Stainless Steel Cabinets Vs. Solid Wood: Which is Better for You?

Redoing a kitchen or other area in your house is an exciting adventure where you can mix new colours, get new tables and change your counter tops. Along side of that, homeowners generally like to update their appliances and cabinets. Depending on your personal preference, solid wood or stainless steel are great options. They're both appealing and can make your kitchen feel more at home to match the rest of your house. Each option though has several pros and cons.

Stainless steel is a great modern upgrade in any house. Depending on how your house is set up, you may need to make a few more remodels after changing cabinets. Steel cabinets are perfect if you don't want to invest in staining or painting every so often to keep the look fresh. This is best if you want to cut down on costs of maintenance. The design of stainless steal cabinets also coordinates well with stainless steal appliances such as stoves or refrigerators, giving your kitchen modern flair and a matching setup.

Stainless steel is great for kitchens if a lot of cooking is done or it becomes humid. Wood cabinets can absorb moisture and cause paint to peel as well as warping.

When looking for stainless steel cabinets, be sure everything latches correctly. Though cabinets are generally welded, it's also a good idea to make sure there are no overly sharp edges due to the welding. Another downfall to stainless steel is rust. Make sure any steel cabinets you're installing are rust-proofed. Since steel can get quite expensive depending on your setup, it wouldn't be easy on the pocketbook having to replace units due to rust.

Price is a bit higher for steel as well. Depending on how much steel you're installing and the size, prices can range from $1,000 to even up to $7,000 for renovations. Another pitfall to stainless steel cabinets is that they can be dented easily. So be sure not to knock any large objects into it or you'll have an obvious mark on your cabinets. Also, having pots and pans and other cooking utensils in cabinets can become quite noisy. So organization is a good idea on where you'll be keeping your extras.