Acrylic vs PVC Laminates: Which option is better for you?

PVC laminates for kitchen interiors come in a wide variety of colours and textures, from high gloss, to matte, to natural wood or stone finishes. A high gloss PVC laminate sheet can even be coated with anti-smudge resins to help it maintain the shine and immaculate look. What is more, with the option of coating your laminate with anti-microbial or even fire retardant resins, you can make a PVC laminated kitchen both cleaner and safer than many other finishes might offer. These advantages come at a fairly reasonable price tag; the PVC laminate sheet price range is budget friendly and usually well below the cost of either natural wood, real stone or even the option of acrylic.

For top-end laminates, the finish is particularly durable, as good brands usually use cell casting for their manufacture, which makes them highly scratch resistant. Properly installed, an acrylic laminate sheet will not delaminate (which is where the layers peel and separate) or lose colour over the years, and can take heavy use without any noticeable wear and tear. Of course these advantages are to an extent dependent on the acrylic laminate sheet price, as lower end (less than 2mm thick) acrylics tend to yellow over time and are a bit more limited in the finish options that are available to you. What’s more, depending on the cost and manufacturing process, some acrylic laminates may not be very resistant to scratches and marks when subjected to rough usage, and poor handling can have a negative impact on their lifespan. 

Acrylic vs PVC Laminate : Choosing your Ideal Finish

It’s obvious that both PVC and acrylic laminates have their pros and cons, so when making your choice, it’s best to break things down and compare the difference between PVC laminate and acrylic from a perspective of aesthetics, durability, cost and cleaning/maintenance. 

On the other hand, textured or matte finish PVC laminates – particularly in natural tones, such as wood or stone – are a great way to achieve a trendy rustic look at a lower price tag.

Durability
 

Acrylic :

Not only pretty hard-wearing, acrylic laminate sheet is also water-proof and fairly resistant to heat. While acrylic laminates can be more prone to showing scratches and scuffs, there isn’t really a big difference between PVC laminate and acrylic when it comes to durability.

PVC :

As mentioned before, PVC laminate sheet is not only hard-wearing and durable, but can also be treated in various ways – from increased moisture and heat resistance to antibacterial and termite repellent properties – making them a safer and more hygenic choice.

PVC :

One main difference between PVC laminate and acrylic when it comes to maintenance, is that PVC is more capable of coping with the everyday wear and tear that a family home kitchen will inevitably be subjected to. They are also easy to clean; wiping the surfaces of your kitchen cabinets cabinets using a soft cloth that has been dampened with a mix of mild detergent and water, is pretty much all that’s required to keep your PVC laminates looking good.

If you still have your heart set on the high-gloss finish that’s the trademark of acrylic laminate but are feeling swayed by the easy-maintenance and budget-friendly convenience of PVC laminate then maybe the perfect option for you is not to choose! One popular design idea is to combine the two in your modular kitchen. For the lower cabinets and drawers that are frequently used and see a high-degree of handling, pick the more durable PVC laminate. Cover the upper cabinets in acrylic laminate; with this, you get the luxurious lustre at a height that not only draws the eye but also reflects lighting, and makes your kitchen appear more spacious, airy and sophisticated. Essentially, by choosing not to choose between them, you can get the best of both worlds!

We hope you have a better idea of what these two laminate options have to offer. But if you’re still confused about the finish for your modular kitchen, there’s no need to worry – Beautiful Homes Service by Asian Paints is here to help! Reach out to our team: whether it’s finding the latest accessories and décor styles from our curated collection, answering your interior design questions, or guiding you through the big and small decisions that need to be made, we’ll partner with you to create the home of your dreams.

Read more articles about kitchen designs.
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