Durable: Not only do thermofoil kitchen cabinets look great, but they are also durable. The material used to create laminate cabinets can resist gradual erosion caused by mechanical, physical, and chemical actions.
Durability-wise, thermofoil stands up to daily use and general wear and tear better than a painted cabinet. The finish holds up strongly against regular household damage such as water spills or light hand scratches due to its plastic coating.
Thermofoil vs.
Melamine and Laminate cabinets are often confused with Thermofoil, but they are not the same material. Melamine and Laminate are made of melamine plastic, Thermafoil is vinyl.
Thermofoil cabinets are a superb option, and they can be used in any room of your home. Because thermofoil is a cost-effective cabinet material, your kitchen can be revamped more easily by simply choosing a new color, finish, or style of door to be swapped out with the old.
Thermofoil does have some drawbacks. Firstly, thermofoil doors and drawers are not entirely waterproof. If the laminate coating is damaged, and water seeps into the core, the cabinet can be irrevocably damaged.
Lifespan: Thermofoil kitchen cabinets remain in pristine condition for around ten years if it is properly maintained. For the average cabinet, this lifespan is relatively short, but if you're looking for something trendy that you're willing to replace or upgrade in a few years, then Thermofoil is the perfect option.
“You can paint over thermofoil, provided it isn't peeling. First, ask your local paint store for the correct primer, then apply the finish paint you wish to use. Most of the time, semi-gloss sheen is used on [thermofoil] cabinets.”
Laminate cabinets are more affordable than traditional wood cabinetry, and they are very easy to maintain. They are also less vulnerable to heavy wear and tear, making them an ideal option for young families.
Pros of Thermofoil
Compared to the normal painted surfaces, it is more chip resistant and compared to bare wood and MDF, it is more water resistant. Thermofoil is less expensive than solid wood, which is one of the reasons why it's very popular.
Thermofoil fronts are a lot more stable to MDF being used as the core; however, because of the nature of how they are made, they can be susceptible to heat. Extended exposure to a heat source will result in the plastic material peeling away from the core and discoloring.
Absolutely. While it may be unfortunate that your thermofoil cabinet doors are peeling, in most scenarios the cabinet boxes are untouched and last much longer. Our Re-Door service provides customers the opportunity to replace their thermofoil cabinet doors with wood doors.
Thermofoil cabinets are made by heat-shrinking a vinyl coating onto the surface of compressed, medium-density fiberboard. Because the manufacturers are not footing the bill to mill real, solid wood, they can offer customers an inexpensive option for new or replacement cabinetry.
Thermofoil is a vinyl laminate that is heated and pressurized onto an MDF core. This process leaves a completely smooth surface that does not show any seams. The lack of seams around the door's joints can be a clear indication that your cabinet doors are a laminate material.
Care and Cleaning for Thermofoil (Matte and Wood Grain)
To clean stains, always use a damp cloth or nonabrasive sponge and wipe with a 50/50 mix of water and Simple Green®, scrubbing lightly for 10 to 20 strokes. This should remove most stains.
Hardwood. Arguably the most durable material for kitchen cabinets, hardwood is solid wood. Some hardwood types, such as hickory or maple, will resist scratching and denting more than softwood species like walnut and mahogany. However, the former will cost more due to durability and overall quality.
Generally speaking, wooden cabinets are just much stronger than laminate cabinets because they're made from stronger types of woods. A top-quality wooden cabinet could last for decades if you take care of it properly and protect the wood from moisture with the appropriate topcoats and polyurethane layers.
Yes, laminate cabinets can be refaced as long as the cabinet boxes are in good shape. But if the cabinet boxes are weak or damaged, you may need to replace your cabinets altogether.
With just a few simple tools and materials, you can repair thermofoil cabinets. As long as the MDF core is in good condition, you have an adequate surface to stick the thermofoil.
Heat shields, which are essentially metal strips, between the cabinets and the heat source, can be installed to help protect the cabinets against the heat. Appliances – when using appliances that give off heat, like toaster ovens, crock pots and deep fryers, do not place then under your thermofoil kitchen cabinets.
Give your kitchen a facelift with paint. Thermofoil cabinets are made from a laminate substance that is fused over the top of particle board. Thermofoil is made to be easy to clean, resistant to stains and difficult to damage.
KraftMaid manufactures white thermofoil finish cabinet doors with a flawless, silky-smooth surface. The white finish brings a classy vibe to your kitchen, while thermofoil construction with heat shield technology provides easy cleaning and durability.
Peeling and chipping: Because thermofoil is a thin layer of vinyl, many homeowners report problems with delamination and peeling at the edges of doors and drawer fronts. A sharp blow to thermofoil can chip it.
Vinyl Faced MDF (Foil Wrapped)
A thin layer of plastic (vinyl) or paper mixed with resin (foil) is wrapped and bonded to a MDF (medium density fibreboard) substrate. Vinyl and foil is one of the more widely used materials in the manufacture of kitchen doors.