Whether you’re building new cabinets or refurbishing current ones, one thing to consider is the style of your cabinet doors. Cabinet doors greatly influence the overall look of your kitchen, and there are a lot of styles to choose from. A few of the most common styles include traditional, raised, cathedral, arch panel, mullion, open frame, louvered, shaker, and slab cabinets. Among them, the two most popular ones are the shaker and slab styles. Here we’ll take a look at the two most popular styles – the Shaker and the Slab.
Shaker cabinets
Shaker cabinets were named after the Quakers, a religious group in 1700s New England, known for their craftsmanship of elegant furniture. One can say they have definitely withstood the test of time. They are characterized by its five-piece composition: the recessed center panel, and the four pieces that make up its frame — its two vertical “stiles” and two horizontal “rails”.
This style is commonly classified as traditional not only because of its origin and history, but also because of its design and nature. Despite this, shaker type cabinets still work very well and fit in seamlessly in modern and contemporary designs given the right modifications.
Slab cabinets
After World War 2, mid-century modern design put forth the sleek and straightforward design solutions we know today. Popularized in the modern era, they fit seamlessly into sleek designs with no ornamentation or beveling.
Because of its simplistic and minimalist features, slab cabinets fit perfectly in rooms with modern styling, but it can still be incorporated in traditional or transitional designs without a hitch. One example of this is to utilize this style of cabinet doors if you have a piece of furniture or area of your space that you want to highlight, so the spotlight would not be taken away by lavish designs on your cabinets.
With simple and minimalistic design features, the cost of building slab cabinets has more to do with its construction. Costs will vary depending on whether it’s paint or stain grade, framed or frameless, and what kinds of accessories are installed.
Shaker vs Slab
Both the Shaker and Slab styles are timeless classics that could fit well in almost all types of design aesthetics. Here, we examine the pros and cons of both styles.
Construction-wise, because of its straightforward design, Slab cabinets would be cost-effective and quicker to produce than Shaker cabinets. Likewise, Slab cabinets are easier to maintain as well, since cleaning it doesn’t require a lot of effort. In comparison, the design elements of Shaker cabinets would require more intensive cleaning, since dirt could settle in beveling that would be difficult to clean properly.
When it comes to aesthetics, Shaker cabinets add a classic and elegant feel to either modern or traditional themed spaces. In contrast to this, Slab cabinets give off an sleek and sophisticated look that would fit perfectly in modern spaces. However, its basic and minimalist design could also not blend well in traditionally designed kitchens.
Which one should you pick?
With the pros and cons listed above, we hope you can arrive at the best style choice for you. The biggest factors your should consider are the design theme, the construction costs, and maintenance costs. Overall, both styles have stood the test of time, so you really can’t go wrong with either. Choose whichever fits your aesthetic, have fun with it and give it a more personal touch by accessorizing! Contact Hesti Cabinet today to get your kitchen customization started.
Sources:
Which Cabinet Door Style Is Right For Your Kitchen?
Slab Cabinets: Everything You Want to Know about Flat Panel Cabinets
Slab-Style Cabinetry Offers Flexibility and Value
