Four Top Kitchen Cabinet Materials To Consider
If you are about to purchase kitchen cabinets, one of the first decisions you'll need to make is which material you want the cabinets made from. Not all kitchen cabinets are made from wood, although some are. Here are four of the top materials to consider for your kitchen cabinetry.
Solid Wood
Solid wood is one of the most classic cabinet materials. You can choose almost any hardwood, from oak to cherry. The natural appearance of wood looks at home in rustic and more traditional kitchens. Wood cabinets have a long lifespan and can be refinished if you want to change the look of your kitchen one day. The downside of solid wood cabinets is their cost. They are often more expensive than other types of cabinets, largely because they take so much time and effort to manufacture. They are also prone to warping in humid climates.
Wood Veneer
Wood veneer cabinets are made from plywood or fiberboard, but coated with a veneer of more expensive wood, such as oak or maple. Wood veneer cabinets give you the appearance of wood cabinets for a lower price. They are less prone to distortion if they become moist. However, you cannot easily refinish wood veneer cabinets as you can solid wood cabinets.
High-Density Fiberboard
High-density fiberboard is an engineered material made from a blend of wood fibers and resin. It's very hard and dense, and it can be cut on large machines, like CNC machines. As such, fiberboard cabinets are easy to make and quite affordable. They're also durable and easy to paint. The downside to high-density fiberboard is that it is susceptible to damage and swelling if it gets wet. It also has a distinct, smooth, modern appearance that some people love and others don't.
Laminate
Laminate cabinets are basically made from plywood or fiberboard, then covered in paper with a coating of resin. Laminate comes in all sorts of colors and patterns you can't find with other cabinet materials. It is affordable, easy to wipe clean, resistant to scratches, and easy to install. The downside is that it can be prone to chips and has a smooth look not everyone likes.
Consider these four materials above as you have cabinets made for your kitchen. If you let your kitchen cabinet contractor know what kind of cabinetry you are looking for, then they can make recommendations and guide you in the right direction.