The kitchen is the heart of every home; it’s the place where we share meals and make memories. It’s also a reflection of your personal taste and an integral part of your home’s overall design. If you’re considering renovating your kitchen you might be wondering how to choose new cabinets.
There are a variety of factors to consider, including species, stain, style, and durability. If you’re leaning towards solid wooden cabinets, there are a few things that you should consider before buying. Below, we will provide you with all the information you need to decide whether wood cabinets are the right choice for your family.
Pros
- Durable and Versatile: Wooden cabinets are easier to repair than ones made from other materials. When they get scratched, wood filler wax sticks can be used to patch them up.
- Many Choices: You can also choose from many styles, colors, and finishes for your cabinets. Each item can be personalized and customized to your exact specifications. Timber, for example, is very forgiving and can be mixed and matched with other pieces made of different materials.
- Refinishing is Cheaper: Wood doors, drawer panels, and cabinets need to be spruced up often. Doing so is as simple as sanding the worn or damaged piece and applying a coat of varnish. You don’t need to replace entire cabinet sections, unlike when you use fiberboard.
For example, if your fiberboard doors, drawer panel, or cabinets swell, become scratched, or start chipping, there’s no way to make it look good again. You must replace the whole piece. There are ways to repair and refinish an area made with wood without getting rid of the entire face.
- Beautiful and Luxurious: If you want to boost the sophistication level in your kitchen, you should consider the dark rich tones of wood. Design experts will tell you there’s nothing like the appearance of wood grain for traditional homes.
No doubt, stepping into a kitchen with wood cabinets gives you a warm and welcoming feeling. You feel you’re enveloped by quality. Oak is one such material that offers a timeless, natural, and classic look to a kitchen. It’s simply beautiful.
Cons
- Wood Is Expensive: The premium quality, durability, and versatility of solid wood does come at a price. You’ll need a much higher budget than for cabinets made from more conventional materials. Consider that if properly maintained, solid wood cabinets will last longer than others.
Consider species such as pine, which are less costly than oak and maple. Another alternative is to use a combination of solid wood and other materials. This will decrease the overall cost but still give you the beauty of wood.
- Prone To Humidity: It’s no surprise that wood is sensitive to moisture. When the moisture content in the planks changes due to steam created in the cooking process, or by climate changes, it will expand and contract. This results in the warping of the cabinets over time. It can be avoided by using good quality veneers from all sides when the cabinets are built. The veneers, however, will add even more cost to the cabinets.
- High Maintenance: If you want your wood cabinets to last a long time, you need to care for them properly. They will require special cleaning chemicals to keep them sealed and clean. These can be expensive. It would help if you also cleaned your cabinets often, and this can be time-consuming.
You must be careful with certain appliances when you have wooden cabinets. For example, you can’t use a kettle or Instant Pot close to the cupboards because the steam will discolor and warp the wood over time.
Final Thoughts on Solid Wood
Wood is beautiful and makes any kitchen instantly look luxurious and opulent. Solid wood cabinets are durable and versatile and can be repaired quickly. Available in almost any tone and style, your ideal design can be created for you without any problem.
On the other hand, wood is expensive and prone to humidity. Moisture in the air may cause it to warp over time. To prevent any damage, it requires a lot of maintenance and the correct cleaning chemicals. If you do decide to choose wooden cabinets, you’ll be sure to boost the value of your kitchen and bring warmth into the heart of the home.
Alternatives to Solid Wood
Considering the advantages, it may seem solid wood cabinets are the only way to get the look, easy maintenance, and durability they offer. At Work of Heart, we did extensive research and leg work to find an alternative with all the pros and none of the cons of solid wood. Our products provide:
- Choices: Many styles, colors, and designs, including rich tones of oak, cherry, and maple wood. Your cabinets can be customized, and mixed and matched for the perfect look.
- Durability: Materials so durable they never need “sprucing up”. They will not chip, scratch, become damaged, or warp from humidity or steam.
No need for wax sticks, spare stains, varnish, wood filler, expensive cleaners, or time-consuming maintenance.
- Expense: Premium quality, unmatched durability, and versatility without the hefty budget. No need to settle for pine to save money. Beautiful, oak, maple, and cherry – they are all affordable. Guaranteed to last a lifetime for the best return on your investment.
Contact us today to schedule a free in-home design consultation, get a project quote, and learn more about our extensive choices, unmatched durability, and how we make projects affordable for all budgets.
