exterior finishes
Furniture veneer is used in furniture making and interior decoration. Different veneer species have different looks, textures and properties that can add beauty and character to furniture. Choosing the right type of wood veneer can be determined by personal preference, budget and usage needs. Whether you prefer natural-style solid wood veneers, pursue affordable artificial wood veneers, or prefer modern painted veneers, you can make a wise choice based on your preferences and needs. This article will introduce several common types of wood veneer to give everyone a deeper understanding of furniture veneer.
Baked paint PU
Price: Medium Advantages: Rich colors, easy to clean Disadvantages: Average wear resistance
Baked paint (PU) is a common furniture finish with the advantages of rich color choices and easy cleaning, but wear resistance is generally one of its disadvantages.
One of the advantages of baked paint is the wide range of colors to choose from. Different gloss effects can be produced, such as matte, glossy and metallic surfaces, giving the furniture a variety of appearance styles. This makes lacquer a popular choice among designers and consumers, who can customize the look of furniture to suit personal preferences and interior style.
Another advantage is ease of cleaning. The surface of baked paint is smooth and flat, and it is not easy to absorb dust and dirt, so it is relatively easy to clean. Simply wipe gently with a soft, dry cloth to restore the shine, leaving your furniture looking clean and bright.
However, the abrasion resistance of baked paint is average. Scratches or wear may occur from daily use and friction. Special care needs to be taken to avoid sharp objects or rough surfaces coming into contact with the furniture to reduce the possibility of damage.
Additionally, using baked paint on plywood requires some additional process steps. Since the effect of baked paint is better on fiberboard, if you want to use baked paint on plywood, many craftsmen will first add a layer of fiberboard on the surface of the plywood. If you need baked paint with a wood grain effect, you need to apply wood veneer to the board first, and then perform the baked paint treatment. These extra steps may add expense and production time.
Wood Veneer (Technical Wood Veneer/Real Wood Veneer)
Price: Technological veneer (medium)/real veneer (higher)
Advantages: Real texture, soft and warm texture Disadvantages: Average wear resistance, color difference, discoloration (especially after long-term exposure to sunlight)
Wood veneer is a thin slice made of real wood. The cost of veneer is relatively expensive (depending on the wood species) and it is easier to spend. However, the advantage is that it can only achieve the natural aspect.
Wood veneer is a thin slice made of real wood. It can be divided into two types: technical veneer and real wood veneer. Technical veneer is a synthetic material, usually made of fiberboard or other base materials covered with embossed paper or PVC and other synthetic materials. Real wood veneer is made from real wood planed into thin slices. The price of technical veneer is usually mid-range, while the price of real veneer is on the higher side, generally depending on the wood species.
One of the advantages of wood veneer is its ability to display authentic wood grain texture. Because the veneer is thinly planed from real wood, it retains the natural grain, color and texture of the wood itself. This gives the wood veneer a soft and warm touch, giving the furniture a sense of elegance and sophistication, giving it a natural and unique look.
However, the veneer is also averagely wear-resistant. The surface of wood veneer is relatively thin and fragile, and can be easily scratched or worn. Therefore, care is required during use and maintenance to avoid scratching with rough or sharp objects.
In addition, veneer may suffer from chromatic aberration and discoloration, especially when exposed to prolonged sunlight. The color of the veneer may fade or darken over time. Therefore, when selecting and using veneer, you need to choose suitable protective measures.
HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE (HPL)
Price: Low to High Advantages: Wear-resistant, flame retardant, easy to clean, many artificial texture styles to choose from Disadvantages: The corners need to be specially treated otherwise there will be black edges (black air)
Fireproof rubber board is a material commonly used for kitchen cabinet decoration. There are many styles and brands to choose from, ranging from various unknown brands to well-known brands such as Formica, West German board, Deli board, etc., from flat solid color to three-dimensional wood. Patterns and prices can vary greatly. This decorative paper is pressed with melamine resin. Because of its wear-resistant, moisture-proof and flame-retardant properties, it has become the mainstream choice for kitchen cabinet finishes.
-
Wear resistance: Fireproof rubber sheets usually have good wear resistance and can resist scratches and wear in daily use, making the furniture more durable.
-
Flame retardant: Because melamine resin is added to the fireproof rubber sheet, it has good flame retardant properties. This makes fireproof rubber sheets safer to use in flammable locations such as kitchens.
-
Easy to clean: The surface of the fireproof rubber board is usually smooth and does not easily absorb dirt, so it is relatively easy to clean. Common stains can be easily wiped away, keeping furniture surfaces tidy.
-
There are many choices of artificial texture styles: Fireproof plastic boards can be manufactured with various artificial textures and styles through printing technology, including three-dimensional wood grain effects. This allows consumers to choose the right finish style based on personal preference and style.
Ecological board MELAMINE
Price: Medium Advantages: Comes with built-in finish, consistent look and feel on the bottom Disadvantages: Different manufacturers have varying quality/poor flame protection
Melamine board is a common wooden board with many different names such as flower-proof board/melamine board. It is similar to fireproof rubber board but the surface protection treatment is thinner. It usually has a pre-attached surface finish, such as film paper or glued paper, and the surface and bottom surface are treated the same, so it can be used internally or externally. , the look and feel are consistent. However, due to the large number of suppliers in the eco-board market, the quality of eco-boards from different manufacturers may vary, including the density, wear resistance and durability of the boards, which need to be compared. In addition, eco-boards have poor flame resistance, compared to Fire-resistant rubber sheets and ecological boards have poor flame-retardant properties. In the event of a fire, eco-boards burn easily and may release harmful gases.
E0/E1 board
E0 board and E1 board refer to the formaldehyde emission standards in the board. The formaldehyde emission of E1 board will be lower than the safe level, while the formaldehyde emission of E0 board is even lower, close to zero. So is the E0 board better than the E1 board?
Formaldehyde is not an absolutely bad substance. It also has its own functions. It can be added to furniture boards to achieve bonding and moisture-proof functions. If the E0 board does not have these functions, it will not work in humid places such as kitchens, toilets, bathrooms, etc. Not as durable, so the E1 board is a good balance. Formaldehyde is released from the gum between the board core and the board core. If the surface sealing is done well, formaldehyde will naturally not be released, so as long as it is handled properly, this problem can be avoided. However, if the board is not strong enough, it will be difficult to ensure that formaldehyde will not be emitted from the damaged board, so the moisture resistance/adhesion/hardness of E1 plays a huge role. E1 board has the right amount of formaldehyde release to maintain the performance of the board.
Since E0 boards release less formaldehyde, they may be a better choice in places that are sensitive to formaldehyde or have higher indoor air quality requirements, such as rooms for infants and young children or those who are allergic to formaldehyde. However, E1 boards also emit formaldehyde below safe levels and are generally safe for general household use.
The choice of E0 board or E1 board should be based on specific needs and usage scenarios. If you have higher requirements for indoor air quality or are sensitive to formaldehyde, E0 boards may be a better choice. If you need to use it in a humid environment and are looking for a certain degree of durability, E1 boards may be a balanced choice. In addition, no matter which standard plate is chosen, just ensure that the quality is reliable and meets the relevant standards and regulations.
