Contemporary cabinetry: the high-end solution that rivals lacquer

One of the popular options for manufacturing kitchen cabinetry used to be to spray-lacquer an MDF board. That’s no longer the case with the latest developments in surface technology. We heard from Panelform about contemporary cabinetry methods.

When vinyl-wrapped cabinetry was first released about 25 years ago, the technology that made it possible was new and, at that time, inferior. With some manufacturers’ products failing, this style of cabinetry was somewhat overlooked in its early days. That’s completely changed with the latest technological advancements and vinyl-wrapped doors now rival lacquer in terms of high end cabinetry finishes.

“We are one of just a few manufacturers in New Zealand who can offer this precision technology to create seamless, high end cabinetry,” Panelform’s Alfie Allison says.

“The process we use to create these doors is known as thermoforming, with the cabinetry range made this way called Durostyle. Thermoforming is a process that begins with an MDF panel in its raw form. From there, it is machined to the desired profile and put through a process during which a vinyl (or foil as it is sometimes known) gets applied to it under both heat and pressure creating a seamless, edge-free finish.

“While architects designing high end homes often used to specify lacquer cabinetry in these styles of house, Durostyle doors are now rivalling lacquer due to their unique performance and durability attributes as well as their aesthetics and textures and finishes available.”

While lacquer has its attributes, Durostyle thermoformed doors offer an enviable range of benefits unique to this style of manufacturing, Alfie says. “With traditional lacquer doors, the paint can chip relatively easily exposing the MDF core at which point water is able to get inside the cabinetry. In contrast, due to the way the vinyl wrap is applied under heat and pressure, Durostyle doors are highly unlikely to scratch or chip and therefore offer a superior durability and water resistance.”

“Durostyle doors are also more cost effective than lacquer and bring a new range of textured finishes to the table. With Durostyle there is everything from ultra high gloss to satin smooth, and velvety textured finishes which could never be achieved with a paint finish.”

“Durostyle doors are regularly chosen over melamine and acrylic surfaces because there is no edgebanding”

The Durostyle range is available with 30 different door profiles and 25 colour options in a range of textural finishes, making it perfect for both traditional and contemporary design styles. Made in New Zealand at Panelform’s Christchurch manufacturing facility, the doors are sold with a 10-year warranty.

Visit Panelform on ArchiPro here to find out more about this innovative high end solution for contemporary kitchen cabinetry.