Joinery companies in Dubai use a wide variety of materials and finishes to create beautiful and functional architectural woodwork. From luxury villas to high-rise developments, woodwork is an essential component of interior design and construction in the region. This article provides an overview of the most common types of materials and finishes used by joiners in Dubai.
Proper material and finish selection are crucial to ensure the woodwork withstands the hot, humid climate and achieves the desired aesthetic. Factors like durability, moisture resistance, and maintenance must be considered alongside visual qualities. Specifying quality materials right from the start avoids issues down the road.
Types of Wood
Wood is one of the most common materials used by joinery companies in Dubai for manufacturing furniture, doors, windows, stairs, and more. Several types of wood are popularly used:
Teak
Teak is considered a premium quality hardwood that is highly weather-resistant. It has a distinctive golden-brown color and a course, uneven grain. Teak contains natural oils that make it durable and resistant to rot, insects, and weathering. It is commonly used for outdoor furniture, decking, and boat building. Teak has high stability and strength.
Mahogany
Mahogany is a luxury wood prized for its beauty, workability, and durability. It has a reddish-brown color and a straight, fine grain. Mahogany is easy to work with using hand or machine tools. It is used for fine furniture, cabinetry, boat building, musical instruments, and more. Mahogany resists swelling and shrinking.
Oak
Oak is a solid and durable hardwood available in many species worldwide. It has a coarse grain with an attractive figure. The natural tan and brown colors work well for many applications. Oak is moisture-resistant and can be used indoors and outdoors. It’s commonly used for furniture, flooring, millwork, and boatbuilding.
Pine
Pine is an economical softwood that’s widely available. It has a light color and straight grain. Pine is easy to cut and works with both hand and machine tools. Pine is prone to shrinking and swelling with changes in moisture. It’s used extensively for construction, furniture, cabinetry, millwork, and crates. Pine is valued for its affordability.
Engineered Wood
Engineered wood is manufactured by binding wood strands, fibres, or veneers with adhesives to form composite materials. Engineered wood is very popular for joinery in Dubai due to its versatility, affordability, and consistency. Here are some of the most common types of engineered wood used:
Plywood
Plywood consists of thin sheets of wood veneer glued together in alternating grains. The cross-lamination makes plywood very strong, stable, and resistant to cracking and moisture. It comes in different grades and can be used for cabinets, furniture, flooring, and decorative wall panels.
MDF
MDF (medium-density fiberboard) is composed of fine wood fibers combined with wax and resin binders. MDF has a very smooth, consistent texture that takes paint and veneers well. It’s also dense and stable. MDF is commonly used for molded trim and door components.
Chipboard
Chipboard, also known as particle board, is made of wood chips and sawdust pressed together. It’s one of the most affordable engineered wood options. Chipboard is often used for shelving, floor underlayment, and furniture carcasses. It can be prone to expansion and needs to be covered with laminates or veneers.
Engineered woods allow joinery companies to work efficiently and utilize more environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. The consistency and cost-effectiveness of engineered wood products make them a staple material for joinery projects in Dubai.
Laminates
Laminates are made by bonding thin layers of material with adhesive to create a flat sheet. They provide a durable and attractive surface for joinery applications. Some common types of laminates used in Dubai include:
Formica
Formica is a brand name that has become synonymous with laminate. It was one of the first plastic laminates and remains a popular choice today. Formica laminate consists of decorative paper and melamine resin fused to kraft paper layers under heat and pressure. It comes in various colours, patterns, and finishes such as woodgrain, marble, and solid colours. Formica offers excellent scratch, stain, and water resistance.
Melamine
Melamine laminate has a melamine resin surface, which makes it very hard and durable. The resin is impregnated into decorative paper layers and compressed into sheets. Melamine laminate is affordable, easy to clean, and resistant to moisture, chemicals, scratches, and dents. It’s available in many colors, but most commonly white. Melamine provides a smooth, uniform surface and is ideal for cabinets, shelves, countertops, and more.
