Kitchen cabinets - white painted wood vs laminate?

Senior Member Joined: Jul 30 2009 Posts: 142

I am redoing my kitchen and I love white (a simple shaker style door with modern hardware). I am deciding between white painted wood and thermofoil/laminate. I haven't gotten the wood estimate yet but there is one company that may be affordable. I know thermofoil can melt and warp, but the one I was quoted (Kemper) is a higher quality, American made, lifetime warranty - the guy said it will not melt. I know wood may look nicer but can chip and scratch. Anyone have thermofoil? Does it look platicky and how does it handle heat? Help! Any advice?? I need this kitchen to last me a good 15+ years! Thanks!

Diamond Member Joined: Dec 28 2005 Posts: 4693

My SIL did a gorgeous kitchen in white (more cream really) laminate/thermofoil. A good quality brand will not warp or melt.

IMO if you want a wood look (like I did) you wouldn't want to paint it. If you want that white/cream look, I wouldn't go with painted wood.

I love a soft maple wood and brown accents (I think it gives a wonderful warm look) so I did my kitchen in maple wood, brown/dark bronze faucets and hardware, brown glass accent tiles in my backsplash (mainly beige but brown every other one), and a brown/gold granite-look laminate countertop.