Browse Forums Kitchen Corner Re: 2 pack poly vs vinyl wrap 17Apr 11, 2007 11:21 pm hey elizabeth,
You are takin tree huggin' to a whole new level here... Keep up the good work. Matt Polyurethane VS Thermolaminate Vinyl VS Melamine 18Jan 05, 2008 12:22 am Hi
I found this topic very useful when trying to decide what to use for doors for my new kitchen. However I would love to get more input/suggestions from people. Currently I have a choice of using Polyurethane (Australian made quality, not sure what brand), Thermolaminate(Polytec) and Melamine(Polytec sheen, which is gloss finish with PVC edges) for doors. My kitchen is of a fairly std size. I have been quoted for Melamine and have been told Poly will cost $2.5K to 3K more. I have not asked how much for Thermolaminate but I would presume it would be somewhere in between. What I am after is gloss and also easiness to clean. I have young kids so weakness to impact would be fatal. Based on the cost difference above, would most people definitely go for Poly or would think Melamine (I think it is same as Laminate, just confirming) is good enough? Also, has anyone used Polytec Thermolaminate for doors and actually had peeling issues? Also anyone who used Melamine with bad experiences? (I am thinking Melamine, if its gloss, is as much easy to clean as Poly?) Your feedback is much appreciated! Re: 2 pack poly vs vinyl wrap 19Jan 16, 2008 3:01 am Hi guys
I have been making kitchens for about 20 years now. And simply refuse to use vinyl or vacuum doors any more. We put a white vyinal kitchen in our showroom when they first came to Australia from Europe, About 1995 from memory (as the manufacturers give you the doors for free) so after 1.5 to 2 years we sold off the kitchen to upgrade the showroom. (As you do) The feedback we were getting in that time was enough to start us steering customers away from vacuum. But even in the short time the showroom kitchen had been in, the colour degrading was very bad. Basically the process they use is the same as when they pack savoloys or frankfurts. Suck the air out and the heated plastic shrinks around the shape. And that is the problem. Plastic OR fancy name "Thermo laminate" is not a stable product. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight affects the colour stability and brittleness of the plastic . And the plastic or foils as they call them move or don't stick easily to the substrate. Yes the price is sometimes right and they look great when new but who wants to make or have a kitchen that only lasts a few years? I’m tired of been asked to go and look at peoples vacuum kitchen to see "if I can do any thing to fix them up. Very generally and to a certain degree, (Doublespeak for varying factors) I find gloss polyurethane and gloss vacuum similar in price Now gloss polyurethane I love. Pick a colour, any colour. And if you want to be insanely decadent pick a metallic red or blue, whatever turns you on. But if you’re sensible just pick a plain solid colour that you can live with for the next 30 years because with proper care it will last that long or longer. In my experience Gloss has fallen from favour a bit in the last 3-5 years with people asking for satin polyurethane of various levels. 30% 60% etc. but gloss to me always looks good, and the beauty is, if a door gets damaged in ten years time or you want to add to the kitchen and you can't remember who made it. Just take the door to the local spray painter, get it colour matched ($80) and viola!! It’s a perfect match! (Another reason for going for plain doors is so you don't have to match the grooves) I'm not sure but I think some colour matching machines do gloss levels or satin matching as well. As for cleaning, again gloss is beautiful. Just wipe down with warm slightly soapy water, and for a streak free look, dry with a soft cloth. For scuffs or that oily scum around the range hood, car polish the non abrasive type is perfect. Don’t use it on satin doors as it will leave a shinny spot. According to my spray painter all the paint mobs ( watyle, Evic, Pylon etc) do a furniture grade, 2 pack polyurethane. Very similar to car paint but supposedly more flexible. I know a lot of kitchen guys still gladly flog (Sell) Vacuum. Little and big,. And seem to think it’s a good product. How ever I think if you speak to any one who has been in the game for a while. I.e. not selling cars or TV’s a year ago they will probably keep away from vinyl But others probably have a different slant on the product to me. So anyway this is only my opinion and I hope this helps you out. Re: 2 pack poly vs vinyl wrap 20Jan 16, 2008 7:57 am MaiFy,
Great post. It's good to get an expert opinion. I'm sold on polyurethane, but was led to believe that it is significantly more expensive than vinyl. You mentioned that you "find gloss polyurethane and gloss vacuum similar in price". Does this apply only to the gloss finish or is independent of finish? As you've mentioned I like polyurethane since it is heat tolerant, readily colour matched (and therefore repaired if need be), can follow any contour, comes in any colour you like and is harder wearing. I thought price was a downside, but maybe that is not the case. The only other downside is that I've been led to believe that polyurethane is prone to chipping. Being a hard surface if the inevitable kitchen item knocks it, it can chip. What's your opinion on this? In the extreme case of chipping, I've heard that a draw or door can be removed and recoated. Anyway, I've specified polyurethane for my upcoming kitchen and have yet to find something better to take its place. Cheers, Casa Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Hey guys building a new place through a volume builder and just wondering if i should complain to the site supervisor as we just had plasterboard installed. Looks like… 0 11828 I am in the same situation, would you be able to give some insights in to this? I am in SA 8 17959 Vapour permeable wraps are recommended for any climate and main think it is allow walls to breath (i.e. remove water vapour) while at the same time, providing protection… 4 10051 |