Thermofoil cabinets are a great choice for a kitchen remodel as they require minimal effort to keep clean and are very affordable. Thermofoil cabinets are similar to vinyl siding when it comes to kitchen and bathroom storage. Thermofoil provides an impermeable covering for MDF, which is a tough variation of solid timber. MDF that has not been treated yet may swell and become distorted when wet and does not accept paint easily; however, the process of thermofoil coating makes MDF a cost-effective choice for those constructing kitchen cabinets.

Thermofoil cabinet finishes may not be suitable for every kitchen and bathroom, but they are better than particleboard. It is generally considered a builders-grade quality. We consulted with two designers and constructors to discover what they thought of thermofoil. Concerns exist that thermofoil cabinets may decrease the resell worth of a property. Paul McAlary, a designer, has suggested that the next people who purchase your house may think that the alterations that you have made have made the residence appear less appealing for sale. Nick Dellos, a builder, claims that using thermofoil can be money-saving for the builder, but it will not increase the worth of the house to the homeowner or purchaser.

Discover all the things to contemplate before acquiring thermofoil by reading on.

What Is Thermofoil?

Thermofoil is a form of coating that is constructed from a slim sheet of plastic. The etymology of the word “thermofoil” is derived from “thermo,” meaning heat, with “foil” referring to a sheet that is of a thin structure. Cabinet producers utilize heat or pressure to attach a white, colored, or faux wood grain vinyl coating to a cost-effective base material such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF) to create cabinet doors and drawer fronts.

Buying Considerations for Thermofoil Cabinets

Space (or Room Layout)

Thermofoil cabinets are commonly seen in display areas, model homes, quick turnaround makeovers, residences, and multi-family dwellings. It is common to find them in kitchens and bathrooms; however, they can also be used in areas that contain cabinets, including workshops and spaces dedicated to hobbies. Paul McAlary, a designer, claims that thermofoil cabinets were a hit at one point, but they are no longer an appropriate choice for the majority of kitchen renovations.

Material

Thermofoil cabinets are made with a large vacuum press. The bases of cabinet doors and drawers are usually constructed out of MDF (Medium-Density Fibreboard) or man-made wood. A layer of solid colored vinyl that can be flexed is placed over the surface. The lid of the press is shut, and the air inside the room is released. The vinyl sticks firmly to the surface using a high level of force and bonding material.

The thermofoil surface matters. The majority of companies who make thermofoil cabinets opt for MDF as it is a robust selection. However, plywood or particleboard are also used. Compared to MDF, plywood is more resilient, has more capacity to carry load, and is built to last. It can better resist shearing or bending. Particleboard is created by combining sawdust and other off-cuts of wood into a tight formation, and its structure often renders it vulnerable to cracking, breaking, or snapping.

Size

The dimensions of these cabinets are typical, and they can be tailored to fit your space as well. The options are limitless for thermofoil cabinets.

Features

Its most beneficial characteristics are its simplicity of cleaning and its even, consistent hue. Thermofoil runs continuously throughout the front of the area. Being a plastic product, it is essentially nonporous. Water will not affect thermofoil. Thermofoil is resistant to many types of stains and can be easily wiped away.

A primary characteristic of thermofoil cabinets is the even and uniform coloring since the hue is baked into the vinyl covering. This cabinet with a facing constructed of material other than wood will maintain its intense hue even after wooden doors that have been painted begin to lose their color. However, nothing lasts forever; they can yellow and peel.

Cost

Thermofoil cabinets are amongst the most cost-effective cabinets available. Stock Thermofoil cupboards, with no added details, usually cost approximately $100 per linear foot. If you choose to go with semi-customized or tailored cabinets, the cost increases to around $350 per foot. In comparison to the hardwood cabinets, which are roughly $500 per linear foot, the savings are still evident. It may cost approximately one thousand dollars to put on new thermofoil fronts on the cabinet doors and drawers in a small kitchen.

