We Indians love our furniture, don’t we? However, when we go furniture shopping, we are often caught off guard with questions about the type of material we are looking for. Is solid wood better than laminate? Is laminate better than veneer? What are the differences?
Laminate, veneer, and solid wood come with their pros and cons. However, there are a lot of misconceptions about the differences among the three.
Today, at RoofandFloor, we guide you on the differences between the three types of wood and their practical applications:
LaminatePopularly known as sun mica, laminate furniture is not actually made of wood. It is made by pressing together multiple layers of plastic resins and flat paper. A printed process is used to give it a wood grain appearance. Often, the upper layer is printed with decorative pattern or colours, and given a shiny finish, thereby giving it a manufactured look.
It is made to bear heat and scratches, and it continues to look new and shiny even after a long stretch of rough usage. Therefore, when it comes to creating furniture for busy areas such as the kitchen, people often prefer laminate over other material.
Pros of laminate furniture
Affordable - It costs almost a quarter of solid wood and veneer furniture. If you are tight on budget, laminate is the best choice.
Easy cleaning – The shiny finish on the surface makes it easy to clean. You can wipe it out with a wet cloth or use some soap water without worrying about damage.
Durable – Laminate is strong and durable and has a long shelf life.
Variety – Unlike solid wood that is more or less of the same colour and appearance, laminate comes in a wide variety of colour and appearance.
Maintenance free – No need to polish, refinish or colour it regularly.
Cons of laminate furniture
Comparatively lower quality – Although laminated wood is durable, it is low in quality compared to solid wood and veneer. It can bear scratches but is not shock-absorbent.
Lack of natural feel – There is a synthetic feeling attached to laminate, and it lacks the natural feel and variation of synthetic wood.
Non-recyclable – Since the surface of the laminate is shiny, you can’t stain it. You might be able to paint it with a lot of effort but lack of finishing limits the options in case you want to recycle the furniture. It eventually begins to show signs of wear.
Shorter lifespan - The upper layer of the laminate is breakable and is prone to wear and tear. Therefore, these often have a shorter lifespan than solid wood furniture.
VeneerVeneer is the middleman between the laminate and solid wood. Its construction is similar to that of laminate with the primary difference being that the outer layer of veneer is made of real solid wood. The inside of the veneer is made of synthetic material such as lower quality wood base, flat paper, MDF, or particleboard. Thus it looks similar to solid wood while being lightweight. Most veneer layers are less than 1/8 inch thick. In comparison to laminate, the veneer is softer, and hence a little less durable.
Pros of veneer furniture
Moderately priced – This costs more than laminate but way less than solid wood. It is a good choice for anyone looking for a wood-like feel without spending much.
High-end look – Laminate furniture is easy to differentiate, but veneer furniture looks like wood. This gives the furniture an authentic look and makes it appear high-end.
Uniform appearance – Unlike laminate, veneer furniture has a more uniform appearance and is easier to match with other furniture already present in the house.
Lightweight - The core of furniture is made of lightweight material like MDF and particleboard, and it relies on glue for strength. This construction makes the furniture made of veneer extremely lightweight and portable.
Refinishing is easy – Contrary to laminate, it is extremely easy to refinish veneer furniture. You can paint or stain veneer pieces as per your choice.
Cons of veneer furniture
Difficult to repair - If there is any sort of damage in veneer furniture, it is difficult to repair compared to laminate or solid wood. It is almost impossible to refinish the furniture to its original state without showing signs of damage.
Reliability – You cannot find out what materials are used for making the core of the veneer furniture. Unless you have purchased the material or furniture from someone trustworthy, you might be in for an unpleasant surprise.
Scratches easily – Veneer gets scratched easily compared to both laminate and solid wood. This means you need to be more careful in using veneer furniture and avoid keeping it in areas where it will be prone to scratches or dents.
Damage -- Veneer is normally durable. However, due to its particleboard core, it is more likely to absorb moisture. The veneer layer may start peeling off, which can be very difficult to repair.
Solid woodAs the name suggests, solid wood furniture is made completely of solid wood pieces. Of course, the quality may vary with the type of wood, which ranges from softwood to hardwood. Each variety has its own characteristic and features, and you can select one that fits your style and falls within your budget.
The furniture made of solid wood carries all the features and quality of the original wood.
Pros of solid wood furniture
Classic aesthetics. Solid wood is a classic furniture option. It works well with any décor and offers natural beauty appealing to people with a wide range of styles.Uniqueness: Solid wood furniture is made from real wood pieces. Hence, no two pieces of wood furniture are alike. Each piece of furniture is unique with its own character.
Durability – Solid wood furniture is very durable. They can last up to several decades without any wear and tear. This makes them ideal for day-to-day usage.
Easy restoration - Solid wood furniture is easy to restore and refinish. Scratches and other minor damage can be restored using sandpaper. You can stain or paint solid furniture as many times as you want. It is thus easy to give the existing furniture a new look.
High resale value – While the value of laminate and veneer furniture decreases over time, solid wood furniture not only retains but increases its value over the years.
Natural and elegant – There is nothing synthetic about solid wood furniture. There is a natural elegance and grace that comes with this kind of furniture.
Strength and longevity – Has a natural strength, which makes it ideal for heavy-duty usage. It can take nails and hammer better than any other material and can last for generations to come.
Cons of solid wood furniture
Cost : Solid wood furniture is costlier than laminate or veneer. Of course, you get quality, but it does not work if you have a tight budget to follow.
Heavyweight : While the solid construction keeps the furniture durable and long-lasting, it also makes the pieces quite heavy. They are difficult to rearrange or are not recommended if your work needs you to often move houses.
Quality variations : Not many people are aware of the different quality of wood available and sometimes end up falling prey to low-quality wood or soft wood. These will lack the natural beauty, quality, and durability of natural wood.
Damage in extreme conditions : Moisture or extreme heat and cold can often cause warping, swelling or other changes in solid wood. Wood furniture has high durability but only when you keep it at a consistent temperature away from moisture.
The bottom line
So, which among laminate, veneer or solid wood is best? Well, the answer is that it depends upon your need. Each comes with its own set of pros and cons, and you can select one after careful consideration of your requirements.
This article is contributed by RoofandFloor , part of KSL Digital Ventures Pvt. Ltd., from The Hindu Group
