The least expensive material you can use to make kitchen cabinets is particleboard. This material is made from compressed wood chips, though it doesn't have the same strength and density as MDF or HDF.
Made of pressed wood, MD, or plywood topped by a layer of paper coloured with a heat-fused melamine resin, melamine is the least expensive cabinet material. Variety. The assortment of colours and patterns is enormous, including a rather convincing faux wood grain and textured melamine option.
Because it grows natively across the United States, pine is more affordable than many other natural woods. In general, pine wood cabinets will be significantly less expensive than the tier of oak, maple, and birch.
Thermofoil cabinets are some of the most affordable cabinets on the market.
Cost-Effective: MDF is much more budget-friendly than solid wood options, but you don't have to worry about sacrificing any strength or durability. With the proper maintenance, MDF cabinets can last longer than people imagine. No Warps & Cracks: MDF expands and contracts with fluctuating temperature and humidity.
Cabinets made of MDF, particle board, or other mixed synthetic materials are going to be much less expensive than lacquered cabinets or those made of solid wood or glass.
On the downside, MDF Board gets easily scratched and cannot be repaired after this. This is unlike wood that can be sanded down to eliminate any damage on the surface. Additionally, MDF Board does not do very well when exposed to extreme heat as the core materials can get damaged.
They're made of engineered wood.
Solid wood cabinets, esteemed for their strength and good looks, can quickly run up a five-figure price tag. Ikea cabinet units, on the other hand, are made from a cheaper melamine-clad, medium-density fiberboard (or MDF), a type of engineered wood.
What is laminate, you ask? It can basically be any type of furniture, cabinets, or wood-like product that is made by attaching a thin layer of printed plastic (sometimes called Melamine or Thermofoil) to a substrate of plywood or particle board.
It is vital to ensure you keep your MDF cabinets dry. If exposed to a pronounced amount of liquid or moisture, they could become soggy and begin to disintegrate. At Deslaurier, our MDF comes with a 20 year warranty. But, if cabinets are properly maintained there is no reason they shouldn't last over 25 years.
Solid Wood Cabinets
Solid natural wood cabinets are the gold standard when it comes to strength and longevity.
Pine, maple, poplar, and alter are usually the cheapest hardwoods at most lumberyards, but don't forget to check for specials on other types of wood that may be available.
The most common laminate cabinets are made from pressed hard plastic, but you can also install wood laminates, which use thin sheets of wood to give the look of high quality wooden cabinets.
Fiberboard and melamine foil are the main components of IKEA cabinet boxes. IKEA cabinet doors and drawer fronts are made of fiberboard, covered in melamine foil, paint, wood, or glass. Are IKEA cabinets good? With some basic maintenance, IKEA cabinets can be quite durable.
Cheaper cabinets will often use thin panels which then require metal hanging rails with brackets, rails, and a picture frame construction. Sometimes they leave the panel out completely, so the wall shows through.
For most homeowners, if you arent' choosing solid wood, you are likely exploring engineered building materials. This would include materials like MDF, veneers, and laminates to name a few.
In conclusion, if you are unsure if you have laminate cabinets, there are a few ways to check. One is to look for a paper or plastic film on the front of the cabinet. Another is to check if the cabinet is lightweight and has a smooth, shiny surface.
How Do I Know if I Have a Melamine or Laminate Kitchen? Unlike vinyl, melamine and laminate do not peel or bubble. If you check the corners and edges of your cabinet you should be able to tell whether it is melamine, laminate, or a vinyl cabinet.
While it's true that IKEA makes extensive use of MDF—they are the biggest users of MDF worldwide—this by no means makes them unique among cabinet manufacturers, nearly all of whom use some form of engineered sheet products in the construction of the basic cabinet boxes.
Durability and Longevity: IKEA kitchen cabinets are known for their durability, but there are a few factors to consider. The cabinet boxes are constructed using medium-density fiberboard (MDF) core and melamine foil veneer, which may not be as robust as solid wood cabinets.
You can get doors that are more embellished than your current ones, or choose a different wood species altogether by applying a wood veneer to the frames. These refacing options are a great way to make your discount cabinets look more like the high-end designs.
Many of High-end kitchen companies often used MDF in certain applications. It doesn't warp because it's more dimensionally stable, MDF has come a long way.
MDF is commonly used for shelving in closets and cabinets because it's inexpensive and smooth. But MDF isn't as stiff as plywood and will sag over time. So when I use MDF shelving for heavy loads, I simply beef it up with wood.
There are a few areas where MDF should never be used – kitchen or bathroom cabinets and trim in the bathrooms. These are the two areas we see the most failure because of moisture.