Of all the woods to choose from, maple remains a very popular choice for kitchen cabinets. Solid and durable, maple is the hardwood that many people turn to not only for its good looks but also for its high resistance to wear and tear. Think about all the abuse your kitchen cabinets have to endure: hot and steamy conditions, grease, water and constant opening and closing; maple can take everything you dish to it.
Features of maple kitchen cabinets
Maple cabinets can be one of the best investments you can make in your kitchen not only because they will last practically forever, but because they are so versatile. Because maple kitchen cabinets won’t wear out until you get sick of your kitchen decor scheme, you can strip them and repaint or refinish them to match your new look without damage the finish of your cabinets.
For something that is lighter than oak, maple is perfect. It is gives a sense of extra brightness and spaciousness. Maple tends toward a lighter color and can be almost white in appearance in its natural state. Some maple can be a little darker in appearance and the wood is easy to paint or stain to match any decorating scheme you choose.
The grains and patterns of maple tend to be more subtle, so painting your maple kitchen cabinets will not cost you any natural wood look.
Like oak, maple is not as tall as other real wood cabinets. This is mainly due to its availability. Considering its versatility, strength and affordability, you will find that maple kitchen cabinets are a worthwhile investment. In fact, this is one of the reasons that maple kitchen cabinets are so popular.
A typical 10 x 10 kitchen set up with maple cabinets will be around $3,000 or less unless you upgrade or choose additional features.
Buying maple kitchen cabinets – a few tips to keep in mind
1. Solid maple kitchen cabinets are an investment in your home and it will increase property values. Maple veneer kitchen cabinets tend to be of lesser quality and may not last long enough to be considered an outright bargain.
2. Prefab vs Custom Built Cabinets – If your kitchen has an odd shape or unusual size, your best and possibly only bet is to go with custom built maple kitchen cabinets. It is important to note that while this may increase the cost, it will be better than dealing with cabinets that do not fit correctly in the long run.
3. To save some money on your choice, choose ready-to-assemble maple kitchen cabinets (also known as RTA) instead of pre-made. This not only reduces the cost, but reduces the chance of damage during shipping. In addition, if you are a do-it-yourself type of person, then you may enjoy the installation work. If you are not handy, however, you can have your cabinets installed by professionals and still be ahead. It should be noted that, in addition to the lower cabinet price of RTA cabinets, their shipping cost will also be lower.
4. Extra Elements vs. Basic Cabinets – The more additions you make to your maple kitchen cabinets, the more the cost will increase, however if they are worth having, they can be considered a good investment. Some options to consider are bins and baskets that make storage and organization much easier and Lazy Susans or carousel cabinets can make it easier to find what you are looking for. (Or to hide the snacks.)
5. Hardware Choices – The hardware you choose for your maple kitchen cabinets will also increase the price you are paying. The fancier the knobs, pulls or hinges, the more the cost will increase.
6. Merillat, Aristokraft, Kraftmaid, and Thomasville are some of the well-known manufacturers of wooden kitchen cabinets.
7. Choose a color that complements the overall look of your kitchen. Look at samples and showrooms before deciding on a color for your kitchen. It should be noted that maple tends to turn yellow over time, a butter color, almost pale yellow, when exposed to direct sunlight. It is therefore advisable to speak with an interior designer when looking for maple kitchen cabinets.
We take care of your maple kitchen cabinets
Take care of your maple kitchen cabinets correctly and they will last practically forever.
Once a week, you should polish the cabinets with a soft cloth and furniture polish.
As needed, you should wash the maple cabinets with warm water and mild soap; however make sure not to get too wet while doing this.
Avoid using any harsh chemicals on your maple cabinets, especially acetone as it will discolor and cause damage to your cabinets.
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for and maintain your maple kitchen cabinets.
