The kitchen is the heart of your home hence it ought to be designed with the best materials possible without compromising on its functionality and safety.
A kitchen should not be made and designed using substandard materials but with high-quality materials capable of altering and converting it from a basic and elementary kitchen to a sophisticated and best possible space.
It is therefore imperative that one comprehends the properties and the pros and cons of every type of material as this dictates the decision and choice one arrives at.
This article shall therefore delve deep and help elucidate on the best types of kitchen cabinet materials and those commonly used alongside their characteristics, advantages and other features that should aid you to make a good and informed choice.
Kitchen Cabinet Materials
Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF)
This is the best and most fitting material especially if you are operating on a budget. It is made up of tiny wooden fibers glued together with adhesives, and it is a popular and cost friendly choice famed for its versatility as it can have different types of finishes fitted on it. It entails a very smooth surface devoid of any blemishes, and it is commonly used for panels and cabinet doors, as it is a material that can be painted with consummate ease. Its homogeneity renders it a perfect choice for those who want their kitchen to appear ancient with a traditional touch, as the material is capable of having distinctive profiles.
Solid Wood
Solid wood is a premium material that is popular for its durability, aesthetics, overall beauty, ease of customization and longevity among other advantages. However, every piece of wood is bespoke hence the kitchen cabinets made using these materials cannot also be alike. Conversely, the varying grain, color and texture in wood ensures that it can seamlessly match several types of styles hence creating a wide array of looks that one can attain with this type of material. There are different types of solid wood including red and white oak, maple, alder, poplar and cherry among others. Maple is famed for its uniformity whereas cherry usually has very warm and perfectly blending tones. These two are capable of withstanding damage more than other hardwoods rendering them much preferable.
Plywood
This material is ideal for those who want the feel and benefits of high quality material such as solid wood without actually having to pay the high value or extra cost that comes with such materials. It is durable and sturdy thus making it a phenomenal alternative. Despite being deemed as lightweight by many people, it is quite capable of holding its own. It is also easily manipulated thus making any chips and indentations quite easy to repair. Despite the fact that it is quite pricier than other types of manufactured wood materials, it is still cost-effective compared to solid wood. However, you should ensure that you choose the plywood carefully to avoid choosing weak and paper thin material which can be prone and susceptible to collapsing in case of a possible cabinet overload.
Stainless Steel
It is durable, stylish, elegant, and perfect for designing contemporary kitchens. However, many people do not opt for this material especially in residential homes, and it is ideally preferred by commercial entities. Stainless steel is a great material due its numerous advantages such as ease of cleaning and stain, heat and water resistance. This ensures that you cannot be worried about causing damage to your cabinetry by exposing it to excess heat and water. However, it might be prone to scratches and it is quite expensive.
Particleboard
It entails wood particles joined together with adhesives. It is a very budget friendly choice and one of the most affordable options present in the current market. The downside is that it does not have the density and sturdiness of MDF and this reduced strength makes it quite vulnerable to curving and bending when exposed to heavy loads. It cannot be screwed multiple times without damage hence it is much ideal for cabinet interior as opposed to the doors. It is also not ideal for damp areas as it is defenseless against elements such as moisture thus ample consideration should be made in such instances. The performance of this material is basically equated to its cheaper price.
The foregoing clearly depicts the best materials for a kitchen cabinet including their advantages, limitations and overall characteristics. You should now be capable of making an informed decision in case you are on the lookout for the best materials to use for your kitchen cabinet.