What points should you consider when choosing kitchen cabinet materials for your kitchen renovation?

There are many factors to consider when buying cabinets for a kitchen renovation. Suppose you are facing a challenge in choosing a suitable kitchen cabinet material for your kitchen renovation. In that case, it is because you need to become more familiar with the material available in the market.

So if you need more than 100% confidence in your selection, finish and layout, it's best to consult with a design team. An experienced interior decorator from Happy Construction can provide a selection of available materials to help you decide what you're happy with and won't blow your budget.

• Details

It is essential to research the types of materials cabinets are made of to choose an option that meets your needs. Producing higher-quality cabinets has several steps, including sanding, sealing and painting. It makes their manufacturing process very intensive. Laminate veneers are much cheaper but less durable. Other small but critical details include taking necessary measurements and scrutinizing the ordering process so that you can match parts precisely. Failure to do this can lead to reordering, which means delays in several steps and increases the time it takes to install the cabinets.

• Saving

It is another area where the homeowner must consider the functionality of their kitchen and decide how much cabinet space they need. Price is an influential factor in choosing kitchen cabinet materials, so if you are a person who only has a few dishes and utensils and avoids cooking, smaller cabinets with fewer and stronger materials may be the right choice for you. A family of four with small children who like to play in the kitchen should buy larger plywood cabinets.

• Hardware

If you can budget more for cabinets, you can spend a lot on hardware. Adjustable hardware lets you customize the fit so they seal correctly and buy drawers that open and close smoothly as standard. Depending on your many cabinets, you can expect to spend between $300 and $500 on hinges alone, so check out the hardware and thoroughly test the ones you like.

• Trends

Trends change a little over the years, and kitchen cabinet materials and home cabinet styles are no exception. Materials have been removed from particle boards in favour of plywood, a more substantial material that resists moisture better than particle boards. Another growing trend is floor-to-ceiling wall-style cabinets. These days, people usually choose cabinets that extend to the ceiling to maximize storage space.

• Price

Here you need to take a good look at your finances. Everyone loves custom cabinetry, but it's too expensive for many people, so they must look at all the options. If I were to rank the choices in order of price, stock cabinets are some of the most affordable furniture you can find, followed by semi-custom and fully custom-made cabinets.

The more customized the cabinets, the more expensive and time required to make them. Prices are usually billed per linear foot and can range from $60/foot to $1,200/foot, depending on what you want—it's best to get a check from the bank.

• Size

Do you want single or two cabinets? The cabinet size should be proportional to the size of the kitchen. It would be best to decide whether you need shelves or drawers.

You must use every space effectively to maintain the intended use. Place only a few kitchen cabinets because it looks unattractive and excessive. Consider the symmetry of the entire kitchen space. For large kitchens, consider a center island instead of discount kitchen cabinets.

• Door installation

Door installation options include a flush lay, where you can see the face of the frame around the door, a full lay, where the doors close together to hide the base of the cabinet and an inset, where the doors fit inside the frame. You should choose your cabinet material based on space considerations and the rest of the design.

• Sink

When replacing cabinets under the sink, make sure they fit. They should also match in colour and design. If you have an under-mount sink, it's in your best interest to choose water-resistant options such as engineered quartz for kitchen cabinet materials. Many experts recommend selecting the countertop first and then building around it.

• Consulting services

If you have little knowledge or experience with kitchen remodelling, consulting the experienced professionals at Happy Construction may save you money and time in the long run. Let an interior designer come in and look around your kitchen to assess your needs. Where should the cabinets be installed? How big should they be? What colour and gender should they have? How should they be installed? What about the counter and sink? What kind of doors should cabinets have? Answering all these questions before choosing kitchen cabinet material would be best.

What do you want from your kitchen cabinet maker?

First, you should ask him to guide you in choosing the wood for the cabinet. However, with its strong grain and stainability, oak is the most obvious solid wood choice for kitchen cabinetry. But there are many options. Other options include hickory, birch, cherry, maple, ash and pine.

There are also exotic woods, such as creamy chestnut and cypress, which I usually don't recommend. Some cabinet makers may also use various kitchen cabinet materials to make cabinets. You may find cabinets with frames made of solid wood, but cabinet boxes may be made of plywood. Make sure you ask for these details. If you are building custom cabinets, avoid using MDF.

1. Check the wood for moisture

Excessive moisture in wooden cabinets can cause warping, significantly reducing the cabinets' lifespan. It also prevents some surfaces and stains from sticking to the wood. Make sure the cabinet maker checks the wood for moisture content.

       2. You should know whether doors and drawers are outsourced or not

Many cabinet makers make cabinet frames but outsource the doors and drawer fronts. It may make little difference to the result for some people. However, others see this as a factor in reducing quality. Mass-produced doors and drawer fronts have a different rate or finish than custom cabinets. So, if you're very concerned about payment, ask your cabinetmaker in advance.

        3. Find out about the hardware used in the cabinets

The internal hardware used in the cabinets affects their performance. So make sure you know what kind of hardware is being used.

       4. Find out about the warranty of the cabinet and its contract

Most reliable cabinet makers offer a warranty on their work. Make sure you fully understand this. If necessary, get the warranty contract in writing.

       5. Ask how long it will take to install the cabinet

The cabinet maker must give you an estimated time frame to complete the job. While a partial extension is acceptable, you must ensure you're on track with your time and budget.

       6. Ask about the cabinet price and the installation cost

Once again, the most reputable cabinet makers will provide an accurate price breakdown. If you have yet to receive it, ask if the price includes cabinet installation.

These are some common but essential questions that will inform you about the type of cabinets to be built. Once satisfied with the answers, you can begin your kitchen remodelling project.

Why should you consider updating or changing your kitchen cabinets?

• Storage issues

You may need more space in your current cabinets. Renovating the kitchen cabinet can provide you with the space you need. It also includes a new arrangement of cabinets, including things like pull-out shelves and spice racks inside the doors. Another option is drawers with double slides for items like silverware, so you only use one drawer instead of two.

• Damaged cabinet

Damage can occur in many ways. One of the main types of damage you should check for annually is water damage, which leads to mould. If you find mould, it's time to update those cabinets before it spreads to other areas of your kitchen and causes health problems. Additional damage could be that the stain or paint has thinned from cleaning over the years. Maybe you were moving a piece of furniture or something heavy and bumped into the cabinet, causing a deep scratch or cut.

• Sales

If you plan to sell, updated cabinets can increase the value of your home. After all, we spend much time in the kitchen with family and friends. Chefs want this area to be useful for cooking and to have enough storage space.

The first area home buyers check is the kitchen. They are looking to see if the kitchen has enough storage space and is big enough to accommodate cooking, baking and entertaining. The next place in the house that attracts attention is the bathroom.

• Your tastes have changed

The cabinets or kitchen cabinet materials you chose long ago are no longer attractive to you. The cabinets were there when you bought the house and are different from your taste. They may be too dark, not decorative enough, or don't match the kitchen's overall theme. You could have painted them, put in new appliances, changed out the countertops, etc., then it's time to update your cabinets.

• A total renovation of the kitchen

You have decided to completely change the layout of your kitchen, which includes moving the cabinets to another place or adding more cabinets in a situation where you do not have enough cabinets or tables, to begin with. Now is the time to update your cabinets, especially if you're adding more cabinets because the style you have may no longer be available.

Considering everything I said, it is necessary to contact the experienced consultants of Happy Construction to choose the kitchen cabinet materials so that you do not regret your purchase.