Choosing Your Cabinets

Whether you’re building a new home or renovating an existing area, it will become apparent that cabinets are an essential element of your design. Cabinets serve the practical purpose of storage, and the aesthetic purpose of display.  They take up the most amount of space, especially in the kitchen, which makes cabinets play a big role in the overall look of your area. The highest quality cabinets are a combination of high-end materials, quality workmanship, and unique finishing. To help you with your cabinetry requirements, assess your space and your everyday needs, then select the materials that will make your place an ideal for you.

Questions You Need to Ask Before Getting a New Cabinet

1. How big is the space allotted for your new cabinets?

2. Are you planning to keep something from the existing space?

3. What type of feeling would you like your new space to have?

4. What colors do you like?

5. Do you have a style in mind?

6. Who will use the cabinet?

7. What will be stored in the cabinet?

8. What is the usual activities in that area?

Because custom cabinets are built to the exact specifications of your space and in the materials you choose, you have complete freedom over the function and layout of your space, which is very appealing to many homeowners. The downside is the time to choose from the wealth of cabinet materials.

SUBSTRATE – The foundation.  It is the skeleton of the cabinet.  The board on which the surface is applied on or adhered to.

Types of Materials

1. SOLID WOOD – Natural wood is the most expensive substrate, and solid wood doors and drawer fronts are typical in high quality cabinets.  The more luxurious woods used are cherry, chestnut, cypress, and mahogany. These woods are durable, naturally beautiful, less common, and therefore significantly more expensive to use. 

2. VERSABOARD – Made of plastic (Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC), is lightweight, and waterproof, versaboard is best for under the sink and bathroom cabinets. 

3. MARINE PLYWOOD – Overlapping sheets of opposite grains make this compact and very sturdy board best for display or storage of heavy things and piles of stuff.  Ideal for entertainment centers, bed linen closets, and plate cupboards.  Marine plywood is also water resistant and is best for kitchen base cabinets. 

4. MEDIUM DENSITY FIBERBOARD (MDF) – Fine wood chips and shavings glued under heat and pressure.  The board swells when it gets wet.  It is best for areas without water contact like bedroom closets, bookshelves, display shelves, and filing cabinets.

5. PARTICLE / CHIPBOARD - Big wood chips and particles glued under heat and pressure.  Chipboard tends to soak up water. Once water logged, chipboard swells and breaks down.  It is best for pantry, study drawers, and work desks.

SURFACE – The finish adhered to the substrate.   

Types of Finishes

1. PAINT – Solid wood is the best substrate to paint on.  These are the paint sheen best for cabinets:
   Duco paint became prominent when a popular automotive paint introduced it in the 1930s. The name of the paint line was soon associated with high-gloss, durable, super-smooth solid finish on automobiles, and eventually translated to the same standard for furniture. Ducco gives a shiny, lacquer-like finish for a striking visual effect. It is best use for kitchen cabinets. 

   Semi-gloss paint gives a nice gleam less the incredible shine. This is great as trim, for baseboards and cabinet doors.

   Satin paint has subtle reflective qualities that give a silky finish and a slight glow. It can work well in vanities, children’s closets, and toy shelves.

   
   PAINT TECHNIQUES

   Create a distressed or aged look by painting a base coat on your cabinet and a top coat in another color. Sand certain spots so the base color shows through.

   • Glazing or color washing gives cabinets a soft look. To color wash, a thin glaze or water-based wash is painted on top of a base coat to create subtle layers of color.

   • Stenciling add visual interest to your cabinet.  The stencil produces the design on the cabinet by applying paint through the cut-out holes in the material.

   • Varnish – Among buyers, stained is the number-one choice for a finish style.  Natural wood offers a selection of colors and grains. Oak, pine, and hickory boast prominent grain patterns and suit traditional or country styles. Maple, cherry, and mahogany look classic and regal.

     Stain affects wood color and shows its grain, while painted finishes create a solid finish that hides grain.
     

2. VENEER – A thin sheet of real wood.  Finishes for solid wood apply to veneers.

3. LAMINATE – Made of layers of kraft and décor paper soaked in resin and bonded under high heat and pressure.  Laminates come in numerous designs, including those that mimic fabric, metal, paint, stone, wood.   

EDGEBAND – Edge refers to the narrow surfaces of boards.  Each board has four edges.  To seal these edges, an edgeband is used.  Edgebands ensure a clean finish, prevent moisture penetrating, and provide an attractive appearance.  For a clean look, get a matching edgeband.  For accent or striking design, go for a contrasting trim.

HARDWARE - Assess your practical needs and style preferences in choosing hardware.

Types of Hardware

• HANDLE – Knobs and pulls with brushed finishes evoke a traditional look while sleek, stainless steel pulls look modern. Consider ergonomics, too, when selecting new hardware; pulls large enough to grasp with the whole hand are the easiest to use.

• HINGE – Hinges of virgin steel are the best.  Choose hinges according to the angle you want your cabinet doors to swing open.  The wider the angle, the more open your cabinet door. 

• MECHANISM – Full-extension drawers slide out completely from the cabinet.  You see the contents and use 100% of the drawer. They also are stronger and can handle a lot of weight. 

• ACCESSORIES – Go for upgrades that are practical, making your life easier, and make the most of every inch of storage:  Corner pull-outs slide out from corner cabinets. You gain access to blind corners.  Cutlery trays organize utensils. 

DOOR STYLE – The door is the most exposed, always seen part of your cabinet.  Here are some door styles to consider:

Types of Door

•  FLAT – Slab cabinet doors are most often used in contemporary designs, as they are simply a flat slab of wood - smooth with no panels, contours, or accents.

• GLASS – Tempered glass comes in clear or frosted forms with a smooth or textured surface.  Glass or glass-paneled cabinet doors will open up your kitchen and allow you to display all your stylish cookware, dishware, and kitchen collectibles.  In closets, it allows for viewing of bags and shoes for easy dressing.  If you're more interested in disguising clutter, try semi-transparent or leaded glass.

• MIRROR – Your cabinet doors can be multifunctional.  A mirror door can serve as your full-length mirror in walk-in closets and bathrooms.

• SHAKER – The center panel can be flat, raised, or made of other materials like banig, cloth, glass, leather, mirror, solihiya, etc. and the outer edges raised. 

Sources:  Blum.com, BHG.com, MarthaStewart.com; Photos of CKC cabinetry:  Rene Mejia & Heart Escudero