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Laminate Vs. Wood Veneer: Choosing the Best for your Furniture

The furniture in your home should not only be beautiful, but it should also reflect your personality. Wooden furniture has always held a special place in the hearts of Indians. However, furniture made from solid wood can be expensive and difficult to maintain. Enter decorative finishes such as laminates/Sun mica and wood veneer that help you achieve the look and feel of wood without spending a fortune on the furniture.

To decide on the furniture finish, you must understand the critical differences between laminates and veneer wood. With complete information, you can make an informed decision.

What is Laminate?

In modern days, laminate furniture has become quite common due to its cost-effectiveness and low maintenance features. Laminates are available in two different types:

a. Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL)

It includes fusing décor paper with synthetic resin to harden it. Manufacturers attach the resin-fused paper sheet to a substrate. The substrate can either be particleboard or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). TFL laminates are budget-friendly, and you will find color options to customize your living space.

b. High-Pressure Laminate (HPL)

Like TFL, manufacturing High-Pressure Laminates also includes bonding the resin-soaked decorative paper to a substrate. However, manufacturers add multiple sheets of kraft paper for superior impact resistance before attaching the resin-fused paper to the particleboard or fiberboard. For more durability, they even include a protective top coat and press all the layers under high pressure to create HPL. Due to a more complicated process, its cost is higher than TFL.

What is Wood Veneer?

Wood veneer has a thin layer of premium, high-quality wood attached to a substrate base of plywood to reduce its cost. Due to the use of premium wood in different colors, grains, and wood species, you will find several options. Often, wood veneer is ideal for creating statement pieces in your homes.

With wood veneer, you will find several options: raw veneer, paper-backed veneer, wood-backed veneer, phenolic-backed veneer, wood on wood, etc.

Now that you know what laminates and wood veneer are, let's understand how to choose between the two options:

1. Versatility in Terms of Usage

TFL: You can use the laminate material for cabinets, drawers, shelves, etc.

HPL: Most interior designers recommend using HPL for high-traffic areas: horizontal and curved spaces (for example, doors, walls, wainscoting, cabinets, drawers, fixtures, etc.)

When it comes to wood veneer, you can use them as statement pieces in your home. They stand out compared to other fixtures and give your home a unique aesthetic appeal.

2. Less Care; Less Maintenance

Laminates are far easier to maintain because they do not include the natural wood component. Often, modern laminates come with scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, wear-resistant, and stain-resistant features to make them more durable.

On the other hand, the veneer has a top layer of wood, requiring more maintenance. If you use veneer for cupboards and cabinets, you will have to polish them every couple of months to maintain the look and durability of the finished product.

3. Matters of Durability  

As laminates do not have natural wood, they are not susceptible to water, ultraviolet light, and general wear and tear. So, laminates will be a better option if you are looking for furniture in a high-traffic area such as offices, commercial establishments, or even the cooking area in your home.

Wood veneer is not as durable as laminates. And, you will require to take care of veneer furniture as you would for solid wood.

4. Never forget the Price

When on a limited budget, you can opt for affordable and budget-friendly laminates. Veneer material can get costlier in comparison to laminates. However, compare different prices, look, and finish of the materials before making a final decision.

5. The Final Look  

If you are looking for something unique without spending much of your budget on solid wood, you can opt for veneer wood. Veneer has a sheet of natural wood with a plywood substrate, providing a similar uniqueness to natural wood. You will be able to enjoy elegance with it.

If you are thinking of laminates of the past, Sun Mica offered an artificial look to the furniture. However, the reality is different today. When choosing laminates for your furniture, you will find several options for colors and textures. For example, experts recommend choosing laminate if your preference is a specific color or texture.

As Indians, we do not believe in replacing furniture every other year. We hold our living space sacred, and choosing the best furniture material is an important decision for us. So, do not make any haste while choosing between laminate and veneer wood. List down your preferences and budget to make an informed decision.

Shop with the best laminates and veneer dealer in Palanpur. Get in touch today to build the home or office of your dreams.

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How to Optimize Space with Modular Kitchen Solutions?

The kitchen is an essential part of an Indian household. It is a place where families come together after a busy day and share their meals. However, with urbanization, kitchen spaces are growing smaller. If you are looking for adequate storage space and ample cooking area, a modular kitchen can be your answer.

A modular kitchen is a modern design with standardized modules/units. Depending on your requirements, you can quickly assemble the units or dismantle them. Today, you will find modular kitchens with integrated sink features and built-in space for microwaves and other kitchen appliances. Here are the top five reasons to go modular if you want a streamlined kitchen in a smaller area!

1. Customizable to suit the Kitchen Layout  

In the past, Indians trusted carpenter-made kitchens with fixed cabinets. Although the civil kitchen provided limited storage options, we trusted them because carpenter-made products were synonymous with durability and quality.

But, with wide availability and advancement in the modular kitchen industry, you have many options to customize and truly personalize the kitchen space. Choose colors, textures, and designs to build an aesthetically pleasing, stylish, and functional kitchen space. Whether you want an L-shaped or U-shaped kitchen layout, modular kitchen solutions can fit your requirements.

