JOINERY FINISHES | 101 Laminate vs Thermofoil
Both of these finishes fall in the more budget-friendly options for your joinery requirements. However, they both have certain limitations which may sway your decision making!
Laminate
Geeky term HPL: High-Pressure Laminate.
What: Laminate is a synthetic product made of several layers of resin-impregnated paper. These are then laminated together to form a hard sheet - typically 1mm in thickness. Laminate is then pressed or contact glued onto an MDF or particleboard substrate. Available in pre-finished panels and cut to size. Laminate doors are then edged with a matching ABS edging tape.
Typical Use: Joinery vertical and horizontal surfaces, including bench-tops and wall panelling. When specifying laminate, it is a good idea to stipulate its end purpose - i.e. vertical face or horizontal fronts - as suppliers sometimes stock a slightly different range fit for each purpose.
Finishes: Plain, metallics, faux timber and faux stone.
Colours: 100’s to choose from dependant on each individual supplier.
Durability / Usability: Laminate is an exceptionally hard-wearing product. Resistant to heat, UV and moisture. Laminate can also be heated and moulded to create a radius to the edge or curved to form forms. If chipped, scratched or damaged, laminate cannot be repaired.
Restraints: Laminate should really only be used for flat-panel joinery (not Shaker style profiles). When laminate boards are cut to size, you will always see the exposed substrate edge, which needs to be finished with edging tape. If you were to create a Shaker-style door front from laminate, then you need to be mindful that each of the rails and stiles (the Shaker frame) need to then be finished in edging tape. Timber and stone laminate finishes have come A LONG way over the last few years, and they will continue to evolve, but in my opinion, they still can often lack the depth and warmth of their real counterparts.
Price Point: $ $
Entry-level joinery with varying price points within each range. I.e. entry-level laminate to high-end laminate.
Laminate kitchen designed by Kennedy Nolan. Laminate finish by Laminex: colourway ~ French Cream and Paper Bark
Thermofoil
Also known as Thermolaminate, Thermoform, or vinyl wrapped.
What: Thermofoil is a deceptive name as it has no metal content. Instead, it is a thin layer of vinyl that is vacuum-pressed onto ALL facing surfaces (front and sides - not the back) of cabinet doors and drawer fronts, typically constructed of 18mm MDF. Thermofoil products are then sold as pre-finished doors/drawer fronts and end panels.
Typical Use: Joinery vertical surfaces - doors/drawers and end panels.
Finishes: Plain, metallics, faux timber.
Colours: 100’s to choose from dependant on each supplier.
Durability / Usability: Thermofoil is very water-resistant as it's a vinyl product, so it's essentially plastic (great for bathroom vanities). Thermofoil is impervious to staining and is easy to wipe off. Extremely colour consistent as the colour is "baked into" the vinyl itself. As thermofoil is vacuum pressed applied - door profiles can be very elaborate. Thermofoil can delaminate and peel around the edges over time, and the doors can chip if hit with enough force. Thermofoil doors cannot be spot repaired. The various manufacturers of Thermofoil panels such as Laminex, Formica and Polytec only guarantee their products for 7 years.
Restraints: Theromfoil is not heat sensitive - meaning cabinetry around the oven and dishwasher can become damaged over time (turn yellow). Flush mounted ovens and dishwashers are not designed to deflect the heat from surrounding surfaces. Therefore you need to ensure you have sufficient venting between these appliances and the cabinets to allow for adequate air circulation - you should also install heat insulation kits or heat deflector strips to help contain heat transfer. Thermofoil doors will not be covered by the warranty unless you meet these requirements.
Price Point: $
Entry-level joinery with varying price points within each range/finish and level of detail to door profile.
I.e. flat panel vs shaker profile.
Thermofoil kitchen designed by Zephyr and Stone from their Classic Coastal Project. Polytec “Chifley" profile in Blossom White Matt.
COMPARING THE TWO
Laminate cabinets are often confused with thermofoil, yet they are vastly different materials. Laminate is a thin and brittle sheet that is glued to the surface. Excess is removed with a router and edging tape applied to the 4 edges. Matching colour melamine or a cheaper low-pressure laminate (LPL) is applied to the back of the door regardless of the front face.
Laminate door profile.
Thermofoil is a nonporous and seamless PVC vinyl finish vacuum pressed applied to the front faces of the surface (front and sides). Therefore, you do not need to use edging tape. Matching colour melamine or a cheaper low-pressure laminate (LPL) is applied to the back of the door.
THermofoil door profile.
SUMMARY
Laminate
Generally used for flat panel doors.
Can be used for benchtops.
Resistant to heat, UV and moisture.
Requires edging tape.
Cannot be spot repaired (if chipped or damaged)
Thermofoil
Can use different doors profiles.
Can’t be used for benchtops.
Water + moisture resistant.
No edging tape - as the vinyl “wraps the door”.
Cannot be spot repaired (if chipped or damaged)
Not heat-sensitive - e.g. cabinetry around oven can turn yellow over time.