Your choice of surface material for cabinetry doors and drawers will play a vital role in determining the look and feel of your kitchen, bathroom, laundry or home office.
This guide explains the differences between popular options, comparing their cost, durability and colour ranges, making it easier for you to get the best possible result.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re designing a kitchen, bathroom, laundry or home office, the cabinetry doors and drawers account for such a large proportion of the vertical surface in the space, you’re going to want to get the look and feel just right! The surface material you choose also has to be strong and durable, to withstand the day-to-day impact of being opened and closed and bumped into, over and over again.
Laminate cabinetry doors and drawers are incredibly popular because they come in so many different styles, colours and finishes, and are hardwearing and cost-effective. Scan the below table for a quick comparison between the different options, and then keep reading for a more detailed overview of each one.
| Applications | The Cost (Material, Fabrication and Install) | The Durability | Overview | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Laminex High-Pressure Laminate (HPL), Decorated Panels & Boards and Made-to-measure Doors. | Residential and commercial Kitchen doors & drawers Bathroom doors & drawers Laundry doors & drawers Study doors & drawers | $$ – $$$ | ✓✓ | • Premium laminate option – with a range of products available in an extensive range of colours and finishes • Resistant to scratches and stains, colour stable in typical indoor lighting conditions and with a moisture-resistant MDF core as standard • Suitable for a wide range of budgets with different textures and finishes available including woodgrains and solid colours • The Laminex Made-to-measure range includes a comprehensive range of custom made doors and drawers • Proudly Australian made |
Formica Decorated Board and Square Edge Doors. | Residential and commercial Kitchen doors & drawers Bathroom doors & drawers Laundry doors & drawers Study doors & drawers | $ | ✓ | • A range focusing on popular solid colours, patterns and woodgrains. • Scratch and stain resistant, colour stable under normal lighting conditions and is made with a moisture-resistant MDF core, perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. • Cost-effective solution • Proudly Australian made |
Laminex Cabinetry Doors & Drawers
The Material
Laminex decorated MDF is the premium laminate option for cabinetry doors and drawers. It’s made right here in Australia, with melamine-impregnated decorative paper bonded to a rigid MDF core constructed from sustainably grown local timber. The incredible colour and texture in the Laminex Colour Collection has been created specifically for Australian design preferences too, so you’re sure to find the perfect decor for your project. And many of those decors can be seamlessly coordinated with wall finishes, thanks to the Laminex and Dulux colour partnership.
There’s also the Laminex Made-to-Measure Doors and Panels range, which includes DesignEdge laminate doors and drawers, as well as ColourTech 2-pac painted and FormWrap thermo-laminated vinyl-wrapped options, all prefinished and ready to install.
The Cost
Laminex cabinetry doors and drawers can work for a wide range of budgets. Laminate in Natural or Flint finish is the most cost-effective choice, with textured finishes such as Laminex AbsoluteMatte or Laminex PureGrain requiring more investment.
ColourTech and FormWrap are more expensive again. Remember to consider fabrication costs too, because using Laminex Made-to-Measure Doors and Panels means that your doors and drawers are delivered to site ready to install, saving time and money on fabrication and installation.
The Durability
Cabinetry doors and drawers bear the brunt of everyday wear and tear, and in most settings are exposed to water and other liquids. That’s why Laminex laminate doors and drawers are such a popular option. Laminex decorated MDF is resistant to scratches and also stains, is colour stable in typical indoor lighting conditions, and is supplied with a moisture-resistant MDF core as standard, mitigating the risk of water damage.
ColourTech and FormWrap doors and drawers are also hardwearing, and all options in the Laminex Made-to-Measure Doors and Panels are moisture resistant as standard.
The Range
Designing with Laminex decorated MDF gives you the run of the Laminex Colour Collection, available in a range of premium Laminex finishes, including colour-matched ABS edging. Choices range from bold solid tones to delicate pastels, rich neutrals, authentic woodgrains and much more. The Made-to-Measure Doors and Panels range includes a curated but extensive selection from Laminex’s Whites & Neutrals, Accents and Woodgrains collections. And then there’s a comprehensive range of profiles – square and bevelled edges, face- and pocket-routered designs, and glaze framed doors – and multiple finish options to hone your preferred style.
The Look
Using Laminex for your cabinetry doors and drawers opens up endless design possibilities. Choose DesignEdge in the Bevelled Edge profile for a contemporary handle-less look, perhaps in Laminex AbsoluteMatte Black to be ultra-slick! For a classic Hamptons feel, consider FormWrap or ColourTech in the Settler Planked pocket-routered profile. Or keep it simple and warm, with Laminex decorated board in a highly authentic woodgrain decor. Those are just three of the looks you can achieve to get you started!
Formica Cabinetry Doors & Drawers
The Material
The Formica brand is well known around the world as a reliable, practical and convenient option for cabinetry doors and drawers. Just like the Laminex product, Formica decorated MDF is made right here in Australia, with melamine-impregnated decorative paper bonded to a rigid MDF core.
The Formica range focuses on popular solid colours, patterns and woodgrains, making it simple to find a colour and finish best matched to your project, no matter your budget. You can even order your doors and drawers prefinished to your required measurements and ready to install, thanks to the Square Edge Doors and Panels offering – just perfect for a DIY update. And if that update is to your kitchen or wardrobes, you’ll find a wealth of inspiration in the Formica Project Guide.
The Cost
Formica laminate is an incredibly cost-effective solution for cabinetry doors and drawers. Cabinetmakers love working with it because it’s so easy to work with, which keeps fabrication and installation costs low. Even more so if you opt for the Square Edge Doors and Panels offering.
The Durability
Formica decorated MDF is made with longevity and ease of maintenance top of mind. It resists scratches and stains, and unlike other surface materials, is colour stable under normal lighting conditions. It’s also made with a moisture-resistant MDF core, so is perfect for kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. All in all, it’s a highly practical, convenient and affordable option for cabinetry doors and drawers.
The Range
The Formica range has been designed to quickly guide you to the best colour and finish to match your preferred style. It includes popular classics and on-trend solid colours, as well as a selection of authentic timber-look options. There’s also a variety of gloss and low-sheen Formica finishes, and an additional finish that brings natural tactility to woodgrain patterns.
The Look
Formica decorated MDF is a straightforward product for fabricators to work with to achieve a clean, fuss-free look. In solid colours, it fits with both contemporary and classic interiors, while the timber-look colours can be used to bring added visual interest and on-trend warmth and texture.
Which is the best material for cabinetry doors and drawers?
We hope this summary has helped you to find the best material for the cabinetry doors and drawers in your kitchen, bathroom, laundry or home office.
Ready to take the next step
We recommend you have a close look at your selected material, and feel it in your hands, before you commit to an order. You can do that at one of our showrooms or by ordering a free sample from the Laminex website. And if you’re still looking for inspiration, there’s no shortage of excellent designs to explore on our website too!
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