IN THIS POST
– What is an acrylic finish?
– What is laminate finish?
– Acrylic vs laminate finish
– Which one to choose?
Are you renovating your kitchen and can’t decide between acrylic vs laminate finish for your cabinets? Well, we’ve got you covered.
Choosing the right finish for your kitchen cabinets is almost just as crucial as choosing the right type of cabinets to install. Needless to say, cabinetry is one of the most important components of a kitchen that not only add to its value and functionality but also enhance its aesthetics. However, when it comes to cabinet finishes, there are two types that are more popular than the rest: acrylic finish and laminate finish.
Although these two finishes may look similar to some extent, they significantly differ from each other in a number of fronts.
Let’s take a look at the components of acrylic finish vs laminate finish along with discussing their differences.
What is an Acrylic Finish?
Acrylic finish is a high-gloss and reflective finish made of polymer fibres. It has an extremely smooth texture and gives your cabinets a mirror-like appearance. Acrylic finish is also non-toxic and is in fact quite similar to lacquer. It is durable, long-lasting and available in a wide range of glossy colours that can make your kitchen look rather expensive and elegant.
However, owing to its sleek and shiny surface, dust particles and fingerprints are two of the biggest foes for kitchen cabinets with acrylic finish.
What is a Laminate Finish?
While it may also appear glossy, laminate finish for kitchen cabinets is quite different from acrylic. It is made of thin layers of paper and plastic resin pressed together tightly under high pressure. The top layer of laminate sheets usually has a photographic image or patterns for aesthetics. The laminate finish is rather hard-wearing along with being cost-effective. Although certain laminate finishes can be shiny, they are not as reflective as acrylic finishes.
Moreover, laminate finish usually has a wooden texture and is available in two main types: high-pressure laminate and low-pressure laminate. The high-pressure laminate finish is used for cabinets made of plywood, whereas low-pressure laminate is used for chipboard or particleboard cabinets.
Acrylic vs Laminate Finish: What’s the Difference?
Here are some of the main differences between acrylic and laminate finishes.
- Aesthetics
- Varieties
- Durability
- Maintenance
- Repairs
Let’s further discuss each of these differences pertaining to laminate vs acrylic kitchen cabinets.
Acrylic vs Laminate Finish: Aesthetics
While your kitchen décor should be practical and ensure maximum functionality, you also need to pay attention to its aesthetics.
Acrylic kitchen cabinets are highly-reflective and ultra-glossy, which means they can reflect light and create the illusion of a bigger space while simultaneously adding visual appeal to your décor. If you are someone who takes home décor inspiration for fancy lifestyle magazines, you would know that most high-end modern kitchens utilize striking acrylic cabinets in bold hues for a luxurious appearance.
To put it simply, if you have acrylic cabinets, your kitchen will never look dull or boring.
Meanwhile, laminate has always been a favourite among homeowners not only in Pakistan but across the world. One of the main reasons why people prefer laminated kitchen cabinets is because of its wood-like texture. Compared to acrylic kitchen cabinets, the laminated ones are not very shiny or reflective, but they still look rather appealing and add warmth to your kitchen décor.
Laminated kitchen cabinets may appear muted, but they are a great option for traditional homes owing to their wood-like appearance.
Acrylic vs Laminate Finish: Varieties
As mentioned above, acrylic finishes are available in a wide variety of colours, both light and dark. So, if you want your kitchen cabinets to be painted in a bold statement-making colour, you can easily opt for a neon yellow or striking red acrylic finish. What’s more is that the acrylic coating for kitchen cabinets doesn’t fade over time. It remains sleek and shiny for years, granted they are cleaned on a regular basis.
On the other hand, laminate finishes are available in matte, glossy and high-gloss varieties. Owing to their wood-like texture and appearance, one might easily mistake a laminated kitchen cabinet for a wooden one. Apart from wooden patterns and textures, laminate sheets may also appear and feel like marble or other natural stones.
Acrylic vs Laminate Finish: Durability
Acrylic finishes are pretty durable and can last for more than a decade. They also retain their colour and smooth texture rather well. So, if you decide to opt for an acrylic finish for your kitchen cabinets, you won’t have to worry about re-touching or upgrading them anytime soon.
Not to mention, acrylic finishes are timeless, so they won’t go out of style either.
Similarly, laminate finish for kitchen cabinets is also highly durable. It can withstand the wear and tear along with being resistant to moisture and heat – two of the most important elements in every kitchen. Laminated kitchen cabinets can also be treated with antibacterial properties.
Acrylic vs Laminate Finish: Maintenance and Repairs
Acrylic finishes are highly scratch-resistant. However, owing to their glossy and reflective appearance, acrylic kitchen cabinets are extremely susceptible to fingerprint marks and dirt stains. Depending on the colour of your cabinets, these marks may stand out and be rather visible, making them look dirty.
The best way to clean acrylic kitchen cabinets is by cleaning it with a lint-free cloth soaked in a solution of warm water and mild dishwashing soap. It is better not to use store-bought chemical cleaners for this purpose, as they may cause tiny scratches to appear on the surface of your shiny cabinets.
As for kitchen cabinets with laminate coating, they are slightly more susceptible to scratches, dents and chips. While scratches and dent on laminate can be fixed or hidden with a few homemade remedies, you certainly cannot repair a chipped sheet. The entire thing will have to be replaced.
However, unlike acrylic kitchen cabinets, the laminated ones can simply be cleaned with a lint-free cloth as fingerprint marks and other stains don’t stand out on the surface.
Acrylic Vs Laminate: Which Finish Is Best For Kitchen Cabinets
The answer for which finish is best for kitchen cabinets depends on your wallet.
Acrylic finishes are more expensive than laminate finishes. So, you can opt for one or the other as per your decided budget. In case the budget is not an issue, you may want to play a little mix and match by choosing a combination of both acrylic and laminate finishes for your kitchen.
More homeowners are leaning towards using acrylic finish on the upper cabinets as they reflect more light and draw the eye upwards, making your kitchen look bigger than it actually is. Laminate is usually used for lower cabinets and drawers, as it is more resistant to water and heat along with being able to withstand general wear and tear for a long time. All you need to do is make sure the colours and textures you choose must complement each other for a cohesive look.
Meanwhile, you can find out about rates and types of wooden cabinets in our detailed guide on the topic. In case you are planning to update the look of your kitchen, here is a step-by-step DIY guide on how to paint your cabinets.
To learn more about kitchen designs and renovations, head over to Zameen Blog, your one-stop solution for all home décor-related problems. You can send us your queries and feedback on blog@zameen.com. Moreover, if you want to receive the latest updates about construction and real estate trends in Pakistan, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter on the right.
