Kitchen facades made of MDF: film, enamel, plastic or veneer. Which coating should you choose? What is eco-veneer? Veneer or eco-veneer - which is better?

Now manufacturers of interior doors are actively using natural veneer and eco-veneer for their finishing. These materials differ in their characteristics and operational benefits. In this material we will tell you what the advantages and disadvantages of the products are. In this article we will try to figure out which material is best suited for decorating interior doors.

What is natural veneer?

The material is made from various types of wood.

Most often, oak, walnut and tropical plants are used for production. That's why the texture finished products directly depends on the appearance of the raw materials. In this case, the surfaces are painted using paints and varnishes - in this way they are given the necessary shade.

Natural veneer is thin sheets of wood. The thickness of the products varies from 0.5 mm to 10 mm. During the production of interior doors, sheets are glued to their surfaces. Sheets are obtained in three main ways: sawing, planing, peeling:

During planing, thin strips are created. Wide workpieces are taken for processing. The finished sheets have an original texture. Pine, ash, and oak are mainly processed in this way.
During the peeling process, the veneer is removed from a thick log in a spiral. The workpiece is placed in the machine. The log is spinning with constant speed, A special knife, which is directed towards the center of the tree, removes a thin layer. For example, Karelian birch and maple are processed in this way.
During the sawing process, logs are cut into thin sheets that are used to decorate doors and furniture. This is the most old method veneer production.

The main advantages and disadvantages of natural veneer

The material is characterized by the following main operational advantages:

high resistance to high humidity - this property of the products allows you to install interior doors in almost any type of room, including the living room, dining room, bedroom (varnished sheets do not absorb moisture);
decent thermal insulation properties;
presentable appearance - thanks to the noble wood texture, doors decorated with veneer look elegant in interiors created in both classical and modern styles;
durability - surfaces decorated with veneer retain their original beauty for at least 10 years;
good thermal insulation;
environmental friendliness;
maintainability - small scratches and other damage are sanded, and the surface is restored with varnish.

Interior doors, decorated with veneer, are much cheaper than similar solid wood products. However, they are almost the same in design.

The main disadvantages of natural veneer:

the material fades and loses its original attractiveness when exposed to sunlight;
the surface is distinguished by its low resistance to mechanical stress and temperature changes;
Even trees of the same species differ in color and texture, so it is sometimes difficult to choose several doors of the same appearance.

What is eco-veneer?

Eco-veneer is called a new generation material. It is a multilayer product made from a variety of wood fibers. The fibers are connected to each other using a synthetic binder - polypropylene, which is safe for health, is used. Eco-veneer is produced by pressing: special equipment is used.

Surfaces finished with technological materials are difficult to distinguish from natural wood in appearance. Eco-veneer perfectly imitates the noble texture of oak, wenge, chestnut, walnut and other species. That's why it's easy to choose doors for modern interiors, and for premises created in classic style. They are installed not only in apartments and spacious private houses, but also in public buildings, kindergartens, medical institutions.

The main advantages and disadvantages of eco-veneer

Artificial material has many operational advantages:

products are characterized by excellent wear resistance;
the surface is resistant to open fire;
the material does not allow water to pass through, so interior doors decorated with it can be installed in rooms with high humidity, including in the bathroom and kitchen;
eco-veneer is resistant to various alkalis, salts, acids, and solvents;
the material is safe for humans and pets;
during prolonged heating they are not released into the air unpleasant odors and substances, because the material is produced only from safe raw materials;
the surface can be easily cleaned from dirt using detergents;
the material does not absorb dirt because there are no pores in its texture.

The main disadvantages of eco-veneer:

products are characterized by low strength - the surface will crack from impact or other strong mechanical impact;
Once damaged, the surface cannot be restored;
eco-veneer has low sound insulation;
the synthetic binder limits air exchange.

Which is better: natural veneer or eco-veneer?

