The Best Material for Your Bathroom Cabinets

It should not come as a shock that the majority of people spend a significant amount of time throughout their lives in their bathrooms. When remodeling your bathroom, keep in mind that you are customizing a space to fit your needs. Do not sacrifice your wishes for practicality, but keep in mind that there are a lot of details that go into remodeling your bathroom that would serve you well to know about before jumping into a huge project. Although style is important, it is also crucial to choose materials that are meant to withstand the temperate weather of your bathroom.

Check materials’ waterproofing ability

Unless you feel like going through the turmoil and stress of tearing apart your home again, once you choose materials in renovation you’re pretty stuck with them. Choosing the right bathroom cabinets sounds easy, but there is a lot of information to sift through when finding the right materials. Bathrooms can get wet, foggy, and flooded; because of this, it is wise to choose material that will not warp or become damaged when coming into contact with water or moist conditions. If you choose incorrectly, this could be a costly error down the road.

Go with the strongest material

Although a little pricier, its best to go with the strongest and most durable material for bathroom cabinets. There are various types of solid wood that do the job nicely, and will last for many years to come. The most important thing is that you choose a material that can adequately be sealed to protect it from water and moisture damage.

Solid wood vs Plywood vs MDF

The most efficient, widely used materials for bathroom cabinets are: Solid wood, plywood, and MDF. Solid wood cabinets, such as oak or maple wood hold up nicely in a bathroom climate, particularly when properly sealed and painted. Keep in mind that there should be proper ventilation in your bathroom so that the humidity can escape. You can find a wide variety of types of solid wood cabinets in many different finishes that will best accompany your style and enhance your space. Decoratively speaking, solid wood is a classic beauty.

Plywood cabinets are also an option for your bathroom. While there is a wide spectrum in quality, size, and density of plywood, it is best to look for the most solid-like option. Unlike natural wood, plywood does not expand as much—therefore, it may be one step up from solid wood when it comes to picking the right material that will stand up to the humidity. Not only is it more stable in terms of warping and potential water damage, but it is a generally cost-effective option that will last for many years.

MDF, or “medium density fiberboard” is made of other types of compressed wood. It can be more resistant to the moisture of the bathroom than many other materials used for bathroom cabinets when treated and installed properly, and has become highly popular in many of today’s low-cost cabinet options. Although, MDF should not come into substantial contact with water, as it can warp. MDF is easy to paint—making it easier to customize your bathroom cabinets to the exact color of your choice. However, unlike solid wood, if it does become damaged it can be difficult to repair. Furthermore, there are recent concerns that MDF material can leak gasses that are harmful to your health.

Final thought

It is also likely that if you buy a pre-made bathroom cabinet that it will be made of several different types of wood like particleboard base combined with solid wood drawers. There is nothing wrong with choosing pre-made cabinetry that does not consist of only one type of wood; the quality is what is most important. For the best results, properly painted and sealed solid wood cabinetry is best for a bathroom setting. Although the wood may warp over time, it will not be difficult to repair, and solid wood will last the longest. Solid wood is a classic feature of any household. If you plan on using solid wood, be sure to research what the best type of wood is for your intended purpose. A solid oak is a great choice for cabinetry. If you have to settle for a lower-cost option, plywood is your next best bet.