Laminates give plywood furniture its colour, texture and protection. With hundreds of designs on the shelf, it is easy to choose on looks alone and regret it later. Use this guide to match laminate type, thickness and finish to the place you are using it.
What is a decorative laminate?
A decorative laminate is a layered sheet made of kraft paper and a printed decorative paper, pressed under heat and pressure with resin. It is glued over plywood or MDF to give a durable, scratch-resistant, easy-to-clean surface.
Choose the right thickness
- 0.8 mm: standard for most interior furniture such as wardrobes, shelves and carcass exteriors.
- 1 mm: the common choice for kitchens, doors and surfaces that see heavy use.
- 1.25 mm and above: for high-wear surfaces such as work counters and commercial furniture.
- 0.5 mm and thinner (liners): used on the inside or back of furniture, not on visible surfaces.
Pick the finish for the room
- Matte: hides fingerprints and gives a calm, premium look. Popular for modern wardrobes and kitchens.
- Gloss: reflects light and makes small rooms feel larger, but shows marks more easily.
- Textured (wood grain, suede, stone): adds feel and depth, and hides minor scratches.
- Metallic and high-gloss accents: best used sparingly on highlights.
Match laminate to use
- Kitchen: 1 mm, matte or textured, with sealed edges. Avoid very dark gloss on frequently touched shutters.
- Wardrobe: 0.8 mm is fine. Choose lighter shades if the room is small.
- Doors: 1 mm laminate on a solid core, with a coordinating edge band.
- Office and shop counters: thicker, abrasion-resistant grades.
Things people forget
- Edge banding: a poorly matched edge spoils the whole look and lets moisture in.
- Adhesive and pressing: a good laminate fails if it is glued badly, so ask who applies it and how.
- Sample in your own light: view the sample at home. Shops use bright lighting.
- Batch consistency: order all sheets for one room together so colours match.
Laminates in Dindigul
We stock decorative laminates and can show you the full range, including premium ranges such as Sirocco. Visit the shop or get in touch and bring photos of your space. Browse our products for more.
