5 of the best woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple. The differences are in their quality, look, and cost.
Hickory is the most durable domestic wood. Hickory is the one of the strongest domestic wood species you can invest in because of its hardness and strength. It typically is more expensive because it is considered a higher-end wood species. It can combat water damage, scratches, and cracks.
Red oak is strong, durable, and relatively inexpensive for wood kitchen cabinets. Available in a wide range of styles and finishes, it features pronounced grain patterns and is most often used for traditional cabinet styles. This wood is an option for stock, semi-custom, and custom-made cabinets.
White oak is one of the most expensive cabinet materials on the market and can be roughly 40% more expensive than its red-oak counterpart.
When it comes to kitchen cabinets, both solid wood and MDF are equally important. While solid wood makes the cabinets strong, sturdy and long-lasting, MDF offers a smooth finish. MDF withstands changes in heat and humidity better than solid wood.
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.
Kitchen Cabinet Wood Choices
The 5 best and most popular woods for kitchen cabinets are pine, oak, hickory, cherry, and maple.
Use 1/4-inch plywood for the cabinet back unless it will support the weight of the cabinet, in which case 1/2 inch is a better choice. Select 1/2-inch plywood for drawer sides, fronts and backs, but 1/4 inch is suitable for drawer bottoms. Plain front plywood doors are rare, but they can be made from 3/8-inch plywood.
The least expensive type of wood used in kitchen cabinets tends to be pine. Cherry is a slightly more expensive option, while oak is usually about as affordable as its counterparts. Maple is the most expensive type of wood available for kitchen cabinets.
Cabinet Quality Grades. Cabinets are grouped into four grades based on quality of construction: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom. Decide up front on the amount of money to be invested in cabinetry and then browse cabinetry lines and options within your budget.
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.
Solid Wood Cabinets
Solid natural wood cabinets are the gold standard when it comes to strength and longevity. Woods like maple, oak, birch, walnut, and cherry will last you decades.
Opt for Boiling Waterproof (BWP) Plywood
In BWP plywood, the material is made of bwp resin which has a good degree of resistance against moisture and is great for use in a kitchen, where moisture levels are usually high. Use boiling waterproof (BWP) plywood to build the cabinets.
Solid Wood
Best for: Strength, durability, and long lifespan. A top option for kitchen cabinetry is solid wood. This durable material is used in many construction projects, so it should come as no surprise that it is a commonly used kitchen cabinet material.
Strong & Durable: Solid wood is so remarkably strong that it is used around the world to build bridges and homes. For your cabinets, the strength and durability of solid wood are unmatched. If you're looking to install cabinets that will last you for decades, solid wood is the ideal choice.
For lighter kitchen cabinets, such as those made for storing dishes and glasses, ⅜ inch or 1⁄2 inch plywood is enough. For larger and heavier kitchen cabinets, such as those used to store pots and pans and appliances, I would recommend using ¾ inch plywood.
Generally speaking, 1/2 plywood is better suited to cabinet construction because it has more strength than 3/4 plywood while still being cost effective. However, if you have a lot of curves or need to make a surface very strong, then 3/4 plywood might be the better option for your cabinets.
Arguably, the most timeless kitchen cabinet color is white. Bright white cabinets suit a variety of beautiful kitchens, including modern, contemporary, and farmhouse styles. Brilliant whites work to give kitchens a light and airy feel, and off-white options, like the White Dove shade, provides warmth.
"Two-toned cabinets are gaining popularity as homeowners seek to add a touch of personality to their kitchens," Bravo says. "Black and white cabinets are a classic combination that can create a stunning look, while other popular choices include blue and white, grey and white, and even green and white."
What is the most popular color for kitchen cabinets? Though trend reports may show that white is falling out of favor, interior designers say that, generally, homeowners are still most drawn toward white kitchen cabinets. “It's classic and great for resale value,” says Hattie Collins of Hattie Sparks Interiors.
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.
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.
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.