Acrylic vs Laminate: Best Finish for Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets make an integral part of any kitchen. Although the primary purpose of cabinets is to increase storage space for kitchen items, they are also essential for enhancing the overall outlook of your kitchen.

This is why homeowners particularly focus on the finish of cabinets, as they add more aesthetic value to the kitchen. There is a vast variety of finishes available in markets, for example, acrylic, polymer, and laminates. In recent years, acrylic and laminate kitchen cabinets have become immensely popular among homeowners, as they offer unique aesthetics and durability.

In this blog, Graana.com, Pakistan’s smartest property portal, has come up with an in-depth analysis of laminate and acrylic finishes to help you choose the right cabinetry finish that goes well with the decor of your kitchen.

 

Table of Contents

Acrylic Finish

Laminate Finish

Acrylic vs. Laminate Kitchen | Differences

Acrylic and Laminated Sheets Price in Pakistan

Pros & Cons of Acrylic and Laminated Sheets

 

Acrylic Finish

 

 

It is a non-toxic synthetic material that gives an even and lustrous finish to the surface of cabinets. In markets, it is available in the form of sheets. Acrylic sheets come in a vast variety of colours and sizes. Acrylic offers exceptional durability as it does not crack or chip easily. It is considered to be 17 times sturdier than glass.

Moreover, it is often used as a substitute for laminate or glass because of its exceptional visual appeal. It is because of all these qualities that people use acrylic sheets for their kitchen cabinet finish.

 

Laminate Finish

 

 

It is an artificial material that is manufactured in factories by pressing together layers of paper and plastic resins under high pressure.

The topmost layer of laminates is embellished using pleasant designs and colours. Laminate finish cabinets are incorporated in both traditional and contemporary kitchens.

 

Acrylic vs Laminate Kitchen | Differences

 

Here are the factors that distinguish between acrylic and laminate finishes.

• Aesthetics
• Varieties
• Durability
• Maintenance

 

Aesthetics

 

 

Both laminates and acrylics add to the aesthetics of your kitchen in their way. Acrylic sheets are typically more glossy and come in bold hues, which gives them a luxurious appeal making them ideal for contemporary high-end kitchens.

Due to their smooth surface, acrylic cabinets are highly reflective of light, which adds more brightness to the cooking space. Moreover, it gives an illusion of a bigger space.

On the other hand, laminates are not as shiny and smooth as acrylics. In terms of texture, they have a striking similarity with wood, which makes them a favoured option among homeowners. They add warmth to your kitchen and are perfect for traditional kitchens.

Laminate cabinets are not only popular in Pakistan but also in other regions of the world.

 

Varieties

 

If you opt for an acrylic finish, you will have the option to choose from a vast range of colours, ranging from light to bold colours.
In addition, the acrylic finish tends to remain intact for a long time as its colours do not shed off easily.

Also, they show great resistance against scratches; hence, with proper maintenance, they retain their even, smooth surface. Laminates also come in a variety of different forms, including matte, shiny and high-gloss.

Moreover, they are also available in multiple colours and a few different textures, among which wooden texture is the most popular.

 

Durability

 

Acrylic finishes are quite durable and can last for more than a decade. They also retain their hues and polished finish fairly well. Hence, if you plan to go for an acrylic lacquer for your kitchen cabinets, you will not have to fret about revamping or improving them in the near future.

Needless to say, acrylic finishes are ageless, so they won’t go out of style anytime soon. Likewise, laminate coating for kitchen cabinets is also really hard-wearing.

It has the ability to resist damage along with being repellent to dampness and heat, which are two of the principal constituents in every kitchen. Laminated kitchen cabinets can also be processed with microbicidal properties.

 

Maintenance

 

 

Acrylic finishes show great resistance against scratches. However, considering their gleaming and reflective surface, acrylic kitchen cabinets are very prone to stains of fingerprints and dust. Based on your cabinets’ shade, these stains may catch the eye and be rather noticeable, making them look unclean.

The best and easiest technique to clean acrylic kitchen cabinets is by cleaning them using a lint-free fabric, pre-dipped in a solution of a regular dishwashing liquid and warm water.

It is best to avoid chemical cleaners for cabinet cleaning, as they might erode the surface of the acrylic finish making it look dull, rough, and old. Ammonia-based products, in particular, can cause cabinets to lose their colour.

Laminate kitchen cabinets are more subject to wear and tear, indentation, and cuts. Although these dents and scratches on laminate cabinets can be treated or concealed using a few basic solutions, you definitely can never restore a broken sheet. If the topmost layer of the laminated sheet wears out, you will have to replace the whole sheet.

However, in contrast to acrylic cabinets, you can easily clean the laminated cabinets using a lint-free cloth with no cleaning solution required, as fingerprints and other stains do not stand out on their surface as much as they do on acrylic sheets.

For more information, watch this video which is as follows

 

 

Acrylic vs Laminate Kitchen Sheets Price in Pakistan

 

The cost of a 4×8 acrylic sheet in Pakistan ranges between Rs 400- 700, and that of a laminated sheet ranges between Rs 200-10,000/board.

Pros & Cons of Acrylic vs Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

 

Following are some of the pros and cons of acrylic and laminated sheets.

 

Advantages of Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

• Acrylic sheets come in a wide range of colours and have smooth, shiny surface that stays intact for years.
• Acrylic cabinets provide a modern and chic look to your kitchen while uplifting its aesthetics.
• Cleaning them does not require much effort or time.
• Besides being non-toxic and antibacterial, they offer excellent resistance to heat and humidity.
• They are UV resistant, which means sunlight does not affect it.
• Acrylic cabinets are 100% waterproof.

 

Disadvantages of Acrylic Kitchen Cabinets

• Its smooth and shiny surface makes the tiniest of stains, scratches, or marks stand out, particularly for those with dark colours.
• An acrylic finish will cost you much more than a laminate finish.
• To avoid stains and dust marks, you will have to clean it on a regular basis.

 

Advantages of Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

• Laminate cupboards offer various designs and hues, including matte, gloss, natural wooden texture, and high gloss.
• Its wood-like texture gives a warm and natural feel to the kitchen.
• Laminate finishing is more affordable as compared to acrylic.
• It is easier to clean them as you can simply wipe the dust and stains off them using a damp cloth.

 

Disadvantages of Laminate Kitchen Cabinets

• Despite their sturdiness, laminate cabinets are more prone to damage.
• They show low resistance to dampness and heat.
• Low-pressure laminate sheets are less sturdy and tend to have a rough seam and surface.
• Low-pressure laminates do not offer a vast variety of colours.
• Water exposure can prove to be harmful to them, as it can expose their seams leading to the adhesive becoming ineffective.

Both laminates and acrylic sheets are widely used for making kitchen cabinets. However, they differ in their properties. This is why it is essential to always look into their features, benefits, and drawbacks, so you know which one of them is in line with your requirements.
For more information on kitchen cabinet designs, visit the Graana blog.