Kitchen doors take more punishment than any other wood in the house: steam, splashes, little hands and a lot of opening and closing. Here is how the three main choices compare.
Solid hardwood
Iroko, mahogany or teak frames with a solid or veneered panel. Beautiful, repairable and long lasting. It moves a little with the seasons, so we use frame and panel construction that lets it.
Best for: classic kitchens, people who love the grain, kitchens that will be sanded and refinished one day.
Veneer on a stable core
A thin layer of real wood on marine plywood. It looks like solid wood and stays flatter, which suits wide or flat slab doors.
Best for: modern slab doors with a wood look.
Choose the door for how you cook, not just how it looks.
Painted moisture resistant MDF
Smooth, any colour and the most affordable. Sprayed in our booth for a hard finish. It does not like standing water on its edges, so we seal them carefully.
Best for: painted kitchens, rental properties and tight budgets.
Our advice
Many clients mix: painted MDF for the wall units and hardwood for the base and island, where the grain shows best. Try the combinations in the finish picker below.