Glass Cabinet Door Styles

The type of door you decide on can drastically change the appearance and atmosphere of your cupboard system — and everything about the area. Consider the following factors when you select your new cabinet doors:

  • Glass type: The most striking part of any glass door is the glass itself, so you want to make sure you choose a glass panel that works well in your space and looks good in your cabinets.
  • Mullions: Mullions divide your glass panels into distinct sections. The number of mullions on a panel can significantly alter a cabinet’s appearance and vibe.
  • Cabinet placement: Where you place your glass cabinet doors plays into a cabinet system’s overall balance and composition. Find places where it makes sense to allow visibility into your cabinets and mark them on your plans.

Mullions

A mullion is a partition that splits a glass window into separate parts. You will be able to locate them around any kind of glass, such as windows, doors, and cupboards.

The number and order of divisions you have in your cabinet can make a significant impact on the look of your room – for instance, a modern farmhouse-style kitchen may require diagonal mullions that form an X shape. A classic-style kitchen would benefit from the use of this element, although it would look more aesthetically pleasing if arranged with a pattern of alternating vertical and horizontal mullions.

Having more mullions creates a very organized and geometric look, while having less or no mullions allows in more sunlight which makes a room appear more open.

Clear Glass

Opaque glass is the most conventional and adaptable option for cabinets in any area in a residence. This room has a refreshingly light atmosphere that blends wonderfully with any type of decor, whether it’s classic, or rural. Fashionable styles for home decoration may be transitory, however convex glass will never go out of popularity.

Individuals who enjoy displaying their cabinet items prefer cabinets with transparent glass doors. You could have clear glass cabinet doors installed to create a lovely display of your fine China collection.

The only negative aspect of putting in transparent glass doors on cupboards is that anything inside will be visible, so if you have children or animals in your household, you’ll need to regularly clean the cupboard doors. If you don’t want to show your guests cabinets that are cluttered or dishes that don’t match, choose a less transparent type of glass.

Frosted Glass

Frosted glass is an optimal selection if you desire a glass cabinet but wish to reduce how much of the view into the inside can be seen.

During the manufacturing process, a smooth, translucent finish is created by blasting frosted glass with sand or another type of abrasive material. The glass makes it difficult to see small details, so all your visitors will simply be able to make out the shape of whatever is being kept concealed.

Cabinets with a polished, smooth appearance that’s been airbrushed is ideal for any interior with a modern, minimalistic, or contemporary concept. Still, it is highly accommodating so it could be adapted to more traditional settings as well.

You can purchase glass panes with personalized engraved designs and patterns to make the look more traditional. Engraved glass functions incredibly well with Bohemian and vintage decorations because it grants the area a creative and comfortable atmosphere.

Textured Glass

If you find glass cabinets attractive but desire something with a bit more character, textured glass may be the ideal option for you. Glass with a raised or indented design has been formed to produce a pattern on its exterior. It creates a unique, eye-catching look in any space.

Textured glass is better than clear glass because it is more forgiving in terms of smudges and doesn’t need to be cleaned as often. This attribute makes them great for households with kids or animals.

Popular glass textures include:

  • Seedy glass: Also called seeded glass, seedy glass contains tiny bubbles and a subtle wavy texture reminiscent of hand-blown glass. It lends the room a vintage, old-fashioned look that works well with rustic or traditional decor.
  • Reeded glass: By taking a roller to the surface of a panel, glassmakers can create a lined, wavy texture that effectively blurs whatever is behind it.
  • Rain glass: Rain glass has textured vertical streaks that create a wet appearance.
  • Pebbled glass: As the name implies, pebbled glass resembles the coarse texture of stones. It looks excellent in contemporary bathrooms.

Colored Glass

Putting in stained and leaded glass cabinet doors can be tricky at times, but it is a great way to introduce some lively colors into the area. You can choose from several different types of colored glass:

  • Stained glass: Stained glass is a classic choice that fits beautifully in most vintage and retro homes, but it can also provide a striking visual accent in a traditional kitchen.
  • Leaded glass: More commonly known as crystal, leaded glass contains a trace amount of lead that replaces the glass’s calcium content. This property lends it a higher degree of clarity than traditional glass, and it often comes in a wide array of colors. You’re most likely to find leaded glass in flea markets, salvage shops or specialty retailers. However, the sophisticated look of this glass style is well worth the hunt.
  • Eglomise glass: The term Verre Eglomise refers to an old glass decorating technique where the artist applies gold or silver leaf to the rear face of a glass pane to produce a reflective finish. Eglomise panels create an elegant, polished feel that elevates a room.

