You probably have never stopped to think about what your kitchen cabinets are really made of. Well, the truth is that the materials in which your kitchen cabinets are made are going to equate to their quality. So let's break down what exactly makes up kitchen cabinets and how you can tell if the cabinets you have your eyes on are high quality or not.
It all boils down to the materials.
The first thing that you notice about kitchen cabinets has to be the wood. It sort of makes sense because, well, kitchen cabinets are primarily wood and not much else. However, it's far more complex than just saying the first thing you notice is the wood because there are so many different types of wood.
Low-end kitchen cabinets are often made from particleboard. Why? Because it's inexpensive, and cabinet makers use it to lower the cost. The problem with that is, yes, using particleboard does bring down the cost, but it also brings down the quality of your cabinets. Unless you are looking for really cheap kitchen cabinets, you may have to consider pine, which is evidently among the cheapest and low-quality woods.
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of particleboard
Advantages
Inexpensive: Particleboard is relatively cheap, hence, it's affordable for those with a low budget.
Smooth surface: The smooth surface makes particleboard easier to paint and also laminate. Particleboard kitchen cabinets offer more versility, and also are more pocket friendly.
Disadvantages of particleboard
Not very durable: Particleboard does not stand the test of time, and you will be required to replace such cabinets frequently.
Warps easily: Particleboard has low resistance to moisture, which makes it warp easily. Warping may ensue due to uneven doorways and shelving and can make the kitchen cabinets next to useless.
Difficult to repair: Something as flimsy as particleboard is hard to repair, and that can pose all kinds of problems. Typically, if damaged, then particleboard cabinets will have to be replaced, and that will be more costly in the long run.
As people know it, solid wood is very strong. Oak, cherry, and maple are examples of solid woods. Oak has a feeling for its characteristic grain patterns, and second to that, it's rock hard and super strong. Maple, too, bears this reputation, while cherry is extremely well known for its rich, smooth texture, lending elegance and warmth to a kitchen.
The other hardwood that's also common and which HomeCabinets uses when making the door, drawer, and frame construction is birch. The reason birch is chosen is that it offers both strength along with a gorgeous appearance that makes it type of wood that fits any kitchen decor.
Pros and cons of hardwood
Durability: Hardwood kitchen cabinets are solid, you can count on them to last. Beautiful in a kitchen, it gives that natural grain. The class hardwoods bring into the smallest of kitchens makes a person warm and cozy.
Easier to maintain: If your kitchen cabinets get scratched or dented, it's very easy to repair them. A minor scratch would easily be sanded or refinished to make it look new.
Adds value to your home: Home buyers love hardwood kitchen cabinets, thus they'll increase worth to your home. Hardwood kitchen cabinets are an investment that will help your home not only hold its value but increase it over time.
Cons
Hardwood is more expensive: You'll pay more for hardwood kitchen cabinets. You'll be expected to set aside more money from your pockets than you would for softwood, a fact that is a deal-breaker for many homeowners.
Regular maintenance is required: One will need to clean, polish, and sometimes refinish hardwood cabinets regularly. If you do not take care of your hardwood cabinets, they will start to look at their neglect.
Few color choices: With hardwood kitchen cabinets, you are pretty much limited to just the natural wood look. Sure, you can go with stained options. However, if you want something that is more colorful, hardwood is going to pose some problems for you.
Medium-density fiberboard(MDF) is another popular choice, as it's smooth and really great for painted cabinets. It is less resistant to moisture, and the fact that it's cheaper than solid wood makes it easier on the pocket for most homeowners. It will only do good on painted cabinets, but it also does a really good job with laminated cabinets. Therefore, medium-density fiberboard can make as it a versatile option. In particular, this is true for people who want to have a stylish kitchen.
Medium-density fiberboard(MDF) pros and cons
Smooth surface: Like particleboard, medium-density fiberboard has a smooth surface perfect for painting or laminating. The big win for medium-density fiberboard, however, is that it's much more rugged than particle board.
Consistency in quality: The quality of medium-density fiberboard is much more consistent because there's no knots and grains to have to worry about. You get all the beauty of wood, without any of the worries or hassles.
Cost-Effective: Medium-density fiberboard is less expensive than hardwood. This alone could make it a better choice for someone who's on a tight budget. The cost savings alone can make or break a kitchen remodeling project.
Cons
Less Durable Than Hardwood: While medium-density fiberboard certainly is stronger than particleboard, it's nowhere near as resilient as hardwood.
