There are different kitchen cabinet / wardrobe materials that you can choose for your modular kitchen, depending on their durability and your budget and lifestyle.
- A Medium-Density Fibreboard (MDF) is made of small wooden fibres that are glued together with resins and hot-pressed. This is a budget-friendly option and can have any finish fitted on top.
- HDF-HMR or High-Density Fibreboard High Moisture-Resistance is mainly used in high-water intensity areas like the kitchen and the bathroom.
- Plywood - Boiling Water-Resistant Ply (BWR) / Boiling Waterproof Ply (BWP) / Moisture Resistant (MR) Ply
- Solid Wood - While traditionally used for kitchens, solid wood is no longer recommended by interior design experts to form the base of your modular kitchen. That’s because exposure to moisture can make wooden cabinet materials swell or warp over time.
- Particle Board - The cheapest material available in the market—particle board—is made from sawdust and waste wood, which is one reason why people question its quality. Since this kitchen cabinet material is not very sturdy, it cannot hold more weight. Hence, you should ideally only use it to make shutters if you have budget constraints. However, we recommend that you always opt for superior materials like HDF-HMR or MDF.
- PVC - Another pocket-friendly kitchen cabinet material, PVC is easy to clean and maintain.
These days, PVC boards for kitchens are available as hollow boards and foam. While the former is heavier and sturdier, the latter is lighter and more economical. The main advantages of PVC kitchens are that they are easy to repair and available in an array of colours. Choose foam board as it is sturdier and can hold more weight in comparison to hollow PVC boards. However, PVC is not as durable as other materials and it is not recommended for use in a busy and humid area like a kitchen.
- Stainless Steel - In the post-pandemic world, stainless steel is the latest material for kitchen cabinets that’s slowly penetrating the Indian market. Stainless steel kitchen cabinets are durable, completely waterproof and easy to clean. Typically, stainless steel kitchen cabinets are used in commercial kitchens, as they are meant for heavy-duty use.