Things That Damage Your Kitchen Cabinets

Most kitchen cabinets, especially those constructed of wood, are built to last for decades. Elegant and durable, solid wood cabinets are a classic choice for any kitchen. But eventually, regardless of the cabinet's material, it will sustain damage. This destruction may have occurred for no apparent reason.

Humidity and temperature swings are the primary causes of cabinet damage. In addition, wood in the kitchen may expand and contract due to moisture. For example, the paint on your cabinets may chip, and the seams may become visible as a result. Other potential causes include moisture intrusion, improper installation, cabinet movement, and inadequate wood preparation before painting. In this preseason primer, we'll go over the top threats to your kitchen cabinetry.

The Importance Of Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets for storing food and other items in the kitchen are essential. They serve a practical purpose as extra storage but also improve the room's aesthetics. Some of the most compelling arguments for installing kitchen cabinets are as follows:

Organisation

The cabinets in your kitchen provide a specific location for you to put all your dishes, cutlery, cookware, and food storage goods. Cabinets that are effectively constructed allow you to maintain your kitchen neat, tidy, and organised, which makes it easier to find what you need in your kitchen when you need it.

Space Optimisation

Kitchen cabinets are a great way to maximise your limited square footage. They allow you to use the entire available vertical space in your living quarters. In addition, shelves, drawers, and other types of compartmentalised storage allow for the organised and efficient storage of items of varying sizes and shapes.

Protection

Your kitchen cabinets protect your essentials from dust, dirt, and possible damage. In addition, you can lessen the likelihood that your dishes and cookware will be broken, scratched, or damaged in any other way by storing them inside cabinets.

Enhanced Functionality

Having cabinets in your kitchen increases its usefulness by putting commonly used items within easy reach. Then, when everything in the kitchen is in its proper place, you can quickly grab what you need and head out the door.

Visual Appeal

Kitchens can be completely transformed by installing new fashionable and well-designed cabinets. They improve the room's atmosphere by adding a dash of class and sophistication. Cabinets are available in various styles and finishes, so you can find one that suits your taste, whether traditional, contemporary, or rustic.

Home Value

The quality of your kitchen cabinets has a major impact on how much your home is worth. Kitchens with attractive cabinets tend to sell faster and for higher prices. Therefore, investing money into cabinets of high quality is a smart way to boost the value of your home should you ever decide to put it up for sale.

Factors That Damage Kitchen Cabinets

Some factors can cause damage to kitchen cabinets. It is important to be aware of these factors to keep your cabinets in good condition for as long as possible.

The following are the most common causes of damage to kitchen cabinets:

Extreme Changes In Temperature And Humidity

Kitchen cabinet doors and centre panels made of wood often develop splits due to changes in humidity and temperature.

Even the best kitchen cupboards can expand when exposed to the higher relative humidity of summer and other humid months because wood rapidly absorbs this extra moisture in the air. Wood shrinks as moisture levels fall during the winter. Due to the natural expansion and contraction of wood, the paint on your kitchen cabinets will eventually wear off. These flaws can cause tiny holes or thin cracks to form in the corners, joints, and doors of your cabinets.

However, painting issues can be avoided if humidity levels in the kitchen are controlled. However, if you want to avoid cracks, you should always keep the relative humidity around 45%.

Sunlight And Heat

Damage can occur to cabinets when they are placed near ovens or windows. When exposed to high temperatures, warping and cracking can occur in thermofoil and wood. In addition, cabinets left out in the sun for too long can fade and discolour.

To prevent your kitchen from getting too hot, install blinds or curtains to block the sun from shining directly on your cabinets.

Poor Installation

Most people care not to damage their cabinets when renovating or moving into a new home. The issue is more effort should be put into ensuring they are installed properly. Since this is the case, you may run into some problems. Joinery for cabinets can vary. This includes but is not limited to rabbet joints, butt joints, dado joints, and corner joints.

Incorrectly assembled and installed joints may compromise the integrity of a cabinet, leading to splits and other problems. Choose experts who can properly secure the joints and install the cabinets if you want them to last a long time without cracking. Thanks to our network of authorised dealers and skilled craftsmen, installing your new Wellborn Cabinets is a breeze.

Water-Related Damage

It's no surprise that painted cabinet surfaces in the kitchen are prone to water spills and stains, given the room's high traffic volume. The quality and beauty of your expensive wood cabinets can quickly deteriorate if they absorb any amount of water. Butt joint failure in corner cabinets, paint flaking or bubbling, and wood expansion are all possible outcomes.

