1—Introduction
Since the pandemic, we have settled in with home cooking more frequently than ever before. The additional time in the kitchen might bring your attention to the once overlooked details, ranging from the utilities to the material and design of your own kitchen.
If you find yourself looking for kitchen renovation, one of the first things to ponder might be deciding your kitchen cabinet’s door. Bear in mind, a relatively big chunk of your budget would go to the kitchen cabinet’s door, as it is the main part of your cabinet. Therefore, it is important to understand how and which type of kitchen cabinet doors suits you best.
2—Kitchen Cabinet Materials Research
Based on your preferred kitchen design, your kitchen specialist will provide a range of material choices for your kitchen doors:
- For a more natural and rustic look, the options are melamine or plywood laminated
- For a contemporary and glossy look, the options are acrylic or glass
2.1—Getting to Know the Common Kitchen Door Materials
Melamine
Melamine is a widely used material for home cabinetry due to its extensive variety, availability and affordability. It is a particleboard or pressed wood covered with layer of plasticized coating. Kitchen doors made of melamine offer a modern look without hurting your wallet. However, it also comes with a significant drawback, that it is susceptible to water damage.
Plywood Laminate
On the other hand, plywood material offers a more natural look with higher durability compared to melamine. The more common type of finishing for kitchen cabinet doors is laminated plywood, whereby a pile of thin layered plywoods are glued together. However, plywood materials are susceptible to peeling on the outer layer when exposed to high heat, as the laminate glue may melt.
If you are concerned about the potential pitfalls of using melamine or plywood material in your kitchen, E1 grade boards could be the answer to that.
E1 Grade Board
As per the standards set by the European regulatory authority, the level of formaldehyde emission equal to or less than 0.07 ppm is considered safe for households.
Read more about E1 grade board on:
Known for its eco-friendly characteristics, E1 grade boards are used for cabinets or flooring for minimal formaldehyde emissions. Compared to normal melamine boards, the E1 Grade High Moisture Resistance Board has higher moisture resistance and quality performance ensured by V313 test.
If eco-friendly and healthy options are your priority, then a kitchen cabinet door made with E1 certified materials and boards would be the ideal go-to.
Thinking of getting a resplendent and contemporary appearance for your cooking space? You might want to consider acrylic or glass, especially if you are dealing with a smaller kitchen space.
Acrylic
Acrylic is a non-toxic material that gives a high gloss finish to your kitchen cabinets. This finish helps to make a smaller kitchen space seems bigger and more open with the light reflected from the glossy cabinet doors.
Kitchen cabinet doors with the glossy finish of acrylic makes cleaning and maintenance much easier. Homeowners are also given the flexibility to select from a wide range of colors to their liking.
Glass
Another material option to achieve a contemporary kitchen appearance is glass finishing. The common choices for glass material are either 3G or 4G glass.
3G Glass
3G glass kitchen doors are made of either colored sticker glass or spray-painted glass, which both comes with an aluminium door frame. As the making of 3G glass doors does not involve any wooden materials, homeowners who are concerned about termite infestation can feel at ease.
The preference for 3G glass doors over acrylic material among Malaysian homeowners is not only due to its shining effect, but also due to its scratch-resistant surface. Acrylic on the other hand is more prone to scratches.
Another feature of 3G glass is its built-in door handles. As the aluminium frame runs through the height of the door, it also serves as the door handle, and often comes with soft-close hinges.
Overall, 3G glass doors are generally easy to take care of as any stains can be cleaned off easily. With proper care, kitchen cabinets with 3G glass doors can last for years to come. The only drawback is that the edges of the door will eventually chip due to wear and tear.
4G Glass
For homeowners who are seeking for a minimalist kitchen appearance, then 4G glass door is the way to go. 4G glass door is a slight upgrade from 3G glass, as the aluminium door frame is thinner and hidden from the front, giving your kitchen cabinets a seamless finish.
The making of 4G glass doors also includes a thin layer of crystal spray paint, which adds more shine effect to the surface, and an extra layer of protection. When paired with cupboard lighting, it also adds depth and style to 4G glass kitchen doors.
On the other hand, homeowners who are concerned about termite infestation can feel at ease, as the making of 4G glass doors does not involve any wooden materials.
It is also important for homeowners to keep in mind that 4G glass door comes with sharper edges. In saying this, the material may not be suitable for households with young children.
3—Before Making The Final Decision
Before diving deeper into the things we need to consider upon making the final decision, it is important that you have a clear understanding of your needs — consider questions such as: Are you giving your kitchen a facelift, or starting afresh?
3.1—Your Allocated Budget
The very first step you should take is deciding the amount you will be spending on all your renovation works. The budget allocated will ultimately determine the options available for you.
As the cost of different materials may differ, the allocated budget for renovation works will remain a big determining factor on the final look of your kitchen. Before you proceed to making any decision on what you want, or what must be foregone, figure out what your bottom line looks like.
3.2—Determine The Desired Look for Your Kitchen
The appearance of your kitchen cabinet doors will ultimately impact the looks of your kitchen.
- Keep in mind, the way your kitchen is used will also play a role in determining the style and layout of your kitchen
- I.e. do you have guests coming over your place often? Then you may need to maximize the space in your kitchen.
- I.e. if you have a busy family with children, it’s best to not go for contemporary and modern kitchens as high gloss finishes are prone to stains and fingerprints.
3.3—Measure Your Space for The Cabinets
To achieve the desired results, you will eventually want to call up a professional and take a look at the space that you will be renovating. However, it is always ideal to plan ahead and have a clear idea of where you want your new cabinets to be built within your cooking space.
4—Conclusion
Meeting up with a kitchen specialist to discuss the different style options available to you ahead of the designing phase is often recommended. They will be able to help you find the style that fits in with your home, and your lifestyle.
Here at ACE Reno & Furniture, we will carry out a free comprehensive survey of your home to ensure we fully understand the structure and fabric of your property, as well as taking the time to get to know you so we can incorporate appliances that will suit your lifestyle.
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