Oak and hickory are some of the strongest, most reliable wood species available for custom cabinet doors. They generally cost more, but they mix beauty with long-lasting reliability. If you want doors that resist impacts and warping, these two would be good choices.
Cherry and maple wood cabinets are the most durable for a long life-span. There are two types of wood you can craft your cabinets with, broad-leafed, hard trees, and soft trees. Hard trees yield birch, oak, maple, cherry, and hickory cabinets. Meanwhile, soft trees yield pine, spruce, and cedar cabinetry.
The 5 best and most popular woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple. Pine, oak, and hickory are cheaper and easier to get. Cherry and maple look luxurious and cost more than the others. All 5 work well in the kitchen's hot and humid environment.
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.
Maple is the most expensive type of wood available for kitchen cabinets. Kitchen cabinets made of pine tend to be the cheapest type of cabinet on the market. However, if you want something that will last longer and look nicer, cherry may be a better option.
In terms of cost, pine is the cheapest cabinet wood you can use while mahogany is one of the most expensive, with oak and maple falling in the mid-range in terms of price. Durability of the various types of wood is also important to consider. Pine's budget pricing makes sense, as it scratches and dents easily.
Oak, by far the most common wood used for solid wood cabinets, has a strong “flower” grain that comes through just about any color stain. If you want a less red look, use white oak.
Wood is more expensive than any of the composite cabinet materials available, and solid wood doors and drawer fronts are typical in high-quality cabinets. Examples of the more luxurious woods used in quality cabinets are cherry, mahogany, chestnut and cypress.
Satin Finish
A satin sheen is easy to care for and will show the least amount of dirt, grime, and imperfections on the face of your cabinets, compared to gloss and semi-gloss finishes. This type of finish is ideal for a busy kitchen.
#1. Quartz. Industry experts agree that quartz is among the most durable kitchen countertops. Quartz is a manufactured material that starts with 93% +/- natural quartz and is then combined with polymers and pigments for color and stability.
Durability – Oak is one of the most durable woods used for cabinets. Its hardness and strength help it resist rot and warping in humid environments, as well as stave off scratches and dings.
While oak really shines when it comes to use in furniture, flooring, and cabinet making due to its denseness and durability, birch makes for a very popular alternative. Birch can be a more economical choice and will suit certain styles of furniture better than oak.
Cabinets are grouped into four grades based on quality of construction: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom.
Most cabinets available for purchase will be some form of engineered wood with a wood veneer or painted finish. This is particularly true for the box of the cabinet. The use of engineered wood is a good thing as plywood boxes are the sturdiest and most durable.
The best wood for kitchen cabinets will not deteriorate over time. Some of the most popular choices for kitchen cabinets are maple, pine, oak, cherry, and cedar due to their durability. However, cedar cabinets make the best wood for kitchens due to their ability to resist many damage types and last for years to come.
Pine wood is moisture resistant, and won't swell or crack, so it's a good choice for humid environments like bathrooms and busy kitchens. Pine wood is also quite soft. That makes it easy to work and carve into custom-made cabinets.
Since glossy finishes are the quickest to show scratches and stains, matte finishes are ideal for those who want to hide their furniture's imperfections. On the other hand, cabinets with a matte finish absorb light instead of reflecting it. As a result, this finish will not help your space feel bigger.
The paint is applied unevenly. So, if you want a factory-grade finish, choose to spray your kitchen cabinets instead of rolling them. In addition to providing a higher-quality final finish, spray painting is faster than using a roller.
Finally, pricey kitchen cabinets often contain a better finish and look, using higher-quality materials that last longer and look better. This increases the overall aesthetic and contributes to added value, too, as previously discussed.
Value: Because solid wood cabinets can last for decades, you'll be getting the most value for your money. Even though it can be more expensive upfront, wood cabinets are more durable and won't need to be replaced for years. Ensure that you care for your cabinets properly and they will last a lifetime.
When inspecting the cabinet boxes, look out for whether products are made from plywood or particle board. Among these two, plywood is the strongest option. The best quality cabinets will have plywood sides and backs.
By far the most common cabinet material is wood, and there are several species that top the list of cabinet woods: red oak, white oak, hickory, cherry, hard maple, birch, ash and pine. Each species offers advantages and disadvantages, from durability to appearance to cost.
Using MDF for your kitchen cabinets is a good idea
Using MDF for kitchen cabinets or kitchen cabinet doors combined with solid wood casings is a good idea. Not only is MDF an affordable option but it is durable and doesn't warp. It can be finished in a variety of ways from painting to staining and varnishing.
Simply put, cabinet-grade wood is strong enough to be built into cabinets, but its quality is mediocre. Yes, cabinet-grade planks are durable enough to serve as cabinetry but because the wood isn't as hard as furniture-grade wood, it dings, dents, warps, scratches and is more susceptible to physical damage over time.