What’s your choice: Laminates or Veneers?

Shakespeare’s Prince Hamlet says in the play ‘Hamlet’, “to be or not to be is the question”. And far -far away from the Victorian times, we are found wondering, ‘to pick laminates or veneers, that is a question’!

And let us tell you, you are not alone tiding over this problem. There are tons of people globally for whom this question is complex, demanding, and bothersome.

With about four decades in the business of laminates, veneers, and wood flooring, we can ease off this mental burden for you. In this blog, we clear some of the most commonly asked questions about what exactly are laminates and veneers, what’s the difference between them over a range of parameters, and finally how to pick between the two.

Same-same or different-different? 

So, first things first, let us tell you the main difference between laminates and veneers.

Laminates are also known as Sun Mica to many. It is paper and resin pressed layer by layer where the topmost sheet can be printed with varied colors, patterns, and textures. This makes it possible for the manufacturers to get creative and therefore you have tons of variety of laminate designs to pick from!

Veneers on the other hand are natural barks of wood thinned out and stuck to some kind of a wood base. Therefore, the product is natural in the sense, the woodgrains of the tree and its color provide for a naturally woody feel. Though one gets a lot of variety within veneers, it is still far less as compared to laminates.

But, what about its cost?

Since laminates come in various types, the cost depends widely on what type of laminates you are going for, the brand as well as its quality.

Veneers, tend to get expensive because they are natural products. Plus, one also has to get them polished so this pushes up the cost.

And maintenance?

Laminates require zero to minimum maintenance since it is essentially a finished product and is more sustainable to water on its surface. It can endure greater wear and tear and are generally more durable if it is a high-quality laminate. And by the way, we also have the choice to pick laminates with anti-fingerprint and anti-bacterial properties these days!

Veneers may not be as easy to handle as laminates but they do not require high maintenance either. They are also sustainable to water. However, excess water is not recommended as it might fade the polish in the long run over the years. One has to take care not to expose the veneer furniture to excess sunlight, moisture, and damp objects. Wiping with a dry cloth or a dry sponge regularly is good enough.

What about aesthetics?

Well, that is completely and a highly subjective question.

Laminates, though factory-made can give a splendid look and feel depending on how the entire décor is planned.

Similarly, veneers provide for a highly elegant, classy, and timeless feel. With gloss and matt finishes, improved dye techniques, and post-processing methods like fuming, it is possible to even get a lot of variety.

So, what is a better choice for aesthetic appeal is a highly contextual question that depends on the overall style, the intended appeal factor, and personal choice. But yes, veneers do provide a highly authentic and aesthetically unique appeal.

The final question – what to pick and how to decide?

Alright, so you’ll have to think through these questions: What is the purpose of the furniture in that space? What is my personal choice? What about the budgets? What is the ultimate look and feel I intend to have in that space? Is it possible to combine both veneer and laminate to give out the final desired appeal? Or should there be an absolute reliance on one of them?

In our opinion, say you are choosing sheets for your home, you could probably go for laminates in the bedroom and veneer for the living room.

Since the living room is going to be visited by most guests and outsiders, it makes sense to invest more in veneers for having an elegant and exclusive kind of décor. For the bedroom, since it’s your private space you might as well pick from the diverse set of laminates that are available in the market that reflect you and your comfort zone.

Similarly, if it is a hotel, restaurant, or cafe and you want to awe your customers, you could pick veneers. They give a plush feel and exude a mood-lifting ambiance.

All in all, we’ll say pick a laminate or a veneer based on your need for durability, appeal, and overall décor and the convenience for maintenance.

After all, ‘a thing of beauty is a joy forever’! By the way, this was John Keats and not Shakespeare!