What is a ‘Modular’ Kitchen?
Whether you’re designing the interiors of a new house or remodelling an existing kitchen, you’ll hear this word a lot – ‘modular kitchen’. Before we get into the differences between the use of PVC and wood in a modular kitchen, let’s just understand what constitutes a modular kitchen.
The term modular is derived from ‘modules’. Essentially, individual components of the kitchen like drawers, shelves, cabinets and so on, or the ‘modules’, are designed and manufactured separately in a factory and then assembled and installed into your kitchen.
As opposed to a conventionally built kitchen where a carpenter builds the entire kitchen interiors, these modules can be disassembled and moved, so you have no problem when shifting or remodelling your house. There are other advantages as well – because these components are designed and built separately, there’s a lot of scope for creating sleek and stylish designs, using different types of materials like PVC and wood, creating designs that maximise storage space while taking less kitchen space, and so on.
With that covered, let’s get to the crux of the topic – PVC vs wood. When designing a modular kitchen, you have a couple of choices between materials, and the two most popular are PVC and wood. But what are the differences, and which one’s better? Let’s find out.
PVC vs Wood for Modular Kitchens
Using PVC for Your Modular Kitchens
PVC, or Poly-Vinyl Chloride, is a plastic composite. When you hear PVC, you might think of pipes, but PVC is used in a lot of products today because it is affordable, durable, and easily available. PVC is used for kitchen cabinets, shelves, drawers and other objects.
There are two types of PVC boards that are used – PVC hollow boards that are hollow on the inside and PVC foam boards that have a foam filling. While the external look for both is more or less the same, foam boards are sturdier and have high thermal resistance.
Advantages of Using PVC for Modular Kitchens
- PVC is more affordable and costs less than wood.
- PVC is light and can be easily assembled or moved around.
- Maintenance of PVC cabinets, drawers, shelves, etc., is easy and costs less, and PVC is also easy to clean.
- You don’t have to worry about pests like termites with PVC fittings.
- Replacing damaged kitchen interiors is easier because the material is readily available, and the component can be manufactured faster.
- PVC is more durable than most materials and can withstand certain degrees of heat or surface damage.
Disadvantages of Using PVC for Modular Kitchens
- The components needed to assemble PVC products, like the screws and hinges, tend to loosen up over time and cause the cabinet drawers or doors to sag.
- PVC products can withstand heat but generally have low fire resistance.
- PVC surfaces are prone to scratches that often tend to be clearly visible over the polished surface.
Using Wood for your Modular Kitchens
Wood is a great alternative to PVC, and the two are the most used materials for kitchen interiors. Wood is often chosen for its look, texture, and durability. Wood gives the kitchen a modern yet refined look; it oozes elegance and brings nature into the home.
There are different types of wood you can choose from, like high density and medium-density fiberboard, plywood, Teak rubberwood, beech, pastel wood, and so on.
Advantages of Using Wood for Modular Kitchens
- The number one advantage is definitely the look. Wood is stylish and elegant and adds regality to the kitchen. Wood also has natural designs like grains and patterns that bring a unique twist to the interiors.
- Wood is flexible and can be easily modified to suit the designs you like.
- You have more options with materials when it comes to wood, and each has a distinct colour, look, and feel. You can choose natural wood like Teak, Mahogany, Pine, and so on, or synthetics like plywood and fibreboard.
- Wood is strong and durable and resistant to physical damage. It is also easy to clean.
- Wood modules like cabinets can be resold, as they retain their value barring serious damage.
Disadvantages of Using Wood for Modular Kitchens
- The number one disadvantage of wood is maintenance. While it is easy to clean, it is very difficult to maintain. Natural wood can decay in humid areas or when exposed to excessive moisture. Maintaining the surface look also needs special liquids or oils.
- Wood is prone to pests like termites and once infested it is difficult to get rid of.
- The cost of manufacturing wood interiors and installing them is relatively higher. Installation can also be complex, depending on the design.
So Which One Do You Choose?
Well, it depends on a couple of factors:
- The design for your kitchen: Both PVC and wood are great. Wood has an elegant look to it and PVC can be stylish and modern.
- Your budget: PVC can be cheaper to manufacture and install so it will cost you less.
- The effort you are willing to put in to maintain the interiors in your kitchen: Wood needs more maintenance than PVC.
- Durability: Wood products are generally more sturdy and durable in terms of material damage.
Finally, it depends on the rest of the decor in your house. The kitchen interiors need to blend in and complement your house decor, not stick out like a sore thumb. Talk to your interior designers to understand what material will suit the style of your home. If you need help, reach out to us, our team of expert designers will guide you in choosing the right material for your modular kitchen.
