One of the questions I get asked relates to which is the best type of joinery finish to use. I believe the answer is really a matter of opinion, so here is mine.

Vinyl Wrap:

This is a product that is manufactured from (as the name states) Vinyl. During manufacturing, this material is gently heated up and pressed around a raw MDF substrate to envelope the pre-cut door/drawer or panel.

Pros:

  • Doors are supplied finished and ready to fit, so there’s less time involved in manufacturing for the cabinet maker. This enables a faster turnaround time for the client.
  • Is available in matt, satin, gloss and textured finishes.

Cons:

  • If an inferior product is used, the vinyl is more likely to peel off the substrate. The vinyl door brand that MDC Furniture Design uses is of high quality, and I have rarely had any issues in the 15 years of using this product.
  • If used in close proximity to a heat source (such as an oven) and without a heat shield, the vinyl can peel away from the substrate.
  • Colour choices can be limited depending on the manufacturer used to supply the vinyl.

Laminate/melamine:

This product is manufactured and supplied in sheet form. These sheets are cut down and the raw edges finished with (1mm or 2mm thick) ABS edging.

Pros:

  • Cost effective
  • Readily available (depending on colour and finish)
  • Great if you’d like to achieve a modern looking design
  • Is available in matt, satin, gloss and textured finishes

Cons:

  • If an inferior grade ABS glue is used, edging can be prone to peeling off.

2 Pack Paint:

2 Pack is a sprayed on paint finish that is applied to a raw or white MDF substrate. It is called “2 Pack” as the paint consists of 2 parts which are mixed together before spraying. Part 1 is the paint, and part 2 is the hardner which (due to a chemical reaction) makes the paint dry, or harden.

Pros:

  • Used in high end designs.
  • Paint can be tinted in 1/4, 1/2 or even 3/4 strengths.
  • Colours can be tinted to match an existing joinery piece or a supplied sample door/drawer.

Cons:

  • Longer turnaround times and more labour intensive compared to other materials.
  • Painted surface can chip if knocked with a blunt object. The durability can vary greatly depending on the brand/quality of 2 Pack paint used.
  • Can be the costlier option out of all the materials available.

Hopefully this information will help you decide on which finish to use on your upcoming joinery project.