How to Choose the Perfect Kitchen Cupboards
Discover the different materials and finishes for your kitchen cabinetry and create both style and substance in your scheme
Sophie Baylis
15 November 2015
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of experience writing about interiors for leading magazines in the UK and overseas. Follow me at @InteriorsInOut on Facebook and Twitter.
Houzz UK Contributor: I'm a London-based freelance journalist with many years of... More
The kitchen cabinets you choose are very often dictated by budget, but it’s also important to consider their purpose and longevity. As part of our Kitchen Planning guide, here’s what the experts advise when choosing the best materials for your kitchen furniture and achieving a design you’ll love for years to come.
Professional advice from: Steve Tough of Masterclass Kitchens; Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchens; Bridget Donbavand of Kitchen & Bedroom Store; Conrad Henrick of LWK Kitchens
More in this series: Kitchen Storage; Kitchen Worktops; Kitchen Flooring; Kitchen Sinks
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
Professional advice from: Steve Tough of Masterclass Kitchens; Richard Davonport of Davonport Kitchens; Bridget Donbavand of Kitchen & Bedroom Store; Conrad Henrick of LWK Kitchens
More in this series: Kitchen Storage; Kitchen Worktops; Kitchen Flooring; Kitchen Sinks
Beginning your kitchen project? Read How to Start a Kitchen Renovation
What are the three main types of kitchen cabinets?
Flat-pack: Cabinets that come flat-packed and ready to assemble on site are generally cheaper and available from DIY stores such as Homebase, Ikea or B&Q.
In-house designers will help you draw up CAD (computer-aided design) plans, but you’ll need to take accurate measurements of your space to ensure what you buy will fit. It’s then a matter of employing a fitter to install the cabinets for you.
Flat-pack: Cabinets that come flat-packed and ready to assemble on site are generally cheaper and available from DIY stores such as Homebase, Ikea or B&Q.
In-house designers will help you draw up CAD (computer-aided design) plans, but you’ll need to take accurate measurements of your space to ensure what you buy will fit. It’s then a matter of employing a fitter to install the cabinets for you.
Ready-made: Ready-assembled cabinets are exactly what the name suggests. “The cabinets are built with the hinges fitted and the doors attached, which saves time if you have a joiner or kitchen fitter installing your kitchen, as more time on the job means more expense,” explains Bridget Donbavand of Kitchen & Bedroom Store.
The disadvantage to ordering assembled cabinets is that delivery costs might be more. “This is usually because a dedicated vehicle is sent to deliver a full kitchen, but this will usually outweigh the cost of extra fitting time of flat-pack units,” explains Bridget.
The disadvantage to ordering assembled cabinets is that delivery costs might be more. “This is usually because a dedicated vehicle is sent to deliver a full kitchen, but this will usually outweigh the cost of extra fitting time of flat-pack units,” explains Bridget.
Tailor-made: The advantage of opting for a bespoke kitchen rather than something ‘off the peg’ is that one size does not fit all when it comes to kitchen design. With a tailor-made kitchen, any awkward nooks and quirky features of the space can be used to their best effect, maximising the space available.
“This creates a truly seamless finish and ensures the space is used in the best way possible to suit your needs, in a way that’s not always possible when a kitchen is bought from standard ranges,” explains Richard Davonport, of Davonport Kitchens. “The other big advantage to be gained from a bespoke kitchen is that it will be unique, and individual touches and details can be added along the way.”
More: How Much Does a Bespoke Kitchen Cost?
“This creates a truly seamless finish and ensures the space is used in the best way possible to suit your needs, in a way that’s not always possible when a kitchen is bought from standard ranges,” explains Richard Davonport, of Davonport Kitchens. “The other big advantage to be gained from a bespoke kitchen is that it will be unique, and individual touches and details can be added along the way.”
More: How Much Does a Bespoke Kitchen Cost?
Who do I hire to measure my kitchen?
The quality of the fit is the most important element of any kitchen project. It’s crucial the fitter is confident in what they’re doing. “Always seek recommendations and always ask to see examples of their previous work,” advises Masterclass’s Steve Tough.
