When we design a kitchen, one of the most important decisions we make is the choice of kitchen cabinets. Fronts are one thing, but the material that will be the base of our kitchen is an extremely important matter. The base material we decide on will determine how our kitchen will look and how long it will serve us. Today we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of different materials for wooden kitchen furniture.
Kitchen furniture can be made from several types of material
- Solid wood
- MDF board
- Plywood
- Particleboard
Solid wood is one of the noblest furniture materials
© Sergiel Sushchik
Solid wood
Wood is a very popular, non-toxic material for cabinet making. Fronts made of this material are usually made of 2 - 2.5 cm thick boards of pine, spruce, alder, as well as more noble species of oak, birch, beech, ash. However, the color of the front does not have to correspond to the color of the wood from which it was made. The surface can be stained and varnished or painted in the shade of your choice. We can also find kitchens made of fashionable aged wood
Advantages of
- Wide range of colors - Wooden fronts are available in a diverse range of colors and textures. The natural variability of the material itself adds to its distinctive charm. It fits very well with both traditional and modern design styles.
- Durability - Such fronts will last us for years and can be renovated.
- Ease of cleaning - Keeping polished wood clean is not a hard task.
Disadvantages
- Reaction to weather conditions - Wood is a natural material. It is not uncommon to see warping and dents on poor-quality wood planks, so be sure to check their quality before buying. Changing humidity levels can also damage the core and surface of the wood.
- Maintenance required - Wooden cabinets should be coated with a water-resistant finish. They should be cleaned with products specifically designed for wood. Be prepared to spend a little time on waterproofing during use as well.
- Cost - Solid wood is one of the most expensive materials for kitchen fronts.
MDF boards
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF ) is made from finely ground wood, mixed with the addition of organic compounds. These components are pressed at high temperatures. We can get different looks and properties of the fronts depending on what type of finishing material we choose.
Advantages
- Less susceptible to warping.- MDF does not expand and shrink as much as natural wood with fluctuations in humidity in the house.
- Ease of processing - This material can be freely cut, milled, laminated and can be used to create unique and highly original shapes.
- Wide range of colors - Today, furniture made of this board is offered in the most diverse colors. The furniture can perfectly imitate other materials, such as marble or concrete.
- Easy to keep clean - These fronts are resistant to fungi and insects. They are also resistant to permanent dirt and grease.
- Price - MDF fronts are cheaper than those made of solid wood.
Disadvantages
- Impossible to repair the surface - Chips and scratches are impossible to sand out of MDF. If the board is damaged once and the varnish is scratched, the material inside the front loses its resistance to warping.
- Poor heat resistance - This material will not withstand extremely high temperatures.
We can give the furniture the finish of our choice
© Sven Brandsma
Plywood
This is a wood-like material with a wide range of applications. Its thickness varies between 3 mm and 5 cm. To produce plywood, thin layers of wood(veneer) are used, which are laid perpendicularly to each other. The layers are then glued together in high-pressure presses.
Advantages
- Imitation of wood - Plywood perfectly imitates the look of solid wood.
- Resistance - This material is characterized by high strength and resistance to crushing, compression and bending.
Disadvantages
- Price - The disadvantage of plywood is its rather high price, compared to other wood-like panels. However, it is cheaper than solid wood.
- Lack of moisture resistance - Wood itself is not resistant to water, but by adding adhesives during production, plywood can exhibit a water-resistant effect.
Particleboard
Particleboard is a recycled , environmentally friendly material . Their production process uses sawdust and shavings, among other materials. These components are pressed together with the addition of glue. The quality of plywood depends on how the layers are glued together, and how many layers it is made of.
Advantages
- Resistance to external factors - the material does not deform due to temperature fluctuations and other environmental changes.
- Price - This is the cheapest option of all the ones we presented.
Disadvantages
- Lack of resistance to moisture - this is the main disadvantage of this material, moisture is easily absorbed by the edges of the fronts and thus the board can swell. However, this can be somehow reduced by sealing the ends of the particleboard with edge tape.
Development: Dominika Tyrlik
