER | ENGINEERED VENEER | LAMINATE | MELAMINE (MFC) | PAINTED MDF
NATURAL VENEER
• Natural veneer is wood sliced from a tree log. Each veneer piece showcases an authentic pattern that mirrors the tree species and the environment in which it grew.
ENGINEERED VENEER
• Engineered veneer, a man-made alternative to natural veneer, was initially developed to minimize the environmental impact associated with traditional veneer production methods. It's providing authentic-looking, consistent design and colour suitable for a variety of applications
LAMINATE
• Laminate is a man-made product formed by stacking paper sheets, often resembling wood grain. It typically consists of three layers: a base of brown paper coated in phenolic resin, a decorative layer, and a protective clear layer. Laminate is known for its exceptional durability and offers special features such as chemical, fire, and wear resistance
MELAMINE (MFC)
• Engineered veneer, a man-made alternative to natural veneer, was initially developed to minimize the environmental impact associated with traditional veneer production methods. It's providing authentic-looking, consistent design and colour suitable for a variety of applications
PAINTED MDF
- Painted MDF (Medium-Density Fiberboard) provides the most flexibility in design and production. After priming and sanding, MDF panels can be painted with a wide range of finishes, making it ideal for a consistent look.
Frequently Asked Questions
To tell the difference, just touch the surface. Laminate feels smooth and plastic, while veneer feels warm and has the texture of real wood. Common laminate surfaces are white melamine, and these can be made to look like different wood species by printing a photo of wood texture onto the plastic surface.
One common misconception is that laminate is always cheap and not classy, while wood veneer is always expensive and luxurious. But there are many good-quality laminate options that can look and feel like real wood.
Another misunderstanding is that wood veneer is always tougher than laminate, but some laminates can be more durable and last longer than wood veneer.
Laminate is usually tougher than wood veneer because it has a hard surface that resists scratches, moisture, stains, and fading. Wood veneer, on the other hand, may scratch, peel, or warp if not taken care of properly.
It varies based on the product and how it's made. Laminate can be more eco-friendly as it can be made from recycled materials and is often more energy-efficient than wood veneer, which comes from cutting down and processing natural wood. However, some laminates have harmful chemicals, while wood veneer is renewable and can be produced sustainably.