What material to choose for the kitchen: expert advice

Kitchen fronts and cabinets

If you do not yet clearly distinguish between these two concepts, then pay attention to the terminology. Kitchen body and facade - what is it? Let's note the fundamental differences:

• The body of the kitchen set is the basis, the frame of the kitchen furniture. It is a base module to which shelves, drawers, frames and fronts are attached.
• The facades of kitchen furniture are its external external elements, in particular doors and decorative panels.

Next we'll talk about cases. If you want to learn more about facades and the materials used to make them, we recommend a feature article on our blog.

Island options

Island and peninsular models are suitable for spacious rooms (from 20 m2). The advantage of the headset is its ergonomics and functionality. The furniture additionally serves as a bar counter or table.

The island table is intended for:

• location of household appliances;
• storage of cutlery and dishes;
• cutting and preparing food.

Kitchens with an island perform diverse tasks and have different contents. The island can serve as an addition to your existing kitchen unit. The housewife receives additional usable space for organizing a work area.

All the advantages of island models:

• modern design;
• the possibility of delimiting space;
• furniture is made in different shapes, styles, colors;
• the tabletop can replace the desktop.

The island layout of the kitchen unit allows you to reduce the physical effort required for the cooking process. Island structures are an integral part of apartments and modern houses.

Kitchen body material: what is it made of?

What is the best kitchen cabinet made of: natural solid wood, chipboard or MDF? Is there a difference between them and how noticeable is it? The materials differ not only in physical parameters, but also in cost: the cheapest is fibreboard, and the most expensive option is solid natural wood. Let us note their features, advantages and disadvantages.

Kitchen cabinets made of chipboard

Chipboard is a budget material, which is a chipboard. Without lamination, it is exposed to moisture, vulnerable to rotting and deformation due to mechanical damage.

MDF kitchen cabinets

Kitchen cabinets made of MDF are more in demand on the market. Fiberboards made from shavings and a complex of resins, coated with plastic or paints and varnishes. More resistant to moisture, temperature changes, swelling and rotting.

Kitchen cabinet made of natural wood

When properly processed, solid wood is invulnerable to moisture, rotting processes and temperature changes. At the same time, it preserves the natural texture, which creates a luxurious appearance of the furniture.

Kitchen cabinets made of laminated chipboard

Laminated chipboard is the “golden mean” between the cost-effectiveness of particle board and the durability of properly processed solid natural wood. The material can be stylized as wood, stone or metal, can have variable shades and textures, glossy or matte texture.

Materials for the production of facades

Looking at any set, the first thing we see is the facade. When choosing the optimal solution, you should be guided by both its design and the conditions of its operation.

For the production of facades the following are used: chipboard (laminated/plastic); MDF (film/painted/plastic/veneered); Natural wood.

Additional chipboard cladding expands the functionality of the material. Special attention is paid to edge processing. A laminated chipboard in an aluminum frame becomes virtually invulnerable to water. Chipboard in plastic is used less frequently, since the processing technology is quite expensive, which does not allow the use of low-grade board. The main advantage of chipboard is its low price.

Milling allows you to process MDF facades , giving them any shape. Their main advantage is a large selection of design solutions. The material in the form of a film is produced in any shades, has a glossy or matte surface. Using the film, any texture is imitated, so the facade takes on the appearance of wood, metal, leather and fabric. The downside of film materials is their instability to UV rays: when exposed to the sun, the board quickly loses color.

Supplemented with plastic, MDF becomes more resistant to moisture. The stove is protected from exposure to hot steam and mechanical damage. The plastic set is hygienic, easy to care for and wash.

Painted MDF is susceptible to chemicals and may fade in the sun. Painted facades perfectly complement the Provence style, patina-covered slabs perfectly imitate “antiqueness”.

The classic option is veneered MDF , which is popular due to its low price and attractive appearance. High-quality veneer is identical in appearance to wood; it is not subject to cracks, drying out, or deformation.

Natural wood is the most expensive option for kitchen facades. It is environmentally friendly, safe, has a pleasant texture and solid appearance. The properties of wooden furniture depend largely on the type of wood used. The disadvantages of such kitchens are their considerable price and difficulty in maintaining them.

When choosing a facade, you should take into account the time you spend in the kitchen preparing food, as well as the planned service life of the furniture.

What types of kitchen cabinets are there?

Depending on their type (floor-standing, hanging or pencil cases), they have different load-bearing capacities. Massive modules are usually made of a material of increased thickness that is more resistant to external influences. In the case of hanging cabinets, the area where they are attached to the wall is of particular importance, since the load in these areas increases greatly.

