Slab Style Cabinet Doors: Pros and Cons
Slab style, or flat panel doors, are known for their sleek, modern look and practicality. This article explores the characteristics, advantages, and drawbacks of slab-style doors, along with material options and their impact on resale value.
Characteristics of slab style doors
Slab style doors, like our minimalist Catalina door style, don’t use contouring, beveling, or ornamentation. They are popular in modern and contemporary spaces and are made from a single slab of wood. The doors are attached to the cabinet frame, ensuring a smooth, uninterrupted surface.
Pros of slab style doors
- Easy to clean
- Slab-style doors offer a smooth, uninterrupted surface with no nooks or crannies for dust or dirt to fall into. Requiring only an occasional wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth, slab doors are hygienic and simple to maintain.
- Cost-effective
- Despite the initial higher cost, slab doors’ long-term durability and low maintenance costs offer significant long-term savings.
- Durable
- Constructed from a single piece of material, slab doors retain a uniform appearance with minimal care. They are more resistant to warping and cracking.
- Resale value
- Slab style doors are attractive to buyers looking for a modern kitchen design. This can also increase the home’s attractiveness, offering a higher resale value.
- Environmentally friendly
- Like all of Fabuwood’s doors and cabinets, slab style doors are constructed from recycled and renewable wood. Slab doors also use fewer raw materials due to their design, making them even more environmentally friendly.
Cons of slab style doors
- Potential for warping
- Depending on the material the door is made from, slab style doors could potentially warp in humid environments. However, all Fabuwood slab-style cabinets are made of MDF (medium-density fiberboard) and other materials, which protect the cabinet door from warping.
- Some have limited load capacity
- Slab style doors usually have no internal reinforcements for heavier loads, making them less durable for storing heavy items. All Fabuwood slab-style doors are reinforced to ensure they can carry heavy loads, just like our traditional doors and cabinets.
- May be challenging to install
- Installing a slab style door requires patience and skill. It’s usually best to have a professional do the job to ensure the door is level and properly aligned when attaching the hinges to the cabinet box.
Material options for slab style doors
- Lacquer—Slab style doors are available in various materials, some more durable than others. Fabuwood uses a lacquer finish, which works well with MDF and is available in both a high-gloss and matte finish.
- Plywood- plywood is easy to work with and is excellent for larger slab cabinet doors. Edge banding is required to cover the exposed layers.
- Laminate- laminate is durable and consistent with color and texture. However, it is heavy and more challenging to replace if damaged.
- Solid wood- solid wood is beautiful in its variations in the grain but requires professional handling and installation.
Alternatives to slab style doors
If you are unsure if slab style doors will work for your kitchen aesthetic, many beautiful alternatives exist, such as traditional shaker cabinets, modern slim shakers, and more. Available in every color imaginable, you can choose which color or stain and door style would work best in your kitchen.
Light grey kitchen cabinets are trendy and work well with any aesthetic and door style.
Slab cabinet doors are a stylish and practical choice for modern kitchens. They are easy to clean, cost-effective, and durable. However, buyers should be aware that they can be complex to install, difficult to repair, and may suffer moisture damage, depending on the quality of materials they are made of.
Slab style cabinets can increase home value and appeal, but shaker cabinets are a great alternative if you want more options. Order your slab style and shaker style doors today to see and feel how they will fit into your kitchen design.
FAQS
What is the best material for a slab cabinet door?
High-quality medium density fiberboard (MDF) is the best material for slab-style doors.
How do I keep my slab style doors from warping?
To keep slab style doors from warping, make sure they are finished with a high-quality lacquer before purchasing.
Is it hard to install a slab style door?
Slab style doors are best installed professionally to make sure they are hung correctly and precisely.
Are slab style doors in style?
Slab style doors are the go-to style for modern and contemporary homes. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and gloss and matte finishes.