The full comparison
The table below is the catalogue as printed — construction, gloss level, rate, how each finish behaves when scratched and whether it can be put right.
| Finish | Construction | Gloss level | Rate per sq ft | Scratch behaviour | Repairability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylic, high gloss | 3 mm acrylic sheet on 18 mm MDF | 95+ gloss units | Rs 1,450–1,950 | Fine scratches visible under light | Polishable once or twice |
| Acrylic, super matt | 1 mm anti-fingerprint sheet on MDF | 3–8 gloss units | Rs 1,700–2,300 | Very resistant; no visible marks | Not polishable; replace the shutter |
| Acrylic, textured | Embossed acrylic on MDF | 10–20 gloss units | Rs 1,600–2,150 | Texture hides light scratching | Not polishable |
| PU, high gloss | Sprayed PU, 7 to 9 coats, buffed | 90+ gloss units | Rs 1,850–2,600 | Scratches show as a dull line | Fully repairable on site |
| PU, satin | Sprayed PU, 5 to 6 coats | 25–35 gloss units | Rs 1,650–2,250 | Forgiving; marks blend in | Fully repairable |
| PU, matt | Sprayed PU, 5 coats | 5–12 gloss units | Rs 1,700–2,300 | Shows grease marks in a kitchen | Fully repairable |
| PU over veneer | Veneer pressed, then sprayed | Variable | Rs 2,100–3,400 | Depends on the coat count | Repairable with care |
| Lacquered glass | Back-painted 5 mm glass on MDF | Mirror gloss | Rs 2,200–3,000 | Does not scratch; can chip | Replace the panel |
| Membrane / PVC foil | Vacuum-pressed foil on MDF | Matt or gloss | Rs 750–1,150 | Lifts at edges in humidity | Not repairable |
| Laminate, high gloss | 1 mm laminate on ply or MDF | 80–90 gloss units | Rs 950–1,400 | Scratches show clearly | Not repairable |
| Laminate, super matt | 1 mm anti-fingerprint laminate | 4–10 gloss units | Rs 1,250–1,750 | Excellent | Not repairable |
| Duco / NC lacquer | Sprayed nitrocellulose, 4 coats | Matt to gloss | Rs 1,100–1,600 | Softer than PU; marks easily | Repairable, but yellows over time |
How to use the catalogue
- Decide repairable or replaceable first. A household with young children and a dark kitchen is a different specification from a couple with a light one, and this single column separates them.
- Read the gloss units, not the marketing word. ‘Matt’ laminate at 40 gloss units and super matt at 5 are visibly different products sold under similar names.
- Mix finishes deliberately. PU on the tall units where knocks happen and laminate on the internals is a sensible and common combination, not a compromise.
- Ask what the substrate is. Every rate here includes it, and a quotation that does not name MDF or ply is not comparable to one that does.
Three mistakes this prevents
- Buying high gloss for a kitchen that gets used. It photographs beautifully and shows every fingerprint within a week of moving in.
- Membrane foil in a Mumbai flat. At ₹750 per sq ft it is tempting, and the edges lift within two or three monsoons.
- Assuming acrylic can be polished. High-gloss acrylic takes one or two buffings; super matt takes none, and the shutter is replaced instead.
Download the catalogue (PDF) →
Read how to choose a kitchen shutter finish and see modular kitchen cost.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between acrylic and PU?+
Acrylic is a factory-made sheet bonded to MDF; PU is a liquid coating sprayed and cured in five to nine coats. Acrylic gives a more consistent surface with no site variation. PU can be colour-matched to anything, wraps around profiles and edges, and can be repaired.
Which finish is best for a kitchen?+
Super-matt anti-fingerprint acrylic or laminate on base units, where scuffing and grease are the issue, and PU or acrylic on the wall units. High gloss on base units in an Indian kitchen is the specification most often regretted.
Is Duco the same as PU?+
No. Duco is nitrocellulose lacquer, which is softer, cheaper at ₹1,100 to ₹1,600 per sq ft, and yellows over time. PU is a two-component polyurethane that is harder, colour-stable and roughly 40 per cent more expensive. The market often uses the names interchangeably; the quotation should not.
Can scratched acrylic be fixed?+
High-gloss acrylic can be machine-buffed once or twice by a specialist. Super-matt and textured acrylic cannot be buffed at all, because the buffing destroys the matt surface. In both cases the practical fix is replacing the affected shutter, which is why shutter sizes are worth standardising.
How many coats should PU have?+
Five to six for satin and matt, seven to nine for high gloss including the buffing stages. Ask for the coat count in writing. Four coats sprayed quickly looks identical on handover day and shows the difference within a year at every edge.