A Comparison of Wood, Aluminum and PVC Kitchens (Research Paper Sample)

A comparison of Wood, Aluminum and PVC kitchens
INTRODUCTION
The design of kitchens can be done using various materials such as wood, aluminum and PVC. The choice of material is governed by factors such as cost and the designer choice. They are used to design countertops and cabinets. They give different finishes and looks depending on the material used. Wood gives a warm and beautiful look with its wide range of wood types and variety of colours. Most designers use hardwoods such as oaks and maple in the kitchen countertops and cabinets (Cerver, 2006).
On the other hand, aluminum kitchen tops and cabinets give the kitchen a more industrial and contemporary touch. They are more durable than wood and PVC types with the capability of resisting heat. PVC material used in kitchen design is also a good material since it is water proof and durable. However, they are the worst material when it comes to fire resistance (Marshall et al., 2013).
WOOD KITCHENS
Most kitchen cabinets and countertops are made of wood. This is because wood is readily available in the market. Many manufacturers of kitchen cabinets use hardwoods to make the cabinets. The wood finishes should be done before leaving the factory to avoid warping. If the cabinet finish is not done when arriving on site it should be done immediately to avoid warping (Koontz, 1994). A kitchen done with wood always looks elegant and warm. Moreover, wood surfaces get better with age.
Diagram 1: A diagram of a modern wood kitchen
Design and Specifications
The design of wood kitchen cabinets and countertops considers various factors such as grain, color and construction method. In terms of grain, veneered wood cabinets are better than the solid wood in grain matching. The color of wood does not necessarily have to be natural since it can be stained or painted to achieve the desired color.
There are various types of wood that are used in the design of modern kitchens. Some examples of the wood used include:
1 Red Oak
This design is relatively cheap and is available in a variety of types and finishes. It is strong and durable with grain patterns that are pronounced.
Diagram 2: Red Oak wood
2 White Oak
Much stronger than the red oak and relatively durable. It has a more precise grain compared to the red oak.
Diagram 2: White Oak wood
3 Hickory
Much lighter than oak but similar in terms of strength and grain. It is pale yellow with a natural finish.
Diagram 3: Hickory wood
Installation
The installation of wood kitchen cabinets requires expertise and precision. Careful drilling of holes ought to be done so as to avoid splitting the timber when installing the cabinets. The holes are drilled so as to insert screws for the door hinges. The use of L-brackets also comes in handy during the installation process. Careful positioning should be done so as to ensure the cabinet doors are well position for good opening and closing of the doors.
The kitchen end panels give a finished look. It should have at least 27mm thick tongue and groove in order to complement the cupboard. The end panel is usually attached using 4 screws of about 25mm long with rounded heads. They come in a variety of standard sizes of about 570mm x 325mm x 18mm and up to 3000mm x 620mm x 27mm.
Diagram 4: Typical End Panel
Maintenance
The maintenance of wood kitchens is expensive and involving. They require regular treatment to prevent attach by termites. The treatment is first done during the installation process where Rustins Danish Oil is applied to the wood for protective treatment. Regular treatment should be done after some time. The kitchen being a busy area, will lead to some damage or dent of the wood material. These dents can be fixed using paints, stains, lacquers and oils. The use of sand paper comes in handy when removing a dent. This is followed by oiling and painting over the dented area to ensure it is properly sealed (Lovett, 2006).
Cost
The cost of the kitchen design depends on the type of wood used. Some wood types are more expensive than others. Moreover, the rarer a wood is, the more expensive it is.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1 Wood brings about a natural look that other materials cannot bring. They look classic and beautiful.
2 Cheap installation prices since they very labor intensive and they are familiar.
3 Wood kitchens are more durable compared to other materials. High-end wood are known to last for years.
4 Wide variety of options for design.
Disadvantages
1 Risk of damage by moisture when the wood is exposed to dump conditions.
2 Wood can easily be infected by bugs that eat through the wood causing excessive damage.
ALUMINIUM KITCHENS
Aluminium is a strong material as compared to wood and PVC. It produces light and durable designs with a touch that is different from wood. It brings a metallic finish to the kitchen. In order to keep the kitchen looking good, maintenance is very important when it comes to aluminium kitchens.
Diagram 5: Modern Aluminium Kitchen
Design and Specifications
Aluminum is the metal of decision for driving creators, modelers and specialists, every one of whom are searching for a material which consolidates usefulness and cost-adequacy with forward-looking structure and outline potential.
Design Criteria
1 A range of colours to choose from that last for a lifetime through chemical procedures.
2 Impervious and high temperature resistance hence very durable.
3 It is non-toxic hence it is an environmentally friendly material.
Aluminum is a really special metal. With its sturdy, light-weight, ecologically reasonable qualities, it displays a convincing other option to conventional kitchen cupboard choices.
Installation
The aluminium kitchen installation process involves the connecting of already predrilled holes to your kitchen framework. The door cabinets need to be fixed to the exiting kitchen framework using screws of about 25mm long. The upper shelves are also fixed onto the wall using the same procedure. These shelves are used to style up the kitchen with dishware. The surfaces come with brackets from the factory that create a floating effect when installed.
Maintenance
Aluminium kitchens do not require much maintenance as compared to the wood. They only require regular cleaning to keep the surface clean. They also only need maintenance on a long-term basis when they have worn out.
Cost
The cost of aluminium kitchens is very expensive compared to other designs since they are pre-built in the factory in sections and brought on site for installation. This makes the initial cost higher as compared to wood. The cost reduces when it comes to maintenance because it requires less maintenance compared to wood.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
1 Completely impervious hence no moisture soaking as compared to wood.
2 They do not require a lot of maintenance once installed.
3 Comes in a multitude of colours through anodizing and dyeing.
4 It is fire resistant with a melting point of up to 660 degrees.
Disadvantages
1 Tends to be noisy when it comes in contact with other metals.
2 Limits one in terms of the design types that can be produced although the color choice is a lot.
PVC KITCHENS
The PVC kitchen offers the chance for customization depending on the user preference. They are a mixtur...