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Today's kitchens are where busy families meet each morning and gather every evening. Kitchens are where quality time is spent preparing meals, doing homework and entertaining friends. Laminates that are used for both cabinets and countertops hold up very well under a busy kitchen.
These new demands for space and time are fueling a kitchen remodeling revolution as many homeowners renovate for the next generation. The kitchen offers an excellent use of space to create a warm room that's welcoming to those doing the cooking and their guests.
Laminate materials that are found in kitchen cabinets are so much stronger than they were 10 years ago. In general, laminate materials for kitchen cabinets as well as bathroom cabinets are a good choice due to the fact they are practical and durable. They are easy to clean, will not rust and will hold up to most household abrasives. Laminates are often used for refacing older cabinets that need a face-lift.
A number of varieties of laminates are available for kitchen cabinets, and they vary in performance, cost, durability, and appearance. Generally, laminates are durable and easy to clean. You can get a laminate in many solid colors or in any number of patterns and finishes, including wood grains, metallic, and faux stone. Types of Laminates for Kitchen Cabinets 
Plastic laminate consists of paper saturated with phenolic resin, layered and bonded under high pres¬sure. The core is covered with a sheet of paper for color and pattern. Then it is covered with a protective shield.
Low-pressure laminates, also known as melamine, tend to chip and crack with lesser-quality core mate¬rials. High-pressure laminates perform better on kitchen cabinets but are proportionately more expensive. Continuous high-performance laminates are newer and less expensive than the high-pressure variety.
Resin-impregnated foil is less costly than low-pressure laminate and is also more durable, although prices can vary greatly since its suppliers are outside the United States.
 Vinyl films are inexpensive, too, but patterns may not have the quality of high-pressure or continuous high-performance laminates. Hot-stamped transfer foils are less expensive than high-pressure and continuous high-performance laminates and are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. They cannot be used on particleboard kitchen cabinets, and their thinness makes them less resistant to stains and wear.
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