E41 – Cabinetry Materials - Kitchen Design Essentials

Aug 12, 2020

There are many factors to consider when choosing the right cabinetry material for your kitchen. Budget, aesthetics, cleaning requirements and durability are just a few. In this episode, Frances outlines seven different materials to consider and some of the reasons they would work well in your kitchen, or if you may need to think about something different to meet your needs.

Often people resort to the products they know, rather than being aware of all that’s available and selecting a product that will really work for them and their lifestyle. This episode will arm you with information on the many options out there.

Finally, Frances chats about kickers and how they can be approached in the design of your kitchen.

 

SHOWNOTES

There are many factors to consider in terms of what you choose for your Forever Home Kitchen and how it’s going to serve you as you need it to.

• Durability- invest in products that are going to last
• Aesthetic- The type of door profile that you choose can impact the type of material you can choose for your kitchen cabinetry
  • Door design and profile
  • Colour
• Cleaning Requirements
  • Easy to clean
• Budget

 

Types of Cabinet Materials

2pac

Pros

• Has a hardened surface- it won’t peel
• There’s a wide range of colours to choose from
• Available in different sheen levels- matte, satin and metallic
• No edging as the paint wraps around the door front and sides
• Wraps seamlessly around the corners
• It is available in any door profile
• Tight and crisp edging

Cons

• Can chip easily, particularly if you are using a fingerless pull
• Not suggested for family kitchens or those with heavy user expectations

Thermal Wrap

Has had a bad reputation during the nineties for peeling particularly cupboards close to heat sources. However, because of technology improvements it has also improved significantly over the years.

Pros

• Vacuum sealed
• Has great durability
• Ideal for family kitchen as less susceptible to chipping
• Available in multiple array of door profiles
• It wraps around the door edging providing a seamless edge

Cons

• Profile doors may not have profiles as sharp as with 2Pac
• Not suitable for particularly high cabinetry doors because it can warp overtime

Laminate

Pros

• Available in different finishes- natural, satin, gloss, matte, fingerprint and chemical resistant finishes, wood grain or embossed finishes
• Can be cost-effective depending on the finish you are choosing
• It is available with a matching ABS edging tape to match the door fronts
• It comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes

Cons

• Unlike 2Pac and Thermal wrap, it doesn’t wrap around the door front for seamless edging.

Timber Veneer

A premium product that has a very thin slice of real timber on furniture grade MDF.

Pros

• Sustainable and natural product.

Cons

• High-end premium product - requires a higher budget for high-end kitchens
• It is not as durable as other materials, as it can absorb moisture
• Higher maintenance than other products as needs gentle cleaning
• Can scratch more easily than other products.

Dekton

Dekton by Cosentino is a product that can be used for anything. From floors to façades to benchtops and cabinetry fronts.

Pros

• Pretty much indestructible
• Graffiti proof- Your kids can draw all over it
• Very Durable
• Scratch-resistant
• Sun resistant.
• Suitable for outdoors
• Comes in different industrial style finishes- iron, burnished metal

Cons

• Higher price point compared to thermal wrap and laminate

Glass

Pros

• Can break up the aesthetic of solid cabinetry fronts.
• Appealing for those who wish to showcase cupboard contents
• Glass comes in various types for different looks eg, clear, frosted, fluted

Cons

• Not great if you want to hide cupboard contents
• Can be expensive
• Requires frequent cleaning - streaking

Kickers

Kickers are the piece of material that runs from the bottom of the cupboard to the floor. They are generally between 100 and 150 mm high and rebated back from the cabinetry front.

• Different materials can create a different aesthetic and contrast to the cabinetry.
• Some considerations: Stainless steel, stone, thermal wrap, 2Pac or laminate

Available Services:

Small changes to your home’s floor plan can completely revolutionise its functionality. A ‘sanity check’ can give you incredible inspiration or confirm you’re on the right track with your new build or renovation.

Book a Floor Plan Sanity Check with us and have one of our team look over your plans.

Overwhelmed by the amount of decisions that need to be made when creating a stylish, functional and durable kitchen? What materials to select, what colours will co-ordinate together, what design is going to best suit the space, and your requirements.

We offer kitchen design packages that include joinery design and material selections for a complete kitchen design. Click the link here to find more.

If you’re thinking about renovating or building your own “Forever Home”, get in touch with Frances directly, by booking a chat with her. 

 

Related Resources:

Episode 39: Kitchen Design Essentials – Splashbacks

Episode 38: Kitchen Design Essentials-Benchtop Criteria and Materials – Part 2

Episode 36: Kitchen Design Essentials – Benchtops part 1 

Episode 14: Forever Home LIVE- Joinery Drawings and Why Do Them Early On

Episode 30: Kitchen Design Essentials -Kitchen Design Layouts and Location

Episode 32: Kitchen Design Essentials – The Builder’s Insight 

How to Choose the Right Bench Top

Top 5 tips for selecting benchtops-