Clean lines and streamlined features are the trademarks of a sleek modular kitchen

Story Jie Pambid

The kitchen is probably the most expensive room in the house to build or to renovate. Most of the materials the go into the building of the kitchen are materials that really cost a lot not to mention the fact that they should also be chosen for their durability and maintenance. But then, a kitchen will only cost as much as the choices that you make. The important thing is for you to consider that there are options out there to design and build your dream kitchen even if on a budget. Kitchen spaces are usually fitted out with kitchen counters and this is where bulk of the budget goes. The question now is whether to try the new and trendier modular kitchens or stick with the traditional and tested carpentry kitchens. You will be in a better position to choose if given all the facts. Consider the following.

MODULAR KITCHENS

Modular kitchens are the kinds that usually come in pre-cut and pre-fabricated carcasses and are installed on site but fabricated elsewhere. They usually cost more than carpentry kitchens, approximately ranging from twice to thrice the price of having a carpentry kitchen but it comes with certain advantages. For starters, modular kitchens come with a variety of different finishes, colors and textures. Most often though, they offer more of the contemporary to the modern styles and occasionally will offer a country theme. It is to be considered however that in modular kitchens, counters, cabinet doors and carcasses are made of laminates, faux finishes if you will, and not the real thing. These laminates are usually made of PVC or melamine that simulate the look of wood or stone. In this case, laminated counters, cabinet doors and carcasses cannot be painted, stained or varnished. You are limited to the available textures and colors that the supplier has in stock and anything other than what they have is out of the question. However, modular kitchens are also easily maintained. They clean easily enough and are termite proof. They are not moisture proof however and has a tendency to warp if exposed to heat and moisture intermittently or if not installed properly.

CARPENTRY KITCHENS

These are kitchens that are made from scratch making using of marine plywood or narra plywood for doors. The carcasses and the counters are made of poured concrete and then finished with another material. This allows carpentry kitchens a more solid foundation and more permanence. Counters can also be clad with practically any material, from tile to natural or synthetic stone or in some cases, even wood. Carpentry kitchens can cost less than modular kitchens however is more labor extensive to build and install. Since doors are made of plywood, they can be varnished, painted or stained in a variety of different colors and textures, designs and patterns. For the more artistic, these doors can even be stenciled or ragged and can even be applied with appliques or murals. The counters are more shock and water proof and can withstand more wear and tear however since materials used in carpentry are natural materials like wood and stone, they are also prone to the problems that go with using wood and stone - molds and termites respectively. The key though is daily maintenance and proper usage.

For more tips on choosing the right kitchen, read myHome August 2010.