When you look at the image above, can you tell which is wood veneer and which is laminate?
If you want to learn more, please visit our website difference between veneer and laminate.
There used to be a time where laminate was considered to be far inferior to real wood. However, technology and construction methods have narrowed that gap in the eyes of many. This makes laminate and wood veneer office desks more comparable in appearance than ever before and giving shoppers a broader range of great-looking options to choose from.
Of course, life is about more than just looks and appearance. Durability and price also come into play when choosing office furniture and that could dictate whether a wood veneer or laminate desk is the right choice for your office and unique needs.
In this article, we will explain the differences between the two finishes and outline the advantages of choosing each finish. Both wood veneer and laminate have unique benefits, and we want to help you make the right choice for your office.
If you see a high-powered executive&#;s office in a movie, there is probably a large, beautiful hardwood desk in their office. These desks are undeniably stunning in appearance, making them a fantastic focal piece in a room as well as an excellent surface for getting work done.
The primary downside of solid hardwood desks is the significant price and maintenance requirement. These desks are constructed of brilliant pieces of wood, and their price point reflects that.
Wood veneer is a nice compromise that gives the appearance of a solid wood desk while reducing the cost. This is done by applying a thin layer of real wood to a base of less expensive wood like plywood. This construction process gives the appearance of real wood that many people love. The beauty of the wood, as well as the blemishes that give the wood character, are able to stand out.
One downside to choosing wood veneer is the durability. Wood is prone to scratching and gouging that can quickly wear down the appearance of the desk and ruin the classy, upscale look you were initially seeking.
To maintain the appearance of a wood veneer desk often requires periodic maintenance and cleaning with wood oils and protectant seals. Even still, water spills can permanently mark a wood veneer desk if they are not cleaned up right away.
Laminate is designed to give the appearance of wood while offering a cost-friendly solution for offices that are more focused on their budget. There are two types of laminate used to build office furniture, thermofused and high-pressure laminate.
Thermofused
Thermofused laminate is the least expensive of the laminate options. This method applies paper with a wood design to a piece of particle board. The reduced quantity of materials used in the manufacturing process makes this type of laminate a very budget-friendly option.
High-Pressure Laminate
The other type of laminate you will find in office furniture is high-pressure laminate or HPL. HPL uses a paper design just like thermofused laminate, but the pattern is bonded with multiple sheets of kraft paper before being bonded to the particle board. This method of producing laminate creates a more flexible and durable form of laminate than thermofused laminate, but the additional steps and materials increase the price.
Now that you have a good understanding of the differences between these two finishes, it&#;s time to pick out which one will work best for your unique needs. There is no right or wrong answer without analyzing where the desk will be placed and how it will be used.
A laminate desk has two distinct advantages over wood veneer: durability and affordability. Choosing a laminate finish will provide greater protection against scratching, chipping, and other blemishes while also keeping costs down.
This makes laminate desks ideal for workstations and other desks that get a lot of use but may not be focal points in an office. If there are tools or sharp objects being used in the area, then laminate is almost surely a better choice than wood veneer.
So when does a wood veneer desk make sense? These desks offer up an authentic wood appearance without requiring a solid wood sized budget. The surface is beautiful and attention-grabbing but prone to damage. These desks are great in areas where you want to make a statement.
Reception areas and executive offices are great places for wood veneer desks. Typically, these the areas that clients visit and there is more of an emphasis on appearance and style than a workstation area.
Finally, while wood veneer desks are more challenging to maintain and less durable than laminate desks; they can be repurposed and refinished down the road. There is a more significant cost to a wood veneer desk, but the price may be justified in the right situation.
Are you ready to purchase that new desk that will be there through every project, call, and meeting? Wondering what your next step should be? Determine your budget by estimating just how much this new desk is going to cost.
Have more unanswered questions about buying a new desk? Download our Ultimate Guide to Purchasing Office Furniture to find a break down of what you need to know before investing in new office furniture.
Cory Porteous
Marketing Manager
Office Interiors
When buying new office furniture, it can feel as though you need to learn everything about different kinds of wood, veneer furniture, and laminate furniture. However, all you really need to know is which is best for your office and the benefits of each.
