The guide to kitchen cabinet materials

The ultimate guide to kitchen cabinet materials: what you need to know

December 21, 2024

Launching a kitchen renovation project is an exciting adventure, but it can also be a stressful investment. With so many materials to choose from and so much at stake financially, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and anxious about making a costly mistake. While many are familiar with the different types of countertops, cabinet materials are often less familiar. Yet each material offers unique characteristics and is a crucial choice for your kitchen, directly impacting the durability and value of your investment. It’s also essential to be sure of the quality of these materials and the associated warranties – indeed, this should be one of the criteria to consider when choosing your kitchen designer. Faced with these uncertainties, relying on the expertise of a professional can greatly reduce stress and help you make informed choices for optimal results.

Faced with these challenges, Groupe 3R is committed to offering you a reliable, durable solution that will meet your budget. We have chosen to work with Miralis, a Quebec-based company recognized as a leader in the manufacture of high-end kitchen cabinets. This partnership enables us to offer you an exceptional range of cabinets, combining a diversity of materials, refined finishes and impeccable quality. More than just a product, we offer you a promise of longevity: all our Miralis cabinets come with a lifetime warranty, giving you real peace of mind for years to come. With Groupe 3R and Miralis, your investment is not only protected, it also takes on a local and sustainable dimension, supporting the excellence of Quebec craftsmanship.

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Find out in this article everything you need to know to make an informed choice for your kitchen project, based on your needs, budget and aesthetic preferences, including :

An overview of the 6 types of Miralis cabinet materials we offer and their respective price ranges;
A comparison of their aesthetic characteristics (availability of colors, finishes, etc.);
A comparison of durability and maintenance;
The latest trends according to our partner Miralis.

OVERVIEW OF MATERIAL TYPES

LAMINATE ($) – Versatile and Durable
Also known as melamine, laminate is made by pressing a layer of decorative paper impregnated with melamine resin onto a high-density particleboard at high temperatures to create a durable and scratch-resistant surface.

SIMILAQUE ($$) – Sturdy and Resistant
Similaque is a synthetic material obtained by applying an acrylic coating to a high-density particleboard, offering a finish similar to traditional lacquer. Available in matte or high-gloss finishes, it stands out for its durability, resistance to stains and scratches, and ability to bring brightness and style to contemporary kitchens.

LACQUER ($$$) – Highly Customizable
Lacquer is produced by spraying several layers of varnish onto an MDF panel, with each layer being sanded between applications to achieve an ultra-smooth finish.

FENIX ($$$) – Compact and Resistant
Fenix is made by pressing several sheets impregnated with resins onto a pressed wood panel at high temperatures, creating an extremely rigid and durable material.

ADVANCED ENGINEERED WOOD ($$$) – Warm and Resistant
Advanced engineered wood combines a veneer of real wood on a particleboard or plywood backing, offering the appearance and warmth of solid wood while improving stability and resistance to warping.

WOOD ($$$) – Timeless and Warm
Wooden doors can be made from either shaped solid wood or by using a wood veneer glued to a plywood or hard particleboard core, available in a variety of wood species.

COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW OF AESTHETIC CHARACTERISTICS

COMPARATIVE OVERVIEW OF DURABILITY AND MAINTENANCE

Our senior designer Fanny notes, “Each material we offer for your cabinets has been selected for its quality and performance. None of them is inferior to another; it all depends on the look you want to create and the atmosphere you want to establish in your kitchen.”

Mixing materials is also an excellent way to personalize your space and add character to your kitchen. For example, you can combine light-colored laminate with a wood-effect island to create a focal point or choose two different tones for the lower and upper cabinets to bring contrast and play with volumes.

CURRENT TRENDS

Beyond the types of materials available for your kitchen cabinets, it’s important to consider how these choices integrate with current kitchen design trends. In fact, material choice is only part of the equation for creating a kitchen that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Color and lighting trends also play a crucial role in creating a space that reflects your personal style while staying on trend. Let’s take a closer look at the latest must-have trends presented by our partner Miralis.

Warm tones:

Kitchen color trends are shifting towards warmer tones while maintaining a timeless look. Say goodbye to cold grays and bluish hues; now it’s all about warm shades of beige, greige, and even brown! These colors add depth and allow for the design of timeless kitchens where softness and warmth prevail.

Palettes inspired by nature, such as terracotta and soothing greens, as well as warm pinks and deep burgundies, are also gaining popularity. These hues help create enveloping and welcoming spaces, making way for a comforting atmosphere that celebrates natural and soothing tones.

Credits : Miralis

The right choice of lighting:

It’s easy to get carried away with choosing cabinets, countertops, and appliances. But lighting is just as important! It serves two essential functions: providing sufficient light for culinary tasks and creating a pleasant ambiance for social moments.

We recommend creating multiple layers of light: general lighting, task lighting for work areas, and ambient or decorative lighting. For general lighting, opt for discreet ceiling fixtures aligned along the cabinets rather than in a grid. Task lighting can be provided by wall sconces, pendants, or LED strips under the upper cabinets. Finally, don’t hesitate to add a decorative touch with a chandelier or pendant lights above an island.

Recent innovations in this field, such as the Luminescence solution developed by Miralis, offer new and exciting possibilities. This system integrates LED lighting directly into the cabinets and drawers during fabrication, creating a continuous and uniform lighting effect. It also allows you to choose between different light temperatures to match the desired ambiance and ensure consistent colors throughout the kitchen.