Cabinets control much of the visual space in kitchens. For this reason, it is important that their design matches the elements present in a room. There are two major classifications that are available: American and European.
In these classifications, many different cabinet door styles are available such as raised panels, Shaker style, glass, louvered, beadboard, thermofoil, melamine, and painted. The most common include the Shaker, raised panel, and thermofoil.
The Differences Between American and European Doors
Let us look at the differences between American-style and European-style kitchen cabinet doors.
American Style Cabinet Doors
American-style cabinet doors are typically constructed of hardwood, plywood, or medium-density fiberboard (MDF). They contain the most styles, and the options are multiplied when the finish is considered. American-style cabinets are usually painted or stained.
Raised Panel Cabinet Doors
There are quite a few cabinet styles similar to raised panel cabinets, many of which only have slight variations of the pronounced structures at the center. While many of these may have flat surfaces, some have multiple steps or tiers for a more ornate appearance.
Examples of raised cabinets can be typically found with all of the same material finish.
Their eye-catching arches and stepped patterns make them some of the most popular kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities options.
Shaker Cabinet Doors
These cabinet doors are greatly admired because of their versatility. Several species of wood, stains, and paints are popular. Most Shaker-style cabinets are made from five pieces of wood. Four create a frame, while the fifth is used for the center of the door.
A common problem with the white Shaker style is that the connecting lines can be seen despite the paint. To remedy that, our white Shaker cabinets are constructed from a solid piece of hardwood and routed out in the center.
Glass Cabinet Doors
The price for this style is high because of the work required to fit quality glass in a frame; however, this can be a good alternative for various interiors. Glass cabinet doors are especially useful in small kitchens where depth is lacking.
Glass cabinets can also help with decoration since they provide visibility inside the cabinets themselves. This option can showcase special hardware, but it must also be kept clean. Glass cabinets are usually frosted or clear and fit a range of styles.
Louvered Cabinet Doors
These kitchen doors have a sophisticated style consisting of horizontal wood slats. They are great for small kitchens because the horizontal lines make rooms look wide and more spacious. Gaps between slats also provide ventilation for drying dishes.
This design suits homeowners who are searching for an aesthetically pleasing and functional style. Louvers are more commonly found on doors and window shutters.
Beadboard Cabinet Doors
The name of these cabinets comes from their likeness to the paneling style of bedboards. In the past, before plaster and paint were ubiquitous in the market, this material was used to decorate most walls.
This style resembles cottage cabinets from the past, and it is suitable for informal interiors like farmhouses. There are some difficult surfaces, like the curve on the central panel, that make cleaning complicated.
Beadboard is created through the meshing of “tongue-and-groove” strips. This style of sheets typically uses straight and square patterns, so they facilitate the construction of straight cabinet doors.
European Style Cabinet Doors
Flat cabinet doors are simple and faithful to their name. They have no decorations except for their hardware, which should be simple to harmonize with the seamless look of modern and contemporary kitchens.
They are mostly made of wood but can also be composed of materials like MDF, which suits various styles. Unlike American-style cabinets, Euro-style cabinet doors only differ in how they are finished: thermofoil, melamine, and lacquer/paint.
Thermofoil Cabinet Doors
This kind of cabinet door is made from MDF wrapped in a plastic coating. The pieces are sealed together through heat. This material is very durable, but it is also difficult to fix once it has been damaged.
In addition to this, these cabinets are not good with the passage of time. Depending on quality, they can discolor in a yellowish hue. The advantages of thermofoil cabinets include the variety of colors, its resistance to staining, and its smooth consistent color, which is “baked” into its vinyl material.
Melamine Cabinet Doors
Similar to thermofoil cabinets, melamine cabinet doors are typically constructed from an MDF or plywood base. They are then heat-sealed with paper bound in melamine resin.
This process affords endless versatility when it comes to cabinet appearance. From appealing wooden facades to glossy modern finishes, melamine can contribute to your kitchen’s unique look.
Additionally, this style is preferred due to the possibility of textured melamine. Textured melamine gives off a unique look and feel when handling.
Miscellaneous Cabinet Styles
Distressed Cabinet Doors – This kind of cabinet door costs at least 20% more because of the work needed to discolor and stain new cabinets. Rubbing or distressing the material without causing operational damage will create a seasoned piece of furniture.
The end result is a set of cabinet doors that appear old or antique. This process can enhance any style of cabinet; however, it is more suitable for homes with a rustic or traditional design.
Inset Cabinet Doors—This type of door is set inside the cabinet, and it is a few inches smaller than usual cabinets. This can be an important factor if someone has a small kitchen and needs every inch of space.
Also, this design needs to be constructed very accurately in order to match precisely and function. For this reason, they are expensive; however, they offer people a luxurious and modern design with stylistic influences from the Georgian and Victorian eras.
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