The damage will usually reappear two years following the renovation. There’s a lifting edge to the door beneath the sink. There’s a Chip in the cabinet next to the oven that can be seen from a distance. These are the ones you are likely to obtain in most cases depending on your day one finish.
When deciding between laminate kitchen cabinets and 2-pack polyurethane, an honest answer for a Melbourne renovation to the question of ‘which lasts longer’ is ‘it depends’. This is how to determine which will fit in your kitchen, your budget and your family’s needs.
Taking a quick answer: Laminate kitchen cabinets are not easily scratched and therefore last for a longer duration in busy, budget-conscious, and rental kitchens. Their main weakness is around the sinks and around the dishwashers. Its finish seals, provides a high-quality surface with a 2-pack polyurethane, and is more prone to chipping and more expensive. Both are technically equal, and a finish is more important than quality of manufacture.
In reviews, Laminate Kitchen Cabinets have been recorded with both successes and failures.
Laminate (including melamine) is finished with matching edging tape and attached to a board core that has a printed or textured surface. Australian kitchens are opting for it for its remarkably prevalent use for a reason.
Where laminate wins
- Tough surface. Resists scratches, scuffs, and regular knocks.
- Easy to clean. Most marks can be taken care of with a damp cloth.
- Uniform color and texture. A variety of different woodgrain, stone, and solid colors, with no painting required.
- Faster turnaround than the majority of spray finishes and lower cost.
Where laminate fails
- Edges and joins. The edging moves against the board, and water gets to the board; the board “swells”. It’s usually found near the sink, dishwasher and bin cupboard.
- Heat and steam. Edging may be gently pulled on adjacent doors by steam from a dishwasher or kettle.
- Visible repairs. Damaged doors typically need to be replaced because it’s hard to mask such a flaw with a chip or peeled edge.
- Limited profiles. The standard is for flat doors. The typical 2-pack styles are shaker or routed styles.
Who loves 2-Pack Polyurethane Kitchen Cabinets?
A 2-pack paint (also known as 2-part polyurethane paint) consists of two separate components, paint and a hardener, that are painstakingly sprayed onto MDF doors and allowed to dry to a smooth, hard surface. The edging strips are eliminated since the paint covers the entire door.
Where 2-pack wins
- Seamless look. Failing to see any joins or edge lines; ideal for contemporary flat panel and traditional designs.
- Design flexibility. Nearly any color (matte to high gloss), plus shaker and routed profiles.
- Repairable. Doors can be resprayed, and small areas can be filled and sanded.
Where 2-pack fails
- Chipping. Edges, corners, and handle areas take the most knocks. The finish is quite hard but not impact-proof.
- Higher cost. More labor is needed for prep, multiple coats, and curing.
- Quality varies. The outcome is very variable and depends on preparation, the quality of the paint’s color, and the quality of the spray conditions.
- Marks show. Fingerprints and scuffs are evident on dark and matte colors.
Many people overlook the big fact that most 2-pack kitchens continue to have boxes in front of the doors, but they are laminate (melamine) this time. You’re typically just selecting the finish on the door & drawer fronts.
At a Glance: Laminate vs 2-Pack
| Feature | Laminate | 2-pack polyurethane |
|---|---|---|
| Scratch and scuff resistance | High | Medium: Can chip on edges |
| Moisture resistance | Lifts on face: Good; lifts where head is not and edge lifts: Weak | Good: fully sealed; weak: chipped. |
| Look | A variety of textures, typically even dropping covers and doors. | Seamless, any color, profiles available |
| Repairs | They are repeatedly removed and replaced, and hard to hide. | May need touch-up or respray if necessary |
| Cost | Lower | Higher |
| Typical lifespan | Good edging, 15-20 years or more. | Similar to quality spraying, but with a respray alternative |
| Best for | Family Kitchens: Rentals, Tight Budgets | Modern finishes and shaker styles, good investability |
Which Cabinet Finishes Last Longer in Your Kitchen?
The finishing of kitchen cabinets will vary based on the kitchen or use.
Busy family kitchens
Laminate is popular with children, pets, and daily impacts, particularly for lower cabinets. 2-pack works, too, but keep an eye out for the odd chip close to handles or kick areas.
Clean up: sink and dishwasher area, cooktop area.
The true adversary to both of the finishes is water. The use of edging and the inclusion of well-sealed cut-outs are important for laminate. Sealing all the faces and edges of 2-pack is required, and any chips that are close to the sink should be repaired promptly. Both of these can be aided by a Steam Guard on the dishwasher.
Rental and investment property
Typically laminate is the better choice. It withstands tenant turnover, weathering, and doesn’t require the multiple touch-up treatments that a 2-pack finish might require.
Renovations that are of top quality or resale value
The 2-pack is frequently the best choice in terms of appearance, especially for shaker doors and painted colors, where laminate does not match.
Melbourne Conditions That Affect Kitchen Cabinets
Our climate doesn’t ruin cabinets; it simply affects the quality of their aging.
- Humidity swings. Melbourne’s winters are cool and damp, changing to hot, dry times. Board-based cabinets have slight expansion and contraction and really require edge sealing and good edging.
- Exposed to the sun through large windows. Large glazing is common to Melbourne extensions on Victorian and Edwardian houses. Some laminates can start to discolor, and some light coloured finishes can be affected by strong sunlight over time, so make sure to find out from your supplier if the laminate and finish can withstand this.
- Apartments and terraces. One of the reasons for limited ventilation is cooking steam that gets trapped in the limitations. All finishes are covered by a range hood that vents outside, not the recirculating type.
- Bayside homes. Dirt-cheap hinges and handles will not stand up to salt air. Quality hardware can often determine the length of time that a kitchen will stay new.
- Rental turnover. Melbourne property owners put a lot of emphasis on a long-lasting cover that requires minimal maintenance rather than one that looks very nice.
What Will You Pay? Cost Considerations
The price is dependent on the arrangement, the hardware used, supplier, and finish: make sure you are comparing apples with apples! In general:
- The more cost-effective of the two choices is usually laminate kitchen cabinets.
- It will also cost more for 2-pack doors due to the additional prep, coats, and curing time.
- Apparently, the cabinet boxes are about the same, so the difference is in the cabinet top and drawer fronts.
Also consider the total lifetime cost. A chipped 2-pack door is repairable with either a paint-on or spray-on job. Laminate doors will generally only be replaced if they are damaged.
Common Errors and What the Experts Look For
- Only available with a limited sampling base. Look at a complete door without any shadow and in the kitchen’s own light.
- Not cutting laminate to edge quality standards. Question the purpose of edging, the variety of edging used, and how.
- Taking a “shot in the dark” quote. The quote should identify the paint system, the number of coats to be applied, and whether or not doors are to be sprayed in a booth. When shopping for brushed/rolled finishes, be sure to verify that the two-pack is not merely one roll of brushed/rolled material.
- Overlooking hardware. Many times, the finish lasts longer than the quality of soft-close hinges and drawer runners.
- Avoiding details of the wet zone. Most early failures can be avoided by cutting out, as well as by steam protection and proper plinths.
- Not inquiring about warranty and repairs. Be familiar with the driving limits and duration.