Introduction to Kitchen Cabinets
Buying kitchen cabinets represents one of the biggest decisions for Singaporeans because they are a long-term investment. Your decisions today will affect you for the next decade or longer, in these areas:
- Some materials don’t last as long, they can also be weakened by Singapore’s hot and humid weather and pests like termites.
- Kitchen cabinets are physically the largest component of your kitchen, hence they influence the tone and character of your kitchen through their design, colour, and material choices.
- Your kitchen cabinets should have the appropriate shelves that give you good accessibility to ingredients, utensils and cutlery. You don’t want to have a cabinet that can’t store your tallest item, for example.
For most new homeowners who just received their keys to their BTO or resale flat, these decisions can feel overwhelming.
We’re here to help. A Star Furnishing has helped many Singaporeans build their kitchen cabinets and we created this article to guide you through the challenges involved in kitchen cabinet builds. We specialise in aluminium cabinets because we believe it helps Singaporeans overcome all three challenges listed above.
Types of Kitchen Cabinets
Singaporeans generally choose from three different materials for their renovations. They are Plywood with laminate, Stainless Steel and Aluminium.
Plywood with Laminate finish
✔️ Durable
✔️ Wide range of styles and finishes
✔️ Modern, sleek appearance
❌ Poor resistance to moisture
❌ Produces formaldehyde
❌ Less durable than metal options
Plywood is sometimes used in kitchen cabinets for its natural wood aesthetic and durability. Generally, plywood kitchen cabinets will have a veneer (a 3mm sheet of solid wood) applied to it for better appeal, durability and uniformity. More commonly, plywood will have a laminate applied to it.
Laminates is a thin layer finish. This thin layer can come in many styles like patterns, faux wood grain or plain colours. As laminates are glued together, they might emit formaldehyde for a period of time. Laminates are best used if you are going for a modern, sleek, colourful look in your kitchen.
Stainless Steel
✔️ Durable
✔️ Unaffected by heat, termites, and moisture
❌ Expensive
❌ Not commonly used for home due to industrial look
❌ Less traditional wood aesthetic
Stainless steel kitchen cabinets are generally not used in the home because most Singaporeans do not go for the “industrial” look in their homes and it’s very expensive. That said, stainless steel has its special appeal because it’s silvery, shiny and being an inorganic material, stainless steel kitchen cabinets are very durable and unaffected by heat, termites and moisture.
Stainless Steel cabinets are mostly in Modular size due to Stainless Steel high in hardness. The hardness makes it difficult to customise freely, as we all know in Kitchen, there are many water pipes and beams that need to be customised. Stainless Steel Cabinet is also very heavy to use as a Kitchen Wall Hung Cabinet, that's why 95% of the Windows, Toilet Doors and Hanging Ceiling are made by Aluminium. The price of pure 304 Stainless Steel cabinets in the Singapore market is also very expensive.
Aluminium
✔️ Low maintenance
✔️ Resistant to high humidity and pests
✔️ Variety of designs and styles tailored for residential use
❌ Can be more expensive than some wood options
Aluminium kitchen cabinets are relatively new compared to other types of materials but they have increasingly become a mainstay in Singaporeans’ homes. The reasons for the popularity of aluminium come down to very special conditions in Singapore. Firstly, high-quality wood kitchen cabinets are expensive in Singapore and termites are a problem in a tropical country like Singapore. Wood cabinets look good but they have a limited lifespan that depends on regular maintenance. Aluminium cabinets are also more resilient to careless spills, knocks or scratches.
Aluminium manufacturers have their eyes set on the residential consumer. That means you can get many more designs, styles and flexibility with aluminium kitchen cabinets. It is important to choose whether it is made locally. A Star Aluminium furniture has been sold in Singapore for 8 years to achieve local Production, Installation, Sales and After-Sales, and can be customised at will. It takes 2-3 weeks from drawing confirmation to installation without any problem. If there are any material errors during the installation, they can be made up for immediately by local production.