Ready to learn everything you need to know before buying laminate furniture for your office?
Keep reading as we&#;ll help you weigh up your options and choose the ideal wood option for your office layout and design.
To help you understand the critical differences between these types of wood, let's discuss what natural wood, wood veneer, and laminate furniture are and how manufacturers make them.
Wood veneer is a type of wood made using plywood, with a thin layer of wood veneer coating the plywood material. The materials at the base of the wood veneer are typically cheaper options than real wood, making the wood veneer a less expensive wood option. The manufacturers place thin layers of wood at angles, interlacing and overlapping to create more strength overall.
Unlike wood veneer, laminate furniture is not made using authentic wood grain. Instead, the wood grain pattern comes from a photographic image laid under transparent laminate layers to create a wood effect. The laminate wood has several layers to add strength, and the top layers are always the laminate and the photographic wood grain image.
High-pressure laminate consists of many layers of cellulose fibers. These fibers are then impregnated with various resins, then, heat and pressure are applied.
Low-pressure laminate consists of a single layer of melamine paper, which bonds to a substrate that makes up the bulk of the board.
Natural wood furniture is as it sounds. It consists of wood from trees&#;oak, cedar, chestnut, or mahogany. Natural wood is carved, assembled, and then polished and stained to make it last.
Now that you know what each type of wood is and what it is made of, let's discuss their main advantages and disadvantages. This information will help you to determine which option is best suited for your own office furniture.
Let's look at the advantages of wood veneer for your office furniture.
The veneer finish over slices of natural wood allows for preserving the natural beauty of the wood. The fragile layer of wood will have natural patterns and intricacies for a more beautiful and unique appearance.
When you opt for wood veneer, you can choose a stain for your finish. The glossy surface gives a more shiny finish, and you&#;ll have plenty of variety in the choice regarding the finish and color.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of wood panel work. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
During manufacturing, natural wood creates veneer furniture. However, since only a minimal amount of natural wood is used, the table is much cheaper than a natural wood alternative. If you want the authentic wood look on a budget, then veneer sheets might be your best option.
Natural real wood creates veneer finishes; you can sand the furniture down and refinish it as you, please. However, you must be careful when altering veneer furniture, as you need to avoid scratching off the entire surface.
Natural wood furniture does not hold up well in wet environments. When you opt for veneer furniture, you will ensure that your desk, office chair, or cabinet will cope with a bit of dampness, without warping.
The durable surface of veneer furniture makes it relatively easy to maintain, and you won't need to worry about ruining the natural material.
Everything can always be better, and wood veneer furniture does have its disadvantages. Let's discuss them.
Wood veneer is not solid wood. Underneath the veneer sheets is plywood, which might not be as timeless as wood furniture alternatives. The wood veneer could be susceptible to breakage over the years, more so than other types of furniture.
Water can damage wood veneer. Although the wood will not warp, the surface may be disturbed if wet.
To use wood veneer for a desk, cabinet, or coffee table, you must invest in mousepads, computer pads, and coasters. The material's surface is not entirely scratch resistant, which means that you could wind up with coaster rings and scratches on the wood.
Veneer are much more expensive than laminate furniture. And there is no guarantee that a veneer table will be cheaper than a natural wood alternative.
Now, let's take a look at the advantages of laminate furniture.
In the manufacturing process, there is more room for creativity for the surface of laminate furniture. This flexibility means that manufacturers can design a durable laminate surface for.
You can put your candles on a laminate table, you can put your keys on your laminate reception desk, and you can place your cup on your laminate side table without worrying about scratches, scuff marks, burn marks, or ring stains.
Since laminate is resistant to damage, it is easy to scrub, wipe, or polish clean, without you worrying about the kind of cloth you're using and whether it will leave scratches on the laminate surfaces.
When you invest in laminate vs. other wood options, you get more decorative design options. Laminate options can keep up with the latest trends and emulate most styles you wish for in your office furniture.
