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Kitchen Cabinet Materials: Pros and Cons of Popular Materials

kitchen cabinet material

A wide selection of materials for kitchen cabinets allows you to make a modern kitchen renovation aesthetic, profitable, and durable. Since the types of kitchen cabinets materials differ from each other in many factors, a professional can help decide which one to choose for the customer. Alliance Millwork offers services for the selection, design, and installation of kitchen cabinets for customers. The company’s specialists will help determine the appropriate material, and its installation and give a guarantee for the work performed.

The kitchen is the place in the house where a lot of time is spent by any person. A modern kitchen should be functional in terms of cooking, and aesthetic, and comfortable to simply drink tea on. That is why the owners often resort to help in creating a design project for the kitchen, and also allow a specialist to kitchen cabinet material choices.

Today, there are enough materials to create kitchen cabinets. To choose the most suitable one, it is important to decide on the budget, appearance, and other characteristics. Since a custom-made kitchen involves the selection of absolutely every detail and color, the client needs to decide on the materials for the base, and the rest will be completed by the designers. It depends on what the kitchen cabinet interior material will be, what shape it can be given, what coating to apply, and how to use it in principle.

How to choose the right kitchen cabinet materials

types of material for kitchen cabinets

To choose a good material for kitchen cabinet, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of all possible materials. The comfort and aesthetics of the entire kitchen depend on how good and practical the cabinets are. If a person decides to change the kitchen set, then the first question for him is the choice of new high-quality material for cabinets. In order not to suffer with ready-made furniture in the store and look for only flaws in it, you can make a custom-made kitchen.

First of all, it is important to highlight for yourself the kitchen cabinet material options. The client can choose both an expensive wooden material and a cheaper option in the form of pressed wood with a mandatory external finish. When choosing a material, it is important to consider such factors:

  • price;
  • functionality;
  • bulkiness;
  • processing and finishing;
  • the form.

If a person is an admirer of natural materials, then wood is suitable for his kitchen. If there is no emphasis on naturalness, but you are interested in cheap kitchen cabinet material, then in this case MDF and others will do just fine. Practicality also plays a role in choosing the material for the kitchen cabinet. Cabinets in the kitchen should be roomy, not heavy in themselves, but withstanding the load. It is important to choose the material for cabinets in the kitchen, taking into account the walls on which they will be attached and whether they will withstand. Heavy and large solid wood cabinet is difficult to mount on a thin wall.

Finishing the kitchen cabinet is important because it plays a major role in the design of the entire kitchen. If finishing work on the cabinets is not planned, and they must remain in their natural color and form, then they must be made only from natural expensive materials. For cabinets made of chipboard or MDF, a protective film should always be used, which gives the furniture an aesthetic appearance.

A list of materials for kitchen cabinets and their pros and cons

To choose the best material to use for kitchen cabinets, you need to know the main features of each possible option. Not always more expensive material means durability and practicality for the design of a particular kitchen. The material must be carefully selected depending on how the interior and style of the entire room will be.

Solid wood

When renovating a kitchen, many undeservedly bypass natural wood. But in vain, because it is a good and durable material that can be used in the design of a modern kitchen and does not require finishing materials for kitchen cabinets. Wooden facades can be made from oak, ash, beech, and pine and are less often used because it has a softer breed. The main advantage of a solid wood cabinet is that it can be left unpainted, but only varnished.
kitchen cabinet construction materials

Pros

The main advantages of using wood for kitchen cabinets are:

  • purity of the material;
  • natural drawing;
  • easy repair (an unpainted wooden cabinet is easy to repair);
  • long service life.

If necessary, the wood can be painted, but the modern design allows you to leave the wooden cabinet in its natural color and texture.

Cons

Cabinets made of natural wood, in addition to aesthetics and a lot of advantages, also have disadvantages. Firstly, this is a rather expensive material that not everyone can afford. Secondly, it requires careful maintenance and care. Thirdly, the room must have good air circulation and sufficient humidity so that the wood does not crack or dry out.
waterproof material for kitchen cabinets

Wood veneers

Classic and modern kitchen design can be achieved if you choose not just different kitchen cabinet materials, but specifically wood veneer. This is a great alternative to solid wood but at a lower cost. This material produces high-quality kitchen furniture with natural colors. Veneer cabinets are easier to maintain, and lighter in weight, but have the same meaningful look.

Pros

The veneer is mainly used as a worthy replacement for natural wood. The advantages of the material are:

  • compliance with hygiene and safety standards;
  • affordable cost;
  • long service life;
  • relatively easy maintenance.