Here are some quick tips to elevate your glass cabinet doors:

  • Organization: If you’re installing glass cabinet doors, you need a clear organizational scheme to make keeping tidy cabinets easy. For example, if you usually grab whatever’s on the bottom shelf, that’s where you should place the items you use most frequently. Reserve upper shelves for decorations and items you rarely use — you’ll have less to reorganize. Plus, if you’re in the kitchen, putting plates back will be much easier if they’re in an easy-to-reach place.
  • Balance: Creating a sense of harmony among the items in your cabinets makes a big difference in their overall appearance. Whether you choose clear, stained or frosted glass, guests can still see the outlines of everything in the cabinet. Arrange these items according to size and shape, avoiding placing too many things of one size together. For example, you could offset stacks of plates with decorative elements like pretty glasses or a favorite cookbook.
  • Color: Composition and organization are essential elements in creating standout cabinet displays, but if you really want to elevate your decor, play around with colors. For example, you could warm your space for autumn and winter by swapping certain elements out for copper cookware and natural wood pieces like mixing bowls and cutting boards. You can put these pieces in storage when spring comes around and replace them with more brightly colored pieces like painted ceramic bowls or tinted wine glasses.
    Hardware: The glass doors you choose should complement your hardware. If you want to change things up, you can install new hardware to play off your new panels. Keep things conventional by matching metals throughout your room, or mix different styles to create a more dynamic look.

How to Choose Thermofoil Cabinets

Generally, thermofoil is a wise selection if cost and time are factors. Thermofoil is a cost-effective substitute for laminate, melamine, or wood cupboards.

Thermofoil vs. Laminate or Melamine

Many people mistake melamine and laminate cabinets for thermofoil, although they are actually totally distinct materials. Melamine and laminate are very similar. Both of them are slim sheets of material that are adhered to a piece of wooden or manufactured wooden material. Retailers and individuals with DIY experience can put laminates on Medium Density Fiberboard. The excess is removed with a router. Thermofoil is less expensive than laminate or melamine. Here’s the difference between the two:

  • Laminate is made from paper and resin being pressed together under heat. High-pressure laminate is a higher quality product that does not chip and crack as much as a low-pressure laminate. However, low-pressure laminates cost less.
  • Melamine is a plastic coating material also used as a surface for plywood and fiberboard. Technically, melamine is a laminate-type product since it is made of paper and resin, but melamine costs less to produce. Low-quality melamine is not as durable as laminate.

In comparison, thermofoil is similar to a thin sheet of plastic. The vacuum presses must be of industrial-grade in order to apply it to the surface.

Thermofoil vs. Wood

Wood is the gold standard for cabinets. Cabinets that will last a long time can be constructed from solid hardwood, consisting of red oak, hard maple, and walnut. Due to the abundance of different types of wood, wooden cabinets can vary greatly in cost. In the end, you will end up spending much more to buy wood than thermofoil.

The greatest advantage of wood is its durability. You might consider changing your thermofoil cabinets after a period of 10 to 15 years. At the same time, wood is more environmentally-friendly and can be reinstalled, with a lifespan of over 50 years. Thermofoil can’t be resurfaced easily. The covering of vinyl will unavoidably begin to come off in pieces, break apart, and take on a yellow tinge; it is difficult to paint over it. In conclusion, it is more cost-effective to discard thermofoil products and purchase new ones rather than attempting to reapply their coating.

You should go with Thermofoil if you’re looking for something trendy or for the short term. Thermofoil kitchen cabinets can stay in top condition if they are properly taken care of, however they do not last long in the long run. If you are content with replacing or updating in a few years, then thermofoil is the best choice for you.

The average expenditure for materials and installation on wood cabinets ranges from $6,000 to $12,000 due to the huge selection of wood kinds.

Where to Buy Thermofoil Cabinets

One can purchase thermofoil cupboards from outlets like Home Depot and Lowes, from web-based cupboard companies, and even from Amazon. Nearly all major cabinet manufacturers offer a form of thermofoil cabinets:

  • Kraftmaid
  • Masterbrand
  • Wood-Mode
  • American Woodmark
Jonathan
Author: Jonathan