We have seen unusual cabinet materials that most people would not expect in a kitchen remodel. Kitchen cabinets are typically made from solid wood or engineered wood. We commonly hear doors made with Mahogany, Walnut, Maple, or even Rubberwood.
Yet, due to innovation, various cabinet material alternatives are being manufactured. The common thing amongst these materials is that they are all trees. One thing to keep in mind, though, is that not all cabinet materials can be used in the kitchen.
Unusual Cabinet Materials Best Used In Other Areas – Just Not In The Kitchen
Though various cabinets made with different materials are now available, it is important to understand that not all materials are recommended for use in the kitchen.
The same goes for other industries or areas of our home that may require something much different from natural wood. Despite the strong walnut, it might not be enough for some industrial-style environments.
We fail to consider that cabinets can be used outside the kitchen. Outside the kitchen, cabinets can be used in the bathroom, reception desks, garages, break rooms, additional storage, and even in professional job offices.
Today, we will explore some unusual cabinet materials not recommended for kitchen remodeling.
Bamboo
Yes, bamboo. The thin bamboo tree can be used in furniture. Turning bamboo into a suitable material requires more work, which involves cutting it down into strips.
Bamboo strips are then glued together and pressed into plywood, which we know and work with. From there, this plywood can be used for cabinet doors and drawers.
Bamboo is a surprisingly strong material for standalone furniture. It can be stronger than red oak and Maple wood, which are some common materials we see on cabinets. Bamboo plywood can also be used for countertops.
One downside is the cost. Bamboo is not a very common material to turn into plywood. Therefore, it is not readily found at big box stores like Home Depot. Specialty stores and websites may offer bamboo plywood, which is much higher than traditional plywood.
A sheet of sanded plywood will cost around $50, while the same size sheet of bamboo plywood can cost $200. Bamboo plywood has beautiful graining due to its wood color, which can drive a higher cost than standard plywood sheets.
Aluminum
When we think of aluminum, we immediately think of industrial-style design. We see aluminum cabinets used and incorporated in industrial fields and workspaces. Garages, trailers, and sheds are common places to see this style of cabinetry to store heavy metal tools.
Aluminum cabinets are also used for outdoor kitchens and industrial workspaces. One advantage of having cabinets that are not made out of wood is that they can now be weatherproof. This high-quality material is sun-proof, rain-proof, and even more resilient to damage.
People looking to host parties or have guests outdoors often may look at these cabinets that can withstand the test of time longer than any wood cabinet.
Making cabinets metal definitely has a high price point. A big difference between aluminum cabinets and traditional cabinets is the cabinet body.
Most cabinet companies use MDF or medium-density fiberboard cabinet bodies. Replacing this wood with a new material is not cheap.
Epoxy Resin
Epoxy Resin is like liquid clear glue used to create all sorts of stuff, from furniture to art. Recently, epoxy resin can create amazing tables by encasing unique materials and objects to create a one-of-a-kind table nobody else has. Logan Paul used it to create a table from Gameboy handheld consoles.
If that option is available, kitchen cabinets are possible. Encasing almost any material allows anyone to make unique doors and drawer fronts that nobody can find in any big box or traditional cabinet store. Amazing wood grain, industrial tech, or trendy decoration can become the next cabinet face.
Don’t expect to walk into your local Home Depot or Lowes and find an epoxy resin table. These kinds of projects are seen on YouTube or TikTok by DIYers who perfect their craft in making these amazing kinds of furniture.
One might not put a price tag on these for the general public. Is this art? Is this content?
Carbon Fiber
Carbon fiber has been on the rise when we think of high-quality, sleek materials. Carbon fiber is a filament added to strengthen the material.
Carbon fiber material is so strong that it is used in everything from bike frames and car components to aircraft wings. Its lightweight and durability make it highly desired.
Carbon fiber’s surface is very reflective, adding a sleek and modern aesthetic to the cabinets. Carbon fiber also results in a grid texture that has become iconic when classifying materials visually.
Carbon fiber has a built-in grid texture that may deter customers from wanting to choose this durable material. The common finishes are high gloss or matte textures when considering modern, sleek cabinets. Carbon fiber has a holographic aspect that may not be what customers want.
In addition, this material is expensive. Sports gear made of carbon fiber already costs nearly two times as much as a different material. For the modern cabinet line, it is best to stick with MDF and traditional finishes.
Polyethylene
Wood not durable enough for your next kitchen? Then how about the military grade?
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a military-grade all-weatherboard composite material. This plastic is strong enough to be used in the military for fuel cases.
A benefit of this cabinet being plastic is it can resist most of the cons that wood cabinets will have. Warping will be less common and will scratch less easily.
For a material used by the military, this plastic is weather resistant. This means it can function indoors and outdoors, with rain or shine and even abstract temperatures.
A material strong enough to be classified military grade will come much higher. This material’s versatility means it can almost last the true test of time. It can take more beatings and uses than any typical wood cabinet you will find.
Does this mean polyethylene will be highly used? Most likely not.
Because it is so expensive, fewer people want to choose it over standard wood. Although this material is strong enough to handle any form of use, most people are not going to aggressively open and close their cabinets.
Can Unusual Cabinet Material Replace Standard Wood Cabinets?
No, wood cabinets are not going anywhere. Unless the raw material is too scarce to come by, wood and MDF will still be the primary materials used for kitchen cabinets. We may see innovations in hinges, drawer slides, and maybe the design, but not something to phase out wood completely.
Wood is well-established as the preferred material among kitchen remodelers and homeowners alike. Wood will be the choice Unless the kitchen is installed in industrial fields or outdoors.
Wood is much more cost-efficient than plastic or metal. The process of transforming lumber into plywood is less complicated than transforming or shaping the other materials.
Even if carbon fiber or aluminum is much more durable, it requires a much more complicated method of transforming the material before it can be used for cabinets. This process makes abstract materials almost three times more expensive than traditional wood cabinets.
So, when you are considering what material to choose for your regular kitchen, wood cabinet materials will be your best option.
