Veneer is more expensive than laminate because it’s made of real wood, while laminate is man-made. Veneer is sliced from a solid wood log and glued to a substrate like plywood or particleboard. Laminate, on the other hand, is made of paper, resin, and decorative film. Veneer is more expensive than laminate for the following reasons: Real wood: Veneer is made of natural material, which is more expensive than man-made materials like laminate. Thin layer: Veneer is a very thin layer of wood, which means it takes more wood to cover a surface with veneer than with laminate. Labor-intensive: Veneer is a labor-intensive product that requires skilled craftsmen to slice, glue, and finish the wood.