Furniture and interior doors lined with eco-veneer are slightly cheaper than similar products decorated with natural veneer. However, in appearance they are almost the same. Of course, oak or walnut veneer looks more presentable, because the wood texture has characteristic “waves”, color bends, and dark veins.

Eco-veneer is classified as an artificial material. Due to the synthetic binder, the products are almost impervious to air and moisture. Doors lined with the material are perfect for “wet” rooms. But it is better to purchase natural veneer for “dry” rooms and offices.

Leaves of oak, walnut and other species gradually lose saturated color and beauty under the influence of sunlight. And eco-veneer is able to maintain the design regardless of the weather.

As practice shows, for residential premises Mostly they order natural material. For public, commercial, and retail interiors, eco-veneer is purchased because it does not absorb dirt, is easily cleaned of dirt, and perfectly withstands the effects of detergents.

As you can see, the choice of material largely depends on the future operating conditions of the doors, on the preferences and budget of the buyer. When purchasing, it is also important to consider the design of the room, because the door should fit well into the interior.

Not a single renovation, no matter what style it is performed in, is complete without replacing interior doors. But how to approach their choice? Veneered interior doors are an excellent option for an apartment, home and even office. They are endowed with special properties and unique characteristics, due to which they have become extremely widespread in all countries of the world. Veneered doors - what is it? This is exactly what we will talk about in this material. Moreover, we will highlight the main selection criteria, because the durability of the use of interior doors largely depends on this.

About veneer

Veneered interior doors are popular due to a number of advantages. And they, in turn, are provided with the properties of the main material used for their production. Veneer should be understood as a natural material; in translation this word means “sliver”. This is a thin layer of valuable wood that has managed to preserve the structure of natural fibers.

Types of veneer

Today there are several types of veneer:

Natural - the thinnest layer of natural wood with an aesthetic appearance, used for cladding.
Reconstructed - this type is made from the wood of tropical trees and is used advantageously for the manufacture of furniture and panels for interior decoration. When working with such veneer, you simply cannot do without the use of special equipment.
Edge-glued - thin sheets of wood glued together along the edges. Durability and excellent performance properties are what distinguishes this type of veneer.

Veneer production

Veneered doors - what is it? In order to fully answer this question, it is necessary to highlight some production features. The process of producing natural veneer involves the use of several basic techniques:

Planing is the main advantage this method is to preserve the natural beauty of the fibers of valuable wood species; the thickness of the material in this case does not exceed 0.5 cm.
Peeling is a procedure for removing chips in a spiral, layer thickness up to 1 cm.
The cut is “sawn lamella” - that’s what they call it this method obtaining veneer. The production process involves sawing logs into the finest (up to 1 cm) fibers. This is the most expensive veneer, which is practically not found in mass production, used only as exclusive interior items.

What's new?

More recently, the revolutionary fine-line technology began to be used for the production of veneer. It allows you to use artificially grown tree species in the shortest possible time. The peeled fibers are then glued together into large slabs and then cut at a specific angle. This veneer conveys the structure of wood fibers as naturally and naturally as possible, being 100% natural.

For processing into veneer, both whole logs and small pieces are currently used, which allows for maximum savings and preservation. Natural resources, making products more affordable at their cost.

Artificial veneer, represented by multilayer plastic, is also actively used. It still imitates the drawing natural wood, but at the same time gives the doors high mechanical characteristics. But upon closer examination of the doors, the difference between natural and artificial veneer is obvious even to the average person.

Design features

Let's assume you've chosen veneer doors. What it is? Structurally they are wooden frame, sheathed MDF sheets. By the way, for the manufacture of frames, less expensive wood species are most often used, for example, alder or pine, in order to reduce the cost of production and make it more affordable.

