Some rooms just work harder than others. Think about how we name our rooms for a minute. A bedroom is likely a quiet room since it has a bed in it, right? But a mudroom? We call it a mudroom for a reason—mud! Or dirt, or whatever else the kids and dogs might drag in. Ditto for laundry rooms: We know what laundry can be like! But a bathroom? Aaahhh… a bath only sounds calm and relaxing…

Since some rooms work harder than others and take more of a beating, the type of semi custom cabinets you choose for a room should fit the beating (or lack of) that room will take. For example, the semi custom cabinets you choose for your den can be a stained wood and wear just fine. But your mudroom cabinets might not.

That’s why we offer thermofoil as a finish on our cabinets, so you can get the cabinet style you want in those much-used and highly functional rooms, but with a durable finish that can stand up to dirt and dogs and kids and life.

Thermofoil cabinets 101

So here’s a little about thermofoil cabinets to explain…

First off, thermofoil is not a foil, despite but the name, but a plastic coating that’s adhered to the wood to make thermofoil cabinet doors. Because it’s made from plastic, it’s more durable than just paint or stain, making thermofoil cabinets a popular choice for mudrooms and laundry rooms.

Thermofoil cabinet doors are also easy to care for, usually needing only a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. When used in room with humidity like a laundry room, they are less susceptible to warping because the wood is protected.

Thermofoil cabinets, the downside

All of that said, if the coating is compromised through scratches or dents, water will be able to get through to the wood and cause damage.

In addition, thermofoil cabinets can be susceptible to heat damage because of the plastic coating. For that reason, if you’re considering thermofoil cabinets for your kitchen, you’ll want to be careful about how close you place these cabinets to appliances such as ovens.

Typically you find your choice limited to white thermofoil cabinets, which works well for mudrooms and laundry rooms because white is crisp and clean. However, some coatings will start to yellow over time, so be aware and by from a high-end kitchen cabinet manufacturer—even though you’re buying a lower-end product.

Which cabinet is right for you?

Choosing your semi custom cabinets style is easier than ever with the dozens of choices now offered by manufacturers like Wellborn Forest Products. And being able to customize the type of finish to fit the room, whether lightly used or well used, is just one more reason to go with semi custom!