Water damage to cabinets is extremely unlikely if plywood is used instead of solid wood for the cabinets and countertops. However, it's important to act quickly after any kitchen accidents because the materials in your cabinets can be damaged by water.

Improper Handling And Heavy Weight

When cabinets are overstuffed, shelves and hinges can become deformed or even break. Refrain from overloading cabinets and drawers with heavy items. Also, if you slam the cabinet door or yank it open too hard, you could break the hinges or throw off the cabinet's alignment.

Failure To Prepare Cabinetry Properly Before Painting

If you don't treat or prepare the wood in your cabinets properly before painting, cracks can appear locally or spread across an entire panel. Painting on a dirty surface, for instance, can cause bubbles and peeling. Before painting, make sure the wood is free of dust, grease, and dirt.

Wooden cabinet doors and panels should not be painted while still wet, either. Paint could form bubbles, eventually peeling off, leaving ugly cracks. Again, cabinets from a reputable manufacturer, such as Wellborn Cabinet, are the way to go. Wellborn follows a multi-step process to avoid this and ensure that your cabinets look great.

Pests In The Home Can Cause Damage To Your Kitchen Cabinets.

No one likes to admit they may have a rodent or bug problem in the kitchen. Still, it's not impossible. Roaches, in particular, are attracted to the grease and food scraps that accumulate there. Moisture is also a magnet for pests like termites.

As a result, they will likely choose to set up shop in your kitchen. In addition, termites can eat through the wooden components of your kitchen cabinets, causing costly structural damage to your home.

Regularly inspecting your cabinets for signs of infestation can help you limit the amount of damage done and prevent the infestation from trying to spread to other parts of your home.

Tips For Protecting And Maintaining Your Kitchen Cabinets

Maintaining the beauty and functionality of your kitchen cabinets is essential to getting the most out of your investment.

The following is a list of useful tips that will assist you in protecting and maintaining your kitchen cabinets:

Make Use Of Proper Ventilation

To stop condensation from forming in your kitchen, proper ventilation is necessary. Because an excessive amount of moisture can result in damage, it is important to ensure that your kitchen has adequate ventilation. For example, while cooking, you should run exhaust fans or leave the windows open to allow the steam and moisture to escape.

Avoid Using Bleach, Ammonia-Based Cleaning Products, And Strong Detergents.

These include chemicals that will permanently damage the finish on your kitchen cabinets if they come into contact with it. Never use them, no matter how tempting they may seem, due to things like the presence of particularly difficult stains. If you need to remove such stains from your kitchen cabinet, try using a baking soda solution. It's a safe and effective way to get rid of most stains. Commercial cleaning products can also be used.

Clean Up Spills Right Away.

If there are any liquid accidents on the surfaces of your cabinets, wipe them up right away. Damage to the finish or discolouration of the wood due to liquid seepage (especially if the liquid contains acidic or staining agents) is possible. Wipe any accidents with a damp sponge or cloth and some mild detergent.

Fill In And Cover Scratch And Cracks.

Kitchen cabinets are susceptible to scratches, but products that can assist you are available on the market right now. Conceal them. If you need to remember where you bought it, the store should be able to tell you. Filling and concealing scratches and cracks stops them from spreading and keeps your cabinet looking new.

Having it appear worn and old is different from what you had in mind. However, avoiding scratches in the first place is much simpler. The abrasive action of cleaning supplies or the movement of an object across the surface are common causes of these marks. Always wipe along the wood grain when cleaning, and never drag anything across the surface of a cabinet.

Carefully Handle Cabinets

Avoid damaging your cabinets by being careful when moving them around. Don't slam drawers or doors of cabinets; doing so can break the hinges and cause the furniture to sag. Instead, shut them down softly and check for straightness. Instead of grabbing the edges of a cabinet, use the handle or knob to open it.

From Time To Time, Polish Your Kitchen Cabinet.

When you do that, it looks new and the wear and tear stops. It will extend the life of your cabinet. Whether you want to do it yourself or hire experts is up to you.

The obvious solution is to hire professionals to do it for you so that you know it will be done correctly. Don't even think about waxing your kitchen cabinets. The wood will be harmed as a result.