Using the method just mentioned, the base of the future door is made; on top of this blank, by hot pressing, the same veneer is applied in a thin layer, giving an exceptional appearance each product. The back and end sides of the door leaf are also pressed with veneer, which makes it possible to achieve the integrity of the coating and an exceptional appearance. After veneering, the door leaves are coated with several layers of heavy-duty varnish, which gives the doors a finished appearance.

Advantages

Veneered doors: what is it? What advantages do they have? If you have chosen them, it won’t hurt to find out about them in advance. strengths. Judging by the reviews, these are:

strength and durability - these properties are ensured by the use of natural wood in the production process;
ample opportunities for design experiments;
spectacular appearance;
full visual compliance with solid wood doors, while the cost is more affordable in comparison with them;
excellent heat and sound insulation;
relatively light weight and ease of installation;
natural, environmentally friendly materials, which allows the doors to be used even in rooms that have special requirements.

Flaws

If you choose veneered doors, reviews about them will be a good information base. So, for those who already have them installed at home, highlight some of the disadvantages. These include difficulties in choosing a set of doors - the structure of the fibers will never be identical, you will have to come to terms with this.

Secrets of choice

Finding good veneered doors on the market is not as easy as it seems at first glance. The variety of manufacturers and the rich color palette are what lead to doubt and confusion among buyers, especially inexperienced ones. Most often, in the selection process, we focus specifically on the appearance and colors of veneer doors: walnut, oak, ash, maple, cherry - there are many options.

But we suggest focusing on other aspects, because this is what determines the service life of the door:

Manufacturer - trust a trusted and experienced manufacturer, do not choose a handicraft product. Be sure to request a certificate, which will confirm the quality and reliability of the door you are purchasing.
Pattern and structure of fibers - carefully inspect the door from all sides. Natural veneer is never repeated in a design. If you notice a repetition, this is a fake or artificial veneer that should be offered at a reduced price. A vague, imprecise pattern indicates the use of low quality wood.

Defects - be sure to inspect the door leaves under the light for scratches, cracks and other small defects invisible to the naked eye - the surface of the doors must be perfectly flat and smooth.
Odor - the presence of a strong chemical odor indicates the use of low-quality paint and varnish material for the production of veneered interior doors. Few people know that low-quality varnish can cause an allergic reaction, so you should be extremely careful.
End - in this case, it is worth considering not the colors of the veneered door, but the quality of the end finishing. If the veneer moves away even slightly from the canvas, you have a low-quality product.
Shape - the door leaf must have a strictly correct geometric shape, maximum tolerance- 1 mm. If the error is greater, it is better to refuse to purchase such a door.
Glass - if the door you choose has glass inserts, you need to carefully examine them too. The glass must be of high quality and securely fixed.
Strength - shake the door thoroughly: no extraneous sounds or rattling should appear.

And of course, carefully check the dimensions of the door and your opening for consistency, because if you make a mistake, you will not be able to adjust the veneer door to size.

Let's sum it up

We tried to find the answer to the question: veneered doors - what are they? We studied all the main characteristics and properties. Now we can summarize. Veneered doors are endowed with a number of advantages, which will significantly distinguish them from their closest competitors. Such a door will be an excellent option for those who have started a renovation, but are limited on a budget and cannot afford a more expensive purchase, for example, doors made of natural solid wood. Moreover, if you don’t know anything about installing interior doors, it’s better to entrust the work to professionals, because the slightest mistake can lead to deformation and subsequent breakage of the door leaf.

Today you can find it in any major hardware store veneered doors. Their price, first of all, depends on the type of veneer used and the manufacturer and ranges from 2,500 to 9,000 rubles. By approaching your choice wisely, you will save yourself from mistakes and give preference to those items that will serve you for decades and will become a full-fledged decoration of the interior, no matter what style it is decorated in.

Is eco-veneer a competitor to natural veneer? To answer this question, you should study information on this topic. First you need to define the terms. Natural veneer is a very thin layer of cut. This includes southern oak and wenge. Fine-line, or reconstructed veneer, is created in a similar way, only the raw materials for its production are trees that were grown specifically for the production of this type of material. But eco-veneer, the price of which can vary from 3.5 to 10 thousand rubles, is artificial material, but it perfectly imitates the relief and pattern of real wood.

