The question, “Is MDF Waterproof?” is a good one to ask, if you’ve ever noticed a water stain on one of your MDF cabinet doors. Many people wondering if their MDF doors are waterproof get told that they aren’t, and also that they need to replace the doors with either vinyl or aluminum. These are both terrible options, though, so let’s take a look at why this may be the case.

The first thing to remember is that the moisture will not go all the way through the doors – they will just leak out and have to be removed by a professional. Also, even if the moisture did reach the MDF door, it is usually only a small amount of water that leaks in, so the panels don’t typically splinter or crack, which is because the water from the leak isn’t all of the same temperature. The cabinet doors aren’t going to burst apart or melt because of the low moisture levels.

MDF Cabinet Door Considerations

You should also know that the components that make up MDF cabinet doors will almost always weather off over time and will need to be re-stained and repainted. When you decide to replace your doors, you can get an option of having the doors replaced or having the entire cabinet doors replaced (with new hardware). There are times, though, when you want a whole new cabinet, and that’s when the standard replacement cabinets come in handy, which is because, generally, the replacement parts come with the extra hardware.

Another thing to keep in mind is that MDF cabinet doors have designs in a wide variety of patterns. Some companies will print out various materials and colours so that their customers can choose them in a sense. Some of these materials will then need to be finished by a professional painter, though, as they may be too heavy for MDF doors alone.

MDF Cabinet Door
Wooden cabinet doors. Wooden frame. Home library with classic design. Work in progress. Wooden furniture manufacturing process

If you’re a little confused about this, you might consider how a patterned material will look on the inside of a cabinet door, so that you can get a better idea of what might be available for your project. When you find a material that you like, you can make sure it matches the pattern you want for your doors, and also that it matches the colour you’re trying to get.

MDF cabinet doors are also pretty inexpensive and are available for purchase in your local hardware store. As long as you have a good budget set, you can find a cheap set of MDF cabinet doors to fit your needs. Usually, they’re made from simple quality wood, so they’ll look nice, but there will still be enough room for all your baubles and decorations to fit in.

The Right MDF Cabinet Doors

Choosing an MDF door for your project will be something that you will have to live with, however. It’s not the end of the world, but it will affect the overall style of your room. Your project will not, however, look any worse for it than a door made from inferior material, and that you’re replacing will cost a lot more money. It would be best if you also remembered that you could get a door that has a built-in frame, which will also provide you with a less expensive way to replace the cabinet doors in your room.

Now that you know some of the basics, you should know how to handle this decision. If you do decide to replace your MDF cabinet doors, just remember that it will be an essential part of your room’s decor.

Handhills is a cabinet maker and manufacturer serving central Alberta. We specialize in custom cabinet design and installation, closet design, bathroom vanities, bookcases, custom entertainment centers, kitchen cabinets, shelving, MDF cabinet doors, cabinet parts and more. Send us your measurements and get started with custom cabinets from Handhills. Call the best cabinet maker in Calgary today on (403) 910‐2373 or send an email to [email protected]

Finding cabinet manufacturers can be difficult for some. Naturally, this problem is understandable. You want to make sure you find a company with sufficient experience and outstanding quality. Further, you probably want a reasonable price and an excellent turnaround time. 

Of course, with each of these stipulations, the search becomes a bit narrower, but also a bit more difficult. Luckily, with the help of information and knowledge, the search won’t be fruitless. See below for more info:

cabinet-manufacturers

Traits of Cabinet Manufacturers

Their Experience

One of the first traits that you should look for in a cabinet manufacturer is their level of experience. If you find a company that consists of a single individual working out of their garage, the chances are that they lack some experience. While this isn’t always the case, established cabinet makers usually have a workshop and some apprentices working with them.

Their Quality

Next, you will want to verify the quality of the company’s work. If you can, go to their business and look at their completed works. Clean finishes, drawers and doors that open easily and attractive designs are all marks of exceptional quality. If you cannot travel to their location, look through a gallery of past jobs to get a feel, or request examples of their work instead.

