Are you sick of cabinets that age and no longer look great after some time? Then you’re at the right place! So in this article we will discuss the best material to get for long lasting kitchen cabinets so you can have a decision made about the kitchen renovation in the future.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, durability and quality matter a lot. We know you need cabinets that can take the abuse of everyday use without sacrificing style. Hence we’ve researched and picked out the best products that will make your cabinets sturdy and beautiful for years to come.
From hardwoods like oak and maple, to engineered wood and laminate, we’ll cover the different pros and cons of each one to decide which is right for you. We will also talk about things you should consider like maintenance and cost, so you’ll be armed with all the knowledge to get a proper conclusion.
Gone are the brittle, boring cabinets and in their place comes tough, beautiful kitchen cabinets that will outlast you. Let’s dive in!
- Importance of Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- Factors to Consider When Choosing Materials for Kitchen Cabinets
- Wood Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- Plywood Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- MDF Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- Laminate Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- Metal Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
- Comparing the Durability and Cost of Different Materials
- Tips To Make Kitchen Cabinets Last Longer
- Conclusion
Importance of Durable Kitchen Cabinets
The kitchen is a place that people often call the ‘heart’ of the house, where people are gathered and memories are made. It means your kitchen cabinets don’t just have to look good but they need to be durable as well. A kitchen cabinet with good finish should not only be long-lasting but also will help to hold the value of your house intact.
Consider how much your cabinets are used everyday. They are very, very hot and damp.’ From opening and closing repeatedly, to humidity and heat. Poor-quality materials shrivel, peel or even deteriorate in these conditions. Spend on something that will last, and save you from having to replace it or repair it often and paying for the hassle.
And lasting cabinets can also take on the changes in kitchen style. If your kitchen has the foundation in place, you won’t need to re-do the whole room from top to bottom without some updates to the hardware or paint. This flexibility is not only convenient but affordable in the long run.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Materials for Kitchen Cabinets
The material of your kitchen cabinets also has a lot to consider. : First, the climate and the surroundings of your kitchen. Humidity affects some substances in a different way than a dry environment. Also, direct sunlight can oxidise or corrode some things over time.
This should also be determined by the number and variety of times you use it. If your kitchen is your home’s main activity area and you’re always cooking or playing, you’ll need stuff with a little more heft to it. Consider how strong and durable both options are.
Third and last, budget also affects decision-making. It’s all very well to purchase the cheapest item possible but the cheaper material will cost you more in the long run due to its poorer durability. Compare cost with lifespan and maintenance requirements to decide what is most practical for your situation.
Wood Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
Hardwood Options
Oak, maple, cherry, and hickory are some of the woods used in kitchen cabinets which are strong and appealing. Oak, for instance, is an exotic species that varies in grain structure and strength. It can be used a lot and it is not as prone to dent and scratch. Another candidate is maple, a slightly softer grain and a good warp-resistance product.
Cherry is also known for its deep and warm colors that continue to age with time so your cabinets are luxurious and timeless. Hickory, on the other hand, is really hard and strong so a rustic or country kitchen is just what you need. Hardwoods may be more expensive, but if you can use them for a long time and refinish them a couple times, that’s well worth the cost to most homeowners.
Softwood Options
Some of these softwoods like pine, though less often used for kitchen cabinets, are good alternatives if your kitchen is not too rough. Pine is a less formal shade because of the knots and grain. — also cheaper than hardwood but more susceptible to breakage and can not endure the stresses of an active kitchen.
Bamboo is a great choice for those who want something that’s more eco-friendly. Bamboo is actually grass, but it is as tough and beautiful as hardwood. And it’s an affordable crop that spreads fast and doesn’t have to be replanted after harvest. Bamboo cabinets will make your kitchen trendy and sustainable.
Exotic Wood Options
Exotic woods like teak and mahogany are possible materials for really distinctive and strong cabinets. Teak is very resistant to moisture and pests and thus a wonderful product for kitchens where humidity is high. Mahogany with its red colour and straight grain is beautiful and hard. But they are expensive, and not the most sustainable given over-harvesting and transport time.
Plywood Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
Plywood is an extremely common cabinet building material, because it’s a multilayer structure, making it very robust and stable. Plywood of the good kind won’t warp or crack like wood and is a good base material for veneers or laminates.
