When you want to change the surface of the wardrobes or kitchen cabinets, you have different options to choose from in terms of materials. Undoubtedly, some of the most popular ones are acrylic sheets and PVC laminates. These materials have their advantages, yet people find it difficult to pick between the two as they don’t know which option is better. If you find yourself in the same spot, you may be worried that you’ll spend too much time trying to pick between them. 

Well, despite being good in their own way, they differ in several aspects. These differences could help you decide which one is better for you. In this article, we will go in-depth about acrylic sheets and PVC laminate sheets to help you select the best option for your application. 

What Is Acrylic Finish?

 Acrylic finish refers to a type of material used as a surface for modular kitchen cabinets. These sheets are made of plastic resins. They look glossy and they’re reflective. Therefore, they are good for bringing some shine to the cabinets, which in return can make your kitchen look brighter. On top of that, the mirror-like aspect can add the illusion of additional space in a kitchen.

 These sheets come in many colors, giving people a large selection to choose from. They are also pasted on MDF boards and then sealed using a protective layer. This is what helps obtain their seamless finish. Individuals go for the acrylic finish because they are looking for brightness and color that can be maintained for many years. 

What Is PVC Laminate Finish?  

PVC lamination sheet, also generally known as PVC decorative film, is a three-layer composite film, which is made by laminating a base layer, a printing layer and a wear-resistant layer of film. It is a new type of environmentally friendly decorative material, which is widely used in interior decoration and furniture manufacturing industries. PVC laminates can be covered on the surface of various boards, such as MDF, veneer, laminate, fiberboard, PVC profiles, and other materials such as high pressure flooring, asbestos board, stone board, aluminum profiles, etc. They are usually processed by gluing, cold laminating, hot laminating, vacuum membrane pressing, etc. PVC laminate sheets come in different designs. You can find them in multiple colors, patterns, and they even come with various finishes, respectively textured, glossy, matte, and high gloss.

 Acrylic Sheets vs PVC Laminate Sheet – Comparing the Two

 If you are not sure which one of them to choose for your kitchen cabinets, here is a comparison of the features of acrylic sheets and PVC laminate sheets. Let’s get started! 

Cost 

Let’s talk about the price first, because many people tend to look at the costs before they make their choice. In reality, it’s more important to choose something that is qualitative and works for your cabinets, rather than something that is cheaper.

 In terms of pricing, acrylic is the one that may be a little on the expensive side. It is considered a rather premium finish, which could be what makes it the pricier one out of the two. So, expect the price tag to be way higher if you’re considering acrylic sheets. 

On the other hand, PVC laminate sheets are the more pocket-friendly ones. They are great for people who are on a budget or just people who don’t want to spend a lot of money on sheets. Despite coming in a large variety of textures, colors, and patterns, they are budget-friendly. However, you need to keep in mind that they do not have the same premium look as acrylic sheets do. 

Look and Feel 

Now let’s get to the aspect you’re probably most interested in: the aesthetics of the sheets. Undoubtedly, they both provide some amazing looks, but what are the differences in terms of aesthetics? 

Acrylic sheets come with a very high-end aesthetic, and they have a high-gloss finish as well. They will make your cabinets look like the ones you see in luxurious homes. What makes acrylics often so loved apart from the premium look is the large variety of colors. 

You can choose between different shades that maintain their luster for several years. What’s more, they also make the space seem bigger thanks to the mirror-like effect. It’s the best option for people who want this type of look, and want to make sure they enjoy it for a very long time. 

At the same time, PVC laminate sheets are also very versatile and you can obtain the desired look in an instant. For the price, they are amazing. They can be found in multiple colors, textures, and patterns. Basically, you can choose between finishes such as glossy, matte, and ultra-high gloss. 

Compared to acrylic sheets, they have a larger variety. However, when it comes to the glossy look, it’s important to mention that they will not have the same shine as acrylic sheets. They are less reflective, so the mirror-like effect will not be the same. Still, if you don’t mind something that is more subdued, they can be amazing for decorative purposes. 

Maintenance and Cleaning 

Your sheets will have to be cleaned and maintained over time, especially if you don’t want the “magic” to disappear. 

You should know that acrylic sheets are a bit hard to clean and maintain. You need to wipe them with water and soap. Due to how glossy the surface is, you will often see stains, smudges, splashes, marks, dirt, and fingerprints. They will be more visible on this material compared to other surfaces. But although you can easily wipe the sheets, you have to do it carefully. The cleaning has to be done gently so there is no streaking. 

In comparison, PVC laminate sheets are much easier to clean and maintain. This is because their more subdued look doesn’t allow fingerprints, marks, dirt, or anything of the sort. All you need to clean them is a soft damp cloth, which you can dip in mild detergent. You’ll immediately get rid of the marks. Thanks to the fact that they can resist wear and tear more easily, they don’t need too much maintenance. 

