Panel & Veneer Selection for Custom Wood Houses

Guide to Door Panel Materials for Whole-house Customization 1. Lacquered Finish It is a spray-painting process. The surface undergoes six painting procedures: three coats of primer, two coats of colored lacquer and one coat of topcoat, followed by high-temperature baking. Lacquered panels feature attractive appearance and excellent physical properties. Common Substrates: Medium-density fiberboard, solid wood boardAdvantages: Rich and vivid colors, fireproof, waterproof and moistureproof, smooth surface and easy to clean.Disadvantages: Complicated craftsmanship and long production cycle. The surface is prone to scratches and dents, and repairs are difficult. It requires high-quality paint and comes with a relatively high price. 2. Melamine Faced Panel Also known as melamine veneer paper. The panel is made by hot-pressing melamine impregnated paper onto the base board at high temperature and then edge-sealing. It has been generally referred to as double-sided melamine panel ever since the melamine milk scandal. Common Substrates: Particle board, oriented strand board, multi-layer plywood, ecological boardAdvantages: Wear-resistant, high-temperature resistant, corrosion-resistant and waterproof. It has diverse styles, cost-effective and eco-friendly.Disadvantages: The edge banding effect relies heavily on professional equipment. Complex shapes are hard to achieve, and dents are difficult to repair. 3. Wood Veneer Raw wood is sliced into thin veneers, which are soaked and dried. Afterwards, the veneers are glued and hot-pressed onto base boards to form wood veneer panels. Common Substrates: Medium-density fiberboard, multi-layer plywood, solid wood board, particle board, ecological boardAdvantages: Premium and elegant look, comfortable touch, superior texture and natural wood grain.Disadvantages: Delicate in use. Poor waterproof and fireproof performance. It tends to warp, crack and peel in dry air, and is high-priced. 4. Vacuum Formed / Membrane Pressed Panel High-quality medium-density fiberboard is mainly used as the base material. After milling and sanding, PVC film is tightly attached to the board surface via vacuum forming to make door panels. Common Substrates: Medium-density fiberboard, multi-layer plywoodAdvantages: Good waterproof performance and environmental friendliness. It boasts various shapes, colors and textures with realistic wood grains and bright solid colors, free from cracking and deformation. The four sides are fully wrapped as an integral whole with no need for edge banding, avoiding glue separation after long-term use. It is a highly cost-effective option.Disadvantages: Not resistant to UV rays and high temperatures. Prolonged contact with heat sources is not allowed. Overly long or large panels are likely to deform. 5. PET Film Faced Panel PET is a food-grade plastic material, the same material used for mineral water bottles. It is non-toxic and odorless, available in matte and glossy finishes. The matte type is commonly called soft-touch door panel. Common Substrates: Medium-density fiberboard, particle board, oriented strand boardAdvantages: Smooth and comfortable touch, high-grade texture, fade-proof, durable, scratch-resistant and anti-deformation. Glossy PET film is easy to clean.Disadvantages: Not suitable for shaped designs. The soft-touch film is vulnerable to oil stains, and the product is priced high. 专业术语注释（行业通用） 密度板：Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) 颗粒板：Particle board 欧松板：Oriented strand board (OSB) 多层板：Multi-layer plywood 生态板：Ecological board 封边：Edge banding 真空吸塑：Vacuum forming 肤感门板：Soft-touch door panel