Kitchen is where food is prepared and cooked. This process involves various elements like oil, butter, liquids etc..
Therefore, selecting the appropriate material for your kitchen is essential. The major components include kitchen appliances, furniture and utensils; however, there are also other minor items which help with the job and give off a sterile atmosphere.
Solid wood
Solid wood is a widely sought-after material for kitchen cabinetry due to its strength and versatility.
Kitchen cabinet doors come in an array of colors and tones, allowing you to create unique kitchens with a rustic aesthetic. Furthermore, this type of material tends to be environmentally friendly as it often contains recycled materials.
As a result, homeowners are opting for more natural-looking kitchen cabinetry as an alternative to the traditional white ones.
For kitchen cabinets, oak is the most durable option; however, other woods such as ash, pine and cherry can also be used. All these materials are strong and long-lasting with red oak becoming increasingly popular in luxury kitchens for its beauty and strength.
Wood is a natural material, but it can warp or crack with changes in temperature and humidity. To combat this problem, many homeowners opt for HDF (High-density fiberboard) instead of solid wood. While not as visually appealing as solid wood, HDF offers greater moisture resistance and is less prone to warping or splitting.
Plywood
Plywood is an incredibly versatile kitchen material used to construct cabinets, shelving and other structures. It consists of multiple thin layers of wood veneer that have been glued together.
It’s an affordable and strong product that costs much less than solid wood, plus it has greater moisture resistance compared to wood, making it a popular choice for building projects.
Different types of plywood are used for structural projects, from marine grade to decorative. Structural plywood can be utilized on permanent structures like beams, wall bracing, subfloors and roof bracing in homes or other buildings.
No matter the type, selecting plywood that’s suitable for your project is key. Search for boards with an even surface that accepts stain and paint well. Alternatively, opt for pressure-treated boards which resist water, weather damage, decay and insects better. It is also recommended that you use primer before painting so your finished project looks its best.
Thermofoil
Thermofoil is a synthetic material commonly used for cabinet doors and drawer fronts. It comes in an array of solid colors and simulated wood grains, along with different sheens.
Many people opt for thermofoil cabinets when refining their kitchen, as it’s cost-effective and straightforward to work with. Unlike painted MDF, there are no additional finishing materials or labor costs involved.
Scratch and stain resistance are great features for anyone working with food or having children, though it may not always be available in all mouldings or door styles when designing your new kitchen. This may limit your choices when selecting materials for the cabinets you select –
Thermofoil’s primary disadvantage is that it is heat-sensitive and easily damaged if placed near an oven or stove. To avoid this from occurring, a heat shield should be installed between the cabinet and appliance to keep vinyl coats from pulling away from MDF core.
Laminate
Laminate is a composite material composed of multiple layers. It’s designed to resemble wood and typically available in an array of colors and patterns.
The laminate base consists of compressed chipped wood particles, then covered with a photorealistic image layer that replicates real wood or stone. This image layer is protected from everyday wear and tear, moisture damage and UV ray damage by means of an outer protective wear layer.
Another great advantage of laminate is its incredible resistance to scuffs and scratches. This makes it suitable for kids, pets, and high traffic areas alike.
Laminate flooring is not only resistant to scratches and scuffs, but it’s also incredibly easy to keep clean. You can clean it with water and soap or use special wood floor cleaner sprays and mop heads for more stubborn stains.