Why are HDPE Kitchen Cabinets Replacing Classic Materials?

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Classic kitchen materials aren’t cutting it anymore. HDPE kitchen cabinets are becoming the go-to solution for homeowners tired of constant maintenance or recycling furniture…but why?

If you’re a homeowner or budding homeowner who doesn’t want to deal with:

Replacing damaged outdoor kitchen cabinets every few years
Double-checking cabinets for bug or mice infestations
Weekly cleaning sessions
Repainting chipping, fading, or peeling surfaces
Hazardous materials around children or pets

…then you’re in the right place. I’m about to teach you about why HDPE is replacing outdoor staples as the ultimate outdoor kitchen cabinet solution.

If you’re in a hurry, the main benefits of switching to HDPE are:

HDPE is a flexible, yet tough thermoplastic that’s resistant to rust, mold, corrosion, buckling, and infestations
This material is safer and longer-lasting than wood, aluminum, stainless steel, and PVC
HDPE is FDA-approved for repeated food contact and storage
Its natural longevity means you could potentially enjoy a lifetime warranty
Not all HDPE cabinets or HDPE kitchens need permits to install

a behind the scenes look at extcabinets manufacturing blue hdpe kitchen cabinets — Behind-the-scenes at ExtCabinets

What is HDPE, Exactly?

HDPE is short for high-density polyethylene, a powerful thermoplastic you can find in a number of everyday applications. From tough pipes to flexible water bottles, this is one material you can count on for a bustling kitchen.

Many furniture manufacturers depend on HDPE because it has a high melting point, is easy to mold into different shapes, and holds up well to outdoor hazards. Since it doesn’t leach harmful chemicals into food, it’s also FDA-approved for repeated food contact – perfect for food prep!

Other everyday materials that rely on HDPE to hold up to repeated handling or extreme temperature changes include:

Milk, shampoo, and conditioner bottles
Cutting boards
Recycling bins
Outdoor patio furniture
Playground equipment

Steel, PVC, aluminum, and wood cabinets have their benefits, but HDPE kitchen cabinets blow all of them out of the water. Let’s take a look at why.

HDPE Kitchen Cabinets Power Through the Elements

Your outdoor kitchen cabinets have to face glaring sun, constant wind, and sudden downpours alike. HDPE’s flexible, yet dense thermoplastic structure means it retains its quality far better than other outdoor materials.

Let’s look at some of the more common outdoor kitchen materials you may be using and how HDPE kitchen cabinets compare as a premium product.

Stainless Steel is Easy to Clean (But a Magnet for Rust)

Stainless steel is a solid option for kitchen cabinets due to being corrosion resistant and easy to clean. Sadly, it’s a magnet for rust, meaning extra maintenance for homeowners in rainy or humid climates.

Since HDPE is commonly used in water-based applications, you’ll never catch it rusting, corroding, or wrinkling. Homeowners and businesses alike depend on HDPE’s water-resistant thermoplastic for items like water bottles, milk jugs, and even boat hulls.

HDPE kitchen cabinets save you hours of time wiping down your purchase compared to more time-intensive materials. That means more time for cooking, cleaning, and lounging.

PVC is Affordable, But Doesn’t Hold Up to Sun or Heat

If you’re trying to put together an outdoor kitchen on a budget, PVC is a decent pick for beginners. However, it’s a lackluster long-term option due to how poorly it holds up to sunlight and heat.

While PVC retains its durability and elasticity when regularly exposed to the sun, it tends to become a little brittle. That means an outdoor kitchen cabinet that can potentially crack or dent with repeated usage, such as holding heavy items or accidentally being dropped.

Even worse, PVC tends to lose its color in the sun. Like wood, it often needs protective coating to last for a decent span of time. HDPE’s inherently durable material means it’ll look nicer and remain tougher for decades, saving you money on costly future replacements.

Wood is Beautiful, Yet Prone to Warping and Mold

Wood is a beloved material for both indoor and outdoor kitchen cabinets, yet requires the most maintenance. With its sensitive surface and tendency to attract mold and pests, choosing wooden outdoor cabinets requires serious commitment.

Wooden cabinets exposed to water may become wrinkly or moldy – mold is infamously difficult to remove from untreated or poorly treated wood. While thick coats of varnish will keep these issues at bay, you’ll need a steady hand to ensure you don’t miss an inch of your furniture.

One missed area could result in a ruined, smelly cabinet when you least expect it. As someone who’s had to throw out wooden furniture in the past from mold problems, I much prefer water-resistant materials now.

HDPE Means You Won’t Have to Replace Your Purchase Every Few Years

No mold, no warping, no becoming brittle from the sun. HDPE kitchen cabinets are becoming a new favorite among homeowners since they don’t need to be replaced every few years.

With so much resistance to outdoor hazards, you could say HDPE is the ‘set it and forget it’ material of the outdoor kitchen world.

HDPE is a Safer Material That Won’t Compromise Your Health

Why purchase outdoor kitchen furniture if you can’t trust it to keep you and your family safe? Some of today’s go-to kitchen materials aren’t as safe as they could be, so let’s look at why.

PVC is a Potentially Toxic Substance, so Handle With Care

Do you have children or pets? Your PVC cabinets could become a serious health hazard if they’re licked or chewed on.

The majority of PVC products made today are mixed with harmful chemicals such as phthalates that can cause allergic reactions or harm reproductive systems.