Richard adds, “Don’t just choose the first installer that comes along because they’re cheap, as you may end up having to hire a new installer or pay out more money for new kitchen units, simply because they’ve not been professionally fitted to a high standard.”
You can search for local kitchen designers on Houzz, see examples of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
The quality of the fit is the most important element of any kitchen project. It’s crucial the fitter is confident in what they’re doing. “Always seek recommendations and always ask to see examples of their previous work,” advises Masterclass’s Steve Tough.
Richard adds, “Don’t just choose the first installer that comes along because they’re cheap, as you may end up having to hire a new installer or pay out more money for new kitchen units, simply because they’ve not been professionally fitted to a high standard.”
You can search for local kitchen designers on Houzz, see examples of their work and read reviews from previous clients.
What do I need to know about kitchen cabinet carcasses?
The carcass is the foundation of any kitchen cabinet. It’s hidden behind doors and end panels and, although it’s unseen, the carcass is essential to the longevity and durability of the cabinet.
The thickness of a kitchen carcass is, generally, either 15mm, 16mm or 18mm. “While a 3mm difference between the highest and lowest specification is not a huge amount, an 18mm cabinet will ultimately be more robust than a 15mm one,” advises Richard.
Be aware that some companies will use 3mm board on the backs of their kitchen units, which doesn’t tend to last as long. “The majority of Richard cabinet interiors are made from high-quality MFC (melamine faced chipboard),” continues Richard. “This moisture-resistant material lends itself particularly well to kitchen cupboard interiors as it’s easy to clean and will not stain.”
The carcass is the foundation of any kitchen cabinet. It’s hidden behind doors and end panels and, although it’s unseen, the carcass is essential to the longevity and durability of the cabinet.
The thickness of a kitchen carcass is, generally, either 15mm, 16mm or 18mm. “While a 3mm difference between the highest and lowest specification is not a huge amount, an 18mm cabinet will ultimately be more robust than a 15mm one,” advises Richard.
Be aware that some companies will use 3mm board on the backs of their kitchen units, which doesn’t tend to last as long. “The majority of Richard cabinet interiors are made from high-quality MFC (melamine faced chipboard),” continues Richard. “This moisture-resistant material lends itself particularly well to kitchen cupboard interiors as it’s easy to clean and will not stain.”
What are the two main types of kitchen cabinet doors?
Kitchen cabinet doors are either in-frame or frameless. “An in-frame door refers to a traditional style of joinery in which the central door panel is inset, and surrounded by a frame around the outside of the door fascia,” explains Conrad Henrick of LWK Kitchens. “This door is hinged with a butt hinge, which is visible on the outside of a cabinet.”
For those who prefer a more contemporary look, choose frameless doors that eliminate the face frame, giving a sleeker aesthetic.
More: What Colour Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets?
Kitchen cabinet doors are either in-frame or frameless. “An in-frame door refers to a traditional style of joinery in which the central door panel is inset, and surrounded by a frame around the outside of the door fascia,” explains Conrad Henrick of LWK Kitchens. “This door is hinged with a butt hinge, which is visible on the outside of a cabinet.”
For those who prefer a more contemporary look, choose frameless doors that eliminate the face frame, giving a sleeker aesthetic.
More: What Colour Should I Paint My Kitchen Cabinets?
Should I choose a solid material for the doors and panels?
- Solid wood is generally used for more traditional in-frame kitchen cabinets. “The natural graining of wood adds character and warmth to the kitchen and is suited to both traditional and modern spaces,” says Steve. Generally available in a range of stains, lacquers and painted colours, solid wood choices range from cherry and oak to poplar and pine. Investigate the pros and cons of the different woods before making your final decision. Some are more durable than others.
- Solid acrylic doors, such as Parapan, are described as solid because they are composed entirely of 18mm-thick acrylic all the way through. “Because of this, they produce an even colour, with a smooth and highly reflective finish, comparable with the gloss lacquer kitchen,” says Conrad. “Solid acrylic kitchens are also very hard-wearing, stain-resistant and non-porous. They are easy to wipe clean, but a non-abrasive cleaning agent is essential as the acrylic surface can be susceptible to scratches. Should this occur, the good news is that acrylic is easily repairable and scratches can be buffed out.”
