What are the most commonly used bathroom cabinet materials? What are their strengths and weaknesses? In this article, we’ll explore a number of different materials to try and determine which one works best.
But first, what is a bathroom vanity? Why are they so important in the bathroom?
1. What is a Bathroom Cabinet?
A bathroom cabinet is a very simple piece of bathroom furniture that can be used as storage space. In many cases, the top of a bathroom vanity may have a plumbed sink (or multiple, such as these double bowl vanities ).
Shop around, the variety of bathroom cabinets on the market is endless. That being said, many of the materials used don’t quite fit as expected.
That’s all, when you’re shopping for a bathroom vanity online, you want it to perform well in a humid bathroom environment. However, if you skimp too much and try to save as much money as possible, you can fall into a trap and end up with a device with poor build quality and inappropriate characteristics. Let’s look at a few examples:
1) Particle Board
Particleboard (or composite wood) uses glue and wood chips to form this well-known material. They are heated to extreme temperatures and formed into panels of different sizes and thicknesses, which are then used to assemble a variety of furniture.
Now, chipboard will work just fine in just about any other setting. In the bathroom, however, not so much. That’s because they tend not to be top performers, sag under excess weight, and get wet easily.
2) MDF
As for medium-density fiberboard (MDF), while it’s an attractive budget option, like particleboard, it’s heavier and denser. Therefore, it must be properly handled and sealed before use. Otherwise, your MDF bathroom vanity will swell and fall into disrepair if exposed to too much moisture.
3) Plywood
Plywood is another attractive budget option, and it all depends on how well it’s been treated and weather-resistant, and a varnish sealer can finish for an attractive woodgrain effect. Otherwise, the plywood is relatively tasteless. That being said, it is known for its longevity, resistance to shrinking and expanding when exposed to varying temperature and humidity levels, and other aspects of versatility.
It doesn’t look as good as many other materials available, but it’s cheap and gets the job done.
4) Solid Wood
Solid wood (either a single natural wood or a mix of hardwoods) is a fairly common bathroom vanity material. Much can certainly be said about the strength and durability that hardwood offers, however, it won’t last long if not handled properly. It easily absorbs moisture from the air, causing swelling and cracking. This is why it is vital that you order a quality solid wood bathroom vanity .
5) Rubber Wood
Rubberwood (extracted from the rubber tree) is rapidly becoming an environmentally friendly alternative to many other materials. While it’s certainly not as strong as oak, it reduces waste significantly. Regardless, you need to choose the styles and materials that resonate with you the most.
2. Make the Right Choice
If you’re struggling to choose the ideal material for you, consider the following:
- Moisture resistance: If you are unwilling or unable to control the humidity in your bathroom (consider installing exhaust fans, etc.), then you must consider using bathroom cabinet materials with high moisture resistance. It is recommended to use water-resistant or even water-resistant materials.
- Durability: In a busy home with growing kids, it pays to invest in bathroom vanities made from durable materials. Think about how much weight you might have to carry (unless you trust your child will never try to climb the sink), etc.
- Budget: While you should definitely be aware of how much you’re spending, if you prioritize spending as little as possible, you could end up with a sub-standard product that will disappoint you quickly. Find the middle ground!
3. In Conclusion
At NICEMOCO we have a wide variety of solid and hardwoods, and other beautiful finishing materials to choose from. All of our vanities are treated and sealed accordingly, making them perfect for bathroom environments. Just visit our website to start exploring your options!