Acrylic
Acrylic laminates consist of decorative acrylic cap layers over fiberboard or particle board. The acrylic surface provides a glossy, plastic-like finish that is smooth, durable, and stain-resistant. Compared to melamine, acrylic laminates offer enhanced scratch resistance. They are available in solid colours and imitation woodgrains. Acrylic laminates are used for cabinets, worktops, wall panels, and other interior surfaces. The glossy finish enhances visual appeal.
Veneers
Veneers are thin slices of wood that are glued onto core panels to provide aesthetically pleasing surfaces. Joinery companies in Dubai work with various veneers to meet their clients’ needs. Some popular veneer options include:
Oak Veneers
Oak is a classic veneer wood valued for its attractive grain patterns and durability. White oak features a straight, open grain, while red oak has a more pronounced, wavy grain. Oak veneers come in a range of finishes, from light to dark. They provide a warm, natural look that is well-suited for traditional and contemporary designs. Oak veneer brings strength and timeless elegance to cabinets, doors, and furniture.
Walnut Veneers
Walnut veneers showcase flowing grain patterns prized for their visual depth and richness. The wood ranges from creamy white to deep chocolate brown. Figured varieties like bird’s eye or crotch walnuts have striking circular patterns. Walnut veneer’s versatility allows it to work in modern, transitional, or classic settings. It brings a touch of luxury and sophistication to joinery projects.
Teak Veneers
Teak veneers deliver beautiful golden-brown tones along with the durability teak is known for. The wood has a straight, tight grain and finishes nicely. Teak veneers bring warmth and character to furniture, millwork, and cabinetry. The natural oil content makes teak resistant to moisture, mould, and mildew. Teak veneers offer an attractive, low-maintenance option for humid climates like Dubai. Their resilience suits them for high-traffic areas.
Veneers provide joinery companies with creative ways to use beautiful, rare, or expensive wood types cost-effectively. Expert application of quality veneers allows for stunning aesthetics perfect for the luxury interiors common in Dubai.
Paints
Paint is a common material joinery companies use to finish and protect wood. There are several types of paint that each have their advantages:
Oil-Based Paint
Oil-based paints contain oils like linseed, tung, or soybean as a binder mixed with pigments. They provide a smooth, hard finish that adheres very well to wood. Oil-based paints are more durable than water-based paints and resist chipping, fading, and wear. They can be used for both interior and exterior applications. The downside is they contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and require mineral spirits for cleanup.
Water-Based Paint
As the name suggests, water-based paints use water as a solvent, with acrylic, vinyl, or latex as a binder. They dry faster than oil-based and clean up with just soap and water. Water-based paints contain lower VOCs, so they are better for indoor air quality. However, oil-based paints are usually more durable for exterior use. Water-based paints can also require multiple coats for good coverage.
Spray Paint
Spray paints come in both oil-based and water-based varieties. They allow for a quick application using an aerosol can. Spray paints are useful for covering large or awkward surfaces. They provide an even coat without visible brush strokes. However, spray painting requires proper ventilation, and you must be careful to avoid overspray.
Stains
Stains are used to change the colour of the wood while still showing the grain. There are two main types of stains that joinery companies in Dubai use:
Oil Stains
Oil stains penetrate deep into the wood grain to provide rich, uniform coloring. They highlight the wood’s natural patterns and textures. Oil stains are available in a wide range of colors, from light natural tones to dark walnut shades. They allow the wood’s natural beauty to show through.
Gel Stains
Gel stains have a thicker, gel-like consistency. They sit more on the surface of the wood rather than absorbing deeply into the pores. Gel stains provide vivid, intense colours with dramatic effects. They are especially useful for staining difficult woods with closed grains that don’t readily accept stains. Gel stains can create bold, striking colours while allowing some of the wood’s texture to shine through.
Both oil and gel stains expand the design options for joinery companies. They allow the creation of pieces with rich, saturated colors while displaying the natural wood grains. Proper prep work and application techniques are crucial to achieving the desired look with stains. Stains give joiners artistic flexibility when finishing and colouring their wood projects.
