There exist countless designs of cabinets. However, you can easily narrow down your choices by simply considering the material used in making these kitchen fixtures.
1. Wood Cabinets
Wood cabinets have been around for a very long time and they still remain quite popular (a 2006 report by Profile America indicates that wood accounted for 90% of all the installed cabinets). In recent years, the introduction of full overlay slab panel doors has breathed a new lease of life into these fixtures. This design is the perfect complement to modern layouts. When combined with handle-less doors, you might very well assume that the entire installation is a wall.
Unless its surface is painted over, the natural characteristics of the wood will determine your most appropriate choice. You have a whole host of options, ranging from the dark hued cherries to the light colored maples. Here’s a sample of the benefits you get with each choice you make:
– Maple: This type ranges from medium to hard wood, possessing straight wavy and curly grains. Two key attractions of this variety is its inherent shock resistance, which makes it quite durable, as well as its light uniform appearance, which gives a smooth clean appearance when stained. It also has a unique characteristic of acquiring the resemblance of more expensive softwoods and hardwoods, such as cedar and cherry. This is achieved through special finishing techniques. Considering all these benefits, it’s no surprise that it is the most popular choice (in 2007, it accounted for 46.5% of U.S. sales, based on the report by Profile America).
– Oak: This is a great choice for cabinetry. It stains well and can be found in white and red color variations. However, you’ll have to deal with its heavy weight; although this is due to its high density and hardness, which makes it quite durable.
– Birch: This variety only has light color variations which range from cream shades to light yellow. A major advantage of this smooth hardwood variety is its high shock resistance, making it a good choice for long lasting cabinets.
2. Stainless Steel Cabinets
With the advent of the modern sleek kitchen layout, kitchen cabinets too have acquired a new look to go with it. This is clearly embodied by stainless steel cabinets. Such a design perfectly complements in-built appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and ovens. When professionally installed, it creates a seamless fit that makes the entire installation look just like one unit.
Stainless steel cabinets possess several other benefits beyond just looking good. A key benefit is durability. The material is significantly stronger than wood; hence it can endure much more powerful blows, while remaining intact. In fact it’s resilient enough to withstand the more frequent scratches and light knocks without significant visible harm.
Another benefit you have with metallic cabinetry is the fact that it doesn’t require painting. Usually, painted surfaces within the kitchen can peel off due to an accumulation of moisture resulting from food preparation, washing and cooking processes. Such peeling will definitely transform the once-beautiful surfaces into a drab and unappealing look. Fortunately, this doesn’t occur with stainless steel surfaces.
Maybe the only drawback is the fact that you cannot change the look by refacing. Although refacing is a costly renovation, it helps to breathe new life into an outdated look within your kitchen. However, that is only possible with wooden, rather than stainless steel surfaces.
