What Material Should I Choose For the Kitchen Cabinet? Planning or designing a new kitchen or just contemplating a renovation apart from your countertops and appliances one of the most important decisions you’re going to make is what material should I choose for a kitchen cabinet.
Choosing a kitchen cabinet material wisely will not only affect the overall look of the kitchen, but it also determines how durable your cabinets will be. What you are working on is a tight bunch or money is no object.
There are five popular options for kitchen cabinet material, and this article will explain the pros and cons of each.
#1 Aluminum or Stainless steel kitchen cabinets
Looking for a durable kitchen cabinet material metal should be your first choice. This may be the more expensive option you can choose the alternative of just adding aluminum or steel doors to cabinets that are wood-based to save costs.
Pros
Cons
- Metals will only come in a limited color range.
- If you’re not careful, it will quickly cover them in fingerprints and smudges.
- Prone to scratches and dents.
- Overtime the drawers and doors can become noisy if not maintained.
#2 Laminates kitchen cabinets
If you’re looking for an equally durable but less expensive kitchen cabinet material option than aluminum or stainless steel, consider using a laminate kitchen cabinet. A combination of paper and plastic resin squash between tough plastic overlays can prove a very cost-effective solution.
Much cheaper than metal or solid wood, these are a tough and affordable kitchen cabinet.
Pros
- The science and technology used to manufacture laminates makes them both affordable and durable
- The printed paper layer sits on a paper packing allowing you to produce virtually at any finish you want from leather all the way to the metal
- The skin is virtually fade and scratch proof and never wears off you are also not required to constantly polish it
Cons
- Expert installation needed to prevent their edges from peeling
- They’re not an environmentally friendly product as they use plastics and other materials created under high pressure
#3 Hardwood kitchen cabinets
By far the most commonly used kitchen cabinet material, wood is a renewable and non-toxic resource. If you’re looking for a high quality finish on your cabinets work with a hardwood such as Walnut, Cherry or Oak.
Pros
- You can choose from a variety of different textures, colors, and grains when working with hardwood.
- Hardwood provides an original look to your kitchen cabinet as no two grains are the same.
- Perfect for both modern and traditional style kitchens.
Cons
- Sourcing high-quality hardwood timbers can sometimes be difficult, and this can cause dents and warping.
- If you’re operating in areas of high humidity, hardwood kitchen cabinets are subject to damage and will need constant maintenance
#4 Wood veneer kitchen cabinets
By pasting the sheets are slices of solid wood over a composite, you create what’s known as a wood veneer. Not dissimilar to laminates, you can stain them to produce a variety of different textures and colors.
Pros
- A very cost-effective and sustainable way to produce wood and kitchen cabinets.
- Choosing to work with a wood veneer, you can stretch more expensive hardwood over many surfaces and cover a larger area for the same price.
- Working with wood veneers can take the hard edge off your kitchen.
- Treat them to provide a high gloss, semi-gloss or even matte finish.
Cons
- One of the biggest negatives is that they’re sensitive to natural light and can quickly discolor
- Like hardwood, they will need maintenance from time to time to keep their look.
- If not maintained correctly, then our subject to water staining
#5 PVC kitchen cabinets
PVC or polyvinyl chloride sheeting makes an extremely tough kitchen cabinet.
Pros
- Easy to maintain, not subject to corrosion, and completely termite-proof.
- Replaceable if damaged
- When compared to wood base products are laminates, they’re extremely economical
Cons
- PVC sheeting only comes in a limited variety of patterns and colors
- They’re neither resistant nor fire resistant and can age into a yellowish color.
- You will need to purchase specific tracks handles and hinges that are compatible with plastic for a seamless installation