Ultimate Guide to Best Cabinet Materials for New York’s Climate

New York experiences a range of weather patterns throughout the year, from hot and humid summers to cold, snowy winters. The predictable climate changes make home remodelers prepare well before any damage. Suddenly changing temperature and humidity can significantly impact the cabinets used in remodeling projects. That is why selecting the best cabinet materials in New York’s climate is important. Choosing the top cabinet materials for New York’s climate is essential for ensuring the longevity and durability of your cabinetry. 

In this blog, we will explore the best cabinet materials for NYC climate and why they matter:

Why do the Right Cabinet Materials Matter in changing Climates?

New York's changing weather patterns mean sudden fluctuations in temperature and humidity. Sometimes, frequent rain can largely affect the cabinets in many places. Humidity can swell the cabinets, while sudden heat can contract cabinet doors. However, if you choose cabinet materials while considering the adverse environment, you can escape from the damage. Wise designers choose the best cabinet materials in New York’s climate that can endure weather fluctuations for these major reasons:

• Prevent wood cabinets from expanding, warping, cracking, or swelling. 

• Make cabinets long-lasting and durable for the years to come.

• Maintain the premium look of their cabinets.

The Best Cabinet Materials in New York’s Climate

The cabinet materials specially made to withstand changing climates are best for New York City. Below are some of the material options in this regard:

1. Solid Wood Cabinets

Known for durability, solid wood materials hold up well against the fluctuations in temperature and humidity typical in New York. You can trust these materials for protection against heat and moisture. Wood generally swells up in humid conditions, but you can prevent it using proper coatings. It’s important to protect solid wood kitchen cabinets with high-quality cabinet finishes for New York's climate, like polyurethane or lacquer, which create a moisture-resistant barrier. The versatile nature of wood cabinet materials makes them ideal for designing personalized cabinetry.

2. Marine-Grade Plywood

For those looking for pocket-friendly cabinet materials, marine-grade plywood is a great option. You can choose from moisture and heat-resistant plywood types to design cabinets of your choice. Plywood is normally used to make boats, and you already know boats need protection against moisture more than anything else. This gives you an idea about the exceptional protection that marine-grade plywood cabinets can provide against humidity. This material is an excellent option for anyone looking for moisture-resistant cabinets for NYC climate that won’t break due to humidity.  

3. Steel Materials

Stainless steel cabinets are best for industrial and commercial spaces. These cabinets don't absorb moisture and are impervious to rust, ensuring a long lifespan. Being highly resistant to stains and cracks, steel is one of the best cabinet materials for the New York climate. While steel cabinets may not offer the same warm aesthetic as wood, they provide sleek and modern cabinets for NYC climate. The commercial cabinets are supposed to hold heavy products; steel cabinets are best in that case.

4. Thermofoil sheets

Layers of thermofoil sheets on PVC, MDF, or particle boards result in a smooth, durable cabinet surface that is resistant to moisture and heat, making it one of the excellent cabinet materials in New York’s climate extreme weather. The smooth surface is easy to clean and does not require frequent polishing. If you're looking for top cabinets in New York's climate without spending more money, you should consider having thermofoil cabinets. These cabinets can be customized in various shapes, giving various design ideas for your creative mind.

5. High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

If you don't mind having plastic-like cabinets, HDPE is one of the best cabinet materials in New York’s climate. The non-porous and smooth surface of HDPE provides resistance to moisture. Moreover, it is not like an ordinary plastic that cannot withstand extreme heat. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is indeed highly strong against heat and changing temperatures. Since it does not crack or swell, it protects against bacterial growth as well.

6. Acrylic Materials

Have you ever thought about those glossy and shiny cabinets that look like wood, but they are not made of wood, and instead of being smooth like plastic, plastic is also not used to make them? To your surprise, the acrylic is used to make such cabinets. The most luxurious and eye-pleasing look of these cabinets impresses everyone. The acrylic sliding doors give a modern touch to even the simplest cabinets. Moreover, the acrylic is always resistant to moisture, no matter the weather. 

7. Bamboo

It is the natural material used to make homes for many years. Its durability can be seen in its strong structure. Bamboo is naturally strong and resistant to moisture, which makes it suitable for areas with varying temperatures and humidity levels. You can easily cut it to design it however you like. Coloring bamboo-made cabinets is also really easy. After applying moisture-resistant coatings, you can make it one of the best cabinet materials in NYC climate.

Consider the accessories

Considering accessories like handles, knobs, and hinges is also crucial to make the best cabinets for your kitchen, bathroom, or any other area. If you add cheap quality handles to luxurious cabinet doors, you can unwillingly destroy the overall look of your cabinets. Moreover, you might also need to replace cabinets frequently if the hinges are too weak to protect cabinet doors. Other than that, humidity can also damage the cheap quality knobs or cabinet handles. Thus, it’s crucial to select the best cabinet materials in NY climate.

Conclusion

You need to choose the best cabinet materials in New York’s climate to maintain their durability in changing weather patterns. After learning about a variety of strong material options, you can select the best cabinets for your needs. Coatings give additional strength to materials; therefore, you should choose appropriate cabinet finishes for New York climate. Whether you prefer the glossy shine of acrylic cabinets or want classic wood cabinets, the choice of materials is totally yours.

If you're looking for moisture-resistant cabinets in New York, feel free to explore Install Kitch's premium collection or give us a call today.