“What is the benefit of solid oak kitchen cabinets rather than composite units?” Question of the Week 10.01.16
“What is the benefit of solid oak kitchen cabinets rather than composite units?”
Our latest ‘Question of the Week’ was sent into us by Jack in Sutton Coldfield. He is interested in ordering solid oak kitchen cabinets from us, but wants to know what the advantages are (as opposed to composite equivalents).
QUESTION:
“I really like the look of your solid oak kitchen cabinets, but as they are more expensive than some of the MDF or chipboard equivalents I have found, I wondered if you could tell me what the main benefits of solid wood are (apart from the way it looks).”
ANSWER:
Hi Jack,
Thanks for getting in touch with us to find out more about our solid oak cabinets.
Whilst it can be tempting to go with cheap composite units based on price alone, we believe solid European oak is a much better choice for creating sturdy kitchen cabinets, as they can last for many years if correctly installed.
Solid wood has a variety of benefits over materials such as MDF and chipboard, which makes wood the better choice for high-quality kitchens:
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The solid oak timber used to manufacture our cabinets comes from sustainable European forests with established replanting schemes in place. The quality of the timber is guaranteed and is perfectly stable once sealed with a clear, water-resistant lacquer.
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Oak timber can be easily worked and requires minimal refinishing once an adjustment has been made. Solid wood also withstands the strain from hinges and other fixtures much better than composite materials.
If considering composite kitchen cabinets, consider the following:
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MDF is technically sawdust held together with glue that contains formaldehyde. This construction makes it an easy material to work with, but means that the sawdust is highly carcinogenic. If the cabinets are not properly sealed, the surface can leak chemicals into the surrounding environment (particularly if it comes into contact with moisture).
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To make MDF and chipboard units look more expensive and aesthetically pleasing, they are usually covered with a veneer which may be either plastic or real wood. This means that the cabinet is more difficult to customise, as edges will need new veneer applied once cut – a process that requires specialist expertise to complete to a high standard.
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Lower quality composite products may lose their structural integrity over time, especially if subjected to high-moisture environments. It is not uncommon to find that areas around cabinet hinges can become warped or break apart following moisture ingress.
We recommend either ordering one of our cabinet samples, or visiting one of the Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets showrooms to take a closer look at our oak units. Once you see our stunning oak timber in ‘the flesh’, we are confident that the decision will be made for you.
We hope this information has helped, but if you do have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Kind Regards,
The Team @ Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinets
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