What Is The Best Material For Bathroom Vanity Cabinets?

Recently I noticed that my bathroom vanity cabinets have worn off over time and seems to have been damaged and needed replacement. This made me think of what the best material would be for a bathroom vanity cabinet.

So, what is the best material for a bathroom vanity cabinet? Solid wood is the best material to be used to make a bathroom vanity cabinet. Its durability cannot be compared with any other material that could be used when making the same. Although it comes at a higher price, it is well worth every penny you spend on it.

There are so many options you could select from when choosing a material type for your bathroom vanity cabinet. These might range from low cost and moderately durable materials to high cost and extremely durable materials. So let’s dive in and see what we got.

Bathroom Vanity Cabinet Material Types

Bathrooms are humid and moisture levels are alarmingly high. So any material used to construct Bathroom cabinets needs to be able to withstand all these harsh weather condition inside your bathroom.

Also, the type of material used should be able to hold on to weight pretty well as the sink, countertop and many other things will be on top of it. The last thing you want is for your bathroom vanity cabinet to sag, droop and crack due to its inability to bear this weight.

Many types of materials are available to chose and it depends a lot on your individual preference, needs and budget too. Each of these has its own advantages over the other and are meant to be actually used for bathroom vanity cabinets.

So, let’s look at some of the options that are widely available in the market. Some of these may not be as popular as the others, but the choice depends on each individual and hence it is best to know the different options which are generally available and commonly used.

Solid Wood

This has been identified as the best type of material to be used for bathroom vanity cabinets. These come in a wide variety of options such as oak, birch, polar, maple etc. However, it may not be the most popular choice among people.

Plywood

This is a type of material which is commonly used in many of the household furniture and remain in the same way for bathroom vanity cabinets as well. One would see this used quite frequently in such
situations.

MDF (Medium Density Fireboard)

MDF consists of composite fiber and small pieces of wood which have been joined together with a type of wax. This is also not very commonly used in many households. It has 30% of solid wood included in it.  Although it may not be the ideal choice in many situations, at times it could prove to be useful as an
option.

PVC (Poly Vinyl Chloride)

PVC is a special type of plastic being used in many parts of the household in this era. It is very commonly seen and can also be used as an option for making bathroom vanity cabinets. It differs from the rest of the materials in this list by being the only plastic and non-wood option.

Pros and Cons of Cabinet Material Types

Although there are quite a few options which one could choose from when opting to go for a bathroom vanity cabinet, care should be taken to look at all of the advantages and disadvantages of each type of material.

One would then get the upper hand in selecting the best type of material which might suit him according to the conditions put in place by the relevant individual. Following are some of the pros and cons of the different types of material used for a bathroom vanity cabinet.

Solid Wood

Advantages – Nothing can compare to the gift Mother Nature has given to all of us and solid wood stands as proof for this statement as being the strongest and most durable material to be used for a bathroom vanity cabinet. It could last well amidst the humidity and moisture levels inside of a bathroom.

Disadvantages – Solid wood is extremely expensive and may not be affordable by some people who might opt for cheaper options, although these might not be as durable.

Plywood

Advantages – This is a low cost option to the above, although it does not meet the same standards of it. However, it is a good options for those who are running on a tight budget, but still want something which would last for quite some time.

Disadvantages – Over time, plywood tends to crack and peel in the midst of water. This could easily occur due to the high moisture levels found inside of a bathroom.

MDF

Advantages – It looks good and can be purchased at a very low cost.

Disadvantages – This is not a good option when it comes to durability and longevity and home owners are usually warned to steer clear of this type of material, especially in places where there is high moisture containment. Moisture can easily penetrate to the insides of this type of material.

PVC

Advantages – PVC is very cost effective and looks extremely attractive. It is a type of plastic unlike any of the other materials stated above and can be easily painted to look amazing. It is also waterproof and is a great option to be used in a place such as the bathroom.

Disadvantages – It may not last as long as solid wood and is not as strong as well.

Solid Wood Types Used for Bathroom Cabinets

You have the luxury of selecting from a range of different solid wood types if you choose to go with a solid wood bathroom vanity cabinet.  You should try to select one by considering its quality, durability and the price of course.

Here are the popular and best solid wood types used to build bathroom vanity cabinets.

Cherry, Maple, Ash, Hickory and Oak

These type of solid woods have very high resistance to scratching and denting. So their durability is more than other solid wood types I mention here. But, to get a vanity of this type cost more for the high quality it provides.

Birch, Beech and White or Red Oak

Although these types of solid wood may not be as strong and durable as the above options, they still do a decent job at it at a more affordable price of course. Hence, it is great for those who are looking for low cost options but do not want to exchange quality for it.

Walnut and Mahogany

These type of wood give an elegant look to many of the furniture these are used on and hence can look very attractive for bathroom vanity cabinets. These react to staining in a fair way and are great to use because of its naturally beautiful color of wood.

Things to Consider When Choosing Bathroom Vanity Cabinet Material

Each individual would have his own concerns when it comes to selecting the perfect material for his bathroom vanity cabinet. This does not remain constant among everyone. It is always best to list down your concerns in order to get the best outcome through it.

Budget

The budget one is willing to spend on his bathroom vanity cabinet alone, would matter a lot when it comes to selecting the bets material for it.

Durability

This depends on how often one plans to upgrade his bathroom vanity cabinets. If one plans to do this very rarely, then it is best to spend more on a highly durable material such as solid wood which would make it last for long.

Appearance

Different types of material for bathroom vanity cabinets tend to give out various appearance and effects. If you want to keep it as natural as possible, it is best to go for an option which needs very less effort to make it look good.

Size

The size of the bathroom vanity cabinets also matter when it comes to selecting a material for the same. If it is a small sized one, then you can go for a highly durable and more expensive option as there would not be much wood to be used on it. Hence, the cost of it might be bearable.

Related Questions

Where to buy material for bathroom vanity cabinets?

These material, if any of the options of wood,
could be bought from stored which sell all types of wood. Wood and other types of material could also be bought in stores which sell general furniture and household materials.

What is included in a bathroom vanity cabinet?

A bathroom vanity cabinet can have from one up to about six drawers and from one up to about six cupboards. This would depend on the different styles and preferences of the owner of it.

What are the most popular colors used for bathroom vanity cabinets?

Colors such as white, grey, ivory, black, and brown are mostly used for bathroom vanity cabinets. Some prefer to keep it as natural as possible with the color of the type of wood it is made of.