Choosing the right kitchen cabinets can make a huge difference in your home’s overall appearance. The best cabinet materials are durable, strong, and easy to maintain. A high-quality cabinet should last about 20-30 years. However, if you choose a low-quality option, you may face aesthetic issues, functional problems, and increased maintenance costs.
Plywood is a common material used to make cabinet carcasses. Plywood has numerous benefits, including its durability, strength, and resistance to moisture. It is also flexible, making it an excellent choice for cabinets that will be moved from place to place.
Particle board is another popular cabinet material. Particle board is made of recycled wood products and is typically sealed with a layer of laminate. This gives the boards a smooth even grain and is more resistant to warping than solid wood. It is also less expensive than hardwood. Nevertheless, its advantages are limited.
The most notable advantage of particle board is its low cost. Nonetheless, the downsides include its fragility and difficulty to repair. The screws on a particleboard cabinet can loosen from over-torque. It is also susceptible to crushing. In addition, particleboard isn’t a long-term solution.
Hardwood, on the other hand, is a natural material with a distinctive look and feel. It is also easy to work with, making it a great choice for a high-quality cabinet. In addition, hardwood cabinets are durable, making them an investment worth holding on to. Depending on the species, a hardwood kitchen cabinet can vary in color and style.
Another option is medium-density fiberboard, or MDF. MDF is made from small, recycled fibers that are pressed together in a high pressure system. This is similar to particleboard, but MDF is a more durable material. The advantages of MDF are its resistance to moisture, its attractive appearance, and its ability to be repainted. It is also inexpensive, making it a great option for low-priced kitchen cabinets.
The most popular style of cabinet today is the Shaker-style. This style is characterized by five pieces of flat panel that create a frame. The doors are mounted on either the bottom or the side of the cabinet. It features simple lines and recessed lines. It’s a popular choice due to its classic look and simplicity. It’s also an option for a unique and trendy kitchen.
Other styles include the Handle-Free, Flat-Front, Raised-Panel, and Beadboard. Each style has its own pros and cons. For instance, the Flat-Front style lacks beveling and ornamentation. Similarly, the Handle-Free style doesn’t have vertical stiles and doesn’t have the panels of the other styles. The Beadboard style uses uniform beads, while the Raised-Panel style has raised center panels.
Finally, the glazed cabinet treatment is going the way of the dodo with the rise of textured looks. Paint is an effective way to highlight the grain of a wood without showing off dirt and fingerprints. It is typically applied with a spray gun. The satin finish hides fingerprints better than a matte finish.