Kitchen Door Finishes
German Kitchen Door Finishes Explained
Use this guide to choose a finish that suits your home, your cleaning routine, and your budget. You will see how each door gets built, where it performs best, and what to expect over time.
Why Door Construction Matters
Door finish drives daily experience. It affects cleaning effort, resistance to knocks, and long-term appearance.
Looks Similar. Performs Differently.
Many doors share the same colour and sheen. The material stack underneath changes durability, edge strength, and how the surface reacts to heat and moisture.
Edges Decide Longevity.
Most wear starts on edges near sinks, dishwashers, and bins. Strong edging and clean bonding reduce swelling and chipping.
Choose for Real Life.
Busy family kitchens need a tough surface. Showpiece kitchens suit lacquer, glass, metal, or specialist finishes with tighter care routines.
Quick rule
Spend more on the fronts you touch most. Use value finishes on tall internals, utility areas, and hidden runs.
Key Terms
Showrooms use short forms. Learn them once and it becomes easier to compare brands and quotes.
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MFC. Melamine Faced Chipboard
Chipboard with a melamine surface fused onto the board. Popular for value doors and carcasses.
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MDF. Medium Density Fibreboard
Smooth engineered board. Good base for painted and lacquered finishes because it stays uniform.
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HPL. High Pressure Laminate
Layers of resin-treated papers compressed under high pressure. Strong surface hardness and strong moisture resistance.
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PP Edging. Polypropylene
Tough edging used to seal exposed board edges. It protects against impact and water ingress.
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UV Lacquer
Lacquer cured under UV light. It produces a hard surface with consistent finish and repeatable quality.
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PET Film
Durable plastic film used for smooth fronts. Common on modern matt and gloss doors with sealed edges.
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AFP. Anti-Fingerprint
Microscopic surface texture that prevents fingerprints from adhering. Creates a "lotus effect" making surfaces easier to clean.
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Triple-Ply Chipboard
Three-layer engineered board used for specialist fronts like metal, concrete, and linoleum. Provides stability for bonded surface materials.
Real wood fronts use veneer, not solid timber slabs
Veneer means a thin layer of real wood (typically 0.6mm to 2.5mm) bonded to a stable core. This construction reduces movement from humidity and keeps the door flatter over time.
Expect natural variation in grain and colour. Sunlight changes wood tone over the years—this is a feature of natural materials, not a defect.
Door Finish Types
From value to specialist, these are the finishes you will meet most in German kitchen ranges sold in the UK.
Melamine. Direct coated
What you get
- Resin-soaked papers bonded to chipboard under high pressure and temperature
- Surface finish depends on press plates: shiny, matt, or textured
- Good value across wide colour ranges
- Damage usually means door replacement
Best suited to
- Budget-led projects
- Utility rooms
- Landlord kitchens
- Homeowners planning a shorter ownership cycle
Laminate. HPL (High Pressure Laminate)
What you get
- HPL sheets compacted in multiple layers under very high pressure and temperature
- Improved surface properties compared to melamine
- Surface finish depends on press plates: glossy, matt, or structured
- Strong resistance to knocks and heavy use
Best suited to
- Family kitchens
- Busy rental homes
- Holiday lets
- Homes with pets and high traffic
UV-Lacquer (HotCoating). Matt and glossy
What you get
- Quality wood-based panels coated with melamine
- Several layers of paint applied by means of casting
- Hard lacquer surface cured under UV light
- Consistent finish across batches
Best suited to
- Everyday kitchens needing a step up
- Colour-led designs
- Homes wanting a cleaner painted look
- Households with regular cooking
Textured velvet lacquer
What you get
- Quality wood-based panels with several coats of paint
- Homogeneous look with a textured feel after paint application
- Velvet-soft surface texture
- Premium tactile experience
Best suited to
- Design-led kitchens
- Those wanting unique tactile surfaces
- Contemporary interiors
- Buyers prioritising touch and feel
Matt lacquer
What you get
- Several layers of lacquer applied to MDF boards
- Silky-matt, homogeneous look with a velvety feel
- Created after applying the paint
- Repairs possible through specialist refinishing
Best suited to
- Long-term homes
- Design-led kitchens
- Handleless kitchens where edges stay visible
- Buyers wanting understated elegance
High gloss lacquer
What you get
- High quality lacquer procedure with multiple layers of polyurethane on MDF
- Surfaces and edges are polished and sanded between paint processes
- Finally buffed for high quality and gloss
