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Shaker Door:
The Shaker-style cabinet door is the most common door style seen in kitchens today. This five-piece flat-panel door has a frame made from four pieces and a single flat center panel for the fifth piece. This look can be achieved by using different materials; below are the most commonly used.
- Solid Wood: While the rails are wood, the center panel will most likely be a veneered MDF, painted or stained to match. This will prevent the panel from warping. When painting a wood shaker door, the most commonly used species is Maple, due to its price point. Something to consider when looking at a painted wood shaker door is the visible joint where the four rails meet. This will become more apparent over time with the expansion and retraction of the wood in its new environment. Joint options include: applied mouldings and beveling of the inside or outside profiles, which will also help to complete the look.
- MDF Painted: Constructed by one ¾” panel with the center shape routtered out. Since it’s just a tad less expensive than a Maple door, the consideration is usually due the lack of the visible joint where the rails meet. When comparing the two-above options, take yet a closer look at the rails. The inside and outside profile of an MDF door is a square eased edge, where as the profiles of solid wood rails are more square.
- Laminate/Thermofoil: These doors are molded out of MDF, wrapped in a plastic-type coating and then baked under intense heat to create a seal. Durable and cost effective, they come only in solid colors and imitation wood grain.
Why we love it
This door sits on the cusp of eased traditional, towards contemporary design; truly transitional! Our favorite look is when paired with a Flat Panel drawer front. Check out contracting firm Ridgewater Homes; Jervis Street project).
Flat Panel Door:
The flat-panel, or slab-door, style of cabinet is most often seen in modern or contemporary kitchens. The essence of this style is often about minimal embellishment. Below are different materials you can use to achieve this look.
- Wood Veneer: This minimalistic door has a wood grain on the exterior with a MDF core.
- Painted MDF Door: The possibilities are endless! Chose any paint colour and sheen to complete the look!
- Thermofoil: MDF door wrapped, on all sides but the back, in a plastic-type coating and then baked under intense heat to create a seal. Durable and cost effective, they come only in solid colors and imitation wood grain, high gloss or matte.
- Laminate: Sheets of Laminate applied to the front and back of the MDF core finished on all four sides with edge tape applied under intense heat. Durable and cost effective with hundred of designs and colour possibilities.
The options don’t end there! Glass doors back painted with an aluminum frame, High Gloss materials such as Polyurethane and Acrylic are just a few left to discuss.
Why we love it
The simplicity of the door style will help highlight the design. With so many options in materials, we can help you achieve the look within your budget. Check out Builder/Developer “Project Mint” where we’ve paired a cool high gloss laminate door with the warm tones of Rift Oak.
Traditional Door
Traditional Door Styles: Traditional kitchens have more ornamentation, they are defined by their details which can include: arches, decorative moldings and corbels, raised-panel cabinets, and mix of finishes and furniture.
- Raised-panel doors come in many different styles; Shadow lines created by glazing or a rub off effect are extra details of traditional kitchens.
- Heavy applied Mouldings; In keeping with the idea that more is more, you can also add ornamentation with applied mouldings.
Why we love it
Traditional kitchens often use multiple finishes. Sometimes you’ll see one color or style cabinet on the perimeter and another on the island. Check out our “Dunrobin Project”.
All though the list of countertops goes a little further than what we, mention below, here are the commonly used counter surfaces in our market….
ENGINEERED QUARTZ
Probably the most popular option, engineered quartz comes in just about every shade imaginable. This engineered product combines 90-95% ground quartz,5-10% resin and pigments for a tough, nonporous material. The designs can range from solid colours to some designs that mimic natures product; marble and granite. Costs range from $95 to $130 per square foot installed. Most reputable brands such as Caesarstone, Silestone & LG, will offer a lifetime warranty on the product.
Pros and cons of engineered quartz counters
+endless design options
+non porous
+easiest to maintain. Just your routine cleanup (soap & water)
+non toxic, non allergenic
+resistant to stains and scratches
+because it’s man made, you can find products in bigger slabs (than granite) some brands now make jumbo slabs, for fewer joints.