Avoid Excessive Weight 

It is important to keep your cabinets from being overburdened with excessive weight. To avoid sagging shelves or other structural damage, distribute heavy items evenly across the shelves and drawers. Consider using shelf liners or organisers to assist in more evenly distributing the weight on the shelves.

Remove Stains As Soon As They Appear.

It's important to clean up any food messes immediately. They could dry out, making them hard to get rid of. By the time you get rid of them, the damage has already been done.

Oils from greasy foods can eat away at the finish of a cabinet if they sit there too long. Repeated occurrences will cause noticeable discolouration. Also, the shiny finish on your cabinets could get scratched and lose its lustre if you do that.

A damp cloth should be used to clean up any food spills immediately. A homemade or store-bought cleaner can be used if a damp cloth is ineffective. If you choose a commercial cleaner, make sure it is designed for use on wood.

Avoid Prolonged Sun And Heat Exposure

Protect your cabinets from the stove, oven, and dishwasher to prevent damage. Warping, discolouration, and melting are all possible results of excessive heat. Use heat shields or heat-resistant mats to prevent the cabinets from overheating.

Avoid Dragging Objects Across The Surface.

When you do that, eventually, the surface wears away. Because it occurs on a microscopic scale, you might not notice it. Scratches and a dulling of the surface are the first signs.

The damage is instantaneous if heavy objects are dragged across the grains. Remember this so you don't accidentally do this kind of damage.

Use The Recommended Cleaning Methods.

Always refer to the user manual and safe cleaning products when cleaning your cabinets. Scratching or stripping away the protective coating can occur if you use abrasive sponges, harsh chemicals, or rough scrubbing. Most frequent cleaning needs can be met with mild soap and warm water.

Stay Away From Water And Excessive Moisture.

The cabinet's finish will deteriorate if exposed to moisture. It causes a colour change. Prolonged contact with moisture can cause the surface of your cabinet to peel. The jointed walls of your cabinet are more susceptible to damage from water because of the material's excessive and irregular expansion and contraction.

Your kitchen cabinet's lifespan may decrease and become more prone to cracking. Make sure your kitchen is not too humid to avoid these water and moisture-related damages. If there is a spill inside the cabinet, quickly wipe it with an absorbent cloth. If you have the habit of storing wet dish towels and other articles of clothing in a cabinet, you should break the habit immediately.

If you want to keep water from damaging the interior, you can also line the walls. Never wipe your cabinets dry or go against the wood's natural grain. Wiping across the grain will scratch the wood, and using a dry cloth will leave more dirt than it removes.

Conclusion 

Kitchen cabinets are built to last for decades, but eventually they will sustain damage due to humidity and temperature swings, improper installation, cabinet movement, and inadequate wood preparation. The importance of kitchen cabinets is to store food and improve the room's aesthetics, as well as organisation and space optimization. Kitchen cabinets provide protection, enhanced functionality, visual appeal, and home value. They can be installed in various styles and finishes to improve the room's atmosphere and boost the value of the home. However, some factors can cause damage to kitchen cabinets, so it is important to be aware of them to keep them in good condition.

The most common causes of damage to kitchen cabinets are extreme changes in temperature and humidity, sunlight and heat, poor installation, and water-related damage. Extreme changes in temperature and humidity can cause splits, warping, and cracking, while high temperatures can cause warping and cracking. Poor installation can lead to splits and other problems, and water-related damage can cause butt joint failure, paint flaking or bubbling, and wood expansion. Wellborn Cabinets has a network of authorised dealers and skilled craftsmen to install your new cabinets. Water damage to cabinets is unlikely if plywood is used, but it is important to act quickly after any accidents.

Improper handling and heavy weight can cause deformation or break, and improperly prepared wood before painting can cause cracks. Pests in the home can cause damage, so it is important to regularly inspect your cabinets for signs of infestation. Tips for protecting and maintaining your kitchen cabinets are essential to getting the most out of your investment. Proper ventilation is essential for protecting and maintaining kitchen cabinets. Avoid using bleach, ammonia-based cleaning products, and strong detergents.

Clean up spills right away with a damp sponge or cloth and mild detergent. Fill in and cover scratches and cracks with products available on the market. The most important details are to avoid scratches in the first place, carefully handle cabinets, polish your kitchen cabinets, avoid excessive weight, and remove stains as soon as they appear. Wipe along the wood grain when cleaning and never drag anything across the surface. Carefully handle cabinets and use the handle or knob to open them.