Durability 

In terms of durability, the acrylic finish is the one that gets dirty easier. It’s all because of the glossy surface. Fingerprints and other marks will be easily visible all the time if you don’t wipe them frequently. However, these finishes are pretty durable as they do not lose their glossy aspect as time goes by. Acrylic sheets are also heat resistant and waterproof, so no damage will occur if they come in contact with heat or water.

Although they do not get scratched easily, they might get scratched by very sharp objects, so you need to be careful when you use anything too sharp near them. Handling them roughly may also reduce their lifespan.

PVC laminate sheets are also very durable, despite being very lightweight. They will resist things like scratches, stains, termites, corrosion, water, and moisture. What makes them even better is the fact that you can use antibacterial treatments on them and they will not get damaged.

However, you need to be careful if you use any sharp objects near them, and you should make sure you don’t handle them too roughly. Not handling them gently can end up chipping them.

Edging

Acrylic sheets are easy to finish. They only have to be finished across the board edges, and they will apply easily. This is thanks to the thin nature of the sheets. In the end, they allow you to obtain an even finish and make sure your furniture looks impeccable.

As for PVC sheets, they require edge band strips when you use them on the board edges. If you don’t use band strips, the edges of the laminate sheets will be visible. This doesn’t look aesthetically pleasing and will rather ruin the look of your furniture. So, in this aspect, they are not as good as acrylic sheets.

Impact on the Environment

If you care about the environment, you probably want to choose something that doesn’t affect it negatively. You’ll be happy to know that acrylic sheets don’t have a bad impact on the environment. They are non-toxic and you can apply them without any worries in this regard.

Producing PVC laminate sheets is also not that harmful, but some off-gassing may be caused while they are being manufactured. This is due to the resins and binders that are required during the manufacturing process. If you are putting the environment first, then you are probably better off looking at acrylic sheets.

Replacements

After a long time, you may have to replace some shutters. Acrylic and PVC sheets are a bit different when it comes to this aspect.

When you replace acrylic sheets, you must check the availability of the shutters. Most likely, if you are replacing some shutters, there will be some color disparities. This is why you need to make sure you find the same sheet. While you may not see anything wrong with buying something similar, the color disparities will be visible and you won’t be pleased.

PVC laminated sheets are not difficult to replace either, but the downside is that there will be differences even if you buy the same sheet. After several years, the old sheets will slightly change their look. So, the new sheet will look out of place, as it will be much cleaner and brighter in comparison.

Pros and Cons

The two popular finishes have different sets of pros and cons. If you still need to decide which of the two you should choose, here are their pros and cons for comparison.

Acrylic Sheets

     Pros

They are highly resistant and will not fade away when they come in contact with heat, UV light, or water

The high-gloss appearance will offer a luxurious feeling and it will give the impression of a larger space

The luster of the sheets will be maintained for many years to come

Edging is very easy as you can simply finish acrylic sheets over the edges of the board, achieving a very even look

You can find them in a large variety of colors

The material isn’t toxic, and producing the sheets is an environmentally friendly process

    Cons

They can be quite expensive when compared to PVC laminate sheets

Over time, marks such as fingerprints, stains, smudges, or dirt will become visible, so the sheets require cleaning and maintenance

Despite the glossy appearance, some people consider the look very plastic-like

While they won’t scratch that easily, very sharp objects can ruin their aspect 

PVC Laminate Sheets

    Pros

They are much cheaper as compared to acrylic sheets, being budget-friendly and thus accessible for a larger group of people

They are resistant to scratches, moisture, heat, and UV light

You can find them in a large variety of designs, which means they come in various colors, patterns, and textures. In fact, they have a better variety when compared to acrylic sheets

They are durable and will withstand wear and tear over time

You don’t need to constantly worry about cleaning and maintenance

    Cons

They don’t have the same shine as acrylic sheets

They may chip over time, especially if you’re not gentle when handling them

Edging is more difficult as you require edge band strips to make sure the edge of the sheet is not visible

When replacing one sheet, the new one will not look the same as the old ones, as their color and shine fade as time goes by

The Bottom Line

Acrylic sheets and PVC laminate sheets are both great and work for a large variety of applications.

Acrylic sheets are brighter and glossier, but they are also pricier and may scratch more easily. Meanwhile, PVC laminate sheets are cheaper, they come in various designs and they require less maintenance, but they are not as environment-friendly as acrylic ones and they may chip over time.

However, in terms of which one is the best, that depends entirely on you and what look you want to achieve. Compare the pros and cons of each finish and you will be able to make your choice