MDF, HDF, Thermofoil, Laminate, Wood - Different Materials Explained

Cabinet door materials can be so confusing. This is mainly because contractors and suppliers are not consistent in naming these materials. 99% of the cabinet doors are made of either of these 2 materials: MDF (medium-density fibreboard) or wood.

Medium-density fibreboard or MDF is a very common material. There are different kinds of MDF doors: Painted MDF, thermofoil doors, and laminated doors are all made with an MDF core. The MDF door can be characterized by the following features:

🚪 Painted MDF is a one-piece door.
🚪 MDF doors are the most durable door IF not chipped
🚪 Thermofoil doors do not last long and show discoloration over time
🚪 Hard laminate doors are UV-resistant, easy to clean, and can take more beating. However, the style option is limited to the plain slab door.

Another material option is wood, which comes in two options: painted or stained.
🚪 Painted wood doors usually consist of a 5 pieces
🚪 Painted woods can handle water better than MDF
🚪 Stained wood comes in a darker shade
🚪 Stained wood looks classic and elegant

[Jopacob]

It is rare and very useful to have such an honest and comprehensive review of all the options on cabinets. Thank you… this was time well spent.

[TUANHUYVU-ik]

Thanks you for your explaining! Very clear and easy to understand!

[mrs.ladylesure]

Thank you, I think I am staying with my wood cabinets. To replace wood & pay more for a cheaper material, just don’t make sense. You just made it clear to me🥰

[WhimsyWhisper-ysyd]

How do you tell what you already own: I can’t figure out if I have white painted mdf or white vinyl med. Are there any clues I can use? (I want to repaint so I need to know which material to know how to properly paint them.)

[CocoaDivineTV]

Such a helpful video!! Thank you so much!! 😃

[espinozanovak]

I put thermofoil doors in one condo 13 years ago and laminate doors in another at the same time. Contrary to this video, the thermofoil doors still look new, the laminate doors are peeling and expanding from moisture and I've been replacing them. I guess it depends on the manufacturer

[lakelife]

Great video
Very detailed explanation of the type of materials used to make cabinet doors.

[ddakens]

Thank you so much! Appreciate the honesty!

[deweytaylor]

Informative! but why isnt laminate or thermofoil available applied to plywood to help with the moisture issues?

[JacobeyK]

Thank you! Putting a new kitchen together and had no idea whether we wanted wood or laminate.

[teac]

Do they make MDO core doors for wet areas like under the sink?

[mexicanjohns]

Excellent Video!! Thank you!! You answered all my questions and helped me make my decision.

[onecompass]

Thank you! I live in a very hot dry desert area of the southwest of AZ....seems like the vinyl won't hold up.

[abeerali]

Thanks for information. I bought kitchen cabines the door made of HDF and inside made of mdf the dor covered with vinyl and start to peel.. is there perfect solution to fixed? can I paint it after peel the door completely

[jasdhaliwal]

Thank you for a very informative thread

[poonamshah]

Thank you so much with this video. We have been fleeced by our kitchen designer/fitter. He has effectively supplied and fitted laminated chipboard doors and carcasses throughout our kitchen and we have paid the price of a high end, bespoke kitchen. He has committed daylight robbery. We will take action.

[Obiwankevoni]

Thank you for your very informative video. I am redoing my kitchen cabinets and was wavering between painted wood doors and MDF. In your video, you mention you may see minor cracks appear in painted wood cabinets in the first year, but then I was not sure of the rest of your sentence. It sounded like you were saying cracks may appear but then they stay more or less the same. In other words, they do not get larger and larger each year (unless defective). Is that correct?

[markfrye]

Thanks for this info. For some Eason, I thought thermofoil was the best material. Glad I know better now.

[kimanzaldorusso]

Amazing description, so helpful . thank you

[farahsheikh]

High glossy soft close cabinet which material is good morona vs mdf glossy cabinet.. Which one more pricy