Natural and artificial eco-veneer. Reviews

Interior doors coated with natural veneer are especially highly valued among buyers. These interior products fit perfectly into various interiors, thereby providing stylish and exquisite design room decoration. Natural, lively tones of veneered doors bring a harmonious mood to the monastery, filling the house with warmth and comfort. They can be the most different options performances and styles.

It is worth noting that in Lately A new type of interior door covering has become especially popular - eco-veneer. Reviews about this material are positive. Those who have already tested products created using this material note that it is the smallest details reproduces the pattern and texture of real wood, accurately conveys its relief and color. Since the moment eco-veneer doors became especially popular, manufacturers have been trying to satisfy all the expectations of their customers. They are constantly working to create better, high-quality artificial turf.

What is eco-veneer?

If we consider this type of material from a technical point of view, it is a multilayer technological plastic, characterized by wear resistance to various types abrasion, as well as increased impact resistance. Eco-veneer completely copies the texture of natural wood, imitates its color and pattern. Sometimes from a distance this material is even confused with standard veneer, but up close it shows itself as it does not have such a respectable appearance. Its plastic texture still cannot fully convey the aesthetics of natural wood.

However, it is worth noting that eco-veneer easily imitates wood of any color palette. Plastic acquires special realism due to embossing and volume, however, up close it is still noticeable that this is not natural veneer. So far, there is no technology that would completely replicate the texture of wood, but this particular material is closest to this goal. It has outstripped laminate and a number of other artificial coverings and is an excellent inexpensive alternative to veneered interior doors. Its attractive price is considered one of its main advantages. Products with artificial but similar natural coating are much cheaper.

Peculiarities

If we consider the practical side, eco-veneer is not inferior to its natural competitor in a whole list of parameters, and in some positions it is even better than it. Doors made of this material do not fade and are not destroyed due to influence environment, and therefore can be installed in any room. Their coating is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and does not deform from clicks and other mechanical influences. It cannot be damaged by acids, various chemicals and detergents. So, what is eco-veneer? This is a material that can maintain its original appearance for decades. It may not need repairs for quite a long time.

Comparison

Speaking about the advantages of eco-veneer, first of all it is worth highlighting its durability. Of course, the average person will be of little interest in the resistance of a material to acids and alkalis. This is most likely important for the use of doors with such a coating in chemical industry workshops. But the resistance of products to absolutely any detergent is already significant for the consumer. Plastic is more practical than wood and more durable.

Production

Eco-veneer is created by using continuous double-belt presses. His technological process provides constant precise temperature control. Perfect cleanliness of the room is also important here.

Analyzing in more detail the question of what eco-veneer is, it becomes clear that this material requires strict adherence to the manufacturing sequence. First, it is fed into the working area of specialized equipment, where it is pressed under pressure with a constant and continuous increase. This leads to the complete elimination of gas and air inclusions from all layers of the material. The initial product turns out to be very plastic, which in theory provides a wide range of design possibilities. But at present, the range of interior doors made from eco-veneer is much more modest than veneered ones. So far, they are inferior to the natural beauty of natural wood.

The production technology of the two types of doors indicated above differs. According to experts, it is unlikely that veneer will have a worthy competitor in the near future. But such artificial coating as eco-veneer has already made a significant breakthrough in this area.

Good choice

Modern manufacturers constantly surprise with innovative discoveries. This also applies to door coverings. As an alternative to traditional veneered doors, eco-veneer models have been created that are resistant to temperature changes, do not dry out, and cracks do not form on their coating.