Their Price

Honestly, this part of your search will probably have the most research attached. You will need to look at several companies and find their prices for the cabinetry you are looking to purchase. Then you will need to compare their prices with the other factors listed here and make an informed decision to avoid making the wrong choice.

Their Timelines

Finally, you want to make sure that you are going to get your cabinets in a reasonable time frame. Obviously, the complexity and style of your cabinets will play a significant role in how long they take to build, but make sure you check with your chosen company before you begin. This step will allow you to plan appropriately for the next phase of your project.


Come to Handhills Cabinets!

Yes, the steps above will certainly help you find a kitchen cabinet manufacturer. However, you can contact our team of experts who meet the skills above and skip all the hassle. We specialize in custom cabinets and would love to hear from you!

Handhills is a cabinet maker and manufacturer serving central Alberta. We specialize in custom cabinet design and installation, closet design, bathroom vanities, bookcases, custom entertainment centers, kitchen cabinets, shelving, MDF cabinet doors, cabinet parts and more. Send us your measurements and get started with custom cabinets from Handhills. Call the best cabinet maker in Calgary today on (403) 910‐2373 or send an email to [email protected]

The cost of custom cabinets from a cabinet maker in Calgary can vary significantly based on the exact style and material you are looking to install. However, these costs can be mitigated by finding a reliable and experienced cabinet maker. As is common with all purchases, doing proper research and planning can make a big difference in what the overall budget will look like.

Therefore, the prices listed are estimates based on the current market value but are subject to change depending on the nature of the project that you are embarking upon.

Types of Custom Cabinets in Calgary

The material used to make your ideal custom cabinets will significantly influence the cost of installation. For instance, wood veneer cabinets, which are made with a thin coating covering plywood or multi-density fibreboard (MDF), will be significantly less expensive than stainless steel cabinets. 

On average, you can expect to spend $500 to $1,200 per linear foot installed for all types of cabinets. 

Wood veneer cabinets usually average a price tag of $2,500 to $15,000 with the upper-end usually reserved for exceedingly spacious kitchens. Wood veneer is a great low-cost alternative from fully-manufactured wood while also providing a similar look and feel.

Kitchen and adjacent Breakfast nook and living Room

For a truly elegant look, try staining them your favorite wood color to give a breath of fresh air and style to your custom kitchen cabinets.

By proxy, laminate kitchen cabinets run between $4,000 to $15,000. Like wood veneers, they are a cost-friendly alternative to wood. As a synthetic material that’s placed on MDF by both high-pressure and low-pressure applications, they provide great durability and long-lasting appeal due to their lack of warpage. However, high-pressure laminate is often produced by premier brands and isn’t exactly a custom cabinet product.

Finally, we have acrylics. They range in price anywhere from $4,500 to $20,000. Acrylic is a very hard, high-gloss finish applied in a similar fashion to a varnish. It comes in various colors and can achieve an ultra-modern or classical look. 

Here are a few final tips to keep in mind as you go searching for the perfect custom cabinets:

A good rule of thumb to remember is that materials will make up between $300 and $750 per linear foot. 

Most homeowners will spend between $12,500 to $18,100 for a full set of custom kitchen cabinets made by a cabinet maker in Calgary.

Look for an experienced cabinet maker as they will make a big difference in the overall cost when they do not have to worry about extra time or installation costs due to their record of quality installations. 

Handhills is a cabinet maker and manufacturer serving central Alberta. We specialize in custom cabinet design and installation, closet design, bathroom vanities, bookcases, custom entertainment centers, kitchen cabinets, shelving, MDF cabinet doors, cabinet parts and more. Send us your measurements and get started with custom cabinets from Handhills. Call the best cabinet maker in Calgary today on (403) 910‐2373 or send an email to [email protected].