Kitchen cabinet fronts: laminated board, MDF, veneer or solid wood

Kitchen fronts compared: laminated board, MDF, painted MDF, veneer and solid wood. Pros, cons, care, who each suits, and price guides in GEL.

In short: laminated chipboard is the most affordable and practical option, AGT Supramat MDF gives a deep matt finish at a reasonable price, painted MDF offers any colour and milled designs, and veneer is real wood without the fussiness of solid timber. Solid wood is chosen for classic style and longevity, if you are ready to look after it. Below is a closer look at each option.

All prices in this article are guides for a straight 3 m kitchen (79 cm base units, 90 cm wall units, Blum hardware, 3 drawers, no island or tall units). The exact amount comes after the design. The carcass is laminated chipboard in every option; only the fronts change.

Laminated chipboard fronts (Egger)

Chipboard covered with melamine film. Finishes include plain colours, wood, stone and concrete effects.

Pros: the most affordable price, resistance to wear and everyday stains, a huge choice of finishes.
Cons: only flat, straight shapes with no milling; the edges are the weak point. That is why we edge fronts on all sides with PUR glue, which resists moisture better.
Care: a damp cloth and a mild cleaner, no abrasives.
Who it suits: a first kitchen, a rental flat, modern minimalism, when budget matters.
Guide price: 5,900–8,400 ₾.

AGT Supramat MDF

Dense MDF board with a super-matt finish that is pleasant to the touch. Fingerprints show less on it than on ordinary smooth surfaces.

Pros: deep matt colour, contemporary look, smooth dense edges.
Cons: more expensive than chipboard, the palette is limited to the manufacturer's collection, the front is flat with no milling.
Care: a soft cloth and soapy water; do not use abrasive sponges or solvents.
Who it suits: those who want a fashionable matt look and dark colours without paying for painted fronts.
Guide price: 6,500–9,100 ₾.

Painted MDF

An MDF front coated with primer and paint, matt or gloss. It can be milled — classic, neoclassical or Shaker style.

Pros: virtually any colour, an even finish, complex shapes and patterns.
Cons: a hard knock can cause a chip, and repair means repainting the front; gloss shows dust and fingerprints noticeably.
Care: a soft cloth, no abrasives or harsh chemicals.
Who it suits: anyone who needs a specific colour or a classic style.
Guide price: 8,000–11,000 ₾, with milling 8,400–11,700 ₾.

Veneer

A thin slice of natural wood on an MDF base, finished with lacquer.

Pros: genuine wood grain and warmth, while the front is more stable and lighter than solid wood.
Cons: more expensive than the other options; every sheet has its own pattern, and light species may change shade in sunlight over time.
Care: do not leave water on the surface, use cleaners made for wooden furniture.
Who it suits: lovers of natural materials, Scandinavian and contemporary interiors.
Guide price: 8,900–12,500 ₾.

Solid wood

Whole timber, usually as a frame with a raised or flat panel. Good solid wood lasts for decades and can be restored, but wood reacts to humidity and temperature changes. That is why properly dried timber, a well-thought-out front construction and regular care matter. It is an option for classic interiors and for people who value solid wood specifically. If what you mainly want is the texture of natural wood, veneer is more practical in a kitchen.

How to choose

Tight budget or a rental — Egger laminated chipboard.
A modern matt front — AGT Supramat MDF.
A special colour or milled classic design — painted MDF.
Natural wood — veneer.

Materials can be combined: for example, wood-effect chipboard base fronts and painted wall units. Our quote arrives as a link and shows the specification and replacement options with the price recalculated, which makes comparing easy.

Compare on your own design

Send us your kitchen dimensions — we will make a free 3D design and 360° panorama before any contract, so you can see your kitchen with different fronts. Or get a price estimate.