Polyurethane Vs Melamine Kitchen

When designing a kitchen, many people are overwhelmed by the vast amount of choices they have to make when it comes to their door finishes. Here at Vista, we aim to make this process a little easier, and thus we recommend either a Polyurethane or a Melamine Kitchen. So today, we are going to give you a run down on the pros and cons for both, and hopefully make that decision just a little easier.

Practical. Attractive. Durable.

Polyurethane doors have an ultra-smooth painted finish. This paint and a hardener are combined to create a durable finish on your cabinetry, similar to the finish on your vehicle, and thus designed to last. It also comes in a variety of finishes such as gloss for the ultra- modern, satin for a timeless classic and matt for the contemporary style.

1. Endless colour palette

Our customers can choose almost any colour from Dulux’s extensive range, so there will be no problem trying to colour match your home’s décor’.

2. Durability

Polyurethane finishes have been designed to stand the test of time. They have an extraordinary resistance against scratches and chips which is perfect for the family. As well as this, they are almost completely UV resistant, meaning that in 20 years time, your kitchen will look as good as the day it was installed- now how's that for quality! In those rare cases where a door is damaged, repair is as simple as us replacing the door with your chosen colour.

3. Door profiling

Unlike melamine, with polyurethane you have endless possibilities when it comes to door profiling. For example, shaker style kitchens for a country-style charm or J-profile doors for that contemporary appeal.

4. Low maintenance

A polyurethane kitchen is impenetrable by many substances, so cleaning is a breeze. Fingerprints? Smudges? Stains? All you need to do is wipe down with a moist cloth. How simple!

It is clear why polyurethane kitchens attract so many of our customers, however all these benefits come with quite a high cost.

1. Cost

A polyurethane kitchen can be between 30-40% more expensive than a melamine kitchen due to its durability and the amount of labour required to produce. If you are willing to up your budget to allow for a polyurethane kitchen, it will not be a decision regretted.

Renovating your kitchen on a budget but don’t want to sacrifice the visual appeal? Look no further than a Melamine Kitchen.

Melamine is a compressed wood that is coated with paper and resin which can be produced in a range of colours and styles.

A common misconception when it comes to melamine is that it can leave your kitchen looking cheap and outdated; however, melamine technology has improved astronomically over the last couple of years. As a result, melamine can look and feel nearly as good as polyurethane at only half the cost!

1. Durability

Like polyurethane, melamine doors are quite durable thanks to their tough outer coating which allows them to be resistant to heat and stains.

2. Variety

There is a wide range of melamine doors available on the market today from sheen finishes to woodmatt, all ready to be incorporated into your home décor. To bring in a sense of tranquillity into your kitchen try one of our favourite colour-combo’s- Blossom White Sheen Prime Oak Woodmatt by Polytec.

Despite benefits, this cost-effective, durable material comes with some negatives.

1. Prone to Chips:

Whilst outer coating is tough, it Is not chip resistant like polyurethane, and therefore general wear and tear can leave exposed wood particles which can take away the visual appeal of your kitchen; however, maintaining the outer coating of your cabinetry can prevent this from occurring, leaving your kitchen in great condition for years to come.

2. Sensitive to water:

Overtime, exposure to water can cause the doors to swell and can thus deteriorate the internal structure.

Polyurethane is a top of the line product thanks to its durability and practically, however it can break the budget. If you after a cost-effective solution to your renovation, melamine is a great option, while there may seem to be some negatives, you can count on it to last you many years to come if looked after correctly.

Hopefully we have made this choice a little easier (or maybe we made it harder...oops)

If you have any questions, give Vista a call on (02) 4911 1151