A Star Aluminium Cabinet is using the latest technology of the free laser welding to join our Aluminium and make our Aluminium Panel seamless without any joint line without using any glues or chemical substance. That's why A Star Aluminium Cabinets can be formaldehyde-free and can withstand high temperatures. A Star Aluminium Cabinet had passed all the tests from Specialist Testing and Technical Services (STATS). A Star Aluminium Cabinet also has Singapore Green Building Certificate and ISO 9001.
Once A Star Aluminium Panel is done welding, we will use powder coating and wood grain transfer technology to print the surface. A Star Aluminium Panel is 16mm Thickness and each of our shelving can support up to 100kg.
Benefits of Aluminium Kitchen Cabinets
When you choose an aluminium kitchen cabinet, you prioritise:
Durability & Ease of Maintenance
The durability of an aluminium cabinet is hard to beat. As an inorganic material, they are resistant to warping, chipping, cracking or staining. They are also not affected by termites, or mould growth. Furthermore, since they do not absorb moisture, they are extremely easy to clean up.
Aluminium is also a strong material that allows you to stack a lot of heavy kitchen equipment and they can also sustain higher temperatures.
As Singapore’s largest manufacturer of aluminium kitchen cabinets, we are confident about the longevity of our products that we offer a 10-year warranty on all our products. Aluminium kitchen cabinets are known to last for over 30 years!
Safe
Our aluminium kitchen cabinets can be formaldehyde-free and can withstand high temperatures. A Star Aluminium Cabinet had passed all the tests from Specialist Testing and Technical Services (STATS). A Star Aluminium Cabinet also has Singapore Green Building Certificate and ISO 9001.
Stylish
We have many styles, colours and patterns for our aluminium kitchen cabinets. We sell aluminium kitchen cabinets in white, cream, beige, brown and grey, as well as other eye-catching colours like blue, yellow and pink. Whatever aesthetic you’re looking for, we can find the perfect pattern and finish.
Design and Aesthetics
Our aluminium cabinets offer remarkable design flexibility, allowing them to fit seamlessly into a variety of kitchen styles.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendliness
In terms of kitchen cabinets, being environmentally friendly depends on the choice of materials and manufacturing processes used.
Metal-based cabinets such as stainless steel and aluminium cabinets stand out in this regard due to their high recyclability and long lifespan. Metal kitchen cabinets can be recycled or reused multiple times, reducing the carbon footprint associated with cabinet production.
With our 10-year warranty for our aluminium cabinets, your kitchen cabinets are guaranteed to last at least that long, and we’ve heard of cabinets lasting over 30 years.
Some traditional materials such as certain woods can contribute significantly to deforestation and are not easily recyclable. Once wood is treated and finished, it becomes more challenging to recycle due to the chemicals and adhesives used, which may not break down easily.
Maintenance and Care
Aluminium cabinets don’t need much maintenance or delicate care. Here are some tips to ensure longevity:
- Utilise a soft cloth and a mild detergent-water solution for regular cleaning.
- Steer clear of harsh chemicals and abrasive tools to prevent scratching or dulling.
- Keep hinges and runners clear of debris.
- Avoid dropping sharp objects or heavy loads on them because they can get dented
FAQs
Why are aluminium kitchen cabinets considered a better option in Singapore's climate?
Our hot, tropical weather can damage wood cabinets much more quickly. Termites and moisture can cause rot and degradation much more quickly. Aluminium kitchen cabinets do not face these problems from climate and pests.
How do the materials used in kitchen cabinets affect their longevity and maintenance?
Material choice impacts cabinet longevity and maintenance needs, with aluminium offering durability, dynamic styles, and ease of care compared to other materials.
What customization options are available for aluminium kitchen cabinets, and how do they enhance functionality?
We provide different colours, door designs, door mechanisms for efficient space use and accessibility, customised based on your space and preferences.