Cabinet buying is not as easy
task with all the options available on the market. This
guide will help you through the process and get you
acquainted with the features you should consider when
selecting cabinets for your home.
In the first place, it's important to realize that there are
two basic cabinet types to choose between. Framed cabinets
are popular in country and traditional kitchens. In this
style, the edge of the cabinet frame around drawer fronts
and doors is left exposed.
The doors and drawers can fit flush inside the frame,
partially inset, or overlay the frame entirely.
This type of cabinetry is very stable because the solid wood
frames are rigid - even if the bottoms, sides, and backs are
made of thinner material, the overall structure is strong.
The downside is that frames allow for smaller openings, and
as a result, offer less storage space.
Frameless cabinets give rooms a modern look because the
drawer fronts and doors have no frames. People love this
type of cabinetry because it's clean and makes accessing
utensils and other supplies very easy. At the same time,
frameless cabinets are difficult to install because the
doors and drawers butt up against each other and require
door clearances.
Materials:
Solid wood: You can choose either real wood or wood veneer.
Real wood is usually present in the doors, drawer fronts,
and face frames on custom cabinets. Pre-fabricated
components are always constructed of wood veneer.
Manufactured wood: Plywood, medium-density fiberboard,
particleboard, and even hardboard (in drawer bottoms) are
examples of wood materials you can find in some cabinetry.
To make particleboard, wood particles are mixed with resin
and bonded under pressure. When shopping for cabinets, if
you are considering particleboard, look for grade and
thickness, as low grades (under 45 pound rating) don't hold
screws as well and have a tendency to warp.
Medium-density fiberboard is of a higher quality than
particleboard, made of finer fibers. As a result, the
surface is smoother and you can shape and paint the edges.
Plywood is constructed of thin layers of wood plies, put
together by laminating them with the grain running at right
angles in alternate plies for strength. Grade A plywood is ¼
inch to 1-1/8 inches thick.
Finishes
Cabinets can have wood and laminate finishes, or you can
paint or stain the surface. Foils and vinyl films are also
an option - this material is less expensive than laminate
but also less durable. |
