Possible Materials for Kitchen Cabinets

When we think about the kind of kitchen we’d like to spend our time in, we want it to be a place that’s inviting, practical and in keeping with our personality and lifestyle. So, whether your style is classic, contemporary or modern, there are a multitude of materials capable of responding to your tastes and needs. Whether you’re crazy about the warmth of wood, the design aspect of European laminate or the easy maintenance of melamine, you’ll be amazed at the wide range of available choices in kitchen cabinet materials.

 

 

Wood

Prestigious, warm and timeless, wood lends a touch of elegance and refinement to any kitchen. This fine material comes in a nearly infinite combination of colors, and there’s no doubt that it offers a multitude of possibilities. Whether white oak, red oak, cherry, maple, pine, cherry wood, rustic cherry wood, white ash, walnut or mahogany, every variety of wood has its own unique character. What’s more, you can harmonize your new wood kitchen cabinets with your beautiful antique table you can’t bear to part with. With wood, you really can get whatever color you want. Also considering that this material is very durable and requires minimal maintenance, it will always be a sure value.

Polyester

Yes, you read right! Besides being affordable, easy to maintain and durable, this material probably resembles wood more closely than any other. The manufacturing process also makes it possible to assemble the muntins and crosspieces so that the grain runs the same way. What’s more, you can choose a matte, glossy or even textured finish. To lend your kitchen a high-end, refined appearance, polyester cabinets are an excellent choice.

 

Melamine

Very popular in the eighties, melamine has come a long way from the typical white cabinets of that era. Now available in more natural finishes and contemporary colors, this material has really come into its own. In addition to offering numerous choices in colors and finishes, melamine cabinets are easy to maintain and very affordable.

Polymer

Besides being available in a number of different door models, polymer, or thermoplastic, definitely offers a large selection of textures and colors. Created by molding a film on an MDF panel, this highly resistant material is available in matte finishes that can beautifully imitate certain varieties of natural wood. Also offered in glossy finishes for a more contemporary look, polymer kitchen cabinets are an excellent choice for those who have a weakness for luster, but a tight budget.

Acrylic

Easy to maintain, this material with its lustrous finish is available in a vast range of contemporary colors and is an ideal choice for people in search of a dazzling look. Resistant to UV rays and moisture, it’s obtained by coating an MDF panel with a methacrylate film. This film also offers the advantage of conserving all the color and luster of the material for many years to come. In order to prevent scratches and grease spots, polishing cream can be applied to acrylic kitchen cabinets on an annual basis.

European laminate

Imported from Europe and processed in Quebec, this material is the perfect choice for contemporary-style kitchens. With a sophisticated, sleek appearance, kitchen cabinets in European laminate combine beautifully with products like polymer. Offering a superb natural texture, this material is also durable and easy to maintain.

Wood veneer

Produced by affixing a very fine layer of real wood on top of an MDF panel, wood veneer kitchen cabinets are extremely popular. Moreover, since this material uses less wood, it’s a more ecological and economical choice than solid wood cabinets, while still conserving the same warmth and charm. It’s also available in a multitude of varieties, like maple, cherry wood, cherry, red oak, white oak, ash and walnut, as well as other lesser-known species, like zebrawood and wenge.

Opaque lacquer

Opaque lacquer is actually paint applied in multiple fine coats, producing a rich, uniform color and finish. Available in a variety of colors, as well as matte or glossy finishes, opaque lacquer kitchen cabinets also offer you the ability to create your own shade to suit your needs. Opaque lacquer can be applied to hardwoods like maple and cherry or even to MDF.