Last updated: 1 October, 2007

The cost of Kitchen cabinets varies according to the materials, finishes, colours and profiles chosen for doors, drawer fronts and covering panels.

Door construction types

In general doors are often bought-in from firms such as Duratech Industries a local firm that specialises in Door manufacture and Vinyl wrapping and has an excellent variety of profiles, sizes, textures, patterns and colours.

In general there are a few different ways in door construction:

	1. Slab - Flat door styles with no raised or recessed profile. Solid wood slab doors are usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock wood joined with adhesive, then cut to size. Laminated slab styles are made of a substrate material (without a routed shape), then covered with the manufacturer's choice of laminate. Slab door styles may have detailed or plain edge profiles.
	2. Recessed Panel - A 'picture frame' is constructed, often with either miter or mortise and tenon joints. One or more flat panels is secured within the frame. Panels may be grooved or otherwise decorated. When 18mm - 25mm HMR particle board is used then the cut doors are profiled and recessed panels are formed using an automated Router.
	3. Raised Panel - Frames are constructed with panels secured in place as above. The raised panel is usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock lumber joined with adhesive, cut dimensionally and then routed or shaped with the desired edge profile. Raised panels might also consist of wood veneers adhered to plywood or another substrate, but this is more prone to different aging then the door itself.
	4. Routed - MRPB (Moister Resistant medium density fiberboard) or other material is shaped to create the appearance of raised or recessed panel or panels then painted or covered with the manufacturer's choice of laminate. In its simpler form these could be made of just 16mm HMR particle board, then vinyl coated, or left plain. Aneka prefers to use a minimum of 18mm or 25mm depending on the rebating or profiling requirements.

There are also differentiations in door styles by varied frame edge profiles and the dimension to which the door overlays the cabinet front frame.

Apart from the conventional doors discussed one must also consider different functional doors (all of which are obtained from specialist local or interstate manufacturers, including:

• Roller doors - there are a number of examples in the Aneka Showroom - these are very practical to enclose shelving within easy reach of the food preparation area and that, when 'pulled-down' enclose the full depth of the benchtop area.
• Bifold doors - two doors hinged together - used in the same fashion, but enclosing a larger area; this idea is also very popular for access to corner areas in a bench.
• Pivot Sliding doors - an alternative idea, here the door pivots open, then slides into a gap at the side of the cupboard.

Glass door styles constructed of pseudo or real lead-glass, or plain glass covering a open worked lattice, as shown in the picture.

The inside of cabinets are not just occupied by shelving - the modern kitchen cabinets hide a range of inside constructions, such as Sliding drawers, that are now very popular for storage of pots and pans, Spices racks, Kitchen tidiers, wire baskets, inbuilt Dishwashers etc.; these are shown on the Accessories page.

There is no sign of joins or edgings, a beautiful smooth product. The colour range is unlimited and a gloss or semi-gloss is advisable in a kitchen. Cleaning is easy.
But - consider using 1 or 2 mm pencil round edging ratherthan straight edges to prevent chipping of the paint over time.
NOTE: Painted surfaces can be relative easily repaired by colour matching and scratch repainting, or sanding down and full repainting.

On a particle board base a natural timber veneer can be applied to both sides, that is sealed with a clear coating for durability, or with a stain or lacquer. The colour range is limited to the availability of the timber species. Edges are square and in the same material or a matching strip so a tiny join could be showing. Veneer is usually only applied to flat panel doors with square edges. If profiles or grooves are applied then the board material may show and therefore a liming or staining should be used before applying the final clear finish. Acids or oil stains must be removed immediately, cleaning is with a damp cloth.

Solid Timber- 

Oak

Poplar

Pine

Birch

Any timber species can be used. Popular Australian hardwood species are:

• Blackwood
• Tasmanian Oak
• Sydney Blue Gum

The timber used depends on current availability, (the design at the left is manufactured in cedar) and it is unlikely that all doors will have exactly the same colour and texture. Although unsurpassed in quality feel and look Timber doors may be subject to movements as they are affected by large changes in moisture and temperature. Cleaning is with a damp cloth, durability depends on the surface coating. Lacquer - two-pack is recommended, otherwise natural timbers should be oiled.