Picking the right material for your kitchen cabinet doors can make or break your entire kitchen design. Two popular options stand out: aluminium doors and solid timber doors. Both have their merits, but which one's best for your home?
The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. It depends on your kitchen's style, how you use the space, your budget, and what matters most to you in terms of maintenance and longevity.
Timber doors bring warmth and character that's hard to beat. Whether you're going for a classic country kitchen or a sleek contemporary design, solid wood adapts beautifully. Oak, walnut, pine, or exotic hardwoods each have their own personality. You can stain them to highlight natural grain patterns or paint them any colour you like. Plus, timber ages gracefully, developing a patina that adds to its charm.
Aluminium doors, meanwhile, offer a completely different aesthetic. They're clean, modern, and precise. The sleek profiles work particularly well in minimalist designs or industrial-style kitchens. While they don't have the organic warmth of wood, they create sharp, contemporary lines that many homeowners love.
When you touch them, the difference is immediately obvious. Timber feels warm and natural under your hand. Aluminium is cooler and has that smooth, manufactured feel. Neither is better or worse, just different.
Of course, you don't have to choose just one material. Many of our clients create stunning contrast by mixing both in their kitchen design, timber doors for main cabinets and aluminium doors for accent pieces like pantry doors or display cabinet doors on a bar area. This approach lets you enjoy the warmth of wood while incorporating modern aluminium elements for visual interest.
There's also our Prowood premium aluminium frame system, which offers the best of both worlds. This innovative design features an aluminium frame that holds a 10mm thick veneer wood panel, giving you the sleek precision of aluminium construction with the natural beauty of timber. You get aluminium's durability and moisture resistance while maintaining that warm, tactile wood surface.
Visit our aluminium doors page to see our full range and explore your options.
Many people assume timber requires constant upkeep, but quality solid wood doors from experienced craftsmen can last decades with minimal care.
Timber doors do need some attention. They can be affected by humidity changes, which might cause slight movement over time. Steam from cooking can affect finishes if they're not properly sealed. However, minor dings and scratches often add character rather than detracting from appearance. When they do need refreshing, timber doors can be sanded and refinished, giving them a whole new lease on life.
Aluminium cabinet doors are practically bulletproof when it comes to moisture, heat, and everyday wear. They won't warp, crack, or fade. In busy family kitchens or humid climates, this can be a major advantage. But if they do get damaged, you usually need to replace rather than repair them.
Ever noticed how different materials sound when you close cabinet doors? Timber doors have a solid, muffled thud that feels substantial. Aluminium doors can be noisier, creating a sharper closing sound unless fitted with quality soft-close hinges or dampers.
Both materials work well functionally and offer excellent customisation options. You can create unique profiles with timber, add decorative elements, or incorporate glass panels in countless ways. Timber can also be stained to any shade you need.
Aluminium doors provide equally impressive design possibilities. The frames can be powder-coated in virtually any colour, and there are many glass options available, from clear to frosted to textured varieties. These factors mean aluminium-framed glass kitchen doors can create striking visual effects while maintaining that sleek, modern look.
If sustainability matters to you, both materials have interesting stories.
Sustainably sourced timber is renewable and biodegradable. When sourced responsibly, it's one of the most environmentally friendly building materials available. However, not all timber is created equal, so asking about sourcing is important.
Another environmental advantage is that solid wood doors can be upcycled and given a new life by sanding and painting or staining a different colour. Wood doors will generally outlast the cabinets themselves, meaning they can be reused in future kitchen renovations rather than ending up in a landfill.
Aluminium has a more complex environmental profile. It's highly recyclable (and most aluminium products contain significant recycled content), but producing new aluminium is energy-intensive. The good news is that aluminium doors last so long that their environmental impact is spread over many years.
Let's talk numbers. Timber doors often have a lower upfront cost, especially for simpler designs and common wood species. However, you might need to factor in refinishing costs down the track.
Aluminium kitchen cabinet doors typically cost more initially, but their longevity can make them cost-effective over time. Think of it as paying more now for less maintenance later.
The real cost consideration isn't just the doors themselves. Installation complexity, hardware requirements, and long-term maintenance all play a role in your total investment.
So which should you choose? Here are some scenarios to consider:
Choose timber doors if:
Choose aluminium cabinet doors if:
Both aluminium and timber kitchen cabinet doors can create beautiful, functional kitchens. The "right" choice depends entirely on your personal preferences, lifestyle, and design goals.
If you're still unsure, we'd recommend seeing both options in person. Touch them, look at them in different lighting, and imagine living with them every day. Your gut feeling, combined with practical considerations, will usually point you in the right direction.
Want to explore your options in more detail? Download our TrimTek aluminium doors catalogue or visit our timber doors page to see our full range.