Wood Veneer vs. Solid Wood Cabinet Doors

When refreshing your kitchen cabinets and deciding on the best cabinet doors, you want to be sure you are making the right choice. You want a door that adds to the appearance of your kitchen without sacrificing durability so you can enjoy a timeless look in your home.

Both wood veneer and solid wood cabinet doors make great choices for your kitchen, but which is better? Explore the benefits of each of these cabinet doors so you can determine which would be the best fit for your home.

What Are Solid Wood Cabinet Doors?

As you may guess, solid wood cabinet doors are made from wood. The point of specifying that they are “solid” wood doors is to highlight that they are constructed from a complete, uninterrupted slab of wood instead of multiple pieces put together. Solid wood cabinet doors can have decorative designs or be sleek flat-panel slabs of wood. Some common types of wood for cabinet doors are maple, cherry, and oak, but there are over a dozen species of wood used for solid wood cabinet doors.

Pros of Solid Wood Cabinet Doors:

One of the biggest benefits of solid wood cabinet doors is right in the name—they are solid. As a result, you can expect remarkable durability from these doors. The type of wood that you choose will influence their durability to a degree, but generally, solid wood doors are sturdy and reliable.

Solid wood doors are also great for providing a classic, natural wood grain appearance. Because they are made from one solid piece, they offer the timeless appearance you expect from wood cabinet doors.

• Timeless style
• Sturdy
• Customizable

What Are Wood Veneer Cabinet Doors?

Wood veneer cabinet doors are, of course, also made from wood, but they are constructed a bit differently. Instead of being made from a single piece of wood like solid wood doors, wood veneer doors are made from an interior of particleboard with wood veneers placed on top.

This unique construction allows wood veneer doors to offer a few benefits over solid wood.

Pros of Wood Veneer Cabinet Doors:

Wood veneer doors have become increasingly popular thanks to their multiple benefits. These types of doors are also more resistant to warping and potentially better for painting as a result. Wood veneers can also be more cost-effective without losing much of the appeal of standard cabinet doors.

• Durable
• Resistant to warping
• Easy to maintain 
• Cost-effective
• Water-resistant

Wood Veneer vs. Solid Wood Kitchen Cabinet Doors

When deciding whether you would prefer wood veneer or solid wood kitchen cabinet doors, it helps to understand all the differences between the two. From their construction to their appearance after installation, there are a few key similarities and differences that will likely influence your decision. Let’s break down each area so you know what you can expect from each type.

Appearance

Despite their differences, both wood veneer doors and solid wood have similar appearances. After all, they are both made from wood with natural grain. Just like any wood piece, both types of cabinet doors will vary from piece to piece due to natural differences in the grain.

In some wood veneer doors, you may notice some fluctuations in the grain that may point to the fact that they are not solid wood, depending on the type of wood used and the manufacturer. This is more common if the wood veneers are placed on the door in thin strips as opposed to wider sheets. However, in many cases, wood veneer doors can look just like solid wood doors.

Durability

Both types of cabinet doors have plenty to offer in terms of durability, but they both have their vulnerabilities as well.

The biggest vulnerability of solid wood cabinet doors is their reaction to temperature and humidity changes. Solid wood expands and contracts in response to changes in temperature and humidity. This is a natural and inevitable process, but it can lead to the wood warping over time. With this being the only drawback, solid wood is a reliable choice for strong cabinet doors.

On the other hand, wood veneer cabinet doors are more vulnerable to water damage. If water is able to find its way behind the veneer and into the particleboard, it can cause the door to expand or cause the veneer to loosen.

Wood veneer cabinet doors are also susceptible to chipping and peeling. A chip on the edge or corner of a wood veneer door can cause the facing of the doors to peel and reveal the particleboard underneath. One workaround for this is to use solid wood around the edges of the door to reinforce them.

Although they are not completely resistant to warping or changing shape, wood veneer cabinet doors are a bit more resilient than solid wood doors in this area. The particle board underneath the veneer is more stable than solid wood and less likely to lose its form.

Finish

If you are planning on finishing your cabinet doors, you may want to consider a few factors when deciding between solid wood and wood veneer doors.

As discussed, solid wood doors have the potential to expand and contract and warp over time. Although this is natural, it can lead to problems if you are hoping to paint your cabinet doors. As the wood changes shape, it may cause paint to crack or chip, especially around the joints and connecting pieces of the door.

Alternatively, if you choose to stain your cabinet doors, you will likely enjoy the appearance of natural, solid wood more because of the natural patterns and textures. You can get both wood veneer doors and solid cabinet doors in a paint-grade material if you prefer to paint or finish your doors on your own.

Cost

Because solid wood cabinet doors are made of natural wood all the way through, they tend to cost a bit more than wood veneer doors. However, the cost of wood cabinet doors will vary widely depending on the type of wood you use. Regardless, you can expect wood veneers to be the cheaper option since the material beneath the veneer is cheaper to produce. Eventually, it comes down to what features of each you value most.

Find Your Perfect Cabinet Doors Today

Both wood veneer and solid wood cabinet doors have their benefits, but it is up to you to decide which will work best for the cabinets in your home. Once you have decided which you prefer, CabinetDoors.com is here to help.

Replacing your kitchen cabinet doors is a great way to transform the look of your kitchen. To learn more about your options for transforming your kitchen, explore our complete inventory of wood veneer cabinet doors. If you have any questions about wood veneer or solid wood kitchen cabinet doors, or you are seeking some guidance in your search, contact us here at CabinetDoors.com. We are happy to use our 40 years of experience to help you build the kitchen you have been dreaming of.