Raw Materials
American cabinet construction uses a combination of materials, often categorized by the parts of the cabinet.
- Frames: Typically made of hardwood (Maple, Oak, Cherry, Hickory, Walnut) or softwood (Pine) for face frames, or engineered wood for frameless (European-style) cabinets.
- Box Construction (Carcass):
- Particleboard (Melamine): The most common core material for cabinet boxes. It’s stable, cost-effective, and provides a smooth surface for laminates.
- Medium-Density Fiberboard (MDF): Used for cabinet doors and drawer fronts. Extremely smooth, ideal for painted finishes. Also used for thin interior shelves and panel inserts.
- Plywood: Higher-end option for boxes. More moisture-resistant and stronger than particleboard. Often used with a hardwood veneer.
- Doors & Drawer Fronts:
- Solid Wood: Premium option, often featuring detailed profiling.
- MDF: Common for a painted, shaker, or flat-panel style.
- Veneers: Thin slices of real wood glued onto an MDF or particleboard core. Offers the look of solid wood at a lower cost.
- Finishes:
- Stained: Enhances the natural grain of wood.
- Painted: Opaque finish, very popular (e.g., whites, grays, blues).
- Glazed: A darker finish is wiped into the details of a door to add depth and an antique look.
- Distressed: Artificially aged look with markings and worn edges.
- Hardware: Hinges (often soft-close), drawer slides (soft-close is now a standard premium feature), knobs, and pulls. Brands like Blum and Grass are industry leaders.