Over the years, kitchen cabinets have been evolving to the degree that the options available out there are tremendous. Hardwood remains as popular as ever, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg – many factors should be considered before choosing the exact type of cabinet material for you. Here’s a simple guide on the types of cabinet materials for your kitchen.
How hardwood is used for cabinets
Though hardwood is still the most commonly found material, cost reduction may force you to use them as veneer over a substrate like plywood. On its own, hardwood is not resistant to the effects of moisture, so it will warp unless it’s properly finished on all sides. Though solid hardwood is more durable in general, veneered cabinets are actually the more reliable option for areas with high humidity.
Types of hardwood
There is a whole variety of hardwood used for including:
- Red oak – strong yet relatively cheap. Comes in a number of styles, so it’s quite versatile.
- White oak – slightly stronger than red oak, white oak is usually only reserved for custom options.
- Hard maple – with a fine grain and light colours, it is slightly more expensive than oak, but also less dense. Maple can be stained – perfect for a modern look.
- Hickory – similar to oak, though slightly lighter in colour. Works great with a rustic style.
- Cherry – very hard and durable, as well as elegant and very befitting of traditional styles, though it’ll definitely work with contemporary projects too.
- Birch – darker than maple but with as fine a grain, it’s an inexpensive alternative to cherry or maple.
- Ash – just as durable as oak, but lighter in colour – perfect for contemporary interiors.
- Pine – actually a softwood, but still used for cabinetry. dents more easily than hardwoods, but works perfectly with more rustic styles.
Factors to consider
When it comes to choosing the right type of hardwood for your cabinets, you should keep some things in mind. One of the most obvious ones is cost – woo-and-plywood cabinets have relatively low costs, but they increase in the case of rarer woods and custom designs. As for the wood itself, make sure that you consider, the grain, colour and construction it offers, so that it matches your vision for your kitchen. Of course, not every type of grain or colour will suit any style, so it’s important to know exactly what you want. Finally, take the availability of the wood as well as its durability into account, as it is a factor influencing both the short and long-term costs of your kitchen.