A breakdown of the main kitchen and furniture door front types: PVC film, painted MDF, acrylic, veneer, HPL — differences and what each is good for.
PVC film (wrapped MDF)
MDF core vacuum-wrapped in PVC film. The most common and affordable door front type.
- Enormous choice of textures and colours, including wood and stone imitations
- Soft radius on edges — no sharp corners
- Weakness: film can peel near the sink and hob under constant steam exposure
- Scratches cannot be repaired — only the whole front can be replaced
- Price: low–medium
Painted MDF (lacquer / enamel)
MDF core sprayed with polyurethane or acrylic enamel in a spray booth. Available in matt or gloss finish.
- Any colour in RAL or NCS — exact match to the design
- Matt enamel — velvety surface, fingerprints barely show
- Gloss enamel — mirror finish, but every scratch and fingerprint is visible
- Minor scratches on matt surfaces can be touched up
- More expensive than film but more durable with proper care
- Price: medium–above average
Acrylic door front
MDF with a bonded acrylic sheet, or cast solid acrylic. Delivers deep mirror gloss without painting.
- The richest gloss available — a "wet" look
- Fingerprints are very visible — needs wiping after every touch
- Scratches easily; light surface scratches can be polished out
- Cannot tolerate abrasive cleaners
- Price: medium–above average
Veneered door front
MDF or plywood core with real wood veneer (a thin wood slice) bonded on top. Finished with lacquer or oil.
- Genuine wood texture — not an imitation
- Each front has a unique grain — no two are identical
- Sensitive to humidity: the kitchen must be well ventilated
- Lacquered veneer — more durable; oiled — warmer feel but needs periodic refreshing
- Price: above average–high
HPL plastic
High Pressure Laminate — the same material used in worktops, bonded onto MDF or chipboard.
- Very high resistance to scratches, impact, and moisture
- Matt and textured surfaces — fingerprints barely visible
- Narrower decor choice than PVC film
- Edges need banding — no soft rolled edge like film
- Price: medium–above average
Glass
Tempered glass in an aluminium frame or bonded to MDF. Used as an accent, not for an entire kitchen.
- Gloss or frosted, with print or plain colour
- Easy to clean, hygienic
- Heavy — requires reinforced hinges (Blum Clip Top 110°)
- Price: above average
Comparison
| PVC film | Paint | Acrylic | Veneer | HPL |
|---|
| Scratches | Cannot repair | Can touch up | Polishable | Can re-lacquer | Resistant |
| Moisture/steam | Vulnerable | Resistant | Resistant | Sensitive | Resistant |
| Colour range | Very wide | Any RAL/NCS | Medium | Limited | Medium |
| Maintenance | Easy | Easy | Frequent | Needs attention | Easy |
| Price | Low | Medium+ | Medium+ | High | Medium+ |
For a busy kitchen with kids — matt paint or HPL: durable, easy to clean, fingerprints barely show. Gloss (acrylic, gloss enamel) looks great on a render but needs daily upkeep in real life.
Questions to ask the manufacturer
- What is the core: MDF (minimum 16 mm for fronts, 19 mm preferred) or chipboard?
- For film fronts: which adhesive and which film — is there a warranty against delamination?
- For painted fronts: how many coats, which primer?
- Can I see an actual material sample — not a printout, but the real surface?