What's the best material for
your new KITCHEN cabinetRY?
The kitchen is the heart of every home. It's where delicious meals are prepared, where the family gathers, and where memories are made. And when it comes to kitchen design, cabinetry is the centrepiece. Your choice of cabinets can make or break the look and feel of the space.
With so many different materials available on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one that fits your needs, budget, and style. Moreover, there are several factors to consider such as maintenance, durability, cost, and longevity.
Don't panic! We're here to help you so you can make the right decision.
The most popular materials for the kitchen cabinetry you woould consider are
Laminate
Thermolaminate/ Vinyl wrap
2PAC
Solid wood
LAMINATED DOORS
Let’s start with the cost effective one.
Laminate cabinets have gained immense popularity in Australian kitchens for their versatility, affordability and ease of maintenance. You will see a wide variety of colours, patterns and textures. You can choose from plain colours or different timber, stone, cement look.
Pros: cost effective, scratch-resistant, wide range of colours and textures, highly durable, easy to clean, doesn’t fade or change colour over the time, can be applied to a curved substrate to create curved features.
Cons: prone to fingerprinting, plain fronts only, edging may be visible.
Laminate cabinets have gained immense popularity in Australian kitchens for their versatility, affordability and ease of maintenance. You will see a wide variety of colours, patterns and textures. You can choose from plain colours or different timber, stone, cement look.
Pros: cost effective, scratch-resistant, wide range of colours and textures, highly durable, easy to clean, doesn’t fade or change colour over the time, can be applied to a curved substrate to create curved features.
Cons: prone to fingerprinting, plain fronts only, edging may be visible.
THERMOLAMINATED /
VINYL WRAP DOORS
VINYL WRAP DOORS
Thermolaminated or Vinyl kitchen cabinetry doors are the perfect solution for contemporary home kitchen decor. With an extensive range of colours, profiles, and surface finish options, you can choose sleek, contemporary minimalistic designs or the more traditional country-style doors. All surfaces are non-porous and easy to clean. These doors are priced higher than Laminated doors. So, if the higher cost suits your budget, Thermolaminated Vinyl doors are a smart choice.
Pros: a large range of styles, highly durable, scratch resistant, low maintenance
Cons: edges can peel
Pros: a large range of styles, highly durable, scratch resistant, low maintenance
Cons: edges can peel
2PAC
Upgrade your home with cabinetry featuring a 2 pac finish. This type of cabinetry is constructed from medium density fiberboard (MDF), which is then sprayed with 2 pac polyurethane paint. The paint includes a hardening agent that produces a finish similar to that of motor vehicles, making it incredibly durable. With 2 pac paint, you can enjoy a finish that is available in textured, matt, satin, semi-gloss, or high-gloss, and in an infinite range of color options. Plus, the edges of the cabinetry appear seamless and smooth.
Pros: durable, endless colour options, available for flat and shaped door profiles, not edging, low maintenance, high-end finish
Cons:prone to chipping but can simply be touched up with paint, more expensive than laminate and vinyl, longer leadtime
Pros: durable, endless colour options, available for flat and shaped door profiles, not edging, low maintenance, high-end finish
Cons:prone to chipping but can simply be touched up with paint, more expensive than laminate and vinyl, longer leadtime
SOLID WOOD
Solid wood cabinets are widely known for their remarkable durability and stability. They can last for several decades, and their high resistance to wear and tear is unmatched by any other type of wooden cabinetry. However, solid timber can be quite expensive depending on the variety. In contemporary kitchens, solid timber is used sparingly, mainly in the form of timber shelving, benchtops or one-off pieces of solid timber furniture, such as stools. Using solid timber cabinets for the entire cabinetry is rare due to their high price point.
Pros: Timeless, long-lasting
Cons: Requires thorough sealing and ongoing maintenance to prevent water damage and fading/discoloration, high price, not flexible
Pros: Timeless, long-lasting
Cons: Requires thorough sealing and ongoing maintenance to prevent water damage and fading/discoloration, high price, not flexible
By carefully considering the pros and cons of each material option, you can choose kitchen cabinetry that not only meets your functional needs and design preferences but also stands the test of time. If you're unsure about which material is best for your kitchen, consult with a professional designer or contractor who can provide expert guidance based on your specific requirements and budget.