What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?
The materials used for your kitchen cabinets play an important role in the quality and aesthetics of the finished product. Choosing cabinets made of high-quality materials will be much sturdier and more durable, ensuring a better result that will last a long time.
Some of the most popular kitchen cabinet door materials include:
- Solid Wood/Hardwood – Solid wood is the most commonly used material for kitchen cabinets. They’re made from solid, unbroken pieces of natural wood such as maple, oak, hickory or cherry. Wood cabinets are highly durable and can withstand heavy use. In addition, they offer natural beauty and a wide range of finishes.
- Painted – Painted cabinets are a very popular choice for kitchen cabinets. There is an endless amount of color choices and fits with any design aesthetic. Painted kitchen cabinets are done with an enamel-based paint, so it is stronger and more durable.
- Wood Veneer – Wood veneer cabinets offer the richness of real wood for a more modern design. Wood veneers can be used for slab front doors and displays the natural and varied grain of the wood. Grain match veneers are often desired, but come at a higher price point. Veneered cabinets aren’t as durable as solid wood doors.
- Thermofoil – Thermofoil cabinets are made from vinyl film and can mimic the look of wood. They can provide an alternative to wood cabinets, making them a popular option for homeowners who are looking for a consistent contemporary design.
- Laminate – Homeowners looking for an affordable kitchen cabinet option are often drawn to laminate cabinets. They are very durable and impact resistant. While they are mostly popular for commercial spaces, laminate cabinets can be used in your kitchen, laundry room or even your garage.
Cabinet box materials include:
- Plywood – Plywood cabinets are made by gluing thin layers of solid wood together. They are very strong, lighter weight, and water resistant. It cuts cleanly and is very strong. Plywood is more costly than furniture board.
- Furniture Board (particle board) – Furniture board is the most commonly used material for cabinet sides. It is inexpensive, flat, and gets the job done. They are made from wood-based fiber products that are compressed into panels. Furniture board is heavy and can absorb moisture more easily than plywood.
- MDF (medium density fiberboard) – MDF is a great material for painted surfaces. It is made with compressed fibers and is very smooth. It is both dense and very stable, so it is less prone to expansion and contraction.
What is the Best Cabinet Box Construction?
It’s important to consider how your cabinets will be built. There are perceived advantages and disadvantages to both framed and frameless construction, but one is right for you.
- Framed Construction – Framed cabinets are made with a front face frame. The face frame is made from solid wood and wraps the front of the cabinet. It adds stability to the cabinet and gives your cabinets a more traditional look.
- Frameless Cabinets – Frameless cabinets do not have a front face frame. They are simply constructed as a box with two sides, a top and bottom. Frameless cabinets offer a sleeker look with very tight reveals. It also offers more storage space inside of your cabinets.
What Are the Most Popular Colors for Kitchen Cabinets?
There is no right or wrong answer for choosing the color of your kitchen cabinets. The custom cabinet solutions provided by Sander & Sons come in a wide range of colors and styles, ensuring you can easily find an option that matches your unique aesthetic preferences and will complement your kitchen design.
Classic white and natural wood cabinets have a timeless appearance, making them extremely popular year after year. However, recently homeowners have increasingly embraced bolder, more colorful cabinet options that create unique and personalized kitchen designs. Some of the most popular kitchen cabinet colors trending in the Denver area include:
- Greige – Is it gray? Is it beige? Is it green? This versatile neutral color blends all three in a way that is versatile enough to match just about any kitchen style.
- Wood – Both light and dark are popular. Natural wood grain is always a classic choice and brings warmth to every space.
- Green – This is one of the most heavily trending kitchen cabinet colors today. It provides a sense of tranquility and complements both modern and farmhouse-style kitchens. Green tones, both light and dark, can create a sophisticated look.
- Gray – Light and dark shades of gray are popular colors for kitchen cabinets. These classic options serve as a neutral backdrop that complements just about any kitchen design.
- Black – Black cabinets are trending among kitchens with a more modern design.
- Blue – Deeper, darker blue tones such as navy or royal blue exude elegance and pair well with gold or brass hardware. These versatile colors are an excellent choice with both contemporary and traditional kitchen designs.
- Two-Tone/Tri-Tone – Mixing cabinet colors has become trendy in recent years. Having a darker color on the bottom and a lighter color on the top can make cabinets pop. In some instances, homeowners are also incorporating a third contrasting color for an even bolder look.
What Are Some Popular Finishes for Kitchen Cabinets?
Cabinet finishes are an important consideration when selecting custom cabinets since the finish will play a major role in the overall look and feel of your kitchen. There are several different options for cabinet finishes, and each is associated with its own unique pros and cons. The right cabinet finish for your kitchen will depend on your specific needs.
Some of the most popular finishes for kitchen cabinets include:
- Painted Finish – A painted finish gives you a wide range of options, as you can choose virtually any color. This versatility ensures your cabinets will complement just about any kitchen style. The paint can create a seamless, uniform look. In addition, painted finishes are available in a variety of sheens, including matte, semi-gloss and satin.
- Stained Finish – If you choose kitchen cabinets made from a beautiful, high-quality wood material, a stained finish may be an excellent option. The stain is applied on the wood to alter the color, enhance the grain and protect your cabinets from damage. Stained finishes provide a warm look that can be both modern and traditional.
- Glazed Finish – A glazed finish is applied over a base coat of paint or stain to add visual depth and accentuate the characteristics of the wood. It will give your cabinets a semi-transparent, hand-crafted appearance.
- Natural Finish – A natural wood finish is clear, allowing the true color of the wood to shine through. This option can look more varied as there is no stain to tone the wood.
- Distressed Finish – This option is popular for a more rustic look. It can be used for the entire kitchen or as an accent on an island. They are made with special distressing techniques that give your new cabinets an aged appearance.