Kitchen Talk
May 29, 2009
Choosing the right Cabinet Materials

There are tons of different Cabinet materials which vary widely in cost, colour, durability and aesthetics.

There are many different cabinet-making lumber types, including Teak, Mahogany, Blue Mahoe, Pine (yellow and pitch), Oak (light and red) Cedar, balli, crab wood, MDF (Medium Density Fibre) and cherry. The possibilities are almost endless, and on the rethro side, we have stainless steel.{{more}}

Each of these lumbers is good to use in certain conditions. Wood absorbs moisture even after it has been dried; it’s a natural element and contracts when heated. There is, of course, an acceptable drying point at which heat would not have an adverse effect on the wood. Having made that point, for colder countries, wood has to be prepared a certain way in order for it to be effective.

MDF is suited for certain areas of the kitchen because it does not operate the same way as natural wood does. On the other hand, MDF can be a mess in certain areas because when exposed to water it chips and falls apart.

Choosing the type of wood to be used in the kitchen depends on a number of factors, along with what was mentioned above. Let’s look at some of these in more detail so that you can narrow down your options.

TASTE

Some homeowners just like a certain type of wood or a certain type of material, whether it is for its look or smell, or just simple emotion. It’s good to know that you at least would want a particular type of wood in your kitchen. If you started out planning the kitchen with this in mind, then you have the control of working everything else around the type of wood you like. However, liking a particular type of wood MUST not be the sole purpose for choosing it to build your kitchen. The next factor is

COST.

Some people have expensive taste and a low budget! It’s a fact; it happens often. When clients walk into the office looking for a kitchen, they may have heard or may like a particular wood type, but may not be knowledgeable about cost.

A budget is important; lumber prices vary for many reasons, some of which are the texture of the wood, the strength of the wood and the availability of the wood. Each of these factors affects the cost you pay. Don’t bother yourself too much with all of this information; just simply walking into the store and selecting a wood type might be all you need to know. We will continue this discussion next week.

Angelica and Rayan James
Exclusive Kitchens
494 2579 / 532 6756
www.exclusivekitchensvc.com