Cabinet Doors + Cabinetry Materials - Comparing The Options

By Zephyr and Stone

What's the best material for your new cabinets? How do you narrow down the options to choose the PERFECT cabinetry finish to suit your needs and lifestyle? #tooeasy - we've put together this comprehensive cabinetry material guide so you can compare the common options, and make the best choice to suit your home, lifestyle and storage needs.

Zephyr and Stone • Resort Laundry

Laminate

Laminates are one of the most cost-effective options when it comes to ordering new cabinets and is generally applied to MDF or similar substrates. Their surface is extremely durable, making them one of the most popular household cabinetry options, especially for family homes. Laminates are available in a huge range of colours to suit almost any style or design, and textured, timber-look finishes that are almost indistinguishable from the real thing. They’re a great choice for high-traffic areas as they're resistant to everyday scuffs and scratches, and are available in long sheets making them versatile for installation for a variety of applications. Laminates are perfectly suited for creating storage throughout a home - in kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, robes and everywhere in between, and can even be applied to a curved substrate to create curved cabinetry features!

Z+S Tip • Opting for textured timber laminates can provide the look of timber veneer without the price tag, but be wary of flat colour laminates in large applications, especially when choosing darker colours as some are prone to fingerprinting. Follow us on Instagram where we share TOP home design tips every day!

Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Study Nook

Melamine

Melamine is one of the most cost-effective material options for cabinetry. Its touch outer resin makes it resistant to chips, heat, moisture and stains when intact. And notice we say resistant, as if the outer decorative layer chips, the internal wood-particle board core is prone to splintering, and swells when exposed to water or moisture. It also splinters more easily when nailing or screwing pieces together compared to products like MDF, plus the outer resin can deteriorate if it’s exposed to chemicals or food acids. Melamine is resistant to colour fading and is a great option for cabinetry like robes, linen cupboards and storage where it’s not likely to come in contact with water #yesyesyes.

Thermolaminated + Vinyl

If you’re looking for a seamless cabinetry material with an almost endless amount of design choices, Thermo laminated or vinyl might be the perfect pick for your home. Thermolaminated or vinyl-wrapped doors, drawers and panels are made from MDF and finished in a durable, decorative vinyl outer surface. The result is a stylish panel that's seamless on the face with no visible edging. Vinyl-wrapped doors are available in a huge range of panelled profiles and finish like gloss, satin and matte. Be mindful though — this material should be used with caution in areas of high humidity or moisture as it can peel over time.

Zephyr and Stone • Contemporary Coastal Ensuite

Solid Timber

Few materials exude the warmth and character of solid timber, and its longevity only adds to its appeal. Solid timber generally sits on the upper end of cabinetry in cost compared to other material options and will require thorough sealing and ongoing maintenance to deter water and avoid fading and discolouring. It can also be prone to warping when exposed to extreme weather conditions and moisture.

Z+S Tip • To keep costs down, consider using solid timber for your high-impact areas like the benchtop and pair it with a timber laminate on lower-impact, vertical surfaces like cabinet fronts.

Zephyr and Stone • Coral House Powder Room

Timber Veneer

For the warm, versatile look of timber with often a slightly better price tag, timber veneer is a great option and is available in a huge range of tree species, and a variety of pattern cuts. The process of glueing timber veneer to a substrate provides strength and integrity to the finish, so warping and splitting are rarely an issue. Timber veneer comprises thin slices of timber (as thin as 1mm) glued onto a substrate of plywood, craft-wood or particle board. It results in beautiful cabinetry that's second to none but is less resistant to scratches and scuffs when compared to timber-look laminate.

Zephyr and Stone • Melbourne Luxe Kitchen

2 Pac

2 Pac is a hardened painted finish that combines acrylic paint melamine (the colour) and a hardener (resin). It can be applied to almost any existing material surface including flat finish, and panelled or profiled doors. It's the perfect solution if you're keeping existing cabinetry but looking to give it a refresh and colour facelift. 2 Pac can be applied in pretty much ANY paint colour, making it easy to colour match cabinetry to walls or other surfaces and colours in a home. It’s not as cost effective as laminates, but it provides a high-end seamless finish that's typically durable when applied by a quality tradesperson.

Zephyr and Stone • Scandi Kitchen

Still not sure which solution is best for your new cabinetry? You can download our digital, interior-designed Colour Schemes and Plans where all the finishes, colours and materials are listed and detailed for you - so you can easily replicate any aspect of the design in your own home.

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