Kitchen Unit Materials

fat_tony10

I have been looking for a new kitchen and I am trying to decide on the best material for the unit doors. It seems that unless you really spend a lot of money the unit will be made out of MFC, which seems more or less ok. For the doors I have also come across wood and vinyl. I have been rather frustrated by various sellers in that as soon as I express an interest I get all the advantages of that material and all the disadvantages of the other. Is there a clear best? I quite like the idea of Oak doors as I like the look of the finish but wood in a kitchen seems like a bad idea on the face of it. Vinyl seems cheaper than Oak but not as much as I thought - is there a disadvantage to Vinyl or than looking unconvincing if you have a wood look?

srcandas

fat_tony10 wrote: »

I have been looking for a new kitchen and I am trying to decide on the best material for the unit doors. It seems that unless you really spend a lot of money the unit will be made out of MFC, which seems more or less ok. For the doors I have also come across wood and vinyl. I have been rather frustrated by various sellers in that as soon as I express an interest I get all the advantages of that material and all the disadvantages of the other. Is there a clear best? I quite like the idea of Oak doors as I like the look of the finish but wood in a kitchen seems like a bad idea on the face of it. Vinyl seems cheaper than Oak but not as much as I thought - is there a disadvantage to Vinyl or than looking unconvincing if you have a wood look?

We faced this dilemma and in the end went oak worktops. I make bread once a week on those worktops and the pleasure that natural grain with all the weathering in marks gives me so much pleasure. And everyone comments on that natural look.

And by buying the tops direct and not through the kitchen supplier we saved a fortune and had much greater choice.

Sorry not very helpful in reply to your question but the doors we just went on visual (Howdens Tenby) and they are fine, while the surfaces we touch (woodworktops.com)

phill99

I recently installed the Hamilton kitchen from Magnet for a customer. This is a solid oak shaker style door. They are a decent quality door and lacquer coated so very robust and easily cleanable. I can PM you with some pics if that would help.

ryder72

Oak is a perfectly fine material for kitchens. A quality door will be made from seasoned Oak and often finished with a clear UV lacquer to provide additional protection. Oak is a natural product you it is more susceptible to massive variations in heat and humidity in the room. For this reason, good extraction in the room is a good idea. Also natural woods will mellow and can darken with time.

Vinyl is possibly the most kitchen un-friendly door material you can find. Its the preserve of cheap kitchens. Laminates, acrylics or lacquers are preferable for durability.

katejo

phill99 wrote: »

I recently installed the Hamilton kitchen from Magnet for a customer. This is a solid oak shaker style door. They are a decent quality door and lacquer coated so very robust and easily cleanable. I can PM you with some pics if that would help.

I think i am probably the customer to whom Phill99 is referring. I am very pleased with my oak doors and laminate surfaces.