Compare solid wood, thermofoil, painted MDF and laminate for cabinet refacing in Oakville. Learn which material works best for your kitchen and budget.
Best Materials for Cabinet Refacing: Your Oakville Guide
Picking the right material for your cabinet refacing project affects everything – how your kitchen looks, how long it lasts, and how much maintenance you’ll need.
Your Four Main Options:
Solid wood (premium natural material)
Thermofoil (vinyl heat-pressed onto MDF)
Painted MDF (factory-painted doors)
Laminate (printed pattern like countertops)
After refacing hundreds of kitchens across River Oaks, Old Oakville, and Eastlake, we’ve seen which materials actually deliver. Let’s break down each option so you can choose what works for your specific situation.
Solid Wood – The Premium Choice
Solid wood doors are exactly what they sound like – real wood throughout, not just a thin layer over something else.
Why Homeowners Choose Solid Wood:
Authentic wood grain that’s unique on every door
Can be sanded and refinished later if you want different colors
Premium look and feel that adds real home value
Works with any kitchen design style
Natural material that ages beautifully
Popular Wood Species:
Maple
(smooth grain, takes paint well)
Oak
(prominent grain, traditional look)
The Downsides:
Most expensive option (adds $3,000-$5,000 to project cost)
Requires more maintenance than other materials
Wood expands and contracts with humidity changes
Water exposure near sink needs careful attention
Direct sunlight can fade finish over time
Best For:
Forever homes where you’ll stay 15+ years
High-end neighborhoods like Old Oakville
Homeowners who want future refinishing options
When matching existing wood elements in your home
If you have budget for premium quality
Skip Solid Wood If:
Budget is tight
You need super low maintenance
Your kitchen has moisture problems
Your selling within 5 years
Thermofoil – The Practical Favorite
Thermofoil is a vinyl material that’s heated and vacuum-pressed onto MDF board, creating a seamless, one-piece door.
Why 60% of Our Oakville Clients Choose This:
Significantly less expensive (saves $2,500-$3,500 vs solid wood)
Incredibly easy to clean – wipe with damp cloth and done
Smooth surface means no grain to trap dirt
Moisture-resistant (perfect near sinks and dishwashers)
Parents with young kids love the easy maintenance
Color and Style Options:
Hundreds of colors available
White and off-white most popular
Grays and navy blues trending
Semi-gloss finish standard
Works great for shaker and flat panel styles
Important Limitations:
Heat sensitive – can peel near stoves
Keep doors at least 12 inches from heat sources
Cant be refinished later (stuck with your color)
Doesnt have natural wood depth
Best For:
Busy families needing low maintenance
Cabinets positioned away from stove heat
Great value without looking cheap
Kids constantly touching cabinet doors
Real Example:
A homeowner in River Oaks placed a slow cooker directly below upper cabinets. The steam caused the thermofoil to bubble on one door. We replaced it, but it was an expensive lesson about heat placement.
Painted MDF – The Upgraded Option
Painted MDF doors are factory-painted with multiple coats of durable paint, creating a smooth, long-lasting finish.
Key Advantages:
Better heat resistance than thermofoil
Can be used closer to stove areas
Smooth, uniform painted finish
More durable than thermofoil over time
Less prone to peeling or bubbling
Cost Reality:
More expensive than thermofoil
Usually $1,000-$2,000 extra for full kitchen
Still cheaper than solid wood
Middle-ground pricing option
Maintenance:
Easy to clean like thermofoil
Wipe with damp cloth and mild soap
More impact-resistant than thermofoil
Holds up well to daily use
The Limitation:
Still cant be refinished to different color later
Color change requires new doors
Choose your color carefully upfront
Why Homeowners Choose Painted MDF:
Want painted look without thermofoil heat limitations
Cook frequently with high heat
Cabinets located near stove
Prefer factory-applied paint over vinyl
Need better long-term durability
Best For:
Kitchens with cabinets near stove
Frequent high-heat cooking
Want painted look with better durability
Budget allows for upgrade over thermofoil
Laminate – The Budget-Friendly Option
Laminate is a printed pattern sealed under a protective layer and bonded to particleboard or MDF – similar to countertop material.
The Main Advantage – Cost:
Saves $3,000-$5,000 compared to solid wood
Can be used closer to stove areas
Gets you a fresh look on tight budget
Good for rental properties or quick flips
What Laminate Offers:
Widest range of colors and patterns
Wood grain patterns (printed, not real)
Bold colors you cant get elsewhere
Easy to clean and moisture-resistant
Low maintenance requirements
The Honest Drawbacks:
Looks like laminate up close (not real wood)
Edges vulnerable to chipping
Least durable option overall
Once damaged, must replace whole door
Cant be refinished or repaired effectively
Typically lasts 8-12 years vs 15-20+ for other materials
Why Most Clients Pass:
Lower perceived value for resale
Shows wear faster than other materials
In neighborhoods like Eastlake or College Park, other materials make more sense for long-term investment
Best For:
Tightest budgets needing transformation
Selling home within 5 years
Rental properties
When cost is primary concern
Skip If:
Investing in forever home
Want premium appearance
Need maximum durability
Still deciding between refacing and full replacement? Read our cabinet refacing vs replacement guide.
