{"id":17490,"date":"2018-06-18T01:54:43","date_gmt":"2018-06-17T20:24:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/appstudio.co.in\/ucblog\/?p=17490"},"modified":"2018-06-18T01:54:43","modified_gmt":"2018-06-17T20:24:43","slug":"best-material-for-kitchen-cabinets-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/appstudio.co.in\/ucblog\/interiors\/best-material-for-kitchen-cabinets-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"What’s the Best Material for Kitchen Cabinets in India?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Interior Design by Urbanclap Professional Huzzpa<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Seems like a basic question, right? And yet it\u2019s so crucial!<\/p>\n

Why? Because kitchen cabinets comprise at least half of your kitchen\u2019s skeletal structure. And to top that, the materials and finishes that you choose define how long they will last and how resilient they will be. Pick\u00a0the best material for kitchen cabinets, and you don\u2019t have to get that annoying makeover much before its time.<\/p>\n

Therefore, we’re going to talk about what kitchen cabinets are made of, in this post – what is also known as the kitchen carcass. The finishes (laminates, acrylic, PVC, etc.) — which are basically the exterior surface or covering of the cabinets — warrant a separate post, and we’ll tackle them in the next few days, we promise.<\/p>\n

So, let’s get down to the materials to use for your kitchen cabinets.<\/p>\n

Kitchen Cabinet Material: Plywood<\/h2>\n
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Image: Courtesy Plykea<\/p><\/div>\n

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Image: Courtesy Plykea<\/p><\/div>\n

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Plywood is basically a man-made material (or engineered wood) created by gluing layers and layers of thin wood (or wood veneers) into a single sheet or board. It is available in different thicknesses and is fairly stable. It can be further coated with <\/span>plastic laminate, wood veneer or thermofoil for a smoother finish and for better protection against termites and moisture. <\/span>With modular kitchens seeping into almost every apartment or home in India, plywood has taken over as the most sou<\/span>ght-after material and is readily available in Indian markets today.<\/span><\/p>\n

Also Read:\u00a0The Best Kitchen Countertop Materials<\/a> in India!<\/em><\/p>\n

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You can see the thin layers of wood that make up a plywood board.<\/p><\/div>\n

The Good:<\/h3>\n
    \n
  1. Plywood is less prone to damage by moisture or water — making it a great fit for Indian kitchens. <\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Because of the way it is bonded (ie, with the grains running against one another), it doesn\u2019t shrink, crack or warp. Hence, it is highly durable, too.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. It is affordable, costing anywhere between Rs. 85 and Rs. 115 per square foot for a 19mm-thick BWR plywood from a reputed brand like CenturyPly<\/a>, Greenply<\/a> or Kitply<\/a>. The costs depend on the type and thickness of the board. Commercial plywood would cost roughly around Rs. 55 per square foot.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. It is stronger than all other engineered woods, and can better hold heavy weight.<\/li>\n
  5. It is also lighter than other boards, and is, therefore, a great option for hanging or wall cabinets.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    The Not-So-Good:<\/h3>\n
      \n
    1. While it is much cheaper than solid wood, it is more expensive than HDF or MDF (read about these later in the article).<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Elaborate designs with plywood kitchen cabinets is difficult as the material is very dense. <\/span><\/li>\n
    3. You have to ensure that your plywood cabinets are coated with laminate or veneer, so that the rough edges don\u2019t show.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Pick this if your #1 criteria is Quality.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

      Frequently asked question: Which plywood is best for modular kitchens?<\/strong>
      \nSince kitchen cabinets are more prone to getting wet and being exposed to steam, opt for Boiling Water-Resistant (BWR) ply, instead of commercial ply. You can also opt for the more expensive Marine ply, but do ensure that what you’re getting is authentic. While marine and BWR are costlier, they are resistant to fungal attacks and are overall more durable.<\/em><\/p>\n

      Also browse: 15 Indian Kitchen Design<\/a> Ideas from Real Homes<\/em><\/p>\n

      \n

      Kitchen Cabinet Material: High-Density & Medium-Density Fibreboard<\/h2>\n
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      Image: Courtesy Wood and Wire Kitchens<\/p><\/div>\n

