Kitchen Cabinet Materials and Styles

Cabinet Materials:

Solid Wood - this can be a more expensive material and may be more likely to warp than other materials. You may want to avoid using solid wood in areas that have high moisture such as bathrooms because moisture can warp the doors. 

Wood Veneer - A thin piece of wood is put over plywood or particleboard.  Veneer costs less than wood and the plywood or particleboard is less likely to warp.

Kitchen Cabinets

Particleboard and Plywood - these materials might form the inside of your cabinets.  Plywood holds up better than particle when exposed to moisture and humidity.  If possible, use a cabinet with a plywood end panel near the dishwasher.

Laminates - This material comes in many textures and colors.  It is usually found on flat cabinets.  Laminates are sensitive to heat.

Thermofoil - this material looks like painted wood.  Polyvinyl chloride sheets are bounded to fiberboard.  These types of cabinets are easy to clean and resist staining and scratches.  However, sometimes this material yellows over time.

Melamine - This material is sometimes inside cabinets.  This material can chip more easily and might develop bubbles if exposed to humidity.

Manufacturing Styles:

Stock cabinets - are factory made cabinets with standard sizes.  They usually cost less then custom cabinets.

Semi custom cabinets - are stock cabinets that can be modified more easily.  These cabinets offer more choices in door design, handles, and accessories.

Modular cabinets - these are stock cabinets that have finished side panels and give you more flexibility on direction you mount door's swiing.  These types of cabinets may be easier for a less experienced person to install.

Custom cabinets - Usually cost more but they give you the most flexibility with design and let you better utilize all available space.  You should consider working with a kitchen designer if you plan to have custom designed cabinets.

Knock-down Cabinets - These cabinets  are sent as boards that are not assembled.  These cabinets cost less because shipping costs are reduced and less labor in needed to make them.  However, labor will be needed onsite to assemble the cabinets.  You may also have to stain and finish the wood.

Combining custom and stock cabinets -  sometimes you may want to use custom cabinets if you have stock cabinets but have a unique need.  Some custom cabinetmakers will custom design a cabinet to match the design of your other stock cabinets.

Custom Cabinets Versus Standard Cabinets
Custom cabinets usually look more attractive because the cabinet size can be custom built to fit the size of your kitchen.  If you use standard cabinets, you may need to use spacers to fill in areas between cabinets.  Custom cabinets also give you more control over the color, finish, and style.  You might be surprised that custom cabinets are often very competitive in price with standard cabinet prices.

Framed Versus Frameless Cabinets
Having a frame mainly affects the look of the cabinet.  Traditional cabinets typically have frames.  Frames are the wooden strips of wood that surround the doors and drawers.  A door's hinges are attached to the frame. Cabinets without frames look more contemporary.  Sometimes frameless cabinets are known as the "European style".  Frameless cabinets are more difficult to install.  A frameless cabinet has hinges attached to the inside of the cabinet.