What exactly is value engineering?

With rising inflation heightening strain on project budgets, it’s a term we can expect to hear increasingly in the market.

What does it actually mean?

Selecting materials that optimise the cost efficiency of a design, while maintaining design integrity.

Making intelligent switches from more costly materials to cutting edge reproductions, that positively impact the budget.

Streamlining the fabrication process, reducing labour time and costs through the use of matching materials from a sole supplier.

This is where EGGER’s advanced production technology, matching material offer, and optimised material sheet sizes come in, to offer specifiers a complete package in value engineering. However, value engineering is not ‘one size fits’ all, so EGGER will work with you to identify the individual needs of a project and offer tailored solutions.

We look at matching materials and how to cut project costs, with the effective use of two matching material types in particular - laminate and Eurodekor Faced Chipboard.

Laminate vs Eurodekor Faced Chipboard

One of the most common causes of missed value engineering opportunities comes from a confusion between Eurodekor Faced Chipboard and laminate. Knowing the advantages and limitations of material types will streamline the specification process.

Laminate sheet requires bonding, a balancer, and a suitable substrate. All incur a cost. However, the added overlay increases resilience for areas facing more wear, making laminate ideal for restaurant table tops, reception desks, bar tops, and doors.

Eurodekor Faced Chipboard is supplied in a board format ready for cutting, removing the additional labour and material cost. Public area case goods, and guestrooms throughout, see less surface traffic, so are most efficiently and economically fabricated in this material.

Using the same decorative finish in both materials, laminate elements can be switched to Eurodekor Faced Chipboard where possible, while maintaining design consistency.

Best Western

Best Western optimises matching material use to create a consistent design throughout public areas and guestrooms.

Ensuring economical fabrication, guestroom and restaurant area case goods are specified in H3342 ST28 Sepia Gladstone Oak Eurodekor Faced Chipboard. In the guestrooms, the headboard bases, bedside tables, desks, wardrobes and back panelling, are cut from an average of 4 sheets per room.

Specifying matching laminate to be bonded for the reception desk allows for a curved design, as well as an extra resilient surface to withstand the wear of daily contact with guests and luggage.

Check in at The Ro

Inspired by the booming hotel sector, we head to Bowness on Windermere, to check out the recently refurbished luxury hotel, The Ro.

Created by Mixology North ’21 award winning APM Design, The Ro offers 87 tranquil guestrooms and a stunning bar and restaurant.

EGGER’s White Mountain Larch has been chosen for case goods in the guestrooms. Part of the Feelwood collection, the decor has a synchronised pore surface, creating woodgrain characteristics that are almost undetectable from solid timber.

H3403 ST38

White Mountain Larch

APM Design’s Project Director Dean McCluskey told us why the decor has been specified.

"The Ro interiors throughout have been designed to reflect the tranquillity of their natural park setting. White Mountain Larch is the perfect choice to create a contemporary yet soft look in the bedrooms, where guests can feel at ease.”

Adding to this natural theme, thicker boards have been used for case goods. Fabricated in EGGER Melamaine Faced Chipboard, the 38 mm thick format has been used for all panels where out-facing edges are a feature, enhancing the realistic decor in creating the illusion of a solid timber piece. Matching ABS edging in a 43 mm format adds a neat finish to the furniture.

Dean told us "The materials are excellent quality as expected by EGGER. APM have worked with EGGER for years and consider their fantastic range of products one of our go to favourites.”

Reducing project costs, furniture frontals have been fabricated in 18 mm Melamine Faced Chipboard, in the perfectly matching H3403 ST38 finish.

By selecting EGGER reproduction materials as an alternative to timber, the specification also means design consistency. Uniform panel production ensures consistency across all 87 guestrooms.

Asked about support during the specification journey, Dean said "APM have always found the service from EGGER to be to a really high standard. The team at EGGER are extremely passionate and knowledgeable about their range of products which acts as a great sounding board for ensuring product suitability.”

Feelwood H3403 ST38 White Mountain Larch, in mixed matching materials, has been used for wardrobes, desks, headboards, bedside tables and complementing mirror and picture frames

Don’t forget to double opt-in to stay informed.