Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors are the most exposed element of your kitchen. If they are old, dated or just plain ugly, the look of the whole room will definitely suffer. Choosing the right cabinet style for the look you want to achieve is a big deal! Their classification could be done by material and by style;

 By Material:

• Wood – available painted or stained. Numerous wood species are available and each one will give you a different look.

• MDF – it could be painted or wrapped with vinyl (thermofoil ). Countless color options and styles available. Mainly used for a one piece or slab door.

• Particle Board – covered with plastic laminates or finished wood veneer.

• Plywood – could be painted or stained dark. Mainly used for a slab style.

• Acrylic – very expensive option. The core comes in several solid glossy colors. Mainly used for slab.

• Aluminum/Glass – the outside frame is aluminum and the centre panel is glass.

 By Style:

• Five Piece door- by far still the most popular in North America. Made almost always with wood, and on rare occasion with MDF. The frame has four pieces that enclose a panel that could be flat or raised. The five piece door has countless sub-categories, from a simple contemporary shaker to a traditional raised panel cathedral arch. I would also consider the aluminum/glass door part of this category.

• One Piece door- Many can’t tell the difference between a one piece and a five piece door. It is a style that could assume different looks and could be obtained using only one solid MDF piece, usually 3/4″ thick that gets moulded by a router. The blades used when routering will determine the details of it. In the past, this type of door was made in wood in the past but the warping and cracking have made this option a real flop.

• Slab Door – Is this technically a one piece? Yes, but a special one that deserves its own category. It is the plainest cabinet door. Basically a zero detail, rectangular shaped, with sharp corners for a minimalistic modern look. A variation of this door can be considered the “pillow”; a slab style with tapered sides. Homeowners like this style from a practical point of view as well…it is very easy to clean!