Or are composite materials better?
- Less expensive than solid wood, plywood is made from thin layers of timber placed one on top of the other and held together by an adhesive. Each layer of wood, or ply, is usually positioned with its grain running at right angles to the next layer, resulting in a strong material. You can find plywood in various wood species.
- Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) is generally cheaper than plywood and is made by bonding together waste wood fibres using resin, heat and pressure. The surface of MDF is super-smooth, so you don’t have to worry about knots in the surface. Consequently, it’s a great surface for painting, but always apply a primer first.
- Particleboard is made from wood particles mixed with resin and bonded by pressure. Developments in technology have improved resins, meaning that particleboard is now stronger than it has been previously. However, it’s the flimsiest of these materials.
Which finish should I go for?
Whether your budget stretches to solid wood or you opt for a less-expensive material, how it’s finished will have a bearing on longevity, durability and ease of maintenance. Here are some options…
Whether your budget stretches to solid wood or you opt for a less-expensive material, how it’s finished will have a bearing on longevity, durability and ease of maintenance. Here are some options…
Wrapped: Foil and vinyl wrapped doors are very similar and each start off as MDF door panels, which are then wrapped with what can only be described as an industrial-style clingfilm in the colour of the finished product. This film can be either gloss or matt, and made from either PVC vinyl or a special foil, which is wrapped onto the face of the door and glued into place.
“Previously, the glue that was used to stick the wrap onto the doors reacted with the MDF wood, which resulted in the omission of a bad odour,” explains Conrad. “‘For years the door companies blamed the MDF manufacturers for this, and the MDF manufacturers blamed the glue companies. For a long time there was no resolve and consequently most reputable kitchen companies changed door suppliers, or stopped supplying this finish completely, in favour of an acrylic finish, or equivalent.”
Indeed, German engineers developed a much more robust and cost-effective solution, which was lacquered kitchen doors (see below). These completely bypass the wrap doors in both cost and quality.
“However, vinyl wrap doors are still a huge industry,” Conrad continues, “as they are very inexpensive to make. You can replicate virtually any finish onto the door.” Do always check the quality before you buy, though: a typical tell-tale sign of a badly made vinyl wrap door is what’s known in the industry as an ‘orange peel’ effect, which is very small ripples or bumps on the surface of the door.
“Previously, the glue that was used to stick the wrap onto the doors reacted with the MDF wood, which resulted in the omission of a bad odour,” explains Conrad. “‘For years the door companies blamed the MDF manufacturers for this, and the MDF manufacturers blamed the glue companies. For a long time there was no resolve and consequently most reputable kitchen companies changed door suppliers, or stopped supplying this finish completely, in favour of an acrylic finish, or equivalent.”
Indeed, German engineers developed a much more robust and cost-effective solution, which was lacquered kitchen doors (see below). These completely bypass the wrap doors in both cost and quality.
“However, vinyl wrap doors are still a huge industry,” Conrad continues, “as they are very inexpensive to make. You can replicate virtually any finish onto the door.” Do always check the quality before you buy, though: a typical tell-tale sign of a badly made vinyl wrap door is what’s known in the industry as an ‘orange peel’ effect, which is very small ripples or bumps on the surface of the door.
Laminate: A laminate finish is a build-up of layers of Formica, which is a very dense polymer. “Laminate doors have come a long way from the older-style doors of the 1960s or 1970s,” explains Conrad. “These had a pearlescent finish that meant that they looked a little sparkly from a distance. Combined with a rough texture, the effect was such that the doors often looked low quality. Historically, the edges of these doors also had a tendency to peel off. Such qualities gave laminate doors a really bad reputation.
“This reputation still lingers today, yet from good-quality manufacturers, laminate doors are actually now some of the most durable yet affordable doors you can buy, and extremely resistant to marks and scratching.”
Look out for textured laminates, which start off life just the same as a normal laminate kitchen door, but are then pressed with a 200 pound dye, whereby the texture is embossed onto the laminate, creating an effect such as a wood grain or a tile print.