- Custom RAL or NCS colour matching available
Best suited to
- Luxury show kitchens
- Design-led interiors
- Buyers wanting mirror-like reflections
- Spaces with controlled lighting
Thick veneer. Real wood
What you get
- MDF board with double-sided 2.5mm thick "beamed" veneer
- Manually applied saw cut, surface blasted
- Branches, cracks and mirrors of varying size and number
- Processing: pickling, priming, grinding and varnishing
Best suited to
- Homes wanting warmth and texture
- Japandi and modern classic schemes
- Mixed material kitchens
- Buyers happy with natural variation
Glass laminate
What you get
- MDF board with 2mm glass laminate on both sides
- Scratch-resistant hardcoat finish for matt or high-gloss glass look
- Stabilising layer in matching colour prevents distorting
- Sharp, reflective surface with great wipe-clean performance
Best suited to
- Modern show kitchens
- Homes with strong hygiene focus
- Buyers wanting crisp reflections
- Accent runs and islands
Concrete look. Real concrete surface
What you get
- Hand-applied concrete plaster on MDF substrate
- Industrial style with depth and texture
- Sealed surface for kitchen use
- Each door is individually crafted by artisans
Best suited to
- Loft and industrial schemes
- Statement islands
- Mixed material kitchens
- Buyers wanting a handmade look
Aluminium and anodised aluminium
Front thickness: 20mm
What you get
- Strong anodised or brushed metal surface bonded to core material
- Anodising creates hard, corrosion-resistant oxide layer
- Perfected and striking appearance
- Available with aluminium frames and various centre panels
Best suited to
- Minimalist kitchens
- Homes wanting a commercial tone
- High use zones
- Feature cabinets and tall housings
Linoleum
Front thickness: 20mm
What you get
- Natural, biodegradable surface
- Made from linseed oil, resins, wood flour, limestone flour, colour pigments
- Eco-friendly, approved and certified
- Naturally anti-bacterial and anti-static
Best suited to
- Eco-led projects
- Quiet, matt kitchens
- Homes with consistent cleaning habits
- Designers using muted colours
Stainless steel
Front thickness: 20mm
What you get
- Hard-wearing brushed or textured stainless surface
- Stainless steel cladding bonded to triple-ply chipboard
- High heat tolerance and strong hygiene properties
- Available in brushed, eccentric grinding, or polished finishes
Best suited to
- Chef-led homes
- Statement islands
- High use prep zones
- Buyers who like a lived-in patina
Quick Comparison
Use this table to shortlist finishes before you request samples.
| Finish | Everyday durability | Scratch resistance | Moisture performance | Repair route | Budget level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melamine | Good | Good | Good | Replace door | £ |
| HPL laminate | Very strong | Very strong | Very strong | Replace door | ££ |
| UV lacquer | Strong | Strong | Strong | Replace door | ££ |
| Textured velvet lacquer | Strong | Strong | Strong | Refinish by specialist | £££ |
| Matt lacquer | Strong | Medium to strong | Very strong | Refinish by specialist | ££££ |
| High gloss lacquer | Strong | Medium | Very strong | Refinish by specialist | £££££ |
| Thick veneer | Strong | Medium | Medium | Spot repair depends on finish | ££££ |
| Glass laminate | Very strong | Very strong | Very strong | Replace panel | ££££ |
| Concrete surface | Strong | Medium | Medium | Brand-led repair | £££££ |
| Aluminium | Very strong | Very strong | Very strong | Brand-led repair | £££££ |
| Linoleum | Strong | Medium | Medium | Brand-led repair | ££££ |
| Stainless steel | Very strong | Strong | Very strong | Brand-led repair | £££££ |
Practical Tips Before You Buy
Use these steps during your showroom visits and sample checks.
Start with your cleaning routine
If you wipe fronts daily, choose finishes that tolerate frequent cleaning. HPL and glass fit this best.
Check the edges first
Inspect edge joins near handles and corners. Look for tight bonding and consistent colour match.
Use real samples at home
Place samples next to your flooring, worktop, and wall colour. View them morning and night under your lights for several days.
Plan around sink and dishwasher zones
These areas face the highest moisture load. Prioritise HPL, glass, or premium lacquer around these runs.
Use mixed finishes to control cost
Keep premium fronts on islands and tall banks. Use value finishes on internal runs and utility rooms.
Ask about lead time for replacements
Door replacement lead time varies by brand. Build this into your risk plan for value finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Short answers to the questions UK buyers ask most often.
Do melamine and laminate doors take damage repairs? +
What is the risk with foil doors? +
Why do German kitchens use engineered boards? +
Is a higher price always the right choice? +
What does anti-fingerprint (AFP) coating mean? +
Do anti-fingerprint matt fronts really help? +
Is mixing finishes a good idea? +
Will natural material finishes change over time? +
Next Step
Explore your preferred brands, shortlist two finishes, then order large samples for a home test under your lighting.
Explore German Kitchen Brands