What is eco-veneer for modern man? This is a material that fully meets all consumer expectations. It is environmentally safe and is made from natural wood fibers, which are tightly bonded together during a special technological process. Interior door designs made of such material can be installed anywhere due to their special resistance to any aggressive external environment, durability. Today, their range is constantly expanding. You can successfully choose a model for any interior of a house, apartment, or office.

Finally

When deciding what to choose: natural veneer or eco-veneer, it is advisable to be guided primarily by practical considerations. If you need a truly durable and high-quality product, lean toward the second option. Interior doors made of eco-veneer retain their excellent appearance for many years.

Today we will talk about which kitchen façade is best to choose and consider the pros and cons of each type. There are not so few of them, but the most popular ones, for some reason, are made from MDF and chipboard, that is, from sawdust... Let's find out why.

What properties should kitchen facades have?

It is desirable that the facade be like this: set it once and forget it! It stands, does not deteriorate, does not scratch, does not fade, does not turn pale, does not get wet. In general, it serves until you get tired of it.

And on top of all this, it’s very good for it to be fashionable and impress the eyes of the guests. But combining all this into one whole is almost impossible.

That's why, the best way out here is this: consider all possible facades, identify their pros and cons, and based on this knowledge, simply choose the lesser evil.

Well then, let's get started! The description is formed in the form of a list, and the most worst options are located below. That is, we start from the best of the best and move in descending order.

Natural wood facades

Natural wood facades are almost impossible to decorate in such a way that they look ultra-modern.

Wood is a classic and calm interior, without any high-tech features or modern trends. Country, Provence, Scandinavian style, Mediterranean, classic - these are the styles where natural wood looks the best.

And this is, without a doubt, the most the best option. But if you prefer wooden facades, then you need to understand that they weigh much more than those made from particle boards.

This means that the base of the kitchen must also be made of wood, otherwise, over time, the heavy facades will simply tear out the fastenings from the flimsy glued slabs.

Also, it would not hurt to consider the properties of several types of wood. Because the difference between a pine facade and an oak one is huge. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves, now you can read everything yourself.

Pine

Pine is the most inexpensive wood. It is easy to process, costs a little more than sawdust slabs, but at the same time, it is not very good in operation.

In particular, because pine is soft wood, which can be easily scratched. Even a cat's claws can cause noticeable damage, not to mention... kitchen knives and other household damage.

Yes, the pine facade is subject to restoration, like any other tree. But that's extra money! It's better to make it from pine inner part, and not the doors that are in plain sight.

Ash

Ash is a hard wood and is great for facades because it is durable. At the same time, its price is two and a half times more than pine and one and a half times less than oak.

That is, if you do not have a goal for the facade to look natural, classic color oak, then ash is a good alternative.

His design and color are simpler, of course, but no worse. Sometimes it’s even better when it comes to decorating a kitchen in Scandinavian style, where the priority is the yellowish colors of natural wood.

Oak

The oak facade is a classic. Looking at such furniture, especially if it is not painted on top with colored paint, no one will have any doubt that it is natural wood. An oak is an oak. But, for some, its natural color looks a little gloomy.

Bottom line: the pros and cons of wooden facades

Pros:

Durability
Environmental friendliness
Natural and solid look
Possibility of restoration

Minuses:

Not a cheap pleasure
Mandatory presence of an internal wood box
A small maneuver in style
There is a high probability of buying poorly dried wood, which is why the structure will quickly “lead” and cracks will appear.

Metal facades

Metal facade – a good thing. They are durable, very easy to care for, they are not afraid of scratches, steam, shock, or fire.

But, the cost of such a kitchen will be quite high, and it will also not have a very cozy appearance.

Metal kitchen facades look more organic in businesses than at home.

It is very unpleasant to touch them, as they are always cold. But, if you have an interior in any modern style, such as minimalism, then such material is quite suitable and will look appropriate.

If we are talking about metal, there is one more thing to consider: glossy facades get dirty very easily and need to be wiped endlessly. There are fingerprints on them, stains from a not very clean rag, and every drop of water is very noticeable.

