In brief
- 01Veneer is real wood and is polished after it is fixed.
- 02Laminate is a hard-wearing decorative sheet, finished at the factory.
- 03Pre-laminated board arrives finished and ready to cut.
Most interiors use more than one surface. The skill is in putting each one where it works hardest: real wood where people look, tough surfaces where people work, and ready-finished boards where speed matters.
Veneer
A thin leaf of real wood bonded to a board, then finished on site or in the workshop, usually with a polish or lacquer. It gives the depth and warmth of solid timber, and it can be matched across a whole wall. It asks for care in finishing and a little care in use.
Laminate
A decorative sheet made under high pressure and bonded to a board. It arrives with its finish already built in, whether matte, gloss or textured, and it is made to stand up to daily wear and wiping. It suits kitchen shutters, tabletops and busy commercial interiors.
Pre-laminated board
A board with a decorative surface already bonded to both faces at the factory. There is no separate pressing or finishing step: cut it, edge it and assemble. It is the practical choice for modular furniture, storage and shelving.