Pros and Cons of the Most Popular Kitchen Cabinet Materials

If you’re undergoing a kitchen remodel, one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make involves choosing the right kitchen cabinets. Your kitchen cabinets are one of the defining features of your kitchen, and they impact both the style and functionality of the space. In particular, deciding on the right kitchen cabinet materials is critical, as this will play an important role in the appearance, durability and maintenance requirements of your cabinets.

There are a wide range of potential kitchen cabinet materials to choose from, and the right option for you will depend on your specific needs, aesthetic sensibility and budget. At Sander & Sons, we understand that choosing the right kitchen cabinet material can be overwhelming, so we’ve prepared this guide discussing the pros and cons of the most popular cabinet materials to help you with your research. Our team is always available to discuss your needs with you and recommend the right kitchen cabinets to bring your kitchen to life.

Solid Wood

Solid wood cabinets are one of the most popular options available due to their classic, timeless appearance. They can be made from many different types of wood, including maple, oak, cherry, walnut, birch, pine and hickory. Each different type of wood offers its own unique coloring and grain patterns, making solid wood a highly versatile material that goes well in a wide range of kitchen designs.

Pros

• Always in Style – Solid wood cabinets are truly timeless and remain in style regardless of the most popular kitchen design trends at the moment.
• Durable – Solid wood cabinets are strong, durable and highly resistant to damage (scratches can be more easily repaired). They’ll last a long time due to their strength and durability.
• Versatile – Each different type of wood material offers its own set of natural hues and patterns, allowing you to easily find an option that meets your unique style preferences and blends in seamlessly with the other elements in your kitchen.
• Customizable – You can easily customize solid wood to create a cabinet door style that matches your aesthetic sensibilities. These cabinets can also be painted or refinished down the road to give your kitchen a refreshed look.

Cons

• Cost – If you’re on a tight budget, solid wood cabinets may not be the right option for you since they tend to be more expensive than many of the other most popular kitchen cabinet materials.
• Reactive to Humidity – Solid wood can potentially warp or crack in humid environments.

Plywood

Plywood cabinets are an engineered wood product that are made by layering and glueing thin sheets of wood together.  This forms a highly durable material, making them a great option for kitchen cabinets.

Pros

• Strong and Durable – Plywood is a popular cabinet material due to its strength and durability. The layers of wood products make a strong, sturdy material that supports dishes and kitchenware. In addition, it’s highly durable and can withstand significant wear and tear, ensuring your cabinets will last a long time.
• Lightweight – Plywood cabinets are more lightweight. This makes them easier to install than other cabinet materials which are much heavier.
• Customizable – Plywood cabinets come in a variety of colors and finishes, making it easy to achieve a look that blends in seamlessly with your kitchen décor. They can also be customized to address your specific storage needs.
• Affordable – While plywood cabinets are typically more expensive than furniture board products, they’re significantly less expensive than solid wood cabinets, making them a good option if you’re on a fixed budget.

Cons

• Variable Quality – The quality of your plywood cabinets will depend on the number of plies used when making them. The more plies, the better the quality. When selecting plywood cabinets, make sure you evaluate the number of plies to ensure you receive a high-quality product.

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Medium-density fiberboard (MDF) is an engineered wood material made from wood fibers and a synthetic resin that gets heated and pressed together. MDF cabinets are typically used for painted finishes.

Pros

• Affordable – MDF is made wood fibers, providing an economical process that makes use of materials that would typically be discarded. It is an excellent material for painted cabinets.
• Resistant to Warping – MDF won’t expand and contract with fluctuations in humidity, making it less likely to warp or have expansion and contraction.
• Customizable – MDF is easy to cut and shape, making it an ideal choice for custom cabinet designs.
• Ideal for Painting – The smooth surface of MDF cabinets is easy to paint, allowing you to choose just about any color that blends in with your kitchen décor. Its smooth surface allows for a high quality finished product.

Cons

• Softer– MDF material allows for a beautiful finish, but it isn’t as hard as solid wood.
• Weight – MDF is heavier than many other kitchen cabinet materials.

Wood Veneer

Wood veneer cabinets are made by attaching a thin layer of solid wood to a core material such as particleboard, plywood or MDF. This provides the appearance of solid wood but gives a more modern aesthetic.

Pros

• Versatile Appearance – Wood veneer can be stained or finished to resemble many different types of natural wood. It can be grain matched to provide a very elevated appearance.
• Easy Care and Maintenance – Wood veneer cabinets can be easily cleaned by wiping them down with a damp cloth.

Cons

• Durability – Wood veneer cabinets are made from thin sheets of reach wood, so they are prone to damages, especially on the corners.

• Susceptible to Water Damage – If wood veneer is exposed to excessive moisture, the veneer may separate from the base, creating a bubbled appearance.
• Difficult to Repair – If your cabinets sustain significant damage, it can be hard to repair them because the veneer is so thin that it isn’t able to be sanded down.

Laminate

Laminate cabinets are made by bonding a layer of paper or fabric saturated with resin to a particleboard, plywood or MDF core under high heat and pressure. They provide long-lasting results that are highly customizable to complement your kitchen décor.

Pros

• Affordable – They are much less expensive than other materials such as solid wood or stainless steel, making them an appealing option if you’re on a budget.
• Versatility – You have a wide range of decorative options with laminate. You can choose from a variety of colors, textures and patterns to achieve your desired aesthetic.
• Durability – Laminate material is resistant to chips, scratches and stains. Your cabinets will stand up to everyday wear and tear without showing signs of damage.
• Low Maintenance – Laminate cabinets are easier to clean and maintain than many other materials.

Cons

• Limited Customization – Laminate cabinets come prefabricated, making it more difficult to achieve a custom design that maximizes the use of your space.
• Fades Over Time – The laminate surface can fade over time if it’s exposed to direct sunlight.
• Susceptible to Water Damage – Laminate cabinets hold up well to everyday moisture, but not as well to excessive moisture or high levels of humidity. If these cabinets are regularly exposed to steam from a dishwasher, they can potentially delaminate.

Sander & Sons Can Bring Your Vision to Life

Choosing the right materials for your kitchen cabinets will make a big impact on the results of your kitchen remodel, and it’s important to work with a kitchen design partner who can help you navigate the benefits and drawbacks of the different materials available. At Sander & Sons, we’ll help you make the best decision for your unique needs and goals.

For over 25 years, Denver homeowners have trusted us to handle their kitchen remodels due to our commitment to providing highly personalized attention and customized solutions that will help you bring your vision to life. We offer a wide range of kitchen cabinet materials, allowing us to provide the right option for any budget and style. This is one of the reasons we’re able to deliver tremendous value while staying within your budget.

In addition, we have an extensive network of designers, builders and contractors that we regularly work with. This allows us to coordinate every phase of your kitchen remodel, providing a hassle-free experience and giving you peace of mind that everything is being handled correctly.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation. Sander & Sons serves customers in Denver and the surrounding areas.