“This reputation still lingers today, yet from good-quality manufacturers, laminate doors are actually now some of the most durable yet affordable doors you can buy, and extremely resistant to marks and scratching.”
Look out for textured laminates, which start off life just the same as a normal laminate kitchen door, but are then pressed with a 200 pound dye, whereby the texture is embossed onto the laminate, creating an effect such as a wood grain or a tile print.
Veneer: A great way to get the look of an expensive timber without the associated cost, veneer can be applied to a chipboard or MDF base. “Wood veneers are basically thin sheets of real wood, pressed onto MDF board for extra stability, making it a hard-wearing choice,” explains Bridget. “It can then be stained and lacquered to various shades and tones.
“You can also have what’s called book-matched veneer, where the wood grain pattern is continuous across your units,” she continues. “Book-matched veneer can be costly, but it looks amazing and very high end.”
“You can also have what’s called book-matched veneer, where the wood grain pattern is continuous across your units,” she continues. “Book-matched veneer can be costly, but it looks amazing and very high end.”
Lacquered: Not just a finish applied to wood and wood veneer doors to create a durable protective coating, lacquer can also be used to finish MDF in pretty much any colour in either a matt or high-gloss finish.
The lacquering process can be quite time consuming because several layers are spray-painted onto a surface. The result is that lacquered doors are generally hard-wearing, although, as with anything, they need to be looked after well. “If they receive a ‘bang’, they can dent or chip, but so will a new car if you don’t look after it,” Bridget explains. There are specialist companies as well as DIY kits available in case a repair is needed.
Lacquers produced with fewer layers are available, but don’t be seduced by the cheaper price. The process to make them is quicker and the upshot is often a slightly dimpled surface. “Lacquered doors can be cleaned with warm soapy water. It’s not advisable to clean them with abrasive products,” adds Bridget.
The lacquering process can be quite time consuming because several layers are spray-painted onto a surface. The result is that lacquered doors are generally hard-wearing, although, as with anything, they need to be looked after well. “If they receive a ‘bang’, they can dent or chip, but so will a new car if you don’t look after it,” Bridget explains. There are specialist companies as well as DIY kits available in case a repair is needed.
Lacquers produced with fewer layers are available, but don’t be seduced by the cheaper price. The process to make them is quicker and the upshot is often a slightly dimpled surface. “Lacquered doors can be cleaned with warm soapy water. It’s not advisable to clean them with abrasive products,” adds Bridget.
Acrylic-faced and laser: A more affordable alternative to solid acrylic are acrylic-faced doors. “These are produced by bonding acrylic to an MDF board, which is then sealed at the edges,” explains Conrad. “The acrylic-faced door is a much less expensive option, but the quality is also lower, meaning they are more difficult to maintain. The doors can sometimes prove soft, making them prone to damage if not handled with due care.”
A laser door is a more durable alternative. This is a lacquer-laminate hybrid, meaning that the colour of the door is printed, on top of which a lacquer surface is applied.
A laser door is a more durable alternative. This is a lacquer-laminate hybrid, meaning that the colour of the door is printed, on top of which a lacquer surface is applied.
What do I need to know about kitchen cabinet door handles?
Handles complete the look of your units and can actually change the way the kitchen looks overall. “If you’ve chosen a Shaker-style kitchen and want a more traditional look, for example, then you probably need to go for cup handles on your drawer units and matching knobs on your cupboards. Whereas if you were to use bar handles, suddenly it’s a contemporary kitchen,” advises Bridget. “Think about the overall finish you want to achieve before you make your choice.”
Handles complete the look of your units and can actually change the way the kitchen looks overall. “If you’ve chosen a Shaker-style kitchen and want a more traditional look, for example, then you probably need to go for cup handles on your drawer units and matching knobs on your cupboards. Whereas if you were to use bar handles, suddenly it’s a contemporary kitchen,” advises Bridget. “Think about the overall finish you want to achieve before you make your choice.”
Sleek and smart handleless doors can also look good in a kitchen where you want a streamlined, contemporary look.
Tell us…
What have been your experiences of buying kitchen cabinets – good and bad? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Tell us…
What have been your experiences of buying kitchen cabinets – good and bad? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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