A Guide to Kitchen Cabinet Materials: Pros and Cons

ACo’s guide to kitchen cabinet materials — pros and cons — outlines the basic types of cabinets and gives you info to make the right choice for your home.

There are 5 main types of kitchen cabinet materials:  wood, laminate, thermofoil, metal, and eco-friendly.

There’s two things I’ve learned in my travels when it comes to kitchen cabinets. First, fresh, new cabinets can single-handedly transform the look and feel of a kitchen. And secondly, the sheer amount of kitchen cabinet choices can be overwhelming, to say the least.

A bad set of cabinets can suck the life right out of your kitchen, while great kitchen cabinets add to the feng shui. So, to aid you in your own personal kitchen cabinet quest, here is a guide on the basic kitchen cabinet types and the pros and cons of each of the types of kitchen cabinets materials.

5 Types of Kitchen Cabinet Materials — Pros and Cons

There are five main types of kitchen cabinets. I think the key to your ideal cabinet type comes down to three things:  (1) The look you’re going for; (2) The use the cabinets will get; and (3) The size of your budget.

Establishing these things upfront with make finding your dream cabinets much easier. Now, on to the different types of cabinets.

1. Wood Cabinets

Wood cabinets come in variety of styles such as natural, stained, or painted finishes.

• Pros: Knicks and scratches are easily repairable. Wood cabinets can be painted or re-stained to recreate a new look.
• Cons: Humidity can cause wood to warp over time.

2. Eco-Friendly Cabinets

Eco-friendly cabinets are made from reclaimed, renewable, or recycled materials.

• Pros: You’re helping save the environment and reducing your carbon footprint!
• Cons: Expensive.

3. Laminate Cabinets

Laminate is a synthetic material that is made of compressed wood. Here are the pros and cons of laminate cabinets:

• Pros: Aesthetic possibilities and durable—laminate protects against scratches, stains, etc.
• Cons: Laminate isn’t invincible, so any damage done is likely irreversible. Price can vary depending on variety.

Source: Durasupreme.com

4. Thermofoil Cabinets

Thermofoil cabinets are made of vacuum-pressed vinyl.

• Pros: Inexpensive with numerous design styles.
• Cons: Susceptible to heat—may need heat shields if cabinets are near an oven. Unrepairable if the vinyl layer is damaged.

5. Metal Cabinets

Often stainless steel, metal cabinets are available in a variety of shiny and brushed metals.

• Pros: Unaffected by heat or humidity. Durable and stain-resistant.
• Cons: Costly and scratch and dent prone—and tend to show fingerprints prominently.

Source: BHG.com

If you’re looking to upgrade, refresh, or simply have questions about your kitchen cabinets, the experts at ACo can help. For more insights on kitchen cabinet materials pros and cons, as well as your kitchen cabinet choices, check out our complete rundown of everything you need to know about cabinets and for your home.

by Joe Golc