Selecting the Right Kitchen Cabinets

Kitchen cabinets are not just a place to store pot and pans, plates, and cutlery. They give character and personality to your kitchen. While there are several options for materials, natural wood is among the most classic and popular. The top 5 trees used for quality kitchen cabinets include oak, cherry, hickory, pine, and maple. How well do you know their classifications?

Materials used to build kitchen cabinets

Hardwood

Hardwoods such as hickory, oak, walnut, or maple are solid. They are less likely to scratch or dent. Hardwood cabinets tend to be expensive because the wood is durable and of high quality. Stock cherry wood cabinets for example can range between $5,000-12,000 for a standard-sized kitchen.

Softwood

Softwood like cedar and pine are more likely to show dents and scratches. Over time, they make appear banged up. This makes considering your needs important. Take consideration of how your kitchen will be use by people as well. They also tend to absorb moisture so the climate where you live can also be a factor. Softwood tends to be less expensive than hard.

Plywood

Plywood are man-made materials considered to be solid wood. It consists of softwoods that are glued together in layers to form its thickness. They can be treated for mold and fire resistance. They tend to be durable, meaning homeowners can expect longevity.

Fiberboard

Known as medium-density fiberboard (MDF), this is a less enduring option than wood, but is significantly cheaper. It is produced from leftovers of hard and softwood, like sawdust. It is heavier than normal wood, and its smooth surface is great to build painted cabinets.

Pro tip: Keep hardware in mind while selecting cabinets. This also adds to the cost, customization, and overall look of the cabinets.

Considerations: Colors for kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets can come in pretty much any color desired. Expensive cabinet hardwoods can be stained to maintain the natural wood characteristic. Just be mindful of colors that complement the overall design of the kitchen and the rest of the home. Also, consider a class white as it brings a feeling of light and space. Notable neutral colors would be light or dark gray, or beige.

Considerations: Advantages vs disadvantages based on material type

When you are considering material choices for kitchen cabinets, it is important to think of what cabinets could be made of, if not wood. Non-wood cabinets are typically thermofoil or laminate. This includes vinyl which is heated and pressurized onto an MDF base. Thermofoil and laminate come in many colors and textures that imitate the appearance of solid wood. However, they are not as lasting as wood. Still, these non-wood materials may be the best option if the budget is limited.

How a Contractor Can Help

A contractor will understand the finer nuances of cabinet selection such as proper sealing, durability, value, and maintenance. Cabinets are one of the most important elements of a kitchen as they can last for decades or just a few years depending on the quality chosen.