So, if cleaning is not your thing, don’t get excited and choose such facades.

Stainless steel

Stainless steel facades are eternal. But, this is if you don’t save money and choose a good, thick sheet of metal. It should be no thinner than 4mm. And those that are thinner have a lot of disadvantages.

They do not hold their shape and are easy to bend if you hit something on the door. Also, their corners may become deformed, which makes them dangerous.

Aluminum

Aluminum is a soft material. But it is lighter than stainless steel and sometimes looks more interesting. And the cost of aluminum facades is significantly lower.

But aluminum gets scratched and restoring a metal façade is quite problematic. Although, it is quite possible. In the case of aluminum, you should also choose thicker sheets to avoid dents in the future.

Aluminum frame

Perhaps this is the best of all options for metal facades. Only the frame is made of aluminum, and almost any filler can be placed inside it: MDF, strained glass, plastic.

Of course, in combination with natural wood, an aluminum frame will look very ridiculous. Still, metal obliges modern design.

Pros:

Durability
Stylish look

Minuses:

Cold to the touch
Can be dangerous at corners
Scratches and dents may appear that are difficult to repair.
The price is not very reasonable

Acrylic (plastic) facades

Acrylic is a relatively new material in the creation of kitchen facades. In fact, acrylic is just a polymer that became famous thanks to acrylic plumbing fixtures and... extended nails.

Their acrylic kitchens look very modern and bright. Their surface is mirror-glossy, uniform and very pleasant to the touch.

The only thing is that acrylic is a non-plastic material, it cannot be used to design curved, radius and shaped facades. But on - by and large, for design styles like “minimalism” this doesn’t matter, since strict, straight forms are held in high esteem there.

As for practicality, it all depends on the type of acrylic plates, which we will now consider.

The only thing they have in common is a glossy shine, which is quite difficult to maintain in its original form all the time. Even fingerprints are clearly visible on this coating, not to mention more significant dirt.

Acrylic in a metal frame

In this case, the acrylic sheet is thick enough and does not overlap with any support, such as chipboard or MDF. But despite this, he is afraid of being hit.

That is, if you hit such a facade well, it will certainly crack and the edges edged with aluminum will not save you.

The metal edging only protects the edge from damage.

Acrylic based on MDF board

Here acrylic is applied in a small layer and such a facade has all the properties regular stove their sawdust. That is, if its edge is slightly damaged, then such furniture begins to absorb liquid like a sponge, and the acrylic film warps and lags behind.

As you understand, such furniture cannot be restored.

Pros:

Stylish and glossy look
Pleasant to the touch
More affordable than metal and wood

Minuses:

Difficult to care for
The surface is scratch-resistant
The surface is afraid of impact
Not subject to restoration

MDF facades

Today, probably 85% modern kitchens made from this material. MDF is quite affordable and has great opportunities in terms of design and color and at the same time lasts much longer than furniture made from chipboard.

But even among MDF there is various options top coating, on which their service life depends.

Painted MDF

A painted MDF facade has one undeniable advantage: it does not look plastic and has a more comfortable appearance.

But such a surface must be washed very carefully, since the coating sometimes simply washes away under the sponge and traces of paint remain on it, and, accordingly, stains on the facades.

True, the painted surface is easy to restore; you just need to sand it and cover the facade with a fresh coat of paint. Otherwise, this furniture is not protected from the main disadvantages of MDF. We are talking about damage to the edges and chips of the edge, under which water gets in and the slab begins to “inflate”.

MDF covered with PVC film

MDF covered with such a film does not look very expensive. But on the other hand, you can wash it as much as you like. He is not afraid of abrasives. On the other hand, he is afraid of blows and this can cause chips, which cannot be removed with anything later.

Such facades are not subject to restoration.

Veneered MDF

Veneer is the finest shavings of natural wood. From a practical point of view, veneer is no better than PVC film, and in many ways, even worse, since it is softer.

