Kitchen Cabinet Types

Cabinets

Base Cabinet

The base cabinet is designed to sit under the countertop of a kitchen with a common depth of 24″ and height of 34″.

Wall Cabinet

The top cabinet is suspended above the kitchen countertop with a standard depth of 12″ and heights of 30″,36″, and 42″.

Tall Cabinet

Tall cabinets stand separately with 12″ deep and height up to 96″.

Types of Materials Used for Cabinets and Shutters

Natural Wood

Pros

• Beauty in appearance
• Works well with all design styles
• Provides warmth
• Recyclable
• Very durable

Cons

• Warp easily it not treated properly
• Attack of termites and insects
• Doesn’t handle moisture well

Plywood

Pros

• Less prone to damage by moisture
• Doesn’t shrink, crack or warp
• Highly durable
• Affordable
• Stronger than all engineered wood

Cons

• Various designs are difficult since the material is very dense
• Expensive than HDF or MDF

MDF

Pros

• Budget-friendly and sustainable
• Smooth surface
• Doesn’t warp easily
• Less likely than wood to get infected with insects
• Easily cut for various designs

Cons

• Easy to scratch and cannot be repaired
• Absorb water it not treated properly
• Not as strong as solid wood or plywood
• Don’t hold screws well as they are made of small grains and particles

HDF

Pros

• Higher grade of MDF, harder and denser
• Easily cut for various designs
• Sustainable

Cons

• Not as strong as solid wood or plywood
• Absorb water it not treated properly

Particle Board

PROS

• Very economical
• Lightweight

CONS

• Not good at resisting to moisture
• Less structural strength

Stainless Steel

Pros

• Easy to maintain and clean
• Extremely durable and strong
• Resistant to rust and stains
• Resistant to heat and humidity

Cons

• Can be heavy
• Limited varieties in color and detail
• Tend to get dented or scratched
• Expensive

Types of Finishes Used for Cabinets and Shutters

High-Pressure Laminate

Constructed by bonding layers of paper under high-pressure

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Resistant to damage and infestation
• Works well with all design styles
• Vary from matt to emboss to gloss
• Extremely durable

Cons

• To be installed by experts
• Non-renewable resource
• Edging can chip

2. Low-Pressure Laminate: Melamine

Constructed by bonding layers of paper under low-pressure

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Resistant to damage and infestation
• Works well with all design styles
• Vary from matt to emboss to gloss
• Extremely durable

Cons

• To be installed by experts
• Non-renewable resource
• Edging can chip

Veneer Finish

Pros

• Sustainable material
• Economical and offers a natural wood look
• Matt to glossy finish

Cons

• Sensitive to sunlight
• Get scratched easily
• Requires regular maintenance

PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride Sheets

Pros

• Extremely strong
• Waterproof and oil-proof
• Economical and easy to install
• Termite free

Cons

• Non-fire resistant
• Cabinets fade over time

Acrylic Finish

PROS

• Shiny and modern look
• Scratch and moisture-resistant
• Retains brightness for a considerable no of years
• Easy to maintain

Cons

• Stains and fingerprints are easily visible
• More expensive
• Replacing a similar shade might be difficult

PU(Polyutherane)

Pros

• High shine nature
• Hard and durable
• Scratchproof and weather-resistance
• Perfect for handleless kitchens

Cons

• Expensive application
• Quality can vary