Lacquers
Lacquers are a popular finish for joinery projects in Dubai due to their durability and aesthetically pleasing finish. The two main types of lacquers used are polyurethane and acrylic lacquers.
Polyurethane Lacquers
Polyurethane lacquers provide a hard, protective coating that is highly resistant to scratches, moisture, and heat. They are made by combining polyurethane resin with solvents and other ingredients. Polyurethane dries faster than traditional lacquer and forms a plastic-like coating.
Advantages of polyurethane lacquer:
- Extremely durable and scratch-resistant finish
- Available in various sheens from matte to high gloss
- Resistant to water, heat, and chemicals
- Quick drying time
Acrylic Lacquers
Acrylic lacquers contain acrylic resins dissolved in lacquer thinner. They produce a crystal clear, durable finish. The acrylic formulation provides better UV protection compared to polyurethane.
Benefits of acrylic lacquer:
- Crystal clear finish that enhances wood grain
- More UV resistant than polyurethane
- Fast drying time
- Range of sheens from satin to high gloss
Acrylic lacquers have some drawbacks—they tend to yellow over time and are softer than polyurethane finishes. Proper maintenance can prevent yellowing.
Polyurethane and acrylic lacquers are great options for protecting and enhancing joinery projects. The choice comes down to the desired look, durability needs, and how much UV exposure the project will receive. Professional joiners in Dubai are highly skilled at advising on the best lacquer finish for each job.
Oils
Joinery companies in Dubai commonly use oils to finish and protect wood surfaces. Popular options include:
Tung Oil
Tung oil comes from the nut of the tung tree. It penetrates deep into the wood grain, providing a natural, warm finish. Tung oil also helps to waterproof and protect wood from damage. It can be used independently or as a base coat underneath other finishes. Tung oil dries slowly, so multiple thin coats are applied over several days to build protection.
Linseed Oil
Also called flaxseed oil, linseed oil comes from the seeds of the flax plant. It soaks into the wood to provide a mellow, satin look. Linseed oil is commonly used on furniture. It is more prone to yellowing than other oils, and it dries faster than tung oil.
Danish Oil
Danish oils are popular blends of tung oil or linseed oil mixed with varnish or polyurethane. This provides the penetration of an oil with the protective qualities of a varnish. Danish oils offer a fast drying time and an easy application process. They bring out a wood’s natural color and grain. Joinery companies commonly use Danish oil on cabinets, doors, trim, and wood furniture.
Waxes
Joinery companies in Dubai commonly use waxes to provide a protective coating on wood surfaces. Two types of natural waxes frequently used are beeswax and carnauba wax.
Honeybees secrete beeswax to create their honeycomb structures. It has a natural yellowish color and honey-like scent. Beeswax provides a subtle sheen and is often used by woodworkers for a traditional finish. It protects the wood from moisture, spills, and scratches. Beeswax is easy to apply and buff to a smooth surface. It can be used alone or blended with other waxes or oils. A downside is that beeswax is less durable or water-resistant than other waxes.
Carnauba wax is derived from the leaves of a palm tree native to Brazil. It is one of the hardest natural waxes and provides a high-gloss finish. Carnauba wax is commonly blended into commercial wood polish products with other waxes, oils, and solvents. It produces a smooth, protective coating that resists water, acids, alkalis, and alcohol. Carnauba wax helps protect the wood from fading and drying out. It can be more labor-intensive to apply than beeswax, requiring multiple thin coats to build up the finish. The hardness of carnauba wax also makes it more challenging to repair or touch up than softer waxes.
Both beeswax and carnauba wax are renewable natural products often preferred by woodworkers seeking an eco-friendly and non-toxic finish. When selecting a wax, joinery companies weigh factors like the desired sheen, durability, moisture resistance, and ease of application and repair. Beeswax and carnauba wax each have their advantages as wood finishes.