      Both HDF and MDF are engineered woods, created when <\/span>small wood particles and fibres are compressed using high pressure and heat, and glued together by a resin. However, HDF is a higher grade of MDF, and is harder and denser. Yet, they\u2019re two different materials altogether!<\/span><\/p>\n

      In fact, those IKEA furniture pieces that you\u2019re lusting after are most likely made of these boards. Although it\u2019s interesting to note that while they\u2019re common kitchen cabinet materials, Indian designers and contractors recommend MDF more for wardrobes and doors or for kitchen cabinet shutters.<\/span><\/p>\n

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      MDF or HDF is denser but not necessarily stronger than plywood.<\/p><\/div>\n

      The Good:<\/h3>\n
        \n
      1. Both HDF and MDF have a very smooth surface (easier to paint!), and can be easily cut for designs.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. They cost about 20% lesser than regular plywood and, hence, are a more economical choice (HDF is more expensive than MDF). Regular MDF would cost you roughly around Rs. 50 per square foot. Go for Centuryply or Greenply.<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. Both are sustainable options as they\u2019re made from fragments of wood leftover from projects or otherwise.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        The Not-So-Good:<\/h3>\n
          \n
        1. Since they\u2019re denser (not stronger!) than plywood, they\u2019re heavier to work with. Plus, they\u2019re not as strong as plywood.<\/span><\/li>\n
        2. Both are not resistant to water or moisture and, hence, aren\u2019t suitable for areas near the sink.<\/span><\/li>\n
        3. They don\u2019t hold screws well as they\u2019re made of small grains and particles.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Pick this if your #1 criteria is Affordability.<\/p>\n

          \n<\/blockquote>\n

          Kitchen Cabinet Material: Natural Wood<\/h2>\n

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          Image: Courtesy Spenc Design<\/p><\/div>\n

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          This screams classic! Haven\u2019t we all seen those sturdy wooden cabinets in our homes growing up, or at least in the homes of our grandparents? Timeless, old school and solid, these are mostly made from sheesham<\/em> (Indian rosewood) teak, mahogany or balut<\/em> (oak). Even today, it doesn\u2019t matter what your kitchen style is \u2014 modern or traditional \u2014 natural wooden cabinets fit any kitchen like a pair of gloves! Sadly yet understandably, with the advent of modular kitchens, the demand for natural wood has gone down significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

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          The grains show so beautifully in wood.<\/p><\/div>\n

          The Good:<\/h3>\n
            \n
          1. The textures and grains of natural wood are beautiful and the colours are deep.<\/span><\/li>\n
          2. Wood is easy to maintain on a day-to-day basis, and you don\u2019t have to worry about stains and spots. Just use a cloth to wipe clean! However, you will need to get the wood polished often to maintain the smooth texture.<\/span><\/li>\n
          3. Wood is very strong and durable, and will last you many, many years \u2014 maybe even a lifetime.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

            The Not-So-Good:<\/h3>\n
              \n
            1. Termites and other insects love wood, as much as we do. Therefore, it\u2019s important that the wood is treated in advance. <\/span><\/li>\n
            2. Moisture and humidity can affect the core of the material over time.<\/span><\/li>\n
            3. Since it isn\u2019t man-made and is now scarce, natural wood is much more expensive than plywood, costing anywhere between Rs. 600 and Rs. 2,000 per cubic foot. And like mentioned before, polishing is a costly affair.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

              Pick this if your #1 criteria is Durability.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

              What about particle boards, you ask?<\/b><\/h3>\n

              Well, to begin with, HDF and MDF are basically glorified versions of particle boards. Having said that, regular particle boards don\u2019t make the best kitchen cabinet materials simply because they won\u2019t hold weight well and are not moisture-resistant. This makes them a better fit for furniture, doors and wardrobes.<\/span><\/p>\n

              Want to know more about the materials used in a kitchen? The following posts should help:<\/strong><\/p>\n