October 20, 2023
When it comes to designing or renovating your kitchen or any other living space, cabinetry plays a crucial role in defining its overall aesthetic appeal. Not only do you want to ensure the cabinetry storage is up to scratch but you also want to make sure you’re choosing the right material to execute the look and feel you want along with being the right practical choice for your home. Choosing the right finish for your cabinetry can significantly impact the style, durability, and maintenance requirements. So, with that said, lets explore your choices, with cabinetry here are the three most common: Two-Pack, Vinyl Wrap, and Laminate cabinetry. It’s important you understand the differences prior to deciding on what’s right for you!
Two-Pack Cabinetry:
Two-Pack cabinetry refers to a type of finish where paint is applied in multiple layers, resulting in a smooth, glossy surface. There are some major perks to this, you can go as bespoke as you from what colour you want to what profile you want! The kicker here, is it’s in the highest price bracket.
Two-Pack cabinetry offers a high-end, flawless finish with a lustrous sheen. It provides a seamless appearance with no visible brushstrokes or surface imperfections. Something people love about two-pack is there’s no seam, because it’s paint it is a continuous motion if material which is super luxurious!
Two-Pack finishes come in a vast array of colours, think about how many Dulux colours there are, that’s what you’re choosing from. What does this mean, well, it allows for extensive customisation to match your desired aesthetic, and who doesn’t want the exact look they’re dreaming of!
Two-Pack cabinetry is also highly durable, resistant to chipping, peeling, and fading. The multiple layers of paint create a protective shield, ensuring longevity and easy maintenance. The other perk being, if you do scratch it, you can remove the door and have it repaired.
Here’s the kicker, Two-Pack finishes are generally more expensive compared to other options due to the labour-intensive process involved in the application. However, the high-quality and luxurious appearance does mean it’s something you should consider. Maybe compromising in other areas to allow you to have two-pack should be a priority if all the things listed above are a must have for you!
Vinyl Wrap Cabinetry:
Vinyl wrap cabinetry involves applying a layer of vinyl film to the cabinet doors and panels, the cabinet maker achieves this through using heat to apply and stick the vinyl. The benefit to vinyl wrap is it allows you to have doors with a profile on them, so if you’re looking for that mid-century modern or heritage look and feel in your cabinetry then vinyl wrap should be a material you consider!
Vinyl wrap has come a LONG way since the 90’s and now offers a wide range of finishes, including matte, gloss, and even wood grain (which is one of my personal faves. patterns. This flexibility allows you to achieve different styles, from contemporary all the way through to traditional (which is where we use it most often).
I’m going to start with the best part. If you felt deflated by two-packs price point, well I’m going to make your day with this. Vinyl wrap cabinetry is often more budget-friendly compared to Two-Pack finishes, making it a fabulous option for your bank account. You can have the profile you always dreamed of, with the budget you always hoped for!
Vinyl wrap surfaces are easy to clean and maintain. However, the stickler with them is they can peel over time if exposed to large amounts of heat and moisture. Now, I do want to preface, this has changed drastically over the past 10 years. Now with the heat application technique adopted by cabinet makers, the risk of your cabinet peeling is significantly less.
Laminate Cabinetry:
Ok, so people hear the world laminate and always cringe a little because they liken it to the laminate we saw in the 80’s which was a horrible colour and constantly bubbling. Laminate cabinetry these days involves covering the cabinet surfaces with a synthetic material made of layers of paper or resin and then heat seal it so it’s lifespan is very very long.
Laminate cabinetry is THE MOST affordable option, making it popular for budget-conscious projects. To make it even better, there is a massive range of design options, including solid colours, patterns, and textures, mimicking the appearance of natural materials. These natural look and feel options also have what we call a riven texture which increases it’s natural look and feel.
Laminate is known for it’s durability and resistance to scratches, moisture, and stains. They are generally easy to clean and maintain, requiring minimal effort to keep them looking pristine, so if you are a busy person, have a family or don’t have time to constantly be cleaning, laminate is a really viable option for you!
Here’s the thing I need you to know, unlike Two-Pack or vinyl wrap finishes, laminates have visible seams where the edges of the laminate sheets meet. While efforts are made to minimize these seams, they can be noticeable, especially on larger surfaces. Personally, I don’t think they’re large enough to be put off by it, but I wouldn’t be doing you any favours by hiding that fact!
So, there you have it, that’s the difference between all our cabinetry options – I hope that through this you’re able to make an educated decision around what’s suitable for you and your home!
