When it comes to choosing materials for your kitchen cabinets, there are a mind-boggling number of options. We’re going to go over some of the most popular options here - our focus will be on cost and functionality, because there’s no accounting for taste (though we will touch a bit on aesthetics).
In this piece, we won’t look at hardware or add-ons like glass finishes - the focus will be on the construction. Cabinetry is highly-customizable, so you can riff off of the materials we present here fairly easily.
Wood cabinets
Wood is, by far, the most popular type of material for kitchen cabinets.There are two types of wood cabinetry - solid wood and engineered wood. Wood is prone to expansion when it’s exposed to moisture, so you’ll need to seal your wood cabinets - most come pre-sealed, but in rare cases, you may need to seal the cabinets yourself as soon as they're installed.
Solid wood
Hardwood cabinetry is more expensive than the engineered woods we’ll talk about next. There’s a good reason for that, though - hardwood cabinets are incredibly durable. They’re impact and scratch-resistant. You can also pick from a wide variety of styles - Oak, Cherry, Pine, or even Maple.
You could also pick a softwood, like Mahogany, - this type of wood is much more prone to scratching and denting, however.
You should note that solid wood is more prone to warping than some engineered woods - for this reason, materials like plywood are much more commonly used in modern day cabinetry.
Plywood
Plywood is an engineered wood - it tends to be less expensive than hardwood, but can be almost as durable. Plywood comes in a variety of different grades - you’ll want a high-grade plywood if aesthetics are important to you.
While you could pick an inexpensive, highly functional material like Baltic Birch plywood, the finish on these types of plywood is usually less visually appealing. Opting for Oak or Maple can be more aesthetically pleasing, though Baltic Birch can be finished to improve its look.
MDF (Fiberboard)
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a very popular material for kitchen cabinets. It’s relatively inexpensive, it doesn’t warp or crack, and it’s quite easy to paint.
The main disadvantage of MDF is that it scratches very easily - and unlike solid wood, you can’t simply sand away the scratches. This might not be the best material to use if you have small children or pets who might be prone to scratching your cabinets.
Particleboard
Particleboard is the least expensive option available, so for budget renovations it can be an excellent choice. You can find high-end particleboard available that can withstand moisture to a certain degree - most particleboard, however, will warp when things get too humid. Particleboard is the weakest cabinet material, so unless you’re working on a budget, you should probably avoid it.
Wood veneer
Wood veneer isn’t actually a type of cabinetry - it’s more of a footnote. Plywood, for example, uses a wood veneer finish. Basically, if you want to improve the look of, say, an MDF cabinet, you can request a specific type of wood veneer as a finish. Wood veneers can act as a lower cost alternative when you want the look of hardwood without paying the price (or dealing with the warping-related problems).
Wood alternatives
There are a couple of materials other than wood that are being used for cabinetry in the 21st century. Indeed, these alternatives can add a modern, almost futuristic look to your kitchen.
Metals
There are all kinds of metal cabinets available - most are made of stainless steel. They don’t have the moisture-related drawbacks that wood cabinets do, because they’re not porous. They do, however, tend to scratch more easily. Maintenance on stainless steel cabinets is a breeze - you can just wipe them down regularly, and you never need to reseal them. They are, however, on the expensive side.
Thermoplastics
Thermoplastics are incredibly versatile - you can get an astonishing variety of different colors. They’re low-maintenance, inexpensive, easy to install and maintain, and are moisture-resistant.
There are downsides, however. They aren't heat-resistant, so you can’t install them near heat sources. They also tend to yellow over time.
Cabinet renovation tips
Once you’ve figured out which cabinet material best suits your needs, you can start renovating. You’ll, of course, need to measure everything to ensure you’re getting the right size. You’ll also want to have a dumpster or some other way to dispose of renovation waste.
The best time to renovate your cabinets is when you’re doing other kitchen renovations - when your cabinets have been taken out, it can be easier for plumbers and electricians to do their work. Minor and major kitchen renovations can both pay off a lot - we wish you all the best!
Guest Contributor: Christie Simon
