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
Top cabinet is suspended above the kitchen countertop with a standard depth of 12″ and heights of 30″,36″,42″.
Tall Cabinet
Tall cabinets stand separately with 12″ deep and height up to 96″.
Types of Materials Used for Cabinets and Shutters
1.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
2.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
3.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
4.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
5.Particle Board
PROS
- Very economical
- Lightweight
CONS
- Not good at resisting to moisture
- Less structural strength
6.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 colour and detail
- Tend to get dented or scratched
- Expensive
Types of Finishes Used for Cabinets and Shutters
1.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
3.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
4.PVC or Polyvinyl Chloride Sheets
PROS
- Extremely strong
- Waterproof and oil-proof
- Economical and easy to install
- Termite free
CONS
- Non-fire resistant
- Cabinets become faded over time
5.Acrylic Finish
PROS
- Shiny and modern look
- Scratch and moisture resistant
- Retains brightness for considerable no of years
- Easy to maintain
CONS
- Stains and fingerprints are easily visible
- More expensive
- Replacing similar shade might be difficult
6.PU(Polyutherane)
PROS
- High shine nature
- Hard and durable
- Scratch proof and weather resistance
- Perfect for handleless kitchens
CONS
- Expensive application
- Quality can vary