The veneer is so similar to natural wood that it is quite difficult to visually distinguish it in finished kitchen furniture.

Cons

Wood veneer has one important drawback – it has a high absorbing capacity. Because of this, all external odors and excess moisture are absorbed into the material.

Plywood

Plywood, as a fairly cheap kitchen cabinet drawer material, can also be used in the cabinet itself. This rather fragile material requires mandatory film coating for an aesthetic appearance and longer operation. Nevertheless, plywood is more often used as a component of some elements of kitchen furniture and is not taken as its basis.

Pros

Plywood has two significant advantages – it is cheap and available.

Cons

This material has many shortcomings. Firstly, it is very amenable to any kind of influence. It can be mechanical damage or moisture. Plywood also needs to be handled carefully in terms of care, because it is very vulnerable when unprotected. Secondly, it necessarily requires a protective layer of film, varnish, etc. Thirdly, it is short-lived and does not tolerate high humidity.

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Often used in modern kitchen cabinets as the cheapest material for kitchen cabinets. MDF allows you to different designs because the surface is always sealed with a film.
best material to use for kitchen cabinets

Pros

One of the advantages of MDF is its affordable price. There is also a wide choice of colors and textures. Such material is rather unpretentious in care and resistant to aggressive detergents. Has a long service life.

Minuses

The only significant drawback is the loss of color under the influence of sunlight.

Particleboard

Refers to the available materials for kitchen renovation. These are inexpensive plates with normal service life and unpretentious care.

Pros

Chipboard advantages:

  • low cost;
  • wide range of designs;
  • versatility.

You can make furniture from chipboard absolutely for any interior.

Cons

Chipboard cabinets will have a short service life because one hundred such pieces of furniture are not at all resistant to mechanical stress. She scratches quickly and fades in the sun.

Laminate

Laminate is a multifunctional material that is used not only for the usual flooring but also in the creation of furniture. Kitchen cabinets can also be made from it.

Pros

The advantages of laminate are availability and optimal cost.

Cons

The disadvantages are all the same conditions as MDF. Laminate is afraid of moisture, scratches, and burns out.
different types of material for kitchen cabinets

Weatherproof material for kitchen cabinets

The kitchen is one of the most frequently used rooms in your home, and it’s constantly exposed to moisture and temperature changes. Choosing weatherproof materials for your kitchen cabinets is crucial to ensure they can withstand these conditions and last longer.

One of the most popular weatherproof materials for kitchen cabinets is marine-grade plywood. This type of plywood is specifically designed to withstand moisture and water damage, making it a great option for kitchen cabinets. It is made with waterproof glue and can resist warping, cracking, and splitting. Additionally, marine-grade plywood is relatively affordable and can be easily customized to fit your specific kitchen design.

Another weatherproof material option for kitchen cabinets is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). HDPE is a durable plastic material that is resistant to moisture, mildew, and mold. It can also withstand extreme temperatures and is easy to clean. However, HDPE cabinets can be more expensive than other materials, and they may not offer the same aesthetic appeal as solid wood cabinets. Ultimately, the best weatherproof material for your kitchen cabinets will depend on your specific needs and preferences.

Which material is considered the best for kitchen cabinets?

Wooden cabinets are now in demand, with which it is convenient and profitable to work. Without fail, they are covered with a protective material (lacquer, thermal material, film, etc.) to reduce the wear of cabinets, as well as to avoid excess moisture for them. For the common kitchen cabinet materials to optimally match each other, their selection under the guidance of specialists is important. Depending on what material the client chooses for his kitchen, its main advantages and possible disadvantages vary.

When it comes to choosing the material for your kitchen cabinets, there are a variety of options available, each with its own pros and cons. However, one material that is often considered the best for kitchen cabinets is solid wood.

Solid wood cabinets are durable and long-lasting, and they offer a timeless and classic look that can complement any kitchen style. They are also versatile and can be easily customized to fit your specific needs and preferences, such as adding extra shelves or drawers. Additionally, solid wood cabinets can be refinished or repainted if you decide to change the look of your kitchen in the future.

However, solid wood cabinets can also be more expensive than other materials, and they require regular maintenance to keep them in good condition. They are also susceptible to warping and swelling if exposed to moisture, so it’s important to keep them dry and avoid placing them in areas of your kitchen that are prone to water damage. Ultimately, the best material for your kitchen cabinets will depend on your personal preferences and budget.

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