There are also many grades of plywood, so you should be looking for high-quality plywood with a strong glue and more layers. They’ll be stronger and more reliable in terms of screw-holding ability, which is essential to ensure your cabinet doors and drawers last longer.
Plywood is also more affordable than solid wood while still being just as durable. This is a very attractive option if you’re looking for the feel of wood without the extra expense.
MDF Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
A second type of kitchen cabinetry that’s increasingly sought after is medium-density fiberboard (MDF) when it comes to the painted type. MDF is a processed wood product from wood fibres that is mixed with resin and wax at high pressure and temperature. It produces a flat surface that has no knots and grain, and can be just right for a modern sleek appearance.
MDF is also dependable, it doesn’t warp or stretch like wood and can’t crack or warp like that. This is particularly useful in the areas with extremes of temperature and humidity.
But MDF is not as durable as plywood or wood, and can be easily damaged if water gets to it. So make sure to seal MDF cabinets properly, especially around sinks.
Laminate Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
Laminates are economical for kitchen cabinets that come in a huge array of colors and designs including those that resemble wood or stone. They’re layers of kraft paper coated with resin, then adorned with a decorative paper and protective film.
Laminate cabinets are easy to clean, stain-resistant, and take little care. They also resist scratching and discoloration which is very useful for a child-friendly home or a busy kitchen.
All of these attributes are good, however, laminates chip or peel over time, especially around the edges. When smashed, they are not easy to repair and often need to have the whole door or drawer front replaced.
Metal Materials for Durable Kitchen Cabinets
Metal kitchen cabinets, which are generally made from stainless steel or aluminum, are sleek and industrial, which is now very in style. Stainless steel in particular is known for being heat-resistant, stain resistant and corrosion resistant.
And metal cabinets are also clean since they don’t carry bacteria and they are also easy to clean, which is really great for a kitchen. They’re also relatively simple to clean as well, you only need to wipe them clean with a moist cloth.
But metal cabinets can get scratched and fingerprinted and may need frequent cleaning to keep up with appearance. They are also often more expensive than wood or laminate products, and don’t appeal to every house.
Comparing the Durability and Cost of Different Materials
When shopping for kitchen cabinet materials, you should look at durability as well as price. The most durable are hardwoods but the ones with a higher price tag. Plywood and MDF are cheaper, and also quite stable, although they don’t last as long as solid wood.
Laminates are a budget option with a wide selection of styles but will probably not last as long as wood or metal. Metal cabinets are the priciest, but can be well worth it for their longevity and design.
Remember, the price at first isn’t the only one; consider the value over the long-run, how often you will need to repair or replace each material. Sometimes investing a little more upfront will save you money later.
Tips To Make Kitchen Cabinets Last Longer
The regular maintenance is important for your kitchen cabinets to last a long time. For wood and plywood cabinets, clean with a soft towel and mild cleaner so as not to scratch the finish. Do not add water so much that the water will soak into the wood and make it swell or warp.
If laminate cabinets are a problem, just wash them with a damp cloth and some mild soap. Watch the edges if it’s moisture filled as they may peel off. For metal cabinets, a microfiber cloth and stainless-steel cleaner are good to keep them clean and scratch free.
Recheck all hardware every so often, including hinges and drawer slides to make sure it is securely installed and in proper working order. Adjust loose screws and swap out worn or damaged parts. This can really help your cabinets to last longer.
Conclusion
If you have decided to use the right material for your kitchen cabinets, then it will be a choice that will affect the way your kitchen looks, feels and works for many years to come. Whether it is the beauty of wood, or the stability of plywood, or the texture of MDF, or the multifunctionality of laminate, or the contemporary elegance of metal, make sure that you select something that suits your style, your budget, and your needs.
Always remember the place in which you will be cooking, how much time that person is using it, and how each of the materials need to be maintained. When used correctly and with care, your kitchen cabinets will be a permanent and gorgeous addition to your home.
Choose a good material and you’ll be able to sit back with the satisfaction of having a stylish, but also durable kitchen that will stand the test of time and life. You and your future self (and your kitchen) will be the better for it.
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