Rather, thermofoil is a type of vinyl. Using heat, the vinyl is fused to a wooden surface, usually particleboard. The result is a kitchen cabinet with a smooth, seamless finish. Thermofoil is most often seen in white or off-white, although some manufacturers offer a variety of colors and even faux wood finishes.
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.
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 cabinets can last 15 years or more with easy, routine maintenance. This lifespan may not be long enough for some homeowners, but it's ideal for property homeowners who are looking for quick, low-cost remodeling solutions for house flipping or fast home sales.
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.
“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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
If you pull out the drawer and look at the sides, you can often tell if there is a difference between the front and sides. Look closely at the differences and see if they are the same material or are different.
Vinyl wraps can be used for any cabinet but are most popular with kitchens. It allows you to change the look of your kitchen cabinets without replacing them entirely. You save yourself from the cost, hassle, and stress of full cabinet replacements.
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.
Unlike melamine, thermofoil is non-porous, so water isn't an issue—it can't be absorbed. This same aspect means the material is also easy to clean, and has a low risk of stains.
What are Thermofoil Cabinets? Thermofoil cabinets are a unique type of cabinetry made using a vinyl that is heated and pressurized onto an MDF core. Usually only used for cabinet doors and drawer fronts, Thermofoil cabinets come in many colors, styles, and finishes — even made in textures that resemble solid wood.
Price. 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.
Cabinet refacing is the process of replacing cabinet skin panels to give your kitchen a dramatic new look. Your cabinets may be scratched or cracked, or you may simply desire a change — much like replacing a perfectly good smartphone with the latest model.
Painting vinyl cabinets requires special paint applied in conjunction with this process. Replacing your vinyl or laminate covered particleboard cabinets can save you time and money if the surface starts peeling. A plastic that isn't a wood requires specialized paint as it has become a plastic instead.
Laminate refers to any type of material used in the laminating process, whereas thermofoil constitutes a very specific type of PVC vinyl coating. Thermofoil comprises just one of the numerous laminates used in and around the home.
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.
Lightly sand the surface – With medium-grit sand paper (we recommend 220-grit), gently sand the clean wood – don't go so hard that you rip or peel off the thermofoil layer. Clean again – Once the cabinets have been sanded, gently clean them again to get rid of any dust and debris, allowing them to air-dry.
"Yellow" cupboards are often caused by defective, aging finishes or airborne grease that settles over everything (even the ceiling!) over time, causing sickly yellow and tacky surfaces.