Laminates are the most commonly used wooden product in furniture-making. Laminate furniture is the best option for meeting basic needs in the current interior design fad of adding glitz to spaces. Designers can create innovative solutions for a range of furniture types because laminate sheets are simple to resize and shape according to various installation and design requirements. But before using laminate sheets in your home, it is important to know the advantages and disadvantages of laminates. This helps you make wise decisions on how to use laminate sheets. Gharpedia, through this blog, brings you an overview of the advantages and disadvantages of laminates.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Laminates
Laminates are decorative surface materials applied to a substrate like plywood, MDF, or particleboard. Standard laminates are used in normal applications like furniture, cabinetry, table tops, etc., along with decorative walling and flooring. They are available in different sizes, shapes, colours, textures, and patterns.
Here we give certain advantages and disadvantages of laminates, which are as follows:
Advantages of Using Laminate Sheets
01. Availability in Different Sizes : One of the major advantages of laminate is its availability in a wide range of sizes. Laminates are available in sheets in the sizes of 4’ X 8’, 2’ X 8’ and 1’ X 8’. These come in different-sized squares and rectangles that can be used on walls as well. Check the dimensions and measure the area before you go to the market.
02. Easy to Clean and Maintain :
Laminates intended for interior use are easy to maintain. Traditional materials like wood, veneer and metal are prone to scratches and require repainting and resurfacing periodically, but laminates hold their charm for a very long time. While laminates don’t require dusting or cleaning regularly, a dusting or cleaning routine can add life to your laminates. A moist towel can be used to clean it and then to dry it. All laminates need is occasional spot cleaning with a gentle cleaning solution and non-abrasive cloth.
03. Durability : For furniture surfaces, laminate sheets offer a strong and resilient covering. Laminates have a long lifespan. They are far more resilient to wear and tear and moisture than other surfacing materials, such as wood veneer. Hence, they go well in high-humidity environments too. Kraft paper, used in the laminate manufacturing process, gives the product a remarkably long lifespan as a surfacing material. Some premium quality laminates come with a 10-year warranty.
Interested in knowing more about the manufacturing of laminates? Read our detailed article:
Manufacturing Process of Decorative Laminates
04. Installation and Repair : Laminate sheets are easier to install than many traditional surfaces, such as wood veneer, and require less skill to install. One can install laminates over almost any existing floor. It is simple to swap out the damaged sheet for a brand-new, identical-looking one. Furthermore, it is simple to repair or remove damaged laminate surfaces or edges without needing to refinish the entire piece of furniture.
05. Available in Variety of Designs :
If you want to go all out in terms of elegance and style, you can install laminate sheets that blend well with the walls and other furnishings in your rooms. You can use laminated sheets for a variety of furniture items, including tables, chairs, cupboards, doors, and other elements. Furniture-grade laminate sheets come in a variety of wood patterns, plain colours, metallic finishes, and abstract patterns.
06. Economical : Compared to most other options on the market, such as natural wood and veneer, laminates are more affordable. They are therefore increasingly popular options for flooring, accent pieces, and kitchen cabinetry and mostly all type of furniture.
07. Anti-scratch Laminate : Some laminate sheets offer high scratch resistance properties. As the name suggests, anti-scratch laminate sheets are designed to be highly scratch resistant. They have a protective layer or coating that prevents surface damage from objects like furniture, keys, or sharp cutlery. This scratch resistance contributes to the laminate’s long-term look and integrity.
08. No Marks / Anti-Finger Laminate : Nowadays anti-fingerprint laminate are available in the market. Anti-fingerprint laminates or no marks laminates are those that are resistant to fingerprints. Imagine someone adorning the laminates you’ve picked for your home, but they get too close and touch it. There you have it, the fingerprint effect on your laminates. Anti-fingerprint laminates provide both aesthetics and durability, since you don’t have to worry about them getting dirty or being difficult to maintain. These anti-finger laminates, made using cutting-edge technology, are simple to clean and maintain, increasing the longevity of your home interior for years to come.
Disadvantages/Drawbacks of Laminates
01. Does Not Give Natural Feel : While it can mimic a wood veneer, laminate sheets does not come close to the feel of those textures in a veneer. Even high-quality laminates fail to simulate the feel of real wood under your feet. It doesn’t feel as hot underfoot as real wood does, nor does it offer the same insulation against sound and heat.
02. Toxic : Laminates are known to be toxic as they release formaldehyde, which is a volatile organic compound.
03. Non-recyclable :
They are not eco-friendly, as it is difficult to recycle laminate sheets.
04. Brittle : It is a brittle material; hence it is prone to clipping.
05. Slippery : Laminate is slippery when wet. This affects your safety.
Conclusion
Laminates are widely used in furniture making. They provide a cost-effective alternative to natural wood. It is very easy to install and maintain. Although they may give you the look of real wood, they cannot provide the warmth and feel. Before buying furniture for your home, you should keep in mind the advantages and disadvantages of laminates and then decide.
Want to install laminate flooring? Make sure to know its pros and cons:
Check-out Laminate Flooring Pros and Cons for Home Upgradation