The perfect finish for the kitchen cupboard door

Apart from the benchtop, the finish and texture you choose for the kitchen cupboard door are what will create the biggest impact in your kitchen. Those decisions may also be crucial to whether or not you can stick to your budget. Here are some options:

Low-pressure laminate kitchen doors

A good choice for the budget conscious, low-pressure laminate is also commonly referred to as melamine. It's basically layers of paper impregnated with resin to create a hard, plastic-like surface.

Easy to clean, low-pressure laminate isn't as hard wearing as some finishes, but comes in a wide range of colours. Just make sure you choose a relatively thick edging to avoid chipping, which is very difficult to repair properly.

High-pressure laminate kitchen doors

As the name suggests, this is a 'better' (i.e. more hard wearing) but more expensive version of low-pressure laminate. It comes in a wide range of colours, but is also available in various finishes - like matt, gloss and textured. As above, choose a thicker edge to avoid chipping. Also bear in mind that if you choose a gloss finish, it may be susceptible to scratching.

Vinyl-wrapped kitchen doors

A popular choice for medium-sized budgets, vinyl vacuum-wrapped doors provide a durable, non-porous finish. Compared with laminates, the edging is more 'user friendly' because it's rounded and free from joins (which makes chipping less of a risk). But colours are relatively limited and, just like laminate, fixing any damaged areas on the doors can be tricky.

Polyurethane painted kitchen doors

A high-budget option, but the finish is worth it. Created by layers and layers of paint, the end result is a thick, durable coat that is free from any visible joins or edges. Cleaning is easy, the colour range is extensive and retrospective repairs are possible.

Timber veneer kitchen doors

A medium-to-high-budget choice, the finish is created by applying a timber veneer to the door. Joins can be visible and the end product isn't as durable as some other finishes, but it can be a cheaper way of achieving a natural wood effect in your kitchen.

Solid timber kitchen doors

Most species of wood can be used, but it's wise to choose a hardwood rather than a softwood because it's more durable. That said, even hardwood doors can suffer dents and dings, so think seriously about whether your lifestyle and family will be able to look after solid timber cabinet doors.

Another thing to remember is that, because it's a natural product, colour and grain consistency can be hard to achieve between doors.

Contact an expert in your area to find out more about perfecting the look of the kitchen cupboard door: