If you have already determined that refacing your kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them is the best option, then you have been researching the many materials available for this project.
You may even have encountered some completely alien terminology, such as “thermofoil.” Thermofoil doors are quite popular in the field of cabinet refacing; thus, you will want to be aware of what they are before deciding which option to go with.
What Exactly Is Thermofoil?
Thermofoil is a plastic material that is “thermoformed” to fit the profile of an underlying engineered wood core, often in the form of a medium-density fiberboard.
The sheen of thermofoil is often of a very high grade, and it may include metallic parts as part of its finish, which is what offers the additional shine.
Since this is a somewhat technical explanation, it is advisable to break the usage of thermofoil doors in kitchen cabinets, refacing them down into a pros and disadvantages list so that you can make the most well-informed choice possible.
Pros and Cons Of Thermofoil
Pros
- Your decision to use stiff thermofoil doors for the refacing job is wise for various reasons that are all of a high caliber.
- It may be used with any kind of cabinet design. Strictly speaking, thermofoils are made up of layers of flexible vinyl that are laid flat. Because of this, it is simple to mold into almost any configuration, making it adaptable to various door designs and styles. Thermofoil may be used for various door styles, including flat doors, raised or recessed panels, and even embossed motifs.
- Since they are essentially doors covered with plastic, thermofoil doors are non-porous, which means they are resistant to water and stains. This ensures that moisture and other liquids cannot seep through the plastic and leave stains on the door.
- If you have children prone to spilling or have a tendency to be messy yourself, using thermofoil can help you prevent concerns with discoloration, especially when using liquids such as red wine or grape juice.
- The color is maintained throughout; thermofoil doors are given many coats of colored vinyl paint before installation. The paint applied to most kitchen cabinet doors is susceptible to scratches and fading as time passes. The result is that the typical cabinet’s color changes as time passes. On the other hand, thermofoil doors do not have this limitation.
- There is not much of a difference in the hue.
- They are simple to clean, and nothing beats having a kitchen that doesn’t take hours to scrub clean.
- A dry microfiber cloth may be used to clean thermofoil cabinets to remove dust or any other surface filth. If required, a moist microfiber cloth can remove grease from the cabinets.
- If you discover that a moist or dry cloth does not get them clean enough for you, you may also use a combination of a gentle detergent and water to clean them. On the other hand, since they do not absorb liquids, there shouldn’t be too much dirt or grime on them.
Cons
Doors made of thermofoil are only suitable for some, and opting to use them has a few potential downsides.
These doors are susceptible to heat, so if you have a kitchen where there is often cooking going on and where it is not uncommon for it to be hot and humid inside, you should not use these doors for refacing but instead go with more conventional materials.
Thermofoil has a reputation for being very heat-sensitive.
If there is excessive heat, the adhesive below the vinyl may start to melt, which may cause the vinyl to separate from the fiberboard. Moreover, the possibility of blistering exists.
Because these cabinets are located so near the stove or other heat sources, you need to exercise extreme caution when exposing food or other items to the elements.
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More harm could be done – Cabinet doors made of thermofoil previously damaged by heat are prone to scuffing, chipping, and denting extremely quickly.
After they have been compromised, actions such as slamming the cabinet doors or forcibly opening them might result in more harm. Be out for dogs that could also try to scratch at the bottom cabinets.
Your kitchen refacing project might benefit from the installation of rigid thermofoil doors. Whether or not this is the case will depend on what goes on in your home, the amount of usage the doors will get, and the degree of care you take to protect them from being broken.
Talk with the professional refacing your cabinets about your preferences, requirements, and finances.
Thermofoil Cabinets Provide Several Benefits
Thermofoil cabinets are an alternative that is both elegant and economical, and they may give your kitchen a contemporary and minimalist design. This kind of cabinetry offers many advantages, some of which are listed below.
These advantages make it an excellent choice for those purchasing their first house, people renting their homes, and those living on a tight budget.
Cabinets made of cost-effective thermofoil are among today’s most cost-effective and inexpensive options. You may get cabinets for a price lower than $100 per linear foot if you choose to go with standard Thermofoil cabinets and do not customize them in any way.
You should expect to spend around $350 per linear foot for semi-custom or fully bespoke Thermofoil cabinets. Compared to the cost of hardwood cabinets, which may run at least $500 per linear foot, Thermofoil cabinets are far more affordable.
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Totally and Absolutely Completed Item
Nashville Cabinets for the kitchen are made of thermofoil. Do you need to improve your kitchen because the laborious task of staining, painting, or sealing the cabinet doors is too much for you?
Working with thermofoil yields the greatest results. Thermofoil products are pre-finished and do not need any more work to be completed, including resealing, touching up, or finishing in any other manner.
Your cabinet doors will arrive ready to install if you additionally choose to have pre-drilled hinge holes before they are sent to you.
Easy to Keep Up With
The cabinets made of Thermofoil have a smooth vinyl surface, which makes them resistant to the accumulation of dust and filth.
Anything that does adhere to your cabinet may be removed with a simple wipe-down using a moist cloth or, in the case of more stubborn grime, a soapy water solution.
Also, they are stain-resistant, making removing stains from coffee, wine, and even tough sauces simple. This cabinetry is very easy to keep compared to wooden cabinets, which need to be cleaned more often and with more attention to detail.
Trendy Look & Feel
Thermofoil cabinets have a look that is simple but elegant and contemporary at the same time. This kind of cabinetry is often offered in white or off-white and has straightforward fronts.
The appearance and texture of white thermofoil cabinets go wonderfully well with practically any interior design scheme. Thermofoil cabinets have a sleek and shiny surface that lends a contemporary and uncluttered air to whatever kitchen they’re installed in.
If you want a neat and uncluttered appearance in your kitchen, this is the ideal solution for you.
Cabinets in a slab-style thermofoil with a complete overlay provide beautiful, seamless kitchens that are perfect for contemporary design approaches and will amaze any visitor.
 Decoration and Tone
The fact that thermofoil cabinets are available in such a wide variety of color and pattern possibilities is one of the most important advantages associated with their use.
Thanks to its adaptability, the vinyl finish on these cabinets may be shaped and patterned in various ways. Homeowners can now choose between plain flat cabinets or cabinets decorated with ornate motifs.
Regarding color options, Thermofoil cabinets may be purchased in a wide range of hues, ranging from plain white to textured wood to even metallic colors.
With this kind of cabinetry, you may choose the color and style that are the ideal fit for your aesthetic preferences, provided that you consider those considerations.
