Choosing the right kitchen doors is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make. The material doesn’t just dictate the look and feel of your kitchen; it determines how long it will last. There’s a lot of jargon and misinformation out there, so I want to set the record straight and explain the main kitchen door materials properly.

At SJB, we’re very particular about the materials we use. We don’t sell cheap rubbish that will fall apart in a few years. We offer high-quality, durable options that we know will stand the test of time. This guide covers the main types: solid wood for our classic painted Shakers, and modern MDF-based doors for our sleek gloss and matt finishes. I’ll explain what they are, the pros and cons, and what we recommend. For more information on other topics, please see our main kitchen advice page.

When you think of a classic, quality kitchen, you’re probably thinking of a painted solid wood Shaker door. This is the traditional way of making kitchen doors, and for good reason. Our Mornington Shaker doors, for example, are made from a solid ash frame with a veneered centre panel. This construction provides stability and a beautiful, subtle woodgrain that you can see even after it’s been painted.

Pros:

• Authentic Quality: It’s real wood. It has a weight and feel that you just don’t get from man-made materials.
• Durability: Solid wood is strong and built to last for decades.
• Timeless Style: The Shaker style is over 200 years old and has never gone out of fashion.
• Repairable & Repaintable: If you get a chip, it can be repaired. If you fancy a change of colour in 10 years, you can sand them down and repaint them.

Cons:

• Cost: It’s a premium material, so it costs more than MDF-based doors.
• Movement: Wood is a natural material and can be prone to slight movement or hairline cracks in the paint at the joints, especially with changes in temperature and humidity. This is a normal characteristic, not a flaw.

At SJB, we believe that if you’re buying a painted Shaker kitchen, it should be made of solid wood. That’s why we don’t offer cheaper MDF versions. We want to provide a genuine, long-lasting product.

For a modern, minimalist look, nothing beats a high gloss door. But the quality of gloss doors varies massively. The best gloss doors, and the only kind we sell, are made from a core of 18mm MDF with either a super-smooth lacquered finish or a premium acrylic face. They provide a flawless, mirror-like surface that’s incredibly hard-wearing.

We never use vinyl-wrapped doors. Vinyl is a thin plastic film that’s glued to an MDF core, and it’s notorious for peeling, especially around heat sources like kettles, toasters, and ovens. It might look good for a year or two, but it won’t last. Lacquered and acrylic doors are in a different league entirely.

• Lacquered MDF: These doors are sprayed with multiple layers of high-quality lacquer to build up a deep, lustrous, and durable finish. It’s the same process used for high-end furniture.
• Acrylic Faced MDF: This is the ultimate in high gloss. A solid sheet of 1mm acrylic is bonded to the face of the MDF door, creating a perfectly flat, seamless surface with a stunning depth of shine. It’s exceptionally tough and UV-stable, so the colour won’t fade over time.

Pros:

• Flawless Finish: A perfect, mirror-like surface that bounces light around the room.
• Extremely Durable: Resistant to scratches, stains, and moisture.
• Easy to Clean: Just a wipe with a soft cloth is all that’s needed.
• UV Stable: The colour won’t fade in sunlight.

Cons:

• Shows Smudges: Fingerprints and smudges are more visible on a gloss surface, but they are easily wiped away.
• Cost: Premium materials and manufacturing processes mean they cost more than foil-wrapped alternatives.

Foil-wrapped doors are a very common and cost-effective way to create a Shaker-style door. An 18mm MDF panel is routed to create the Shaker design, and then a plastic foil is heat-pressed and glued onto the surface. This allows for a woodgrain effect and a consistent, easy-to-clean finish.

We offer foil-wrapped Shakers because they provide a great look at a very accessible price point. They are a practical choice for many people. However, it’s important to be honest about the limitations.

Pros:

• Cost-Effective: Significantly cheaper than a solid wood painted door.
• Consistent Finish: No variations in colour or grain, and it’s easy to wipe clean.
• Good for a Matt Finish: The foil provides a smooth, consistent matt surface.

Cons:

• Prone to Peeling: The main drawback is that the foil can de-laminate or peel over time, especially when exposed to heat and steam. Once it starts peeling, it can’t be effectively repaired.
• Not as Durable: The foil surface is not as tough as a painted or lacquered finish and can be damaged more easily.

We offer these as a budget-conscious alternative to our solid wood Shakers, but we always make sure our customers understand the difference in material and longevity. For more information, you can read our other advice pages or visit our kitchen showroom in Oldham.

Matt finishes are hugely popular, and the same material principles apply. You can get a beautiful, super-matt finish on a few different door types:

• Painted Solid Wood: Our solid wood Shakers can be painted in a range of matt colours.
• Lacquered MDF: A matt lacquer can be applied to slab doors for a smooth, velvety finish.
• Foil-Wrapped MDF: As mentioned, this is a common way to get a matt Shaker or slab door.
• Egger PerfectSense Matt: This is a premium product, similar to an acrylic door. It’s an MDF core with a special electron-beam cured lacquer surface that is incredibly matt, fingerprint-resistant, and durable. We offer this for our modern slab doors.

We have a huge range of kitchen door materials and styles to see at our showroom in Oldham (Unit N, Central Trading Estate, Coulton Close, Oldham, OL1 4EB). Feel free to come and see the quality for yourself.