-the resin content isn’t heat tolerant.
GRANITE COUNTERS
This natural stone has plenty of character, with unique grains, colors and customizable finishes. When properly sealed, it’s one of the most durable options. While it can cost as low as $80 per square foot installed, prices can go up with the more exotic slabs.
Pros and cons of granite counters
Paying for more than you use; often you have to purchase the entire slab, and we only use what’s incorporated into your design.
LAMINATE KITCHEN COUNTERS
Stone lovers; don’t be so quick to dismiss, plastic laminate still has a serious fan base. The wide range of customizable edges and finishes means it can work in any design. Its affordable price makes it a winner for many. However, it’s not the most durable of countertops, so it may not be best for heavy-duty cooks. We love it in desk applications, in the closet, in laundry rooms and mushrooms!
MARBLE KITCHEN COUNTERS
Marble has an unrivaled, classic look that always seems to be in style. For lovers of white kitchens in particular, marble offers more variety than almost any other material. Marble is known more for the patina it develops with use than for its durability. It’s a softer stone than granite, and can scratch and stain easily; the cost typically ranges from $70 to $100 per square foot installed.
STAINLESS KITCHEN COUNTERS
Chefs love stainless steel because it’s nonstaining, heat resistant and easy to clean. While it makes fingerprints and scratches stand out, it’s a great choice for hardworking kitchens that don’t need a perfect look. We love integrating a seamless sink into the countertop.
WOOD KITCHEN COUNTERS
For some, wood and countertops just don’t seem to mix. But a high-quality wood with the right kind of sealer can make for a beautiful, warm and long-lasting countertop. Incorporate wood tops on a hutch, entertainment unit or butler buffet, will make the cabinetry look more furniture like! The price varies substantially depending on the type of wood you choose.
Handles
The jewellery to your cabinetry, handles can be sleek, embellished, overstated or minimalistic. We supply pulls and knobs from reputable companies such as Richelieu, Marathon Hardware and Emtek.
A few important things to take into consideration when selecting the right handle for your space is making sure they work with the overall design of your cabinets, have enough clearance to allow your cabinets to open fully (which can even be affected by placement), and don’t snag your clothing when you walk by. Not to worry, we are here to guide you through every step!
While polished chrome and brushed nickel finishes remain a classic, handles can be seen today in a vast variety of finishes and materials such as: oil-rubbed bronze, pewter, antique nickel, brass, crystal, acrylic, wood, leather and many more. Other options include going handle-less by using power operating systems and touch latches.
Specialty Hardware
Using cabinet accessories add functionality and assist in maximizing every inch of storage in your space. Difficult corners to access in a kitchen are the thing of the past with the use of hardware fittings like the Super Susan, LeMans, and many others supplied by Richelieu Hardware. Built in waste bins, recycling centers, pantry pullouts, and tray dividers are some of our favorites to use when designing a kitchen. The use of cabinet accessories doesn’t stop there! Specialty hardware can also be found in laundry rooms, bars, office spaces and bathrooms.
Hinges & Slides
Just as important as the construction of your cabinets, the hinges and slides are a crucial factor in how your cabinets will function.
Soft closing hinges are routered into doors and attached onto hinge plates located inside the cabinet, concealing them completely from the outside. Swing doors can open to 90 degrees or up to 180 degrees with the proper hinge. Wall lift-up cabinets have become a major trend over the years and the way in which the door opens will depend on the hinge used. Ask us about the different options when considering wall lift-up cabinets!
Under mounted, full extension, soft closing slides (also called glides or guides) are our standard when referring to how your drawers will function. Mounting the slides below the drawer box not only maximize the full width of the drawer but also aid in supporting the weight of the drawer and its contents. With the experts behind German Blum products, we can offer a variety of options to suite all your storage needs.