Low-pressure laminates are incredibly cheap, and even high-pressure laminates can be more affordable than other furniture materials. Laminate products might be the right option if you're on a budget but still want a wood furniture look in your office space.
Since the pandemic, businesses have adopted antimicrobial surfaces to ensure that common touchpoints, like elevator buttons and pin pads, don't become harbingers for germs. If you opt for a laminate finish, you can ensure that your desks, cabinets, and reception desks stay clear of bacteria, reducing the potential spread of germs in your offices (which could significantly hinder productivity).
Let's discuss some of the drawbacks when it comes to laminate furniture.
You cannot stain or sand your laminate furniture, which means that the finish you choose when you buy your laminate products is the finish they will always have. So, choose your stain wisely when picking out laminate furniture.
Although laminate is flame retardant and resistant to scratches and stains, solid wood is stronger. So, your shelving units, cabinets, and desks may hold less weight than a natural wood furniture alternative.
Real wood, and even veneer furniture, have natural beauty and variety. If you opt for laminate furniture, you will have a different intricate and unique appearance than with the multiple layers of wood veneer or real wood options.
Now, is wood best coming directly from the source? Let's weigh up the advantages of solid wood.
Natural wood is solid. Veneer and laminate options will be lower-quality lumber, which is more breakable. When you opt for a wood furniture option, you gain the advantage of strength, and your furniture can last hundreds of years if you treat it right.
Nature is beautiful, and the intricacies of solid wood speak to the tree's age and journey. The beautiful stains, colors, and patterns of solid wood are difficult to replicate with artificial alternatives. Solid wood might be the right choice if you're a natural beauty lover.
Suppose your wood furniture is exposed to direct sunlight or stained. In that case, you can easily refinish and restain your wood as you please, preserving the coloring and improving the aesthetically pleasing look of your damaged wood.
If you want to keep your solid wood in good shape, you won't have too much difficulty. The timeless look of wood furniture is easy to preserve. In a rustic environment, stains and scorch marks on your wooden table can be decorative focal points, and the more worn your table becomes, the more rustic it will appear.
Natural wood furniture lasts. The wood is substantial and much more robust than other alternatives. A solid piece of wood furniture will give you great value for money with its durability.
Although solid wood has many benefits, it does have some flaws and inconveniences.
Solid wood is prone to chipping, staining, and rings. So, unless you're going for the distressed and rustic look with your furniture, you'll need to treat your solid wood carefully!
Natural wood is one of the most expensive options. The high quality of the material will ensure that you receive ROI on your purchase, but if your budget is limited, you might be better off opting for a cheaper alternative.
Natural wood is wood from one or several different trees. If you think about how heavy a log of wood is, you'll understand how heavy your wood furniture will be. If you need to move and reposition your furniture regularly, you'll be better off with a lighter wood option.
Natural wood can warp over time when it&#;s exposed to damp or humid environments. If you're unsure whether you can keep your wood furniture from becoming wet, then consider other, more warp-resistant, materials.
Whether you choose solid, veneer, or laminate, you must take great care of it. The top layer of any furniture should be treated in the following ways
&#;although laminates are stain-resistant, it's a good idea to avoid placing your cups and mugs on your furniture. Use a coaster to prevent rings and staining.
&#;you should polish your wood regularly with non-abrasive cloths and wood-friendly polishes (particularly for wood veneer). Using harsh chemicals on your furniture will only cause damage. Laminated furniture may need polishing more often due to the material's shininess, as dirt will show clearly on it.
&#;you should oil solid wood to preserve it.
A solid wood desk or wood composite option will do the job. But your choice depends on whether you need your furniture to last, whether you're on a budget and whether you need to keep your furniture stain-free. Listing your requirements will help you to make your decision. Currently, HPL, or high-pressure laminate, is used most frequently to make office furniture across the world.
If you're looking to buy new office furniture, it's best to understand which materials will provide the good durability, cost, and strength that you're looking for. By knowing the differences between wood, veneer, and laminate furniture, you can make your decision more quickly.
Are you looking for wood grain furniture? Check out our fantastic options at Freedman's Office Furniture.
For more information, please visit PET Acoustic Felt Wall Panel.