Polish your kitchen cabinets from time to time and avoid excessive weight. Distribute heavy items evenly across the shelves and drawers. Remove stains as soon as they appear. The most important details in this text are to avoid prolonged sun and heat exposure, avoid dragging objects across the surface, use the recommended cleaning methods, stay away from water and excessive moisture, wipe spills with an absorbent cloth, and never wipe against the wood's natural grain. These steps will help ensure that the cabinet's finish does not deteriorate if exposed to moisture, and that the cabinet's lifespan may decrease and become more prone to cracking.

Content Summary: 

• Most kitchen cabinets, especially those constructed of wood, are built to last for decades.
• But eventually, regardless of the cabinet's material, it will sustain damage.
• Humidity and temperature swings are the primary causes of cabinet damage.
• In addition, wood in the kitchen may expand and contract due to moisture.
• In this preseason primer, we'll go over the top threats to your kitchen cabinetry.
• Cabinets for storing food and other items in the kitchen are essential.
• The cabinets in your kitchen provide a specific location for you to put all your dishes, cutlery, cookware, and food storage goods.
• Having cabinets in your kitchen increases its usefulness by putting commonly used items within easy reach.
• The quality of your kitchen cabinets has a major impact on how much your home is worth.
• Therefore, investing money into cabinets of high quality is a smart way to boost the value of your home should you ever decide to put it up for sale.
• Some factors can cause damage to kitchen cabinets.
• It is important to be aware of these factors to keep your cabinets in good condition for as long as possible.
• Kitchen cabinet doors and centre panels made of wood often develop splits due to changes in humidity and temperature.
• Due to the natural expansion and contraction of wood, the paint on your kitchen cabinets will eventually wear off.
• These flaws can cause tiny holes or thin cracks to form in the corners, joints, and doors of your cabinets.
• However, painting issues can be avoided if humidity levels in the kitchen are controlled.
• To prevent your kitchen from getting too hot, install blinds or curtains to block the sun from shining directly on your cabinets.
• The quality and beauty of your expensive wood cabinets can quickly deteriorate if they absorb any amount of water.
• Water damage to cabinets is extremely unlikely if plywood is used instead of solid wood for the cabinets and countertops.
• Refrain from overloading cabinets and drawers with heavy items.
• If you don't treat or prepare the wood in your cabinets properly before painting, cracks can appear locally or spread across an entire panel.
• Before painting, make sure the wood is free of dust, grease, and dirt.
• Moisture is also a magnet for pests like termites.
• Regularly inspecting your cabinets for signs of infestation can help you limit the amount of damage done and prevent the infestation from trying to spread to other parts of your home.
• To stop condensation from forming in your kitchen, proper ventilation is necessary.
• Because an excessive amount of moisture can result in damage, it is important to ensure that your kitchen has adequate ventilation.
• For example, while cooking, you should run exhaust fans or leave the windows open to allow the steam and moisture to escape.
• These include chemicals that will permanently damage the finish on your kitchen cabinets if they come into contact with it.
• If you need to remove such stains from your kitchen cabinet, try using a baking soda solution.
• It's a safe and effective way to get rid of most stains.
• Commercial cleaning products can also be used.
• If there are any liquid accidents on the surfaces of your cabinets, wipe them up right away.
• Wipe any accidents with a damp sponge or cloth and some mild detergent.
• However, avoiding scratches in the first place is much simpler.
• Avoid damaging your cabinets by being careful when moving them around.
• Instead of grabbing the edges of a cabinet, use the handle or knob to open it.
• It will extend the life of your cabinet.
• Don't even think about waxing your kitchen cabinets.
•  It is important to keep your cabinets from being overburdened with excessive weight.
• To avoid sagging shelves or other structural damage, distribute heavy items evenly across the shelves and drawers.
• It's important to clean up any food messes immediately.
• A damp cloth should be used to clean up any food spills immediately.
• A homemade or store-bought cleaner can be used if a damp cloth is ineffective.
• Protect your cabinets from the stove, oven, and dishwasher to prevent damage.
• Use heat shields or heat-resistant mats to prevent the cabinets from overheating.
• Scratches and a dulling of the surface are the first signs.
• Always refer to the user manual and safe cleaning products when cleaning your cabinets.
• Prolonged contact with moisture can cause the surface of your cabinet to peel.
• Make sure your kitchen is not too humid to avoid these water and moisture-related damages.