Posted on January 05, 2022

Veneer vs Laminate Furniture

Veneer vs Laminate Furniture: Which is the best. Find out the pros and cons of each!

Choosing furniture for your office is part of the fun of working for yourself and owning your own business! However, executive office design ideas can sometimes be overwhelming with different materials and pieces such as wood products, plastic, glass, etc. From solid wood furniture, veneer wood furniture, and laminate, there are many product options for office furniture. While wood furniture is a great option, sometimes it isn’t the most practical choice for office furniture.

Thankfully, there are other options to choose from that can be great choices too, and possibly hold up better over the long haul. The two most popular options are veneer furniture and laminate furniture. No matter what your preference we offer custom options to suit your fancy.

What is Veneer Furniture?

A veneer is basically a thin layer of real hardwood applied on top of another material to create the look of faux hardwood furniture. Since hardwood is quite expensive, applying a thin ayer of it on a cheaper material makes this a slightly less expensive option for many. However, keep in mind that wood veneer is soft and vulnerable to scratches and stains.

There are a few types of veneer products available on the market today, each designed for a specific purpose. Veneers can be classified as raw, paper-backed, laid up, reconstituted, phenolic-backed, or wood on wood. You can check out our wide range of veneer furniture options, such as desks, on our website.

Pros of Veneer Furniture

Real wood with distinct patterns––veneers, due to their natural origins, come with the elegant patterns and variations of natural wood. Each veneer is distinct and unique.
Statement pieces––veneer wood is excellent for use as a statement-making piece. It inevitably becomes the focus point of wherever you place it and its distinct appearance complements many types of decor.

Cons of Veneer Furniture

Requires protection––veneer wood is prone to scratches and damage from water, heat, and other things. This is because it is a soft and rich material.
Expensive––good quality veneer is an expensive commodity, much more so than laminates. However, though they are on the higher end of the price scale, the type of wood used also determines the value of the veneer.
Limited shades––since veneers are a natural material, they come with rich variations in patterns. However, there are only so many shades of wood available. The color and shade range for veneers is quite limited.
High maintenance––veneers can be sensitive and require a little extra TLC than other options. You may also need to give them a good polish every so often.

What is Laminate Furniture?

Laminate furniture is made with a printed surface that looks like real wood but isn’t. The base of laminate furniture is usually made of a plastic that is bonded with a composite base. In simple terms, it’s layers of thin flat paper and plastic resins, with a decorative upper layer.

Laminates can be classified into a few broad distinctions. These include textured laminates, and also soft, matte, and high gloss laminates.

Textured laminates most closely resemble the natural textures of hardwood. The high gloss and matte laminates give the furniture a more artificial-looking finish.

Laminate furniture is an ideal choice for high-traffic areas of your office that see a lot of action. Be sure to browse through our variety of laminate furniture options to find something suitable for your space.

https://juniperoffice.com/search?type=product&q=laminate

Pros of Laminate Furniture

Highly resistant––it is resistant to not only heat and water, but also to scratching. Moreover, its water-proof properties also make it resistant to staining.
Durable––as mentioned, laminate is resistant to a lot of things. That means laminate furniture is durable and reliable. The bond between the laminate paper and composite base is sturdy, which is what helps make it so durable.
Easy to clean––since laminate is resistant to water and stains, it is easy to clean, making for furniture that’s easy to maintain and care for.
Budget-friendly––as a man-made artificial product, it is an affordable and easily accessible option for furniture design, but still displays the elegance of real hardwood.
Color possibilities––though this could be both a pro and con, depending on your perspective. Laminates, since they are artificial, come in a lot of color and pattern varieties. However, they are often mass produced so no pattern is unique and rare.

Cons of Laminate Furniture

No natural wood variations––unfortunately, the fact that it is artificially made can be considered as a con as well. It doesn’t have any of the natural wood patterns and variations that are associated with natural wood, and you definitely wouldn’t be able to find something that’s ‘one of a kind’.

When choosing laminate vs veneer furniture, there are good reasons for each. If you want a feel of actual wood accents in your office furniture, then veneer products are the way to go. If you want something that's more scratch resistant and looks like wood but doesn't contain actual wood, then laminate furniture is the option for you. Real wood furniture, veneer furniture, and laminate products all have their pros and cons. Decide on your needs and then choose the options at Juniper Office Furniture Solutions that fits those needs the best!

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