But on the other hand, veneered MDF is very difficult to distinguish by eye from natural wood. This explains its popularity.

Pros:

Inexpensive
Wide range of design options
Possibility of creating paneled and radius facades
Easy to care for

Minuses:

They don’t last that long, after about 5 years the edges definitely start to “swell”
Not all MDF facades can be restored

Chipboard facades

And finally, we come to the worst of the worst. Kitchen facades made of chipboard are so bad that there is no point in describing these disgraces.

They please the buyer for a couple of years at most, and then the edges begin to swell, chips appear on the surface, the fittings “loose”, the locks and hinges sag because the base is too flimsy…. No, no and NO.

So which kitchen fronts are ultimately better?

Let's now try to draw a conclusion from the information described above. Which kitchen facades are better: PVC film, MDF, plastic or more expensive options?

Of course, wood and metal are the best. But, if you choose from available options, while similar in appearance, then most practical option– MDF, as it is the best value for money.

Negative customer reviews about popular types of facades

And here we have collected some negative reviews O kitchen facades from those who have already had experience using this or that material.

We deliberately did not choose laudatory posts, because we believe that the best adviser is a critic.

We really hope that our article was useful to you. After all, after this detailed analysis, you should no longer have a shadow of doubt about which kitchen façade is best to choose.

What's the difference between veneer and solid wood? The tree is natural material, endowed with a number of remarkable properties, and each type of wood has its own unique characteristics. At all times, people have tried to surround themselves with high-quality, solid furniture. If before it was only , then modern technologies allow today's consumer to choose from a variety of materials. Furniture manufacturing is based, one way or another, on natural materials: solid wood, veneer - a thin layer of wood with an original pattern or sawdust, this is the so-called chipboard, chipboard or MDF. If everything is clear with solid wood, let's now find out what veneer is.

Veneer is the thinnest cut of wood with a width of 0.1 - 10 mm, it is obtained in four ways:

peeled veneer - obtained using special equipment, plywood is made from it;
planed - created during planing of bars, used in furniture making to cover furniture;
sawn veneer - obtained by sawing boards, used for making parquet and laminate;
fine-line - sheet of wood chips soft wood, it can be obtained with the desired texture and shade, and its texture is stable, i.e., all cut fragments have the same pattern.

Absolutely all valuable tree species can serve as raw materials for veneer. The main secret of veneer's success is considered to be its material benefits: the cost of veneer is significantly lower compared to the cost of solid wood. Also add here concern for the riches of nature, because how many trees do you need to cut down to make the same product from solid wood and veneer? Experts have calculated that from one cubic meter of wood you can get enough boards to make two chests of drawers, but veneer made from the same volume of wood will be enough for 50 similar products. In addition, veneer elements can be combined in color and pattern using the marquetry technique on one product, which is absolutely unattainable when working with solid wood.

Veneer or solid wood: which is better?

It is considered the most high-status, high-quality and reliable. Products made from a single piece of wood have always attracted attention with a high price. Door leaf, furniture, solid parquet are considered luxury interior items and are an indicator of the wealth and status of their owner. Interior items made of wood are always classics of the genre; they are beyond competition and fashion. If wooden furniture is decorated with antique fittings, then you get a real work of art. At the same time, such furniture is very capricious and, without proper care with special wax compounds, will soon lose its external luster. Besides wooden furniture It is not recommended to install in rooms with unstable humidity. Making furniture from solid wood is a costly procedure, which cannot but affect its price. In this regard, the popularity of veneer is growing every day. Veneer products are much cheaper than wood, easier to handle, and lighter in weight. In general, veneered furniture will look like a solid product and be perceived as wood. In order to prevent cracking of the veneer due to compression or expansion of the internal base, it is first covered with chipboards, and a layer of veneer is already fixed on them. Also in favor of veneered furniture is the fact that such furniture is not afraid of changes in humidity and temperature in the room, or direct sunlight. And all thanks to the fact that after covering the product with veneer, it is coated with a special protective polyurethane varnish. Veneer products are not as bulky as wooden ones and can be easily rearranged. If the surface of the furniture is damaged, it can be simply restored by replacing the damaged element. Products covered with veneer also do not harm health, since high-quality natural raw materials are used in their production.

