Materials

The popularity of an open plan kitchen is to be celebrated, representing as it does the joyous pastimes of cooking and eating. This however has raised a concern with most home owners – the sheer visual exposure of the space. This is where the choice of kitchen materials becomes important.

Consider the following questions regarding choice of material, colour, style and texture for your kitchen :
 

•    What look do you wish to achieve?

•    For example, modern, classic or luxury heritage kitchen?

•    What colours, shades and textures best suit the kitchen as a whole?

•    Consider, do you have a lot of light or little as this will impact on colour choice.

•    Will the kitchen surfaces, colours and style compliment and blend with the rest of the house?

•    For example what flooring do you have?

•    What type of windows are in the kitchen?

•    What colour do you have on the walls?

•    Will the surfaces be easy to look after and clean?

•    Does the kitchen need to cater for one or for a large family?

•    Will the surfaces stand up to wear and tear over time?

Functionality and purpose are also key influences on choice of kitchen materials. This may mean the choice of materials you select will vary throughout the kitchen, in particular when considering, cabinets, doors, bench tops and splashbacks.

Cabinetry Materials
 

• Make sure the kitchen company you select custom makes your cabinetry to maximise your storage space and to get a design made just for you. Some companies only use modular units, others have set sizes for cabinets, cabinet depth and bench top heights.
• Ask the kitchen company you select if they make their cabinets out of High Moisture Resistance board.
• Do they offer a warranty? Make sure it’s 10 years. What about the hardware? Reputable kitchen companies will offer a lifetime warranty on hardware used e.g hinges, drawer runners.
• Do they offer marine plywood for cabinetry exposed to wet areas?
• Do the cabinets have edge tape or are they solid PVC – the latter being more durable.
• Does the company make solid plinths or are the cabinets on plastic legs? Be careful if the company uses the latter as these can sag when heavy benchtops are placed on the cabinets, creating cracks in joins.
• Do the cabinets have solid tops, backs and sides?
• Can the company make coloured interior cabinets?
• Does the company offer gloss interiors in cabinets i.e. a gloss finish to shelves to make them easier to wipe down and clean.
• Are the drawers used soft closing? Are the doors fitted with a soft closing mechanism?
• Are the shelves adjustable in height or fixed?
• Does the pantry come with cut away shelves or roll out drawers? If you are have a step in pantry – does the company provide a stainless steel tread?
• If you are having lights fitted under wall cabinets does the company make under pelmet soffits to match the door colour? Are the work lights concealed by a neat light pelmet?
• What drawer runners do they use? Do these have a life-time warranty?
• What hinges do they use? Do they have a lifetime warranty?

Doors

The options for door colour, style and texture are unlimited. The main types are :
 

1. Lamiwood – these tend to be the most durable and economical. They are usually a flat profile door with solid PVC edging. Available in many colours from a range of suppliers.
2. Polyurethane – these are a durable doors, available in unlimited colours and can be mixed to suit your requirements. (Metallic paint can also be used). Polyurethane doors can be routered to suit the look you want e.g. heritage. If mistreated, polyurethane can chip.
3. Timber Veneer – this is a natural product and can be finished in gloss or satin. Doors are flat and sleek, without any raised profile, good if looking for a modern look. Cost is dependent upon the species of timber selected, generally dearer than lamiwood or polyurethane. Timber veneer is often used in conjunction with polyurethane door finishes to add a design feature. Durability is not a good as lamiwood or polyurethane.
4. Solid Timber – again a natural product and can be finished in gloss or satin. Doors are generally solid timber around the rails with a veneer panel in the middle to allow for the natural expansion and contraction of timber. Durable door finish with cost dependent on species chosen, however usually dearer than lamiwood or polyurethane.
5. Handpainted – this is often chosen where a client would like a provincial or heritage kitchen look. Can be painted in the factory or in situ. Durable door finish, slightly dearer than polyurethane due to the labour involved in hand painting.

Bench Tops

Laminate

This product is scratch and moisture resistant and low maintenance. Although durable, it doesn’t have the life span of stone and can be sensitive to heat. Available in varying edge profiles and various colours – selected from supplier’s range. Cost effective.

Natural Stone

This refers to granite and marble. Pricing varies dependent on the stone selected and from where it is being sourced. Integrity of the stone varies depending on type, some stones can chip and some is more porous than others, whilst others are very durable. Being a natural product there is variation in colour and texture and therefore it is recommended the client selects their kitchen slabs. Some stone does require re-sealing over time. Varying edge profiles are available depending on the look you want. Contemporary is pencil round whilst heritage may be bullnose or “lamb’s tongue”. Slabs usually come in 20-30mm thickness and combinations of bench top thickness thereof can be made.

Reconstituted Stone

There are many brands available offering reconstituted stone, essentially bonded natural stone particles and colour pigments. Comes in a polished sparkling finish. Resistant to temperature changes, moisture resistant, high impact resistance and retains colour. A very durable bench top. Varying edge profiles are available depending on the look you want. Contemporary is pencil round whilst heritage may be bullnose or “lamb’s tongue”. Slabs usually come in 20-30mm thickness and combinations of bench top thickness thereof can be made.
 

Timber Bench Tops

A beautiful kitchen benchtop - available in many different species and finishes. Can require re-sealing over time and may not be as durable as some stone bench tops - burn marks and scratches can show. Moderately expensive.

Acrylic

High-performance acrylic and polymer bench tops are exceptionally durable and non-porous. They allow seamless joins and are hygienic and stain resistant. Available in a range of colours and finishes however are relatively expensive.

Stainless Steel

A very stylish bench top, but can scratch very easily. Exceptionally hygienic with a commercial look and feel. Different edge profiles are available. Relatively expensive.

Splash Backs

Splash backs fulfill two requirements, functionality and aesthetics. The splash back prevents grease, dirt and water from soiling walls, whilst also being a dominant design feature. There are no rules when it comes to selecting splash back material it comes down to what you like and economics.

Tiled

There are a great range of tiles available on the market to add to the texture and look you want. Tiles are a popular, practical and economical way to complete a splashback.

Stone

A cool clean look, often used where clients don’t wish to introduce another material in the splashback. Very durable and great integrity.

Glass

A contemporary look, 10mm toughened glass is used. There are two types of glass clear float and starphire. The former has blue-green tinge and the latter has been treated to largely remove this. It is usually recommended to use starphire glass if selecting a light colour for the splashback. A very durable material must be site measured once the bench top has been fitted.

Mirrors and Stainless Steel

Mirrors and stainless steel are contemporary splashbacks. Mirror should not be used directly behind a cooktop unless toughened. Often used together, mirror and stainless steel can look spectacular.

Other Ideas for Splashbacks

Glass Bricks

 Windows

 Lamiwood

Natural Wall Features - Sandstone