The hub of the home is the kitchen. Families spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing food, feeding their bodies, learning to bake, hosting and entertaining guests, and chatting while sipping hot coffee.
The kitchen is undoubtedly a room with a lot of usefulness. In order to have it all, the kitchen’s furnishings, particularly the kitchen cabinets, must be both visually beautiful and strong and durable.
Since there are several materials choices for kitchen cabinets. dividing them into two categories: surface treatments and foundation materials. Shutters and drawers are made from the same basic material. PVC boards, ply boards, WPC, particle boards, and other base materials are readily accessible on the market. Depending on our choice, such materials may have a variety of surface treatments, including laminates, veneer, paint, etc.
Among all the items, wooden and PVC are the most common boards used for home kitchen cabinets.
About PVC material for kitchen
PVC material, often known as polyvinyl chloride, is a type of composite plastic sheet. It seems sensible that the first thing that comes to mind when Poly-Vinyl Chloride, or PVC, is a pipe, bathroom, or plumbing material. Today, however, PVC is used for a wide range of different things because of its strength and accessibility. PVC has become more well-liked as a material for kitchen cabinets as demand for modular kitchens has increased.
Two varieties of PVC board are available for kitchen cabinets:
- PVC foam and
- PVC hollow boards.
PVC foam boards are thicker and more durable than hollow boards, contrary to what their name indicates, whereas PVC hollow boards are hollow within. Both PVC material types can provide a glossy or matte appearance, however, PVC hollow boards, unlike PVC foam boards, have low heat resistance and frequently droop much too fast owing to a lack of strength.
Before you choose PVC, you should think of the pros and cons to take the right decision.
Pros of Using PVC
The most popular material for modular kitchen cabinets is PVC. The causes are as follows.
- Economical:
When compared to hardwood cabinets, PVC materials are more affordable and practical. Comparable to PVC foam boards, PVC hollow boards are less expensive. But PVC hollow boards are weak and are only recommended for temporary kitchen cabinets.
- Installation simplicity:
The PVC material for kitchen cabinets is available in a variety of colors and in boards that are ready to be installed without extra fastening. These pre-assembled boards are portable and simple to set up in your kitchen. Not even extra laminations or fitting designs are necessary.
- Durability:
For PVC kitchen designs that are more durable, go for foam board instead of the hollow PVC version because it can support more weight. Furthermore, PVC material is rot-proof and lasts longer without suffering any significant harm. Actually, PVC cabinets have a very long lifespan. PVC kitchen cabinets have a high level of durability and won’t need to be totally replaced for up to 20 years or more.
- Simplicity of locating/replacing:
PVC products are widely accessible on the market. As a result, replacing PVC boards or sheets is a simple process at any time.
- No upkeep:
PVC, which is mostly made of plastic, can be totally cleaned up after spills or splatters. As a result of not absorbing liquids or oils, it is remarkably stain-resistant. Additionally, since you don’t have to replace a cabinet that has been stained by a spill, as you would have to do with wood cabinets, the material is more durable.
- Termite resistant:
You don’t have to be concerned about termites, wood borers, or other insects ruining your cabinets if you use PVC. These materials are anticorrosive, hydrophobic, oil-proof, and termite-free. The material won’t change after installation.
Cons of Using PVC
Every item has disadvantages too along with all the pros. Here are the cons of PVC-
- Low hardware support:
The hardware of PVC boards is challenging while being simple to install and operate. Sagging develops over time as a result of the screws and hinges that were utilized to link the PVC boards. PVC boards’ gripping power is therefore inferior to that of other materials like plywood or real wood.
- Low heat and fire resistance:
In the kitchen, furniture is frequently exposed to heat, oil, and water. The PVC material isn’t as heat- and fire-resistant as wood cabinets with sealant, especially when it comes to hollow PVC boards. The superior option among the two PVC cabinet alternatives for heat and fire blocking is wood cabinets, while foam PVC boards are more heat-resistant.
- Prone to scratches:
Sanding and refinishing may often be used to repair a wood cabinet that has been dented or scratched. But a nick or split in PVC materials cannot be fixed; they are irreparable. Your PVC kitchen cabinet would need to have the entire board replaced if there was a noticeable dent on it. PVC cabinet materials are affordable and resilient, which is a good thing.
The material of choice for kitchen cabinets has historically been wood. Due to the price of hardwood cabinets and the fact that they warp when exposed to moisture, they are now frequently replaced by Plyboards, Plywood, or MDF boards.
If used with the best finishes, plywood and plywood planks may be used for kitchen furniture. It is crucial to paint or cover them with film or varnish them before utilizing your kitchen.
People frequently wonder if PVC components are safe to use in the kitchen because they are made of plastic. You must ensure that your family is safe since you are preparing food and beverages. The good news is that PVC is a non-toxic material and that germs won’t stick to it or seep into its fibers since it doesn’t absorb liquids.
The process of replacing your kitchen cabinets shouldn’t be stressful, even if you have a lot of home improvement tasks you’d like to do. Because of its high level of durability, widespread availability, and inexpensive price, PVC kitchen cabinets have gained popularity. PVC cabinets have advantages over wood cabinets, even if they aren’t always superior to them.