Planning to renew your kitchen? Let us help you make the right decision for choosing the material for kitchen cabinets by comparing each type with its pros and cons.
Solid Wood
Wood is considered the most common yet elegant material used for kitchen cabinets. It has always been in style and adds charming beauty to your kitchen. So many wood species are available in the market such as cherry, oak, bamboo, walnut, birch, knotty pine, maple, and hickory.
Pros:
- Wood is available in a wide range of colours, grains, and textures. High-quality wood is strong, durable, and long-lasting.
- You can customize the cabinets according to your desires when opting for solid wood.
Cons:
- Wood cabinets require high maintenance. To keep them maintained, you may need to go for frequent polishing.
- It is the most expensive material for kitchen cabinets.
- Wood can damage in high humidity resulting in cracking or warping.
High-Pressure Laminates
High-pressure laminates (HPLs) are considered the best materials for kitchen cabinets because they are sturdy, moisture-resistant, and more durable than low-pressure laminates (LPLs). From Anti-fingerprint laminates to gloss finish, matte finish, and acrylic laminates, you have a lot of options to choose from.
Pros:
- HPL is made of multiple layers under the application of high pressure, making it more resistant to scratches and chips.
- The material is easy to clean and doesn’t require additional finishing or staining.
- HPLs come in a wide variety of colours and finishes.
Cons:
- Some HPLs emit toxic gases into the air.
- Edges of laminates may tend to peel off if not installed properly.
- Even though it is more durable than other materials, the price is also a bit higher.
Wood Veneers
Heard the term veneer before? It is actually a thin sheet or slice of real wood that is glued over less expensive core materials. Cabinets made with wood veneers provide the feel and beauty of natural wood.
Pros:
- If solid wood is out of your budget, you can go for wood veneers as they price less than natural wood.
- Cabinets made with wood veneers are easy to clean and maintain. Moreover, scratches and nicks can be buffed out simply, if any.
- The durability of wood veneer is good but not more than solid wood.
Cons:
- The veneer may start to lose from its base if exposed to excessive moisture, creating a bubbled effect that may look unattractive.
- You have to polish the sheets every year to keep them looking furnished.
- The material can’t resist scratches.
Hence, the material for kitchen cabinets not only changes the entire look of your kitchen but also determines its durability. So, before opting for any material type, you may need to consider its pros and cons first to make the right decision otherwise you may have to spend lots of money to keep it maintained for longer.
Which material did you find the best for your kitchen cabinets? Which one would you choose and why? Feel free to share your opinions with us!