Deciding on a design for your kitchen can be a very involved process. It can also be one of the biggest investments that you make in your home. As you are going through this process many questions may arise. See below for our frequently asked questions:
Is it true that my cabinet doors can swell during the spring or summer?
Yes, they can swell in the summer and shrink in the winter! - Wood is like a sponge. It can absorb moisture or dry out, depending on the environment. Excessive humidity can result in warpage and expanding of the wood. Also, a lack of sufficient humidity during the winter heating season can cause shrinkage of the wood. This is especially true on solid wood doors. We recommend a complete heating and cooling cycle to allow doors to adjust to your home's environment. It is important to control the humidity in your home all year round, especially if you have a fireplace or a wood stove. Your cabinetry should be stored or installed in an environment with a constant Humidity level of 40% - 60%.
Some cabinets we have looked at are made with particleboard. Are Blue River Cabinets made with these type woods?
No, we only use select hardwoods and veneered plywood in our cabinetry. We feel that the long term integrity of the cabinet would be compromised if we didn’t use the best quality products available. Hardwoods and veneered plywood are the most consistent, durable products for cabinet making that we have found.
What is MDF? Does Blue River use MDF?
MDF is an abbreviation for Medium Density Fiberboard. MDF is a high quality core material made from fine wood fibers. It has a smooth surface, and its clean strong edges can be shaped and painted. If you are applying paint to your cabinet doors, MDF may be an excellent choice. MDF doesn’t have grain, so it isn’t suitable for stains or other finish where the natural characteristics of wood are highlighted. However, if paint is going to be applied, the grain will be covered up and therefore MDF is a viable option. For painted kitchens, Blue River suggests poplar or maple cabinets with either maple, poplar or MDF doors.