How to Know Your Budget: Cabinetry Finishes
At Smith & Smith, we pride ourselves on making every step of the kitchen renovation journey easier, which is why we have put together this ‘Budget Guide’ series to assist you in determining your budget - a key step in understanding what’s possible in your space.
This month, we focus on ‘cabinetry finishes’, an essential step in determining how much - and where - to invest.
For more on how to estimate your budget across key design areas such as benchtops, splashbacks and appliances, download our free ‘Melbourne Kitchen Renovation Budget Guide’ here.
Laminate
Laminate is a popular choice due to its affordability and versatility. Available in a wide range of colours and patterns, laminate can mimic the look of more expensive materials like wood or stone. It's also relatively easy to clean and resistant to moisture. Laminate is a favourite because of its durability - it just isn’t as versatile as other finishes as laminate doors can only be plain flat doors. New technology means that edging for laminates is slightly ‘rubbery’, allowing it to take a bit of a beating before any damage is done - a very different scenario to the laminate doors of the past - today’s laminate is the most durable option.
Two-Pack
Two-pack finishes involve coating the cabinetry with a durable paint that is cured to a hard matte, satin or glossy finish (it is the same formulation that people often coat timber floors - that is how durable it is). This option offers a sleek and modern appearance and can be customised to any colour and allow for a huge range of door profiles, allowing for a truly personalised kitchen design. Two-pack finishes are highly durable and resistant to wear and tear. However, they come in at a higher price point. Maintenance for Two-pack is the same as for laminate.
Solid Timber
Solid timber allows a range of profiles and comes in at a higher price point. This option allows for a warm, organic look that can be stained or finished to suit your design preferences.
Timber Veneer
Timber veneer offers the beauty of natural wood at a more affordable price point and like laminate, only flat door styles are available. Veneers are thin slices of wood applied to a substrate, providing the appearance of solid timber without the associated costs. Timber veneer is relatively durable but, as with all surfaces, may require periodic maintenance to keep it looking its best, and also note that natural timber will fade over time but we see this as a feature, not a bug.
Use the table above to gauge whether your design direction is a basic, mid-range or luxury solution.
We recommend using a third-party budget calculator, such as the one found on RealEstate.com.au to gauge your approximate budget range. Simply enter your approximate kitchen size and your preference of basic, mid-range or luxury.
For more on how to estimate your budget across key design areas such as benchtops, splashbacks and appliances, download our free ‘Melbourne Kitchen Renovation Budget Guide’ here.
