The Best Kitchen Cabinet Materials With Their Pros And Cons

Are you thinking to renovate your kitchen according to your dream design? Remember the most prominent features in this dream kitchen-to-be will be the kitchen cabinets. There are a lot of kitchen cabinet materials available in the market. You’ll need to select the material based on the kitchen color scheme, design, and of course your budget.  

Let’s compare the top kitchen cabinet materials to help you make the perfect decision. 

Melamine

Pros:

  • One of the least expensive materials for kitchen cabinets. 
  • Available in an enormous range of patterns and colors.
  • Melamine kitchen cabinets require minimal maintenance and they are very easy to clean. 
  • They don’t require sealing or re-staining over the years. 

Cons:

  • Melamine cabinets are mostly available in a square shape so you have to limit your design options. 
  • The material is susceptible to dents and scratches.
  • Heavier as compared to other materials. 

Polyester

Pros:

  • Polyester kitchen cabinets are slightly pricier than melamine but still very cost-effective. 
  • Resistant to scratches.
  • Comes in a huge range of wood looks and colors. 

Cons:

  • Once polyester kitchen cabinets get scratched, it could be a typical task to retouch them. 

Solid Wood

Pros:

  • Wood kitchen cabinets add timeless and rustic appeal to your kitchen. 
  • You can have a wide range of wood types to choose from such as hickory, birch, bamboo, maple, oak, cherry, walnut, and knotty pine. 
  • High-quality wood is resistant to damage and long-lasting. 
  • Wooden cabinets can be easily customizable as per your requirements.

Cons:

  • Wood can warp or crack with excess moisture. 
  • You may find it a bit expensive. 

Wood Veneers

Pros:

  • As veneer kitchen cabinets are made of a thin layer of real wood, it gives a feel and looks of natural wood. 
  • Scratches can be easily buffed out.  
  • The material is relatively more affordable than solid natural wood. 
  • Resistant to warping. 
  • Veneer kitchen cabinets are easy to clean.

Cons:

  • Excessive moisture can cause an unattractive bubbled effect in the base.

Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF)

Pros:

  • MDF kitchen cabinets have a smooth, even grain texture.
  • The material is not vulnerable to moisture. 
  • You can repaint your MDF kitchen cabinets whenever needed. 
  • MDF can be easily crafted into any style.

Cons:

  • It is not possible to sand out the scrapes and chips out of MDF. 
  • MDF kitchen cabinets cannot withstand high temperatures. 

High Gloss Thermofoil

Pros:

  • Kitchen cabinets made of high gloss thermofoil reflect light, making your kitchen look spacious and brighter. 
  • Unlike wood, these cabinets won’t warp or fade. 

Cons:

  • As the material’s surface is reflective, it shows up on every fingerprint or smear. 
  • Difficult to remove scratches from these cabinets. 

High-Pressure Laminate

Pros:

  • HPL kitchen cabinets are resistant to scratches and chips. 
  • Come in an exclusive range of finishes and colors. 
  • These cabinets are incredibly easier to clean and don’t require finishing or staining. 

Cons:

  • You may find HPL kitchen cabinets a bit pricier than other materials. 
  • Choose The Right Kitchen Cabinet Material

So, these are just a few of the many kitchen cabinet materials. Always select the one that meets your budget and requirements the best!