For those who want both environmental friendliness and aesthetic appeal, panel finishes are a must-mention.

There are countless types of boards on the market, but the ones I like are the most beautiful. Boards on the market can be broadly categorized into several types, such as MDF, plywood, particleboard, and multi-layer board, but the finishes on these boards are incredibly diverse.

To make a board look more upscale, it needs a surface finish. Although there are many different colors and patterns on the surface, the types of finishes can be roughly divided into the following four categories.

Category 1

Melamine-impregnated adhesive paper

Melamine veneer is made by printing patterns on decorative paper, impregnating it with melamine resin to create melamine veneer paper, and then hot-pressing it onto a substrate material. Because it requires a high degree of surface flatness from the substrate, it is commonly used for particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF). Boards with melamine veneer are generally called melamine boards. They have a realistic surface texture, are wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, and have good water resistance, and are mainly used in panel furniture.

Category 2

PVC film finish

The biggest advantage of PVC lamination is its flexibility, making it ideal for covering highly malleable fiberboard. This enhances the fiberboard's moisture resistance and allows for the creation of classic Western-style designs. However, the biggest drawback of PVC lamination is the high cost of double-sided lamination; generally, only the front is covered, with the back typically finished with white melamine.

Category 3

Painted finish

Unlike the previous types of board finishes, baked enamel finishes are sprayed directly onto the substrate, covering all six sides of the board. This results in good waterproof and moisture-proof properties and easy cleaning. However, the disadvantages are a complex and time-consuming manufacturing process and a high price. Baked enamel boards are made by covering fiberboard with a baked enamel finish and are mainly used for cabinets, dining cabinets, etc.

Category 4

solid wood veneer finish

Solid wood veneer is applied to MDF, particleboard, or multi-layer solid wood panels using a high-temperature hot press to create solid wood veneer decorative panels. Since there are imported and domestic wood veneers, as well as precious and common woods, there is a wide range of choices. Therefore, the quality of solid wood veneer decorative panels is determined by the type and thickness of the solid wood veneer.

Solid wood veneer boards require a painting process. Because the veneer and painting processes are different, the same type of wood veneer can produce different effects. Therefore, solid wood veneer has high requirements for both the veneer and painting processes.

Solid wood veneer is a popular finish for high-end furniture both domestically and internationally due to its realistic and natural feel and high quality, but it is relatively expensive in terms of materials and cost.

Currently, a type of engineered wood veneer is popular in China, favored by consumers for its realistic and natural texture, diverse patterns, lack of color difference, and large size.

Ring ring, get out of class is over! That's all for today's lesson. Has everyone learned anything about panel finishes?