Wood vs. Laminate Cabinets
Cabinets can be finished in a variety of materials, depending on the style and look homeowners desire. Solid wood and laminates of all kinds are popular options, especially for kitchens and bathrooms. While it is important that cabinets match the overall room design, other factors such as cost and durability are also important considerations. Does this Spark an idea?
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Wood
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Wood cabinets are made of strips of real wood glued or fastened together into patterns, forming the cabinet face and sides. Many styles of wood cabinets are available, and a wide variety of woods are available. Hardwoods tend to be the most popular, and can come in many tones, from near-white to dark stains. Woods can also be painted and varnished. When wood strips are lightly placed over other materials, they are known as wood veneer, a material similar to laminate.
Laminate
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Laminate cabinets are made from plastic or fiberboard materials. These cabinets can mimic styles of wood, but are actually synthetic and only a surface layer placed over some type of base board. Laminate cabinets are generally lighter than wood versions and are sealed to make them waterproof and smooth. They cannot be painted like wood cabinets can be.
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Costs
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Solid wood cabinets will always cost more than laminate versions. It takes less factory work to produce synthetic cabinets and attach them to cabinets, so both product and labor costs will be less. Generally, wood versions cost about 25 percent more than laminate versions. Wood veneers, the thin strips of wood attached to fiber board, tend to be much closer in cost to laminate cabinets.
Durability
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Laminate cabinets tend to be more durable than wood. Over time, wood cabinets can warp and wear because of moisture changes in the air. Their finishes can also slowly wear down, exposing the wood to scratches and scuff marks. Laminates are more resistant to scratches and much more waterproof without the need to reseal. However, wood cabinets can withstand chips and other forceful impacts more easily that laminate versions.
Appearance
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People often prefer wood in older rooms, or rooms where high-quality materials are important. Wood tends to reflect light better and provide a more authentic atmosphere than laminate versions. On the other hand, laminates are available in a wide variety of colors and color patterns, so they can be used to fit in with many more styles than wood versions.
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References
- Photo Credit modern kitchen with cabinets image by redking from Fotolia.com
