Choosing your kitchen cabinet materials

Written by:
Date Published:

Something that people often don’t know a lot about before making the decision to do a house extension or renovation is kitchen cabinetry and the various types available. If you are particular about the aesthetic of the kitchen you are hoping to achieve it is useful knowledge, as your choice can make a significant difference to the finish of the area.

We’ve explained the common types below, as well as some of the pro’s and con’s of each;

The most common type of kitchen cabinetry material and probably the one that everybody knows a little bit about is MDF or medium density fibreboard for those who are more technologically minded. MDF is the most common kitchen cabinetry material because it is cost effective, durable and more environmentally friendly then other alternatives (made from recycled wood). One thing to be wary of if you select MDF for your kitchen cabinetry is that it is particularly prone to water absorption, so its best to select a high quality MDF with better water resistant capabilities.

All of the kitchen cabinetry that our manufacturer uses for the home extensions and renovations that we create is moisture resistant. Although this costs fractionally more than standard, we think it is worthwhile for the longevity. We know your home extension and/or renovation will look good for years, so we want to make sure that your kitchen cabinetry does too!

MDF kitchen cabinetry is also easily customisable which makes it easier to add a bit of pizzaz. The above kitchen features MDF cabinets with shaker detailing and the end result is striking – we love it!

Another option for the new kitchen cabinetry in your home extension and/or renovation is for it to be thermally wrapped. Thermally wrapped cabinetry is essentially cabinetry that has been wrapped in a type of vinyl. It provides a smoother, more consistent finish then MDF which is especially suitable if you would like to incorporate glossy white cabinetry into your new kitchen design. Thermally wrapped cabinets are also easier to keep clean, as there is a smooth surface to wipe down and they are not as porous as the other types that we have mentioned in this blog post.

However, thermally wrapped kitchen cabinets are more heat sensitive and can delaminate and peel over time. Manufacturers are working to improve this, but it is definitely still a work in progress. It is also almost impossible to resurface thermally wrapped kitchen cabinets if required, typically the whole door has to be taken off and rewrapped. This is in contrast to painted cabinetry which can be touched up quickly and cost effectively if required.

Thermally wrapped kitchen cabinetry is best suited if you are after a gloss finish to your kitchen because it will give you the most consistent sheen and the best end result. White gloss in particular is impossible to achieve perfectly with MDF kitchen cabinetry.

Finally, the most expensive option for your kitchen cabinetry is to select a painted finish. While this is the most costly due to the additional labour involved, it does produce the nicest finish. It’s also quite handy if you struggle to make decisions, as it can be easily repainted if you decide that you don’t like the colour five years down the track. This is not possible with MDF or thermo wrapped cabinetry – once you select that colour you are stuck with it for life (or until you sell your home, whatever comes first). The other thing to keep in mind with painted kitchen cabinetry is that it will take longer than MDF or thermally wrapped, so may not be suitable if you are looking to complete your home extension or renovation as quickly as possible.

These clients were living in their forever home so up-specced their kitchen quite a bit so it met their lifestyle needs i.e. the gatherings that they wanted to have with their extended family. The dekton style bench top and shaker style painted cabinetry gave the kitchen a high end feel, while ensuring it remained practical and family friendly

At the end of the day your kitchen cabinetry choice will likely come down to the budget that you have for your home extension and/or renovation as a whole. When you come on board with our team, we’ll guide you through the various costs involved and help you to make the decision thats best for you, your home and your lifestyle. To find out more, check out our social media pages below, or feel free to give us a call or send us an email anytime