The short answer
Laminate is hard-wearing, comes in hundreds of wood and solid shades, and is what we build every cabinet in. Acrylic gives a high-gloss, seamless face and is offered in kitchens, where the whole kitchen is one or the other. We do not offer PU paint on cabinets. Laminate costs less than acrylic.
In this guide
The two finishes, side by side
| Laminate | Acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| In a word | Hard-wearing, in wood and solid shades | High gloss, seamless — kitchens only |
| What it is made of | Merino Laminate 1mm Matte 8x4, on Century Sainik MR 303 Plywood | Senosan AM3 Acrylic White 18mm, a finished board in itself |
| Where we offer it | Every item | Kitchens |
| Price | Costs less | Costs more |
The finish is only the face of the door. The box behind it is built from the same board whichever you pick, chosen for whether water reaches it: BWP or MR ply explains that choice.
Laminate: the hard-wearing one
A laminate is a thin, tough sheet pressed onto both faces of the board. It shrugs off knocks, steam and cleaning, comes in hundreds of colours and wood looks, and a scratch in a matte laminate is hard to see. It comes in several finishes too, from a soft textured matt to a high gloss, so one material covers most looks. Every wardrobe, TV unit and cabinet we build is laminate.
Acrylic: the glossy one, for kitchens
An acrylic door is a board with a deep, high-gloss face, with no visible line where the face meets the edge. It reflects light and makes a small kitchen look bigger. It also shows fingerprints and fine scratches more than laminate. We offer it in kitchens, and a kitchen is one material throughout: the base units, wall cabinets, loft and tall units all acrylic, or all laminate. Two shades of the same material still make a two-tone kitchen.
Why we do not offer PU
PU is paint, sprayed in layers and cured into a smooth skin. It looks fine on the day it is fitted, but a deep knock can chip it, it is slow to make, and a repair rarely matches. On doors that are opened every day we would rather build in a finish that lasts, so we do not offer PU on cabinets.
Where each one suits
- A busy family kitchen: laminate, for the knocks and the steam.
- A small or dark kitchen: acrylic, whose gloss brightens it.
- Wardrobes, TV units and the rest of the home: laminate, in a wood or a solid shade.
- Children’s rooms: a matte laminate, which forgives the most.
From our designer
I suggest choosing the kitchen by how you cook. If it is busy every day, laminate. If you want it to shine and you do not mind wiping it, acrylic. For a two-tone look, pick two shades of the same one.
— An Ekatan designer
See it in your own home
Send your floor plan. A designer draws your home within 24 hours.
Common questions
Can I see the shades before I decide?
Yes. You choose each item’s shade while you plan, collection by collection, and your designer confirms it before your final quote.
Can I have acrylic wall cabinets over laminate base units?
No. A kitchen is one material throughout, so the doors age and clean the same. Two shades of one material give the same two-tone look.
Do you offer veneer or PU?
Not on cabinets. Your designer can suggest a painted wall panel or moulding where a wall needs one.
Which finish is easiest to clean?
Matte laminate. A damp cloth is enough, and marks are hard to see.
Related guides
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