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Which Kitchen Cabinets are Best?
Author Chigwell Building & Joinery
Date 01/04/2022
Whilst you design a kitchen, you will need to make an important decision - which type of kitchen cabinets should you choose?
You want a material that can offer you quality and durability, but also be within your budget.
The following guide should offer you some insight about different types of kitchen cabinets you could consider, along with their respective pros and cons.
Table of Contents
- Kitchen Cabinet Materials
- Kitchen Cabinet Construction
- Standard Unit vs Bespoke Cabinets
- Kitchen Cabinet Style
- Fixtures & Fittings
- Conclusion
Kitchen Cabinet Materials
When it comes to kitchen cabinet materials, there is a wide range of options.
You will need to take into account the density of the material in particular, as this will have a considerable impact on their lifetime.
Melamine Faced Chipboard (MFC)
MFC is the most basic material you can opt for.
It is one of the most affordable options, and yet it is relatively strong.
The chipboard core is composed of scrap wood, sawdust and paper.
It is then faced in a melamine laminate.
The surface is moisture resistant.
However, it is important to avoid moisture getting in because even if the carcass is generally well sealed to prevent the possibility of expansion, it is still best to be careful.
Medium Density Fibreboard (MDF)
MDF is a popular option.
It is considered to be somewhat better than chipboard, and it is generally slightly more expensive than MFC too.
The main reason for this is that MDF is denser and more durable.
It also has a smoother and more moisture-resistant edge.
MDF is made from felted wood fibres.
These are bonded together by means of extremely high pressure.
MDF is free of saps and knots, and one can find various finishes to choose from.
Veneered MDF
Another variety of MDF is Veneered MDF.
This consists of MDF boards which have been improved with a thin veneer of timber applied on either one or both sides.
This reduces the chances of warping and gives a nice look to the cabinets which will look as if they are made from a single piece of wood.
Plywood
Plywood is made from layers of hardwood which run both lengthwise as well as crosswise, thus making it stronger.
It is a stable and solid material which is often used by bespoke cabinet makers.
Plywood is very resistant to damage such as dents, dings and blow-outs.
One can also find MR ply, which is moisture resistant.
This is important especially for a kitchen, particularly in close proximity to the sink and taps.
Plywood is generally faced with birch or oak. It can also be laminated or painted.
In many cases the cabinet boxes are built either of plywood.
For robustness purposes, cabinets that have full plywood sides and backs are the best.
This is because they will be better able to resist any damage caused by moisture as well as better handle the weight of the countertops.
Solid Wood
Kitchen cabinets can also be made from solid wood.
However, it is worth noting that this is not such a popular option for the carcasses as they could warp over time.
Other than that solid wood such as solid oak and beech are considered to be popular options as they are durable and of superior quality.
Kitchen Cabinet Construction
The type of cabinet construction you are going to opt for is another key decision.
Flat Pack
Flat pack kitchen carcasses are inevitably cheaper and easier to transport and store.
As a result, they will cost much less than solid carcasses.
These are generally made on a CNC machine, and consequently all holes and screws will line up.
Hence they are very easy to assemble.
Flat pack carcasses may be cheaper.
However, it is important to note that the cost of assembly will need to be factored in, unless you are willing to see to it yourself.
Speaking of installation, there is a higher risk that this could be done incorrectly.
As a result, the joints will be less solid.
In some flat packed kitchens, the joints are wooden dowels that are glued into holes, or secured in the holes by means of two or three screws.
In both cases, one cannot really say that they are that strong.
However, if the wooden dowels are secured in holes by means of two sets of metal studs and cams, they will be considerably strong as the dowel will be well secured in place.
There is also the problem that if there are any missing parts there will be problems as well as delays.
Solid
Solid or rigid carcasses are structurally better.
They will also be fitted quite easily.
Generally if one is looking for less downtime between removing an old kitchen and having a new kitchen fitted, rigid carcasses are preferred.
There is also much less risk that there will be missing parts or components, and so delays can be avoided.
Standard Unit vs Bespoke Cabinets
Image source: Pexels
Many kitchen companies nowadays offer a kitchen with standard units, available in diverse sizes.
Carcasses are generally made in standard European sizes which are labelled by width, such as 300mm, 500mm, etc.
The main advantage of standard units is that they will generally conform with appliance sizes, making it easy to fit them in the cabinets.
Alternatively, you may wish to opt for a kitchen manufacturer who will be able to design and make bespoke cabinets.
In this case the carpenters and joiners will be able to fit the cabinets according to the requirements of your room.
Needless to say, if you opt for bespoke cabinets you will need to be willing to pay a bit more.
However there is the advantage that you have more freedom of choice and greater flexibility.
Kitchen Cabinet Style
There are various styles you may wish to consider for your kitchen cabinets.
Shaker
This is probably the most timeless option.
The cabinet doors will be solid and painted, featuring a frame and veneered centre panel.
There are inevitably several different colours that you can choose from, depending on your particular preferences.
Be it a fresh white, cream or soft pastel colours, or relatively cooler tones such as blue or green, the sky is your limit with shaker kitchen cabinets.
Slab
Slab kitchen cabinets consist of a smooth canvas which is then customised according to one’s preferences and budget.
A matt finish over gloss is a popular option as it calls for little maintenance.
Slab door designs which are handleless are becoming quite popular.
They are easier to keep clean and look smooth and sleek, which is a style many prefer.
High Gloss
High gloss finishes are considered to be favourites too.
With flowing lines, and free from any fussy features or finishes, high gloss cabinets stand out with their colours and finishes.
Fixtures & Fittings
Image source: Dowsing & Reynolds
Sometimes the importance of planning for the fixtures and fittings goes underestimated.
The plinths or kick-boards for instance, are important as these will ensure that the unit legs are covered.
These will run all along the floor beneath the kitchen units.
Higher up, you will need to think of the cornices.
These will make the upper frame look neater as they will hide the cabinet tops.
The drawers and runners are very important.
You should consider how these will be located, so as to have a neater layout.
It will also ensure that any items stored within do not end up going all the way to the back and be hard to locate.
It is recommended that you always check the load capacity of the runners as this will affect the size of the drawers.
Inner storage solutions are another important consideration.
Nowadays there are a variety of options, some of which are functional as well as decorative.
Some ideas include corner storage carousels, pull-out swing ladders and wicker drawer baskets.
It is also a good idea to consider soft close cabinet hinges to safeguard the doors and drawers from getting damaged in case they are slammed shut a bit too forcefully.
Such hinges and runners are not expensive and so they are worth considering.
Last but not least you will need to choose the handles or knobs.
You may also wish to consider bars.
Otherwise there is also the option to go completely free of any handles too of course!
Conclusion
While traditionally solid wood used to be considered as one of the best materials for cabinetry, nowadays there are other options.
Engineered wood products are considerably reliable as well as more affordable.
There are also numerous fixtures and fittings to choose from, and needless to say, countless styles too.
While the aesthetic features of cabinet doors are important, it's highly recommended that you pay close attention to the properties of the materials used as well as the interior construction of the cabinetry.
Indeed, while the doors are the most visible and character-defining parts of the kitchen, the structural body of the cabinets is of great importance too.
