Surface VALUE

Look, feel and functionality are just a few things to keep in mind when choosing timeless kitchen cabinetry, writes Guinevere Davies

More than just storage, high-quality cabinetry is one of the best investments to make in your kitchen, as the quality of the materials chosen will ensure the longevity of your cook space. And if you’re living open-plan, the look and feel of the cabinetry chosen can set the tone for the rest of your home’s design.

MATERIAL MATTERS

There is no doubt: kitchen cabinets and drawers are not all created equal. The quality of the materials chosen for the carcasses is just as important as the material chosen for the fronts. But when it comes down to it, you’ll want to opt for materials with lasting integrity both inside and out.

For the carcasses, melamine particle board remains the industry standard, as Easylife Kitchens Table View franchisee Sanette Jansen van Vuuren explains: “When considering which material to choose, it helps to know how active your household is within your kitchen environment and who will be using the kitchen most. For carcasses, melamine is an industry-standard and is the most cost-effective for creating the shell of your cabinets.”

Schmidt’s Laurent Riviere adds, “Most of the time, materials for carcasses are melamine. But the difference is in the manufacturing of the carcass. The most resilient is a carcass made from high-density particle board (HDPB) that is 19mm thick. This allows for the screws to have more ‘meat’ to grip onto when installing, making it by far more durable and long-lasting.”