Thermofoil Kitchen Cabinets
Thermofoil cabinet finishes offer the look of paint while avoiding some of the disadvantages. They're made by heat-fusing a very thin layer of vinyl to a substrate material to create a smooth, uniformly colored surface, avoiding the variations and inconsistencies that occur with paint. The surface is also tougher and easier to clean than paint, accepts transparent washes for an antiqued look, and works well in nearly all styles. And, while it's a mainstay of budget-priced and do-it-yourself cabinetry, it's also offered with top-of-the-line custom products.
That's the good news. The bad news is that of all possible cabinet materials, Thermofoil probably requires the most due diligence on your part. A quick Internet search yields a litany of horror stories from unhappy homeowners with discolored cabinets, blistered and peeling surfaces (especially around cooking areas), and worse. This is by no means inevitable, as the awful tales almost always involve fly-by-night manufacturers and installers, but this is an area where you need to work closely with a reputable and trusted professional to make sure the manufacturer does good work and stands behind the product. Read and understand the fine print in the warranty before you commit. Far better to ask searching questions now than to be left with no recourse later.
Aside from general manufacturing quality and product support, the most crucial issue affecting the performance and longevity of your Thermofoil cabinets is what the Thermofoil is bonded to. Which can range from little better than glorified cardboard (beware!) at the ultra-low end to solid wood at the high end. Many budget and mid-priced offerings feature Thermofoil bonded to either particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard) or other engineered wood product.
Particle board and fiberboard consist essentially of sawdust and glue, and while some products are stronger than others, the material is prone to sagging if not adequately supported. This can be an issue on shelves loaded with heavy dishes, pots and pans, or canned goods. Particle board and fiberboard also tend not to hold screws as well as wood or plywood, which may lead to loose hinges and drawer pulls that are a hassle to fix (not to mention sagging shelves pulling loose from the cabinet itself). These problems are not inevitable, but be sure to have a thorough discussion of your requirements and potential trouble spots with your building pro.
As long as the Thermofoil finish is seamless and intact, moisture won't seep into the substrate and all is well. However, gouges and dents in the finish can lead to a chain reaction of problems, including blistering and peeling as moisture gets below the surface. Particle board and fiberboard are quite vulnerable to swelling and warping if they do get wet, thereby shortening the cabinet's life, while the more expensive solid wood holds up better. Averting water damage is another issue you definitely want to discuss with a trusted professional before making your final decision.
Oak Kitchen Cabinets / Cherry Kitchen Cabinets / Hickory Kitchen Cabinets / Metal Kitchen Cabinets / Melamine Kitchen Cabinets / Thermofoil Kitchen Cabinets / Maple Kitchen Cabinets / Mahogany Kitchen Cabinets / Walnut Kitchen Cabinets