We will be happy to recommend you the best solutions for the manufacture of cabinets for kitchen units. In our work, we use only high-quality materials that ensure durability, reliability and wear resistance of each piece of furniture!

Corner or straight kitchen?

When choosing a headset shape, determine the most important criteria for yourself. Modern corner kitchens are suitable for large and small spaces. The ergonomic triangle allows you to create a functional workplace.

Other advantages of a corner kitchen location:

• deep and spacious modules;
• there is space for built-in equipment;
• correct work area;
• the set fits harmoniously into the interior;
• There is still free space for a dining area.

A corner set can visually clutter up the space. To avoid this, you can avoid installing upper cabinets on one wall. Rotating shelves are suitable for small kitchens.

Models with a linear layout are ideal for narrow spaces. In this case, a straight set will be more successful than a corner one. The symmetry regarding the dining area and the “island” is maintained.

Advantages of furniture with a straight layout:

• no complex design required;
• affordable price;
• a work area is allocated from the general space;
• easy arrangement of the premises;
• During the cooking process, you can reach any of the sections.

Direct options are often used when arranging studio kitchens. Such furniture visually separates the work area from the space intended for relaxation.

Statistics confirm that:

1. Housewives allocate 50% of the total time in the kitchen to using cabinets, sinks, and cutting countertops;
2. for women with a height of 160-165 cm, work surfaces with a height of up to 80-85 cm are suitable;
3. The most current furniture colors are black, white, brown, gray.

Where to buy kitchen furniture?

To begin with, I will express my opinion on where it is better to buy kitchen furniture. From my practice, I realized that the fewest problems with the texture, color, and configuration of kitchen furniture purchased online are from its manufacturers, that is, on the websites of furniture factories. For example, on the website of the furniture manufacturer Fabrika-Stil.ru.

On these sites, photographs and descriptions of the furniture being purchased most closely match the actual color and texture. Options for errors and, especially, intentional deception are practically excluded.

Fiberboard

Fiberboard, also called hardboard, is obtained by pressing a mixture of wood fibers, water and synthetic additives. The material is not of very high quality and strength. The main use of fiberboard is in the manufacture of back covers of cabinet furniture, drawer bases, etc. By analogy with laminated chipboard, a laminate film can be applied.

Let's sum it up

Today we answered the question of which material for the kitchen is better to choose, based on common sense and our own preferences. And finally, a few more pro tips on how to choose the right kitchen furniture:

• do not combine cheap materials with expensive ones in the same kitchen. An elite stone countertop laid on chipboard furniture looks ridiculous;
• even if you choose an economy class kitchen, buy it from a trusted company. The same chipboard made in a homemade way will, over time, begin to release toxic substances and harm your health. Always inquire about the factory’s reputation and material quality certificate;
• If you are not a fan of frequent cleaning, choose matte surfaces - water stains and hand marks are not so noticeable on them.

Let the process of choosing a kitchen be pleasant and the result successful!
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Conclusion

It just so happens that most manufacturers allow you to choose a kitchen based on the material of the facades. And here you can find the following choice:

• Egger or Kronospan chipboard (laminated paper).
• MDF boards painted or covered with PVC film.
• Frame facades with a frame made of wood in combination with MDF or glass.
• Wooden facades, possibly with glass.
• Natural veneer facades.
• Facades made of chipboard covered with plastic.

Special facades are made to order according to manufacturer catalogs.

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Material and design

These types of kitchen cabinets do not differ much in the finishing materials used, but are completely dissimilar in design.

Kitchen cabinets are:

• Frame. In cabinets with a frame facade, the edges are tightly closed with a frame whose width is 40–50 mm. This is the basis and it is thanks to the frame that the cabinet becomes strong and stable. In this type of furniture, doors are usually attached to the frame frame from the inside and outside, thus forming a solid facade. It is quite rare to find such cabinets made of wood. As a rule, their body is made from finishing materials such as plywood, chipboard or MDF boards.
• Frameless. In this kind of European structures there is no facade frame, and the doors are attached to the sides of the frame. They usually cover the entire front part and the box, thus forming an overall overlap. Since the kitchen furniture does not have a frame, it is characterized by significant volume and ease of use. It is much larger in size than other furniture, for example, ordinary frame cabinets. Many frameless furniture is made from plywood, MDF or chipboard panels, and the outside is finished with natural veneer or laminate.

If you plan to decorate your kitchen in a traditional style, then it is best to choose frame cabinets with drawers and doors made of wood. Frame kitchen furniture is a classic, in no way inferior to modern competitors, but the cost is much more expensive than frameless cabinets.

Kitchen furniture without a frame is produced much faster due to the use of simple design methods in production. It is for this reason that such cabinets are considered an economical option, but their total cost still depends on the chosen finishing material and style.