2. Minimize Clutter; Maximize Storage

Gone are the days when you had to rely on your carpenter to build kitchen cabinets and shelves. They spent days in your home trying to build the kitchen furniture. However, with modular kitchens, you can avoid the clutter and mess of carpenters setting up their workstations in your home. Modular kitchens are made in the factory and then fitted into your home, thus offering incredible convenience.

You can also see 3-D designs beforehand to understand what the final product will be. For example, you can anticipate whether the kitchen space will be enough for your family. In addition, you can enjoy adequate storage space with more innovative space-saving solutions.

3. Easy Access for Cleaning and Maintenance

The most significant advantage of modular kitchens is that they are easy to maintain. Manufacturers will design your kitchen, so every nook and cranny are accessible in times of repair. As the entire system is easy to install and dismantle, you can remove all the modular kitchen accessories and clean them quickly. Therefore, it is also beneficial when you want to repair a particular kitchen component.

4. Flexible Kitchen Space Solutions

Did you know you can quickly assemble, dismantle and re-assemble modular kitchens? As manufacturers pre-fabricate several design elements, one can easily uninstall, transport, and re-install the modular kitchen in a different space. So, for example, if you move houses quite frequently or you are moving from a rented space to your home, you can benefit by having a modular kitchen in the first place. It is a better option when compared with fixed kitchen cabinets and drawers that you cannot move.

Also, if you want a quick kitchen remodeling, you can achieve your desired look by simply changing cabinets, cupboards, or shelves without breaking down the entire kitchen.

5. Superior Durability

Modular kitchens are known for their chic, seamless, and clean look. Manufacturers design them to cater to Indian homes where cooking is still a big part of routine life. We need a durable kitchen in Indian households that can withstand the regular cooking and elaborate meals during weekends and festivals. A modular kitchen makes sense if you have a big family because it offers more durability and delivers a sleeker look.

Additionally, as the modular kitchen can be assembled and disassembled at your convenience, you can change a part of the kitchen furniture and save money by avoiding complete kitchen renovation.

Do not worry about the cost of modular kitchens in India. With growing competition and reduced cost of the manufacturing process, modular kitchens have become quite affordable. Manufacturers can provide customized solutions within your budget. So, whether you are looking for a high-end kitchen space or interested in customized options within your budget, you will not want choices today.

The only thing that matters is your preferences and choices. Understand what you expect from the kitchen and discuss it with the modular kitchen dealer. They will help you choose the best options and provide personalized solutions depending on your requirements.

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5 things to Consider for a Successful Tiles Installation Project

Gone are the days when Indians chose mosaic flooring for their homes. We have often ignored the flooring of our property and paid more attention to other decorative elements. But, the floor of your home is much more than a functional entity; it can add beauty to your property and make it truly unique.

With so many tiling options available today, you can truly add an aesthetic appeal to the floor. Many homeowners choose tiles because of their versatility, low cost, and low maintenance features. Before selecting tiles for your home, here are five things to consider. Ignoring them can lead to expensive mistakes that ruin the home construction project.

1. Why the Change Now?

Before spending money on new flooring, you must pinpoint the reason for the change. Were you dissatisfied with the look of the old flooring? Were they a tripping hazard? Were there too many cracks in the original floor? You must also undertake a foundation inspection to look for possible signs of problems. Hiring an expert home contractor/tile setter is essential to lay down the tiles with appropriate and adequate underlayment material. Laying down expensive tiles without thorough scrutiny may lead to tile shifting or cracking.

2. Measure Twice Always

Are you undertaking the tile renovation project on your own? Take your time measuring the flooring area. Simply calculating the square foot area of the room is not enough. Consider the floor inclination and edges of the flooring. If you are confused, it is best to hire a contractor to do the job for you. Even when the contractor is calculating the floor area, ask him to measure twice so you can buy the required number of tiles without any margin of error.

3. Quality over Cost

Often, homeowners do not start with a budget in hand. Any home improvement project can quickly go out of hand without a detailed analysis of your finances. And in the end, you may have to settle for cheap-quality tiles or an inexperienced contractor. There is no substitute for reliable labor and quality material. Hire an experienced and reliable professional to do the job for you. And, always buy affordable yet quality tiles that will last for several years.

4. Grout can be the Game Changer

After deciding to inspect the flooring, hiring a professional contractor, and choosing the best tiles under budget, one can get tired and leave the decisions of grout to luck. However, selecting the suitable grout can be a game changer for your project. For example, consider the color of the room's tiles, walls, and fixtures to decide. Next, choose a color that blends with the tiles if you want a seamless look. On the other hand, selecting a bold and dark color will make the floor stand out from the rest of the living space.

5. Explore, Explore and Explore  

Do not choose a tile option just because you saw it at a relative's place. It is wise to explore different sizes, shapes, patterns, and textures of tiles to understand what works best for you. Choosing slippery tiles for a high-traffic area or dark ones for a small room can prove disastrous. Do not be in haste to decide. Instead, visit the best tiles dealer in your city to explore all options you have. Many tile manufacturers also provide online tools to upload pictures of your room and help you visualize the results.

When it comes to tiles installation or any other home construction project, patience is the key. Understand every aspect of the project in minute detail. Ask several questions to the tiles dealer to select the best option for your home. Remember, installing new flooring is not a quick home construction project we can undertake every couple of months. So, it is wise to be patient and make a well-thought decision.