“What materials should I choose for the kitchen furniture?”
It is the question we all get when we have to arrange our home. Unlike other rooms, the kitchen is a space that needs increased attention, due to the accelerated wear of the surfaces and the environment with steam, grease, humidity, highly degreasing substances, etc. Depending on the appearance, quality and durability over time, texture or color and, of course, the budget we have, we will make the best decision for our furniture.
To make your life easier with the arrangement you make, we present in today’s article, the most popular materials used for kitchen furniture, with their advantages and disadvantages.
Front materials:
1.The PAL, perhaps the most used of all the materials, first of all due to the accessible price and the large stocks existing in the warehouses, is an easy to process material, quite easy to assemble, that is addressed to modern arrangements, in simple lines and forms. Available in a very generous finish palette, in matte, glossy or wood fiber imitation shades, the PAL is always the first choice of the beneficiaries who are in a hurry or who do not want to invest much in an arrangement. The PAL fronts can be successfully enhanced by using various accessories, in complementary or contrasting color, with a varied design, from materials that will harmonize with the overall layout.
2.The MDF or Medium density fiberboard is a material resistant in areas of high humidity, with an elegant and distinguished appearance, which can be customized according to the preferences of the beneficiary. The increased resistance to PAL, the finishing treatments with acrylic varnishes, the various milling that they bear, all these characteristics lead to an increase in the price for the furniture made from MDF versus the previously presented variant. With or without milling, in strong or pastel shades, MDF fronts are a good choice in any style of interior design, classic or modern, with scandinavian, mediterranean or minimalist inspiration.
3.Wood is the only ecological material used globally in the furniture industry. A noble and beautiful material, which can be customized by processing, the wood is suitable for any design style, finished in the desired shades. Unlike other types of materials, solid wood has the longest lifespan, however, requiring special attention in terms of humidity and mechanical actions to which it is exposed.
Countertops materials:
1.The composite materials allow to obtain homogeneous and continuous countertops, but warmer in comparison with marble or granite surfaces. These countertops have acrylic polymers in structure that print characteristics similar to wood or soft metals, allowing them to be molded easier than in the case of natural stone, being able to obtain the desired design with greater fidelity. Also from an aesthetic point of view, another advantage of opting for these materials is the very large chromatic variety, as well as the option between opaque and transparent variants, which allow to obtain special design effects.
2.Natural stone. The most used natural stone countertops are those of marble and granite, both having similar characteristics, the aesthetic aspect being the main differentiator. These countertops are durable, resistant to mechanical shocks and scratches, fire, water or sunlight. To keep the natural color as long as possible and to avoid any stains, it is recommended to waterproof the stone with special substances. Of course, natural stone is a more expensive material, but the advantages it offers us over time, as well as the undeniable beauty are obvious benefits for their choice.
3.Ceramic tiles, generally used for walls or floors, can be an attractive solution even for the worktop in the kitchen. They are easy to install and maintain, moisture resistant, can be found in a wide variety of textures, colors or patterns and are also available at affordable prices.
4.The stratified wood is far superior to the natural wood countertops, maximizing its traditional properties. The superiority of this type of countertop is not only given by the undeniable elegance of the material, but also by the increased resistance over time.
5.The laminated materials contain a fiberglass composite that can be finished to obtain elegant, glossy and easy-to-maintain surfaces. Laminated countertops are available in a variety of colors, are durable and do not require special treatments.
6.Concrete. Concrete countertops are less commonly found, being used in minimalist, industrial-tinted fixtures. If the visual and tactile coolness of this material is not disturbing for the beneficiary, its resistance over time makes it a real option for the kitchen arrangement. Aesthetically, the concrete allows to obtain customized colors, according to the preferences, adding the desired pigment to the basic composition, from cement.
Through the article above, we presented the most used materials for the kitchen worktop, their enumeration being not at all limiting, on the contrary, whenever new, innovative and spectacular materials can appear, or, with a dash of creativity and courage, reinterpret in an innovative way materials that we have not thought about before. If you are in a deadlock and do not know what decision to make, do not hesitate to call us, the specialists in the field, to guide you to the most appropriate choice. We hope that this time we have been helpful and, why not, we have given you new design ideas. 😉