Selecting Kitchen Cabinet Doors: Structural, Finish, Customization

In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some of the initial factors to consider when selecting a cabinet door for your new kitchen cabinets. From the layout of your kitchen itself to the style you’re looking for and more, there are several such variables to be keeping in mind during door selection.

At AWA Kitchen Cabinets, we’re here to help with every part of your kitchen cabinet selection process, with options ranging from our Classic collection to several others. What are some other key elements to keep in mind as you’re choosing the ideal door for your cabinets? Here are several.

kitchen cabinet doors finish

Structural Factors

While you naturally will care a lot about the visual appearance of your cabinet doors, it’s important not to forget the basic structural considerations as well. Make sure that the door you select is the appropriate size for your cabinets, for starters. If you’re unsure, our team can help ensure that you make the best choice here.

Additionally, think about how the door will actually attach to the cabinet. There are several different common styles here, including but not limited to:

  • Overlay: In this case, the door overlays the frame of the cabinet on one or more sides.
  • Inset: The door is set inside the frame of the cabinet.
  • Partial inset: A hybrid of the first two, the door is set inside the frame on one or more sides but overlays it on others.

Proper Finish

While we’ve already discussed style, both above and in part one of our series, it’s important to consider how that style will actually be achieved. In other words, what sort of finish will your cabinet doors have?

One popular option is a natural wood finish, which can range from light to dark depending on the specific species of wood you select. For a more contemporary look, painted finishes are also an option, with white being a particularly popular choice.

Additionally, there are several textured options to choose from as well. These can include everything from a hand-rubbed finish that creates a vintage look to more modern glazes and distress techniques.

Customization Potential

Last but not least, it’s important to consider how much potential your chosen cabinet doors have for customization. If you’re planning on adding hardware to your doors, for example, make sure that there’s enough space to do so without detracting from the overall look of the door.

Additionally, think about how easy it will be to actually customize the door once it’s installed. If you’re planning on painting or staining your doors, for example, you’ll want to make sure that the door material itself is conducive to that process.

These are just a few of the key considerations to keep in mind as you’re choosing new cabinet doors for your kitchen. Want to learn more? Contact AWA Kitchen Cabinets today. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have about any of our cabinets, countertops or other kitchen products.