For this article I’d like to discuss why I believe 3D Laminates are ideal for use in multi-family apartments and condos. Almost every producer of 3D Laminate doors have a few customers who purchase their doors for the use in an apartment or a condo; additionally, makers of thermofoil doors often give out their sample swatches without a special interest or marketing literature created for the multi family developer. Often colors like summer flame or basic white are offered and it is assumed that these colors will be suitable for that customer. It seems, however, that these markets often go with real-wood veneer in the high end condos or HPL in the apartments because the designs seem to be limited in the 3D Laminate market. When compared with a typical veneer door, 3D Laminates are very competitive in price and also competitive in appearance when the right colors are selected. In the pervious article I stated my case for why 3D Laminates can be used for the high end, but we all know that this is a difficult proposition. It is, however, an easier case to state that 3D Laminates are ideal for multi-family developers.
In addition to 3D Laminates being a good fit for these projects, I suspect that multi-family will continue to prosper over the long term. We’re all familiar with the weak housing market, though what predictions can we make about the future? What’s almost certain is that for your typical couple getting out of college, the price for a single-family home will be out of reach in most parts of the country. In addition, fuel prices are continuing to increase and this may encourage people to attempt to live closer to their work. Although we have plenty of land in America, condos will become an attractive alternative to many families in the coming years.
What’s interesting to note is that most condos or apartments opt for euro-style kitchens. Often, euro-style cabinetry is also called “Full Access” since there are no face frames impeding storage, which allows more of the box to be usable. Euro-style kitchens also make the kitchen look larger with the doors and drawers being closer together.
Throughout the next few years, the US market will be undergoing subtle changes. We’ve all seen the US furniture industry go to China, however the US cabinet market has remained insular to some degree. This is slowly changing and many of the big producers are starting to outsource many of their parts to China.
The euro-style kitchens using 3D Laminates should be produced here in the US. These type of kitchens need more machinery, technology and precision than that of the wooden kitchen, hence decreasing the Chinese labor advantage. In addition to labor being less of a factor for euro-style kitchens, the quality of glue and board used is critical. Finally, many of these projects need to be delivered in three weeks leaving little time for an overseas manufacturer to complete them.
I have nothing against foreign produced products, however my loyalty rests with the American kitchen cabinet and door manufacturer. You could say that I have a bias; however, one thing is for certain, and that is that if we share our ideas and successfully market our products together we’ll both be successful and prosperous.
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