Eco-veneer or solid wood: which is better?

Eco-veneer was invented by enterprising manufacturers from Germany, who set themselves a non-trivial task: to obtain a full-fledged alternative to veneer from wood processing residues. When making conventional veneer, a fairly large amount of waste remained, because when cutting a 2 mm layer, about 5 mm of valuable raw materials were sent into sawdust. Furniture makers decided that it was wrong to use the gifts of nature in such an unproductive way, especially such rare varieties of wood as rosewood, so they came up with high-quality new material, which has absorbed best properties natural solid wood and received new unique qualities that furniture buyers liked. Eco-veneer is a mixture of polymer and wood fibers in a certain proportion. This combination determines its main characteristics and a number of advantages:

because it is obtained by processing unclaimed material; it has a very affordable price; chic chests of drawers or kitchens in the color of mahogany or oak are affordable for the average buyer;
eco-veneer boasts high wear resistance thanks to polypropylene - the material is resistant to wear and scratches left by pets;
Thanks to polypropylene, which reliably protects wood fibers, eco-veneer is extremely moisture-resistant; over time, any solid wood delaminates, warps, and deforms due to the fact that the fibers react to moisture in its environment. Thanks to this property, products made from eco-veneer can be easily washed with the most common detergents;
During the manufacturing process, eco-veneer, in addition to natural, imitating wood species, is capable of taking on the most incredible color combinations;
Despite the fact that plastic is used in the production of eco-veneer, this material can be called environmentally friendly, because the process uses recycled material, sawdust. In this way, natural resources are used economically.

Solid wood also has its advantages:

wood is 100% environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic material;
strong, durable, reliable;
is able to fill a home with the energy of a real forest with his very presence.

Unfortunately, ideal materials do not currently exist. Both solid wood, veneer, and eco-veneer have a number of significant disadvantages: wood is expensive to process, which, of course, affects, first of all, its price; it reacts sharply to changes in humidity in the room: in dry air, wood can crack, and excessively wet - it will swell and become deformed. Veneer is cheaper than solid wood, but more expensive than eco-veneer, and also has poorer susceptibility to moisture. It would seem that eco-veneer is simply ideal material for making furniture, but not everything is so simple: it has low impact resistance and is unable to withstand deep scratches– if the chest of drawers can withstand the claws and teeth of your beloved pet, then cutting the glass or nail can seriously damage the coating. Damaged coating is very difficult to restore in the future; it cannot be sanded or painted over. If you try to “get confused” and try to clean the product from the damaged shell and wrap it in a new one, then this will be so labor-intensive that it will be easier to buy a new chest of drawers.

Of course, if the timber is represented by such noble and rare tree species as oak, cherry, wenge, zebrawood, ebony, then all that is necessary to emphasize its natural beauty is varnishing. Due to the varnish coating in several layers, the properties of the furniture are preserved for a long period of use. If we add to this timely care behind wooden surfaces by special means, then the service life of solid wood products will be at least 15 years. If, due to various circumstances, you cannot afford something more expensive than ordinary pine, it doesn’t matter, veneer or its synthetic analogue will instantly transform an unremarkable product into a magnificent household item. When we talk about furniture made of veneer or eco-veneer, we need to remember that veneer is just finishing elements that are fixed on top of a base made of cheaper wood or chipboard and MDF boards. We hope that in our article you found the answer to the question of what material to choose furniture from for your home. Whatever you choose, we wish you, along with the furniture, to bring comfort, coziness, beauty and luxury into your interior.

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