Cabinet Doors

You will be surprised how much of a difference new cabinet doors will make for your kitchen.

Cabinet doors come in many sizes, shapes, wood species and finishes. The most common designs are flat paneled and traditional, or framed doors. Both are equally durable so in terms of function they are comparable; however, many believe that flat-paneled doors offer more interior space in the box of your cabinet. Cabinet doors can be made of plywood, particleboard or medium density fiberboard and a wood veneer. The veneer is a thin piece of solid wood that is attached to the substrate (i.e. plywood or particleboard); veneered center panels in doors minimize the potential for the door to expand and contract, which causes splitting and cracking. Some doors are made of solid wood, which is usually more expensive. While solid wood and plywood cabinet doors are considered stronger and thicker, some cabinet specialists prefer particleboard, a material they feel is less likely to expand. Some doors are made with vinyl veneers, which are available in a broader range of colors than wood. Finally, if you're considering installing the doors yourself, you may want to know that the hinges found on framed and flat cabinets typically adjust horizontally and vertically and rely on a clamping mechanism to hold the hinge in place. And the current trend favors concealed hinges rather than leaving them exposed.