There is a wide array of great options regarding the best materials for kitchen cabinets. They all have numerous advantages and disadvantages. You have to consider this fact before opting for any given material when you want to install new kitchen cabinets. The material you select goes deep and beyond the surfacing of your kitchen since it not only involves the general look of your kitchen but also the durability of the cabinets as well.
The most suitable materials are dictated by your dedicated budget, practicality, and whether they are durable enough to stand the test of time. The rest is premised on your personal needs, preference and sense of style. This article will delve deep into the best three materials that can be used for kitchen cabinets. Their pros and cons will be discussed exhaustively to make sure that you are duly informed and properly guided before making the ideal choice of what to opt for.
Solid Wood or Timber
Solid wood or timber is the most frequently used material for kitchen cabinets. The main reason behind this is that wood provides a very durable or lasting finish. Even after the lapse of time, you can easily sand and repaint it to provide your kitchen with a new and glamorous look. Timber does not age quickly and neither does it catch dirt faster. It is therefore ideal for very busy kitchens with a huge traffic. It also blends well with many styles and designs of varying kitchens both ancient and modern. This is because of its natural color, which goes well with different kinds of kitchen decors and other types of flooring too.
In addition to this, wood is renewable and nontoxic. It has different colors and very distinct strains. These variations ultimately culminate into a very good and aesthetically pleasing look. Wood is also very easy to clean as long as this is not done with commercial types of cleaners, which are usually very acidic.
The only disadvantage is that there could be some warps if you buy poor quality timber or wood. It could also be damaged in areas with high levels of humidity. Furthermore, it is relatively expensive and very time consuming to maintain. You have to spend a lot of time to polish the timber and ensure it maintains its appealing texture.
Laminate
Laminates entail sandwiching two thin sheets together. The sheets consist of layers of resin, which are plastic, another paper that has printed layers of distinctive designs and finally a plastic film, which constitutes a tough overlay. A high-pressure laminate is better and preferable compared to a low-pressure laminate. The main reason behind this is that it lasts long and is resistant to moisture.
Laminate has a very wide range of colors and texture, which goes well and matches with your traditional or modern and contemporary sleek style or kitchen design. It therefore looks very attractive in any kind of kitchen. It also entails a very lasting or durable surface. This is coupled with the benefit of being cost friendly. This means that you would not be cost barred in case you want to use this kind of material for your kitchen cabinets.
In addition to this, laminate is not susceptible to any kind of damage or infestation compared to solid wood. It can resemble wood or even metal and it does not require high maintenance, as it does not fade quickly hence no need of frequent polishing.
Despite all these advantages, laminate is not renewable and is associated with the release of toxic gases into the atmosphere. It might thus not be a good kitchen cabinet material for those individuals conscious about the environment.
Wood Veneers
Wood veneers entail various slides of solid wood pasted over a substrate. Specifically, this is composite substrate just like in laminates. In order to achieve the color and expected texture, wood veneer has to be effectively stained and polished. As the name might suggest, wood veneers depict the beauty just like that of wood. They are very economical and are readily used to give an otherwise very hard kitchen, a significantly softer look.
The only issue with wood veneers is that they tend to fade and discolor upon exposure to natural light. They are also prone to scratches and you need to polish them frequently, just like wood.
The aforementioned are materials that can be employed with regard to kitchen cabinets. They have their own pros and cons as clearly enumerated above. The information on this article should guide you in the making of a sound decision when getting your kitchen cabinets.
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