Cabinetry 101: Laminate vs. Veneer vs. Solid Wood
Start your home build or remodel process and you might think the cabinetry part is easy – cabinets are wood! Simple, straightforward, no problem! And you would be right. Sort of.
While hard wood cabinets are still a beautiful and popular option, modern day cabinetry has come a long way in terms of technology, which opens the door to a much wider spectrum of choices. So, before you become overwhelmed by the possibilities, or stuck in a single lane, it’s a good idea to better understand how different types of cabinets are constructed, and what that can mean for your project.
Laminate Cabinets - Durable and Customizable
Engineered wood products are quickly replacing their naturally-occurring, less predictable simple hardwood counterparts. Why? For one, laminates offer a tremendous amount of versatility and great value, not to mention their resistance to warping or rotting. Laminate cabinets consist of a strong core material typically created by compressing wood or wood particulate and melamine, which hardens the mixture into a sturdy plank. After that, a thin layer is attached. This layer can be printed with a variety of designs, patterns and look-alike options.
Why we love laminate cabinets:
Super sturdy and durable
Easy to clean
More stain- and scratch-resistant that solid wood
Great value
Wide variety of design and color options
The world of laminates has come a long way, so it’s worth noting some of the more technical aspects of the construction. (And if technical isn’t your thing, we’re happy to explain further or, even better, show you some examples in our showroom.)
Porta Door Style Laminate Material, or PET, is a lightweight, durable, chemical resistant, UV-light stable (yes, it is truly all of those things!) plastic that is treated with a transparent coating cured under special temperature and UV light processes to further enhance its durability. It’s eco-friendly and emits no harsh chemicals. If you’re looking for high gloss or super matte solid colors, the PET Porta door style results in a seamless appearance and permanently attached durable edge that is resistant to moisture.
Thermal Structured Surface, or TSS, are specially designed papers that replicate various wood grain patterns and colorings. They are thermally bonded with particle board substrate. These materials are made using heat and pressure with colors and textures originating from steel plates or drums that create textures pressed into the top color and underlying cabinetry core materials. The result is a bit of an optical illusion – artfully styled, unique cabinets that are built to last.
If you’re going for a traditionally styled mountain or rustic look, then laminate cabinets might not be the best option. However, they can be an excellent choice for more modern, sleeker kitchen designs. At Old Goats, we love Bellmont Cabinets’ gorgeous Euro-style, built-to-order frameless kitchen and bathroom cabinets, many of which utilize a high quality laminate construction. Swing in and check them out!
Image courtesy of Bellmont Cabinets
Wood Veneer Cabinets - Engineered Interior, Real Wood Exterior
Chat with Old Goats Owner Ethan Petro about wood veneer and he’ll quickly relieve any concerns you have regarding the idea of it. “These aren’t your grandma’s cabinets. So often, our clients hear the word ‘veneer’ and they’re immediately transported back in time, to the early days of wood veneer cabinetry when the wood would simply peel away after time, wear and exposure. Trust me; they’ve come a long way and our customers love them.”
Similar to laminate cabinetry, wood veneer cabinets take a thin piece of actual wood and adhere it to a manufactured interior. The result is a strong, reliable cabinet that has the look and feel of wood. Says Ethan, “Wood veneer cabinets are an excellent way to combine modern door styles with more traditional wood types and grains.”
Why we love wood veneer cabinets:
Potentially more cost-effective than solid wood
Resistant to warping
Versatile in choices of wood, door styles, finishes, stains and paints
Easy to maintain
Solid Hardwood Cabinets - Timeless
With cabinet showrooms in Whitefish, Montana and Sun Valley, Idaho, we get a lot of requests for solid wood cabinetry at Old Goats, and we’re happy to oblige. Solid hardwood cabinets are simply that – a planed piece of wood shaped in a specific door style. They are beautiful and capture the timeless elegance of mountain lifestyles, knots and all. At Old Goats, we feature Cabinetry by Karman, the largest family-owned cabinet manufacturer in the United States. We love their completely customizable hardwood cabinets, which come in a wide variety of woods, including alder, cherry, hickory, maple, oak, rustic alder, rustic cherry, rustic hickory, rustic maple, rustic oak and more exotic species such as bamboo, lyptus, quarter-sawn oak, red birch, walnut and rustic walnut.
Why we love solid hardwood cabinets:
It just doesn’t get any more classic and timeless
Solid lets the details shine through, including knots, grains and textures
Each piece is unique
Customizable
Images courtesy of Cabinetry by Karman
Cabinetry can be a bit of a puzzle. Wood or laminate? Natural stain or color? Contemporary or timeless? The Old Goats team is happy to walk you through cabinetry construction, decisions and design any time. If you find yourself wanting to compare types and styles, stop by our showroom. We’ll pour coffee or beer and walk through the ins and outs of your kitchen or bathroom cabinets.