All of us would agree that kitchen cabinets are one of the essential elements when it comes to designing a modular kitchen. The choice involved in installing the right cabinets not only add to the aesthetics of the kitchen but also bring a unique element to the entire kitchen. To achieve a premium and unique look, there are a lot of varieties available such as laminates, glass, acrylics polymers, etc.
What is the Best Choice for Your Kitchen Cabinets?
Acrylic sheets and PVC laminates are a few of the common yet very popular options when it comes to kitchen cabinets. They do differ a lot in aesthetics, durability, and pricing. Let’s put some light on these two finishes and understand them better.
What is an Acrylic finish?
It is a type which is similar to the lacquer, non-toxic in nature, and its reflective high gloss can provide the smooth look to the kitchen cabinetries. It is available in a wide variety of colours and different forms of the sheet.
What is a PVC Laminate finish?
These are composite artificial material, majorly used in both carpentry and modular kitchens. It is made by pressing flat paper and plastic resin in different layers. The topmost layer is usually covered with a decorative pattern or colour. The laminates used in the kitchen are pressed in automated machines in the factories.
Comparing the two…..
Look and Feel
Acrylic finish is usually considered for high-end kitchens. It adds to the visual appearance of the space and makes the space appear bigger. This particular finish also invites the crowd and does not fade away with time.
On the other hand, the laminate finish has more variety of texture styles to choose from. ranging from matte, gloss, natural, and wooden textures. Therefore, the visual appearance of the laminate cabinets is more muted.
Colour and Variety
Acrylic finishes are mostly available in solid and vibrant colours and retain the colour over the course of years.
The number of options available in the case of PVC laminates are higher compared to the acrylic, ranging from matte, gloss, high gloss. Alongside laminates also come in different natural textures such as stone and wood.
Maintenance and Durability
Acrylic finishes are scratch-resistant and do not delaminate over the years, where the maintain the seamless and glossy appearance overtime.
One of the drawbacks of this finish is that due to its gloss nature, handprints are easily visible on them and they require regular cleaning.
Laminates, on the other hand, are more durable and resistant. These also come with certain properties such as heat, UV light, and moisture resistance and can be treated for anti-bacterial properties.
Cost
Acrylic cabinets are usually more costly compared to the laminate despite their seamless aesthetics and long durability.
Whereas laminates provide a wide variety of options in budget price. Hence it works well for anyone who is willing to change the look and feel and also someone how likes to work on budgets.
Acrylic or Laminate: What’s Your Choice?
As highlighted above, both work well in different circumstances due to its properties and nature, hence it is difficult to tag and say which is the best. One thing that we can comment from our experience is if you are someone who would like both and does not really have the budget for acrylic, we can offer a solution. In that case, you think about using the acrylic finish on the overhead shutters and laminates on the under-counter cabinets.
As we suggest to use an acrylic finish on the overhead cabinets, it adds to the aesthetics and visual appearance of the kitchen. To complement the acrylic, you can use laminates on the under-counter cabinets as it less maintenance and has anti-bacterial properties.
If you are confused about playing with different materials and someone how needs help with the decorating your kitchens, please reach out to us and we would be happy to help! Simply book a design consultation with us over a video call.