The New Look of Laminate

Today, everyone seems to be on the hunt for less expensive alternatives to their favorite things. Even retail fixtures aren't immune from the trend as we're finding that many of our clients are looking for a way to get the same look and feel but without the high price tag. Lucky for them, one durable, flexible and -most importantly- economical material is coming to the rescue.

There seems to be a preconceived nothing that because laminates play the more "economical" role, they also have to dress the part. The reality, however, is that the laminates on the market today are not your mother's laminates. Nor do they have to be of the solid color variety so popular in the '80s and '90s. As paper assortments grow and printing and coating technologies continue to improve, so too does laminate's ability to mimic costlier building products like wood, metal and stone.

Wood grain laminates have broadened their horizons and now include patterns for virtually every species of tree imaginable. New laminate designs showcase the nuances that make wood so stunning while finishes add a wood grain texture realistic enough to fool the fingertips.

Metal laminates have come a long way as well. What always seemed to be lacking was that luster, but new finishing options have turned laminates into reflective surfaces, shiny enough to entice a second look.

Scaling back on budget doesn't mean you have to scale back on your design. Laminates have proven themselves as cost-effective alternatives. Combine the realistic looks with the surface durability and flexibility and one might even argue that these materials are better than the real thing.