2 types of kitchen cabinets
There are countless cabinet designs. However, you can easily narrow down your options simply by considering the material used to make these kitchen accessories.
1. Wood cabinets
Wood cabinets have been around for a long time and are still very popular (a 2006 Profile America report indicates that wood accounted for 90% of all installed cabinets). In recent years, the introduction of overlapping slab panel doors has breathed new life into these fixtures. This design is the perfect complement to modern designs. When paired with handleless doors, you may well assume the entire facility is one wall.
Unless its surface is painted, the natural characteristics of the wood will determine its most suitable choice. You have a plethora of options, ranging from dark-hued cherries to light-colored maples. Here’s a sample of the benefits you get with every choice you make:
– Maple: This type varies from medium to hard wood, with straight, wavy and curly grains. Two key attractions of this variety are its inherent shock resistance, which makes it quite durable, as well as its light, uniform appearance, which gives it a smooth, clean appearance when stained. It also has a unique feature of taking on the likeness of more expensive hardwoods and softwoods such as cedar and cherry. This is achieved by special finishing techniques. With all these benefits in mind, it’s no surprise that it’s the most popular choice (in 2007, it accounted for 46.5% of US sales, according to the Profile America report).
– Oak: This is a great choice for cabinets. It dyes well and can be found in white and red color variations. However, you will have to deal with its great weight; although this is due to its high density and hardness, which makes it quite durable.
– Birch: This variety only presents slight color variations ranging from cream tones to light yellow. A big advantage of this variety of smooth hardwood is its high resistance to shock, which makes it a good choice for long-lasting cabinets.
2. Stainless steel cabinets
With the advent of modern and sleek kitchen design, kitchen cabinets have also gotten a new look to go with them. This is clearly represented by the stainless steel cabinets. Such a design perfectly complements built-in household appliances, such as refrigerators, washing machines, and ovens. When professionally installed, it creates a seamless fit that makes the entire installation look like a single unit.
Stainless steel cabinets have several other benefits besides just looking good. A key benefit is durability. The material is significantly stronger than wood; therefore, it can withstand much more powerful blows, while remaining intact. In fact, it’s tough enough to withstand the most frequent scratches and light bumps without significant visible damage.
Another benefit you have with metal cabinets is the fact that it does not require painting. Typically, painted surfaces inside the kitchen can peel off due to moisture buildup resulting from the processes of preparing, washing, and cooking food. Such exfoliation will definitely transform once beautiful surfaces into a drab and unattractive look. Fortunately, this is not the case with stainless steel surfaces.
Perhaps the only downside is the fact that you can’t change the look by remodeling. While remodeling is an expensive renovation, it helps breathe new life into a dated look within your kitchen. However, that is only possible with wooden surfaces, rather than stainless steel.
