LAMINATED PARTICLE BOARD CABINET V/s PLYWOOD CABINET

Compare the advantages and disadvantages of a Laminated Particle board cabinet with a plywood cabinet duly laminated on external side.

ANS.         

Sr. No.	Laminated particle board cabinet	Plywood cabinet
1.	Looks neat & clean, requires less maintenance for cleaning	Looks neat & clean when maintained well with periodical painting and polishing.
2.	Relatively less structural strength while handling, shifting and door openings.	Much stronger structurally for handling, shifting and door openings.
3.	Takes shorter time for erection since painting/ polishing process is not needed.	Takes longer time since laminate pasting and painting/ polishing required.
4.	Totally free from termite attack unless kept in a damp place.	Can be attacked by termites even in dry places.
5.	Straight shank coarse thread screws (Chip-board screws) can only hold the joineries/ Fixtures to moderate strength and with moderate factor of safety.	Straight shank fine thread or taper shank screws (Wood screws), nails, and conventional fixtures can be used to the needed strength with large factor of safety.
6.	Special fixtures like hinges needed so that the screw goes across the board.	Conventional fixtures with even screw going parallel to the boards are adequate.
7.	Two different laminates on the same surface to achieve a pattern, is not possible.	Obviously, it is possible to achieve a pattern with two or more laminates on the same surface.
8.	Panel effect shutters not possible unless Timber/Metal frames are made.	Panel effect shutters possible with the use of plywood only.
9 10	About 15 % cheaper than plywood cabinets. Eco-friendly	About 15 % costlier than LPB cabinets.  Non Eco-friendly