How to Choose Boards for Whole-House Customization? Part 2: Surface Finishes!

In our previous article, we introduced the core substrates; now, let's discuss the surface finishes. #HowToChooseBoardsForWholeHouseCustomization?Part1:Substrates!!
Once a core substrate is combined with a decorative surface finish, it becomes a finished decorative panel. There are several types of finishes available: melamine, PVC film, baked lacquer, acrylic, PET, solid wood veneer, and more.
Let's introduce them one by one below.
1. Melamine Finish (Melamine-Impregnated Decorative Paper Finish)
What we commonly refer to as "eco-boards" or "paint-free boards" are essentially core substrates topped with a melamine-impregnated decorative paper finish. The core substrate can be plywood, blockboard, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), particleboard, or even OSB (oriented strand board).
To be crafted into furniture, melamine boards must undergo a crucial process: edge banding. The more meticulously the edge banding is applied—ensuring a tight, seamless bond between the edge strip and the board body—the more durable the cabinet becomes, and the less formaldehyde is allowed to off-gas into the environment.
2. PVC Film Finish
PVC film finishes are typically paired with MDF (medium-density fiberboard) as the core substrate. They are commonly found in European, American, and "light luxury" interior design styles. PVC film is highly pliable, making it ideal for creating complex, three-dimensional shapes and contours. High-quality films are quite thick and offer a realistic, tactile wood-grain texture. However, the film is typically applied only to the front face and edges; it cannot fully wrap around to cover the back of the door panel. The back is often finished with a simple white decorative paper, meaning the overall aesthetic effect may not be entirely seamless (applying the film to all six sides would be prohibitively expensive).
Thermoformed (PVC-wrapped) door panels offer numerous advantages: they resist cracking and warping, are scratch-resistant, heat-resistant, stain-resistant, fade-resistant, and highly durable against wear and tear, while requiring only simple daily maintenance.
However, their primary drawback is their vulnerability to heat; even a small cigarette butt can cause irreparable damage to the surface film.
3. Baked Lacquer Finish
Baked lacquer is currently one of the most widely used finishes for cabinet and wardrobe door panels.
"Baked lacquer" refers to a type of painted door panel that undergoes a specific curing process: after the paint is sprayed on, the panel is placed in a heated drying chamber to cure and harden.
Its advantages include vibrant colors that create a strong visual impact, an exceptionally smooth surface finish, ease of cleaning, and excellent water, moisture, and fire resistance properties. The downsides are the complex manufacturing process, the lengthy production cycle, and the relatively high cost. It requires meticulous care during use, as it is susceptible to bumps and scratches; once damaged, it is extremely difficult to repair and typically requires complete replacement. Furthermore, color variations are prone to developing in kitchens with heavy grease and smoke exposure.
4. Solid Wood Veneer Finish
The substrate for solid wood veneer can consist of particleboard, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), or finger-jointed board. Although the veneer layer is thin, it is, after all, genuine wood; consequently, its visual appearance is far more authentic than that of melamine boards or PVC-laminated boards.
Solid wood veneers are further categorized into natural veneers, dyed veneers (EP), engineered veneers (EV), woven veneers, and various other types.
They offer the most natural texture but also come with the highest price tag.
The advantages include a high-end, sophisticated aesthetic, an authentic look, and a pleasant tactile feel.
The disadvantages are their delicate nature, poor resistance to fire and water, and a susceptibility to deformation and cracking in dry atmospheric conditions.