Which Material Is Best for Your New Cabinets?
If you are remodeling your kitchen and you plan to install custom cabinets, it’s essential to be aware of the material options available to you. Beautiful cabinets can make your kitchen really shine when you have guests over for dinner or drinks. However, since cabinets really add to the character of your kitchen, choosing the right material for your space is a priority.
Custom cabinets matters more than you think since cabinets often take up nearly a quarter of a remodeling budget. That’s why doing a bit of research about your options is crucial. While functionality and style are important, choosing the perfect material should be the first thing you do.
The Pros and Cons of Medium Density Fiberboard
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is a composite material that is created of resin and recycled wood fibers. It’s milled using CNC under high pressure and often comes in a one-piece frame with a center that is cut out for a recessed panel. This is a cumbersome and dense cabinet option, which may be a negative if you prefer something lighter. Some of the reasons people choose this material are because it is resistant to peeling and cracking.
What to Expect When Choosing Plywood Custom Cabinets
The reality is that plywood is a very low-cost material, which is the same reason that many manufacturers choose to use it. This type of material is typically not as high-quality as some of the others on the list. However, it does have better stability and moisture resistance than MDF. The boards in plywood cabinets are layered together with glue holding them together. In many cases, a wood veneer, a thermofoil, or a plastic laminate is placed on the outside for a bit better protection.
Particleboard and What It Can Bring to a Kitchen
In all honesty, particleboard is one of the least commonly used materials for cabinet construction. The way particleboard is created is by combining particles and wood chips together with an adhesive. At that point, the mixture is fused together to form panels. This is one of the least recommended options for cabinets for various reasons. However, the largest is that it’s essentially composed of small pieces of wood that are held together with glue.
The Case for and Against Stainless Steel Custom Cabinets
Stainless steel cabinets can offer a modern feel but often is not as beloved as wood custom furniture. It’s commonly used in professional kitchens, but it can be hard to remove scratches and fingerprints in a residential kitchen. It does have the benefit of not contracting and expanding like wood, which is worthwhile in moist areas. However, this is not the recommended best option for a kitchen remodel in a home. It doesn’t help that there are limited styles available when using stainless steel for cabinets and other furniture items.
The Many Benefits of Choosing Custom Woodworking Cabinets
Customer wooden cabinets continue to be a popular option for many reasons. When it comes to aesthetics, wood cabinets have a very specific look that many people enjoy. They offer a sense of beauty and timelessness to the kitchen. Having cabinets made of real wood can also add value to your home if you decide to sell in the future.
Another benefit of custom cabinets made of wood is that there are dozens of varieties to choose from. Each of them has a different appearance, level of durability, and cost level. If you are looking to find the perfect custom furniture, wood is an excellent choice for those who want to really home in on their unique style.
Some of the options you have when choosing wood include:
Cherry – Custom cabinets made of cherry wood often lightens over time, especially during light exposure. The original color can vary and may change over the first few months of use. Cherry can be offered with or without knots and is known as one of the most durable woods to use in the kitchen.
Hickory – Hickory wood is durable while also being traditionally beautiful. It’s fairly dense and it offers a well-defined grain. However, it has a unique look, so you’ll want to consider whether it meets the style idea you have in your head for your new kitchen.
Maple – If you’re looking for a lighter wood with a distinct grain, maple offers precisely that. It has a consistent color base so you know what you’re getting and can expect it to stay that same hue as long as the cabinets are in use. It can also be used by those who prefer to paint their custom furniture a solid color before installation.
Oak – Oak wood comes in light to medium colors and has a more defined grain than maple does. This is a very predictable option that features natural streaks and knots in it. It also looks exceptionally beautiful with a polish finish.
Pine – This is a softer wood that will be more likely to dent than other wood on the list. However, it is still a standard option for custom cabinets. It has knots incorporated in the design that looks excellent for a traditional or country style kitchen provided the rest of the décor matches it.
Wood is also a flexible option that can be used in many ways as far as color, shape, and design are concerned. They also tend to be less labor-intensive than some types of cabinets so installation can be affordable, even when using customized options. This is in contrast to cabinets that are metal, which can be overly expensive to install.
Are you considering the benefits of custom cabinets using wood? At Knotty Nuff Wood, that’s what we specialize in. We also offer other custom furniture like tables, shelves, desks, and more. We cater to individuals in Orange County and Los Angeles County, as well as Orange, Silver Lake, Dana Point, and other locations nearby. If you’re ready for a consultation, get in touch, and we can get your project off to the best possible start.