Everything you should be aware of about cabinets

Choosing the right style, size, and color for your cabinets is important because they are an instant focal point in any room. Our guide covers everything you need to know as you shop for brand-new cabinets for your home.

Construction and Materials

There are four main materials you can use for cabinets: particle board, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), high-density fiberboard (HDF), and plywood. All of these materials are types of engineered wood, but they have different levels of density and stability. 

• Particle Board: The least expensive option, made of small wood particles held together with resin. It is primarily used for cabinet boxes but can warp or break under heavy weights.
• Plywood: The strongest of the four, this method uses thinly sliced layers of wood bonded together with resin and high pressure. It’s perfect to use in cabinet boxes and frames.
• MDF: Medium-density fiberboard, is made from wood fibers rather than particles. It uses resins and high pressure to bond everything together, making it ideal for shelves and doors as it isn’t as susceptible to warping as wood is.
• HDF: HDF is a type of wood that is stronger and denser than MDF. It works well for shelves or doors because it is warping-resistant.
• Solid Wood: The wood grain on wood cabinets offers a natural look to any room. Even though it is a long-lasting material, it is also susceptible to expanding and contracting over time.

Framed: These cabinets have a frame installed in front of the cabinet box. The drawers and doors are connected to this frame instead of the cabinet box itself. This frame serves both as extra support and style, making the cabinet more durable while providing a classic look when you open it. 

The main drawback of framed cabinets is access. Since the frame sticks out 1” to 2” further than the thickness of the cabinet box, it can make it difficult to reach things like pots, pans, or spices that are stored inside.

Frameless: A frameless cabinet’s doors attach right to the cabinet box, so there is no front frame necessary. Usually, a frameless cabinet is simpler to use and access. On the other hand, it makes the cabinet box weaker, especially if cheaper materials are used. This is why a frameless cabinet needs to be thicker than those with frames would be.

Types of cabinets

• Stock Cabinets: Stock cabinets are less expensive but offer limited options in terms of style and size. Although they used to have limited options, stock cabinets no longer give that “bare bones” feeling. With more styles available, homeowners can still achieve the kitchen design of their dreams without spending as much money on custom cabinets. One downside, however, is that since stock cabinets are less expensive and often readily available for consumers to take home immediately, the dimensions might not always be an exact fit for each kitchen. This then creates difficulty for some people when trying to maintain consistency throughout their kitchens in terms of style or uniformity.

• Semi-custom cabinets: Semi-custom cabinets don’t offer as many options as custom cabinetry but are more affordable and still provide durability and beauty. If you’re looking to purchase semi-custom cabinets, know that they come in various wood, finishes, and dimensions. There are many semi-custom cabinets on the market, but they can be limited in style. Consumers can choose to add more features, but this often comes at a significant price increase. Homeowners must decide how much they are willing to spend on semi-custom cabinets as opposed to ordering custom cabinets.

• Custom Cabinets: Custom cabinets are designed and built to fit a specific room. They may be mounted on the ceiling or floor and can be made by a professional carpenter or cabinetmaker. Custom cabinets are created to perfectly fit your home, and they’re built to order so that you can get the specific design that you want. With premade modular units, you’re usually stuck with what you can find in stores. But custom cabinets offer a wide range of options for any type of space. Custom cabinets are a versatile option for any room, and especially handy if you have appliances that aren’t a standard size. They can be made from different kinds of wood, with doors in wood, tin, or glass.

Ready to pick your brand-new cabinets?

Now that you´ve learned all about cabinet types, construction, and materials – Here at Sunshine Cabinets & Woodworks we are ready to help you navigate all the cabinetry options available on the market and help you make the best decision for your expectations, needs and budget! Give us a call and let´s start discussing your brand-new cabinets today!

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