Comparison of doors in veneer or factory-applied enamel

When looking for interior doors, everyone’s decision is based on different criteria. Some are ready to invest in expensive doors, and others want the doors to look rich but for a reasonable price. Others wish for a beautiful finish. Look at the spectacular entries in the Belldinni door series, with various materials and designs. 

In this article, we want to look at the advantages and disadvantages of doors with enamel and veneer finish.

Differences between veneered and enamel doors

A veneer door has a thin layer of natural wood bonded to the door’s surface. Similarly, an enamel door has one or more layers of enamel paint. 

Veneer doors 

Pros:

⦁ A veneer is remarkable for the beauty of the wood texture, as it always has a unique pattern with texture and colour transitions.

⦁ A veneered door is less prone to chipping and scratching than an enamel door. If the veneer gets damaged, one can repair it with a special wax matched to the veneer’s colour.

⦁ A veneer is eco-friendly. 

⦁ As a door coating, wood veneer is usually cheaper than enamel. 

Cons:

Any veneer is sensitive to changes in temperature and humidity; it also fades in the sun. 

Enamel doors

Products of this type cost a little bit more than veneer interior doors, but they are more practical to care for and resistant to physical and chemical deforming factors.

Pros

⦁ Enamel paints come in a vast number of colours. A Belldinni customer can order a door painted with any colour matching the RAL palette. We can also decorate the surface with silver or gold patina.

⦁ Enamel doors are universal, and they are suitable for both classic and modern interiors. The main thing is to find a colour that suits the interior. 

⦁ Any enamel door looks expensive, especially in combination with a patina.

⦁ Doors with factory-applied enamel have a perfectly smooth surface. We at Belldinni paint up to 7 layers of enamel over the MDF skin, making the door’s surface smooth and semi-gloss.

⦁ Enamel doesn’t fade and is resistant to moisture. However, this does not mean that doors can function adequately in rooms with abnormal temperature spikes and humidity conditions.

⦁ The doors are easy to care for, and you can wipe off the dirt with a damp sponge without using strong detergents.

Cons:

The main disadvantage of enamel doors is the relative inability to withstand severe pitting. Therefore, if you note the constant presence of this wear factor in an area of the room, it is better to install a door with a durable veneer coating.

With time, cracks may appear on the enamel.

Mechanical severe damage can lead to chipping of the door surface.

If the coating has been damaged, the leaf can deform from the influence of moisture and temperature fluctuations;

Prints of dirty hands and other contaminants on the enamel (especially white) are visible.

Their cost is higher.

So, what to choose?

Both finishes are of high quality. However, we are not going to insist that veneer is better than enamel or vice versa. 

We suggest you pay attention to those nuances:

⦁ If the price is the main factor, then we recommend veneered doors.

⦁ Choose a veneer finish if your doors are subject to constant mechanical damage.

⦁ Are you looking for doors that are easy to care of? Choose doors with an enamel finish.

⦁ To fit the door perfectly into your interior, consider the following: the door in enamel looks best in a classic interior, and a veneer entry looks good in any interior style.