Limited repair options: If there's a dent or a scratch, you have limited options for repairs. If the issue is even worse than a casual scratch, you're in for some bad news because there may be no repair options.
Lower durability: Chipping remains the perennial fear for medium-density fiberboard. In case your cabinets of medium-density fiberboard start to chip, you might be in a bad situation because of the same reasons mentioned previously.
Stainless steel is another option, but it is very expensive, and fingerprints show easily. Stainless steel seems to be a really good option for restaurant kitchens or people who have catering services out of their homes. Stainless steal has the added advantages of being easier to clean, with that classic steal shine, but it isn't as appealing to most homeowners as wood is.
Pros and cons of stainless steal
Durability: If you want durability, then go with stainless steel. This metal can take dents, scratches, or just about anything that you can throw at it.
Easy to clean: Clean your stainless steel cabinets, simply wipe them down. From time to time, a bit of polish is all you need to keep them shiny.
You will never have to worry about warping: kitchens get hot, and the heat can warp cabinets. No matter how hot it gets in your kitchen, stainless steel never warps.
Cons
Price : You'll pay more money for stainless steel cabinets. The price alone makes these cabinets a nonstarter for many homeowners.
Shows fingerprints: It doesn't matter how clean your fingers are, they can make fingerprints all over the cabinets. Of course, at the beginning, it is not a big deal, but once the cabinets are filled with fingerprints, then it will be like a real CSI crime scene.
Prone to scratches: Next time you see stainless steel cabinets, look closely. They are all scratched up. Scratches appear from nowhere and then multiply till your cabinets look like they have been exposed to each stray cat in the neighborhood.
Breaking down kitchen cabinet construction
For the untrained eyes, it may seem that there is just one big box, but in reality, there's so much more. Everything has a place in a kitchen cabinet, and each of its parts has a vital role to play in not only the appearance but also in the functionality of a kitchen cabinet.
First of all, we are going to take a look at the cabinet's box. The box is what forms the support and housing of the cabinet. Other lower-end cabinets may use particleboard when constructing the box; however, companies like HomeCabinets only utilize the finest plywoods, ensuring that your cabinets will be around for a long time to come.
One of the parts in building a kitchen cabinet is the face frame. What is a face frame? Very simply, it's the front of the cabinet that surrounds the doors and drawers. It needs to be of good material quality as it's supporting the unit and provides the looks.
Another significant feature of the kitchen cabinet is its doors and drawers. These should be made of the most durable material, as they are the most active parts of the cabinet. For this purpose, HomeCabinets are made of solid wood, and the reason for this is durability. A good number of companies use particle board for such reasons, but those materials will pose the problem of a kitchen cabinet that might not last the test of time.
Buying and Maintenance Tips for your Kitchen Cabinets
Here are some of the tips you could use in the purchase and maintenance of your cabinets to ensure that you get what you need, and that they last. Remember, you are doing an investment.
The sticker shock, at first, may be a little breath-taking when you are considering replacing your kitchen cabinets. Remember, though, that you are making an investment. That money you spend today isn't going up in smoke; you'll get all of it back and then some when you sell your home.
Cabinets: do they fit the style of your kitchen?.
No two kitchens are alike, and take a second to ask yourself if the cabinets you're choosing are the right ones. Stainless steal might sound good if you're a clean freak but not be a great option if you have a tiny kitchen with limited space.
Clean cabinets are happy cabinets.
The easiest way to avoid having all that wear and tear on your kitchen cabinets is by their cleanliness. Wipe down any mess that happens right away so that it doesn't set in. If you have hard-wood cabinets, you need to make sure that not only are your cabinets cleaned but, more particularly, regularly polished and maintained with the proper technique, ensuring finish preservation and avoiding damage over time.
Consider Your Storage Needs
You may need an upgrade because you have a growing family, or the opposite may be true—you've got children that are about to leave the nest. Assess what your needs are and don't go overboard. The only time you need to consider purchasing more cabinet space than you will use is if you plan on selling your home and you know that it's a dwelling a family would buy.
Final Thoughts
You use your kitchen a lot; the cabinetry plays an important role in functionality and style. Proper material selection is, therefore, such an important issue. This isn't a light-hearted decision but one you should discuss with your spouse and other members of the household. Best advice? Just take time to assess your needs, budget, and long-term plan carefully before finally deciding on a material.
