A well-functioning kitchen is where the heart resides. Part of most residences, the kitchen, with its warm plates of foods, imbibe a certain warmth that truly transforms a house to a home. The modern kitchen is not only a space to cook and bake but also the optimal storage space for cookware, serve ware and other utilities. Appliances, utensils and groceries- each of these need to be stored in the modern kitchen due to the lack of a separate pantry in most houses. Thus, a modular kitchen is incomplete without well-planned cabinets to accommodate the bare necessities.
The art of cabinetry is a tactical combination of aesthetics and utility. Kitchen cabinets that cover most spaces of a modern kitchen should be beautiful to look at while accommodating miscellaneous items. However, before installing cabinets one should consider certain aspects such as the layout of the kitchen. The most important thing to keep an eye out for while installing kitchen cabinets is the storage space. Spacious kitchen cabinets prevent cluttering and make it easy to store cookware and other kitchen essentials. Before installing cabinets around the kitchen, it is also necessary to keep a track of the measurements so that the cabinets do not block the kitchen space.
Besides, the cabinets should complement the kitchen top, the counters and the sink for synchronised functionality. Kitchen cabinets should also have fully operational doors that do not overlay with each other and which, does not look out of place. Last but not least, the material of the cabinets should be chosen after considering the prime requirements- longevity, utility and robustness. Here are the top 5 materials that are most favoured by industry experts:
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel cabinets are ideal for industrial kitchens which conduct large scale cooking. Stainless steel cabinets also add a contemporary look which is highly coveted in any modern apartment. The advantage of opting for stainless steel cabinets is that they are highly resistant to moisture and no amount of moisture spills can affect their physical state by causing swelling or warping. Available in shiny, matte or textured finishes, stainless steel cabinets can easily revamp the appearance of any kitchen.
Wood
Wood or hardwood cabinets are a classic choice to spruce up your kitchen space with. Wood comes in a vast variety of textures and colour, each of them having their quirk, thanks to their all-natural origin. It is a perfect element to add a hint of rustic and earthiness to the kitchen. Hardwood cabinets can be saved again and again from stains, dents and scratches by sanding or refinishing, but it remains prone to moisture-related warping and expansion.
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Hardwood cabinets are expensive and they also wreak havoc on the environment as they need to be procured from naturally occurring forests.
Plywood:
Cabinets made of Plywood have been used to beautify modular kitchens for their versatility. To make plywood, wooden boards are layered at alternating right angles and then bound together by pressure and heat. Carpenters favour plywood as it showcases the highest strength-to-weight ratio. Plywood cabinets are also moisture resilient and can resist sagging and dents.
MDF or Medium-Density Fibreboard:
MDF or Medium-Density Fibreboard cabinets provide glamorous makeovers to mundane kitchens. MDF or Medium-Density Fibreboard is a composite material that consists of recycled fibre, wax and resin. Sealed together under high pressure, MDF is known to be quite durable as it is heavier and denser than plywood. Furthermore, when exposed to temperature changes, it does not warp, contract or expand as much as hardwood cabinets.
Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP Sheet)
ACP or Aluminium Composite Panels can revamp the look and feel of any modular kitchen. Being the number one choice of architects as an exterior façade material, ACPs are being used to decorate interiors increasingly. Thanks to a wide variety of colours, finishes and textures, ACP sheet can also be found in designs that mimic natural wood or naturally occurring stones. ACP or sandwich panels are made with two layers of aluminium sheets that are held together with either an LDPE core or a non-LDPE (Mineral) core.
So, is the ACP sheet suitable for the kitchen?
Yes, of course! Kitchen cabinets clad with ACP sheets will prove to be the most durable compared to wood, plywood and other cabinetry materials, as they have unmatched flexibility and flatness that would be ideal for cladding cabinets with an innovative shape. Guaranteeing zero crack risks, it is moisture, fungi, borer and termite resistant. Being light in weight, ACP sheets can also be used to clad gravity-defying cabinets. Painted with Lead-free paints and having customizable options like an anti-microbial or fire-retardant core, ACPs are the perfect choice to be used in and around the kitchen. Modular kitchens with ACP sheet cabinets are safe and nontoxic options to use in the kitchen while promoting environmental sustainability. Easily recyclable, ACP sheets are being favoured for their cost-effectiveness as well. ACP clad cabinets are widely being used in industrial kitchens as they are extremely easy to clean and maintain.
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When designing or renovating the kitchen, it is of supreme priority to keep safety as a top-notch concern because food items are constantly being exposed to the kitchen environment. A part of the space where fire, grease and other flammable factors are being handled regularly, kitchen cabinets, as the rest of the kitchen elements should be fire resilient for paramount safety. On the other hand, the aesthetic value of a kitchen is synonymous with maintaining continuity and parity with the rest of the living space. The kitchen, heart of the home, must be able to represent the spirit and essence of the family with a medley of personalized aesthetics and enhanced functionality.
