Choosing the right cabinet material is really so important, it directly affects the durability, aesthetics and ease of cleaning and maintenance of the area.
Custom made cabinets is mainly composed of three customizable parts:
- Cabinet structure
- Door panel
- Countertop
They each have various materials options and each material has different characteristics and applicable style.In this post,we will explore each customizable part in detail so you can specify the best material for your custom cabinet.
1.Cabinet Structure
Regarding cabinet structure,we need to focus on moisture, load-bearing and durability.
There are 4 common materials for custom made cabinet structure.
| Base Material | Composition | Feature | Finish Option | Durability |
| Plywood | Made from thick layers of hardwood veneers and bonded with E0 grade glue | Moisture-proof. Stable & Durable. High withdrawral strength. | Melamine resin with wide range of colors/patterns. | ๐๐๐๐๐ |
| OSB๏ผOriented Strand Board๏ผ | Made from wood strands layered in perpendicular directions and bonded with E0 grade glue. | More Moisture-resistant & eco-friendly than plywood. Stable & Durable. | Melamine resin with wide range of colors/patterns. | ๐๐๐๐๐ |
| Particle Board | Made from very small wood chips glued together. | Least stable & durable. Least expensive. | Melamine resin with wide range of colors/patterns. | ๐๐ |
| Solid Wood | Natural wood | Less stable. Expensive and may warp over time in humid conditions. | Paint or Stain | ๐๐๐๐ |
Price range reference๏ผSolid Wood ๏ผ Plywood ๏ผ OSB ๏ผParticle Board
As we can see from above table that solid wood is expensive but less stable while particle board is least stable among them.
In terms of material performance,durability and cost-efficiency,recommended material for cabinet structure is Plywood and OSB.They could come with same melamine resin finish which has wide range of colors & patterns and can match various cabinet style.
Please contact us for detailed color chart or Free sample.
2.Door Panel
Door panels determine how visually appealing the cabinets are and how difficult they are to clean.Figure out the cabinet style you want (modern minimalist, European, American, Chinese, etc.) and different materials are suitable for different styles.
There are 4 popular materials for custom made cabinet door panel.
1.Melamine Board
- Composition: Basic material is particle board or plywood.Its surface comes with melamine resin finish with various colors and textures.
- Advantages: rich color, high simulation (wood grain, stone grain, etc.), wear-resistant, scratch-resistant, corrosion-resistant, easy to clean, cost-effective , eco-friendly, not easy to deform.
- Disadvantages: Limited shape-surface can only be flat, can not do concave-convex shape.
- Style: modern, minimalist etc.
2.Lacquer Board
- Composition:MDF(middle density fiber board) or HDF (high density fiber board) .
- Advantages: Rich color.Glossy & matte finish available.smooth surface,easy to clean.Gloss finish is bright as a mirror, super modern, high-end. water-proof and moisture-proof.
- Disadvantages: Easily scratched,difficult repair,higher prices than melamine board.
- Style: modern, minimalist, etc.
3.PVC Board
- Composition:mostly MDF. Surface covered with a layer of PVC membrane which is molded under high temperature and high pressure by vacuum blister machine at one time, and it can make a variety of concave and convex shapes.
- Advantages:diverse door panel style(antique, European, American door type).Various shape & color/pattern selection.More cost-effective compared with solid wood.
- Disadvantages: Not heat-resistant.Surface membrane will fade color or peeling over time.
- Style: European, American, Transitional etc.
4.Solid wood door panel
- Composition:Natural solid wood(Oak/Walnut/Cherry/Birch/Teak etc.)
- Advantages:highly-customizable,natural grain,eco-friendly, classic and timeless,high-end.Wood grain could be shown or painted by solid colors.
- Disadvantages:It has certain color difference and may warp or bend over time in humid conditions.
- Style:Classical, Transitional,European, American, Modern etc.
3.Countertop
The selection of countertop is a crucial aspect in home decoration. The right choice will not only improve the aesthetics of your kitchen, but also ensure durability and functionality. Next, we’ll explore 6 common kitchen and bath countertop materials to help you make wise choice.
- Quartz Stone:high hardness, scratch-resistant, anti-bleed,rich color options (it has pure colors with quartz particles and vivid marble grain).Durable and cost-effective.
- Natural Marble:various natural texture but low hardness, easy to scratch. need regular sealed maintenance.very poor acid resistance (vinegar, lemon juice, etc. will corrode the surface).Expensive.
- Natural Granite:High hardness, wear-resistant, heat- resistant, unique and natural texture. It need regular sealing and maintenance to prevent stain & oil-bleed.Joints are obvious. color choices are not as rich as marble & quartz.
- Sintered Stone:high-end, superior anti-heat/stain/wear performance, customized thickness ranged from 5mm to 12mm.Very artistic.
- Artificial Stone:seamless joints, but poor heat resistance, gradually replaced by quartz stone.
- Stainless Steel:seamless & anti-bacterial, easy to clean.Eco-friendly.high temperature resistance up to 800ยฐC.It need regular polish and suitable for commercial or industrial style.
Additional Resources:
Now that you know the detailed material options for custom made cabinet, you’ll be better prepared to choose the perfect one for your taste, budget, and preferences!
If you’d like to check detailed color chart or need help with design and budgeting,please sent us INQUIRY and we’ll get back to you in 24hrs.Thanks.