What Is The Best Kitchen Cabinet Material?

Exploring kitchen cabinet material is a crucial step when you want to renovate your kitchen, or even when building the house.
– There are gazillion materials available, ranging from budget to high-end materials.
– A little research will help you make an informed decision, though.
– Let us delve into the materials available:

Wood
– This is the most common kitchen cabinet material.
– There are several wood species that can be used when renovating your cabinets: white oak, cherry, birch, pine, red oak, hickory, hard maple, and ash.
– Each type has its pros and cons, for instance durability, appearance and cost.

Plywood
– This material is durable and doesn’t off gas from coatings.

Cherry wood
– This is ideal for cabinets which have rich and dark finishes.

Mahogany, sapele, anaglade and bamboo
– These materials give your kitchen cabinet a more exotic look.
– They can be stained or lacquered to give a sleek finish.

Compound Cabinetry Materials
– Apart from wood, one can opt for compound cabinetry materials.
– These materials are durable, easy to maintain, and less susceptible to discoloration.
– They provide flexibility in design, styling and color.

Laminate
– High-pressure treated laminate kitchen cabinets are extremely durable, but heavier when compared to wood.
– Low-pressure treated counterparts are lighter, but less impact-resistant. Wrap technology eliminates peeling, cracking, and de-lamination.
– This material is also resistant to UV light, moisture, staining, aging, and heat damage.

Thermofoil
– Thermofoil refers to material which results from application of heat and pressure to bond a thin PVC layer to a glued and shaped MDF component.
– The process results in a seamless surface used to cover a panel’s edges and face.
– The back has a white, seamless melanine surface which makes it easy to clean.
– Thermofoil can also be applied to plywood or particleboard, (referred to as a substrate).
– This is ideal if you want to replicate the look brought about by the wood.
– It mimics wood and details more closely than laminate.

Eco Cabinet Veneers
– These are thinly sliced sheets of wood.
– They are applied to a furniture core panel.
– They provide the warmth and beauty of real wood, with more consistent grain and color.

Maple
– It is durable and versatile.
– It can be used with many finishes, as it has a fine, uniform grain.
– It is also easily painted or stained.
– However, it tends to yellow in the sun.
– Painting takes care of this.

Melamine
– This is a coating that goes over a base material.
– It provides protection against stains, flames and scratches.
– It has a variety of styles- plain white, faux wood grain, and retro.
– The material underneath is what determines how long it will hold up.
– It can sag easily if cracked. However, it doesn’t allow moisture into the base material.
– It is aesthetically pleasing.


Metal or Stainless Steel Materials
– Stainless steel is more expensive when compared to wood.
– However, it is easy to clean and is durable.

Choosing the right kitchen cabinet material
Grain
– Some types of wood are primarily uniform, while others have significant grain variation.
– Natural hardwood has characteristics like knots, sap runs, and mineral deposits which contribute to its beauty.
– These are highlighted by glazes and stains.
– Better still, there is change in grain variation and color as wood ages, and via exposure to light.
– However, avoid using harsh chemicals when cleaning a cabinet made from hardwood.
– Other factors that can ruin outstanding features of wood are extreme heat and humidity.
– Ensure that the humidity levels in your kitchen are between 30 and 50 %.

Style
– The style you want to bring to the fore is determined by the material you choose.
– Cherry wood is ideal for dark and rich finishes.
– Woods like bamboo, anaglade, mahogany, and sapele give a more exotic look.
– They can be stained and lacquered to provide a sleek finish.
– Get a more natural look via use of wood grain peeking through a brushed finish.

Color
– Go for neutral color, or that which matches the color of your wallpaper.
– Calm colors improve the atmosphere in the kitchen.
– Some furniture stores may provide you with the colors to choose from.
– When choosing wood, it is important to note that most woods can be stained so as to modify their color, but some are more stain-friendly.
– Your choice should reflect the appearance that you are looking for.
High Quality materials
– Some factors to consider here are durability.

Ease of cleaning
– The last thing you need is to have a stained kitchen cabinet.
– It is advisable to go for material that is easy to clean, for instance, thermofoil.

Kitchen Cabinet Material Cons
– As aforementioned, every type has its pros and cons.
– Let us delve into some cons

Stainless steel
– Expensive
– It can give your kitchen a cold look

Wood
– Many wood sealants and finishes contain VOCs.
– When released into the air, they cause illnesses.
– Go for materials that are free from urea and formaldehyde.

Apart from the material, here are some other factors to consider when selecting a kitchen cabinet in general:

Size
– The size of your kitchen is crucial when selecting the kitchen cabinet material to use.
– The cabinet should properly fit in the kitchen.
– If it does not fit, you will not be able to use it.
– A cabinet that properly fits leaves some spare space.

Contents
– You will need to think about what you will place on the cabinet.
– The cabinet must meet your needs.
– If you have many items to store, you may need a large cabinet.

Pricing
– Compare all available cabinets before settling on any of them.
– Stay within your budget.
– Whether you want to give your kitchen a Victorian look, give it a modern spin, or update it with modern trends, choosing the right kitchen cabinet material is of utmost importance.
– Get to know the pros and cons of each type.
– Before you think of getting new cabinets, be sure about the material you want to use.
– It affects your kitchen look.
– Most importantly, stay within your budget.
– Consulting a reliable Singapore kitchen cabinet installation company will go a long way in helping you make the right decision.
– Just take your time and choose right.