What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets?

Our kitchens are places of high functionality and aesthetics. They are also the busiest parts of any household. First there is the layout and the deciding where all the appliances go, and then there is also choosing the cabinet surfacing well. When building kitchen cabinet surfacing in your home design, it is obvious that you want the material to last long and look gorgeous with the rest of the kitchen design. There are many options you can choose from, depending on your requirement and the look you’re trying to achieve with your kitchen design.

So here are some of the best materials for kitchen cabinets that you might want to select from –

Solid wood

One of the most common kitchen cabinet materials used in many homes is solid wood, because of it’s obvious benefits. It is non-toxic, and available in a variety of colours, textures, and grains. It goes stunningly well in both traditional and modern kitchen designs, and can be easily cleaned. In India, hardwoods like teak, Indian rosewood, and marindi, are the most common in households as they are very durable and look gorgeous. But here are some points to note – it is important to buy the right wood, as bad-quality ones can soon start showing dents and damage. Moreover, these hardwoods need polishing regularly, as humidity fluctuations can damage the surface and core of the wood, so it can be a bit costly.

Stainless steel or aluminum

If you prioritize strength and durability in kitchen cabinet materials, then metal cabinets made of aluminum or stainless steel are perfect for you. These metal sheets are available in different finishes that you can choose according to your preference – brushed, patterned, etched, and so on. They provide a unique look and are extremely sturdy. Stainless steel or aluminum sheets are resistant to rust and stain, and are unaffected by heat and humidity. They are also super easy to clean. The only cons are – these treated metal sheets have limited options in colour. They also show fingerprints and oil smudges more than other surfaces, and tend to be noisier too.

Laminates

Another durable and affordable material for kitchen cabinets is laminates. Laminates are thin sandwich sheets with a tough plastic film on top, and they look stunning in kitchen interior designs. High-pressure laminates are moisture-resistant and sturdy, and can last for long periods of time. Since the printed layer comes on tough paper backing, you can achieve almost any look (leather, metal, wood) with laminates. It is also quite simple to clean them. But make sure that the laminate is installed properly, or else the edges can peel off soon. Also, go for the non-toxic kinds as some laminates can emit toxic gases into the air and harm health.

Wood veneers

If you want a sustainable and economic option in your home design, then you can go for wood veneers, which are sheets of solid wood pasted on top of composite substrates such as laminates. Veneers offer the beauty of natural wood and are available in matte, semi-gloss, and high-gloss finishes. They make the kitchen look softer and give the finish of real wood. The cons include – wood veneers are not scratch-resistant and they fade when exposed to natural light; so you might want to be a bit careful in handling this material.

So these are some of the options you can use for kitchen cabinet materials. You can make a wise choice depending on your specific kitchen design, and what you prefer. Happy kitchen designing!