The Spray-Painted Box Advantage
Why We Spray Paint Cabinet Boxes Instead of Using Veneer
Most refacing companies apply veneer to your existing cabinet boxes. We spray paint them instead – and the difference is huge.
Spray Painting Benefits:
Creates factory-fresh, flawless finish
No visible seams anywhere
No edges to peel over time
No bubbles forming from moisture or heat
Bonds directly to prepared surface
Incredibly durable for daily abuse
Why This Matters:
Cabinet boxes take more abuse than doors
Constantly putting things in and out
Bumping with pots and pans
Need toughest finish possible
Perfect Color Matching:
Spray-painted boxes match new doors exactly
Same paint formula, same sheen
No variation between box and door color
Seamless, unified appearance
Veneer Problems We Avoid:
Edges peeling after 5-10 years
Bubbles from moisture exposure
Visible seams where pieces meet
Difficulty getting exact color match
The Result:
Your kitchen looks brand new, not refaced
Guests cant tell what’s original
Professional, factory-like finish throughout
How to Choose the Right Material
Making Your Decision
Here’s how to pick the material that actually works for your situation:
Consider Your Budget:
$8,000-$10,000 range: Thermofoil or laminate
$12,000-$15,000 range: Painted MDF or thermofoil with upgrades
$15,000+ range: Solid wood becomes realistic option
$12,000-$15,000 range: Painted MDF or thermofoil with upgrades
$15,000+ range: Solid wood becomes realistic option
Think About Your Kitchen Layout:
Cabinets within 12 inches of stove: Skip thermofoil, choose painted MDF or solid wood
Cabinets 12-24 inches from stove: Painted MDF safest choice
Cabinets far from heat: Any material works fine
Cabinets 12-24 inches from stove: Painted MDF safest choice
Cabinets far from heat: Any material works fine
Match Your Lifestyle:
Busy families with kids: Thermofoil (easiest cleaning)
Frequent high-heat cooking: Painted MDF or solid wood
Want lowest maintenance: Thermofoil or painted MDF
Don’t mind upkeep: Solid wood gives premium look
Frequent high-heat cooking: Painted MDF or solid wood
Want lowest maintenance: Thermofoil or painted MDF
Don’t mind upkeep: Solid wood gives premium look
Selling within 5 years: Don’t over-invest, choose thermofoil
Staying 5-10 years: Painted MDF or thermofoil
Staying 10-20+ years: Consider solid wood
Forever home: Invest in what you’ll love long-term
Staying 5-10 years: Painted MDF or thermofoil
Staying 10-20+ years: Consider solid wood
Forever home: Invest in what you’ll love long-term
Timeline in Your Home:
The Quick Decision Framework:
Eliminate materials outside your budget
Check heat proximity to stove
Consider your maintenance willingness
Factor in how long you’re staying
Usually leaves you with 1-2 realistic options
Get Samples:
Order physical samples of final choices
View in your actual kitchen lighting
Look at different times of day
Hold against countertops and backsplash
One usually feels right
The Quick Decision Framework:
Eliminate materials outside your budget
Check heat proximity to stove
Consider your maintenance willingness
Factor in how long you’re staying
Usually leaves you with 1-2 realistic options
The key insight?
Quality cabinet refacing offers similar longevity to new cabinets at roughly 50% of the cost. Your existing cabinet boxes were likely built better than most new budget cabinets anyway.
If your current cabinet boxes are solid and the layout works for your needs, refacing gives you a fresh look that lasts just as long as replacement would – for way less money.
Still deciding between refacing and replacement? Read our complete comparison guide.
Learn more about how long it takes to complete Cabinet Refacing in our Cabinet Refacing Process Guide Oakville.
Making the Right Choice for Your Oakville Kitchen
There’s no universally “best” material for everyone. The right choice depends on your specific situation.
Quick Recap:
Solid wood: Premium quality, future refinishing options, highest cost
Thermofoil: Great value, easy maintenance, keep away from heat
Painted MDF: Better heat resistance, durable, mid-range pricing
Laminate: Lowest cost, good for tight budgets, shorter lifespan
Remember the Spray-Painted Box Advantage:
Regardless of which door material you choose, our professional spray-painted cabinet boxes give you a factory-fresh finish that lasts 15-20+ years without peeling or bubbling.
Next Steps
Ready to discuss which material works best for your specific kitchen? We’d love to look at your space and talk through your options. There’s no pressure – just honest advice based on hundreds of Oakville kitchen transformations.
Learn more about our complete cabinet refacing services in Oakville.
Contact Kitchen Made New:
Address: 1155 North Service Rd W Unit 11, Oakville, ON L6M 3E3
Phone: +1 (289) 815-3353
Email: [email protected]