You should have nothing to worry about if you keep a sharp eye on activity in your outdoor kitchen, but switching to HDPE kitchen cabinets will spare you some worry. I already spend a lot of time maintaining a healthy diet and cooking at home, so I personally don’t want extra work on top of all that.

Wood Has a High Risk of Insect Infestations, so Maintain Regularly

It’s not just stubborn mold or a wrinkly surface you have to worry about with wooden outdoor cabinets. Pets such as mice, ants, and termites are quite fond of burrowing into wood for shelter or laying eggs.

There’s no doubt about wooden furniture’s sustainability, so it’s still a valid option depending on your goals for a long-term outdoor kitchen. Dedication to thick, evenly applied varnishes and regular inspections for any odd activity will keep your risk of pests low.

That said, switching to HDPE kitchen cabinets will eliminate the risk entirely.

HDPE Provides a Safe, Worry-Free Experience

Not wanting the risk of your dog chewing on your cabinet or termites digging into your furniture? Free from phthalates and BPA, HDPE offers you a safe experience across the board.

You can protect your food from harmful chemicals and unwanted visitors alike with HDPE kitchen cabinets. Since HDPE is also FDA-approved for food handling, you can use your cabinet tops as extra countertop space.

That said, this material is still flammable, so your HDPE kitchen cabinets shouldn’t be too close to a fire pit or open grill.

a behind the scenes look at a manufacturer putting together blue hdpe kitchen cabinets next to a white wall — Behind-the-scenes at ExtCabinets

HDPE’s Natural Durability Can Also Mean a Lifetime Warranty

HDPE’s durability in a wide variety of settings, unsurprisingly, means it can potentially come with a lifetime warranty. This material is a shoo-in for homeowners who want to pass their home down the generations or sell in the future.

Let’s look at how HDPE kitchen cabinets’ longevity compares, shall we?

Aluminum Cabinets Tend to Corrode and Dent

While aluminum gets a big point for its environmentally sustainable design, it loses another point for its lack of durability. Aluminum outdoor cabinets are prone to both corrosion and denting, two no-nos for an active outdoor kitchen.

Corrosion not only looks terrible, you’ll need specialized bristle brushes and lengthy white vinegar scrubs to remove it. In more severe cases, you may have permanent damage.

Denting is also difficult to fix and may require a professional’s help, particularly for larger dents. If you’re very careful when handling or moving furniture, though, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Wood Has a Finicky Lifespan Without Constant Upkeep

Just how long will your wooden outdoor cabinets last? Figuring out this longevity involves some research, such as comparing the differences between softwood and hardwood.

Softwood lives up to its name, being lightweight and more prone to burning – as such, many furniture manufacturers steer clear of softwood as a cabinet option in favor of hardwood. However, hardwood still has a few issues you should know about before committing.

Even teak, one of the most durable forms of hardwood, will start showing wear and tear after just five to seven years. To ensure decades of longevity, you’ll need some experience with applying finishes to keep the great outdoors from ruining your investment.

Consider Using HDPE Cabinets for the Long Haul

There’s no need to whip out the calculator or become an overnight expert in wood types with HDPE kitchen cabinets. Their ability to last for a lifetime makes them a go-to pick for homeowners in it for the long haul.

Take a look at outdoor kitchen cabinet brands that offer a lifetime warranty to remove tiring upkeep from your schedule.

HDPE Kitchen Cabinets Give You Ways to Save Money

On a tight budget? Depending on the manufacturer you choose, you can enjoy additional money-saving efforts such as skilled pre-assembly or skipping needing a permit.

Letting manufacturers handle the assembly reduces your risk for expensive errors, ensuring your cabinet is built right the first time. If you receive faulty or missing parts in your HDPE kitchen cabinets, check the business’s lifetime warranty – you could get your purchase replaced for free.

What’s the Difference Between HDPE Kitchen Cabinets vs Made With HDPE?

If you want the full range of safety and durability benefits of HDPE, you can’t miss this important little detail. ‘Made with HDPE’ is a misleading and vague description you should be on the lookout for.

Some manufacturers try to balance quality with cost, using HDPE for the cabinet’s exterior while using other materials for the interior. This approach means you’ll get completely different results from material to material.

For example, a cheap internal plastic or hardieboard for the interior won’t hold up nearly as well as its HDPE doors will. That’s like having a rubber shoe sole, but the rest of your shoe is made of paper.

While not every single last part of HDPE kitchen cabinets needs to be HDPE – such as small fasteners or lockjoints – all the interiors and exteriors should be.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a few more questions on whether you should try out HDPE kitchen cabinets? I’ll answer them below.

What are Most Cheap Cabinets Made Of?

Cheap outdoor cabinets are often made out of reclaimed wood, thermofoil, and PVC. While these materials may hold up fine for a few years, they’ll eventually show wear and tear such as becoming brittle, developing scratches, or losing their color.

What are Fake Cabinets Made Of?

Fake cabinets use inconsistent materials, such as only using HDPE for their doors, but then putting chemically treated wood or other plastic in the interiors.

Beware of any company that doesn’t use 100% HDPE materials in their HDPE kitchen cabinets – you won’t get the full range of benefits.

What Type of Cabinets Last the Longest?

100% HDPE kitchen cabinets are the longest lasting outdoor kitchen cabinet option, followed by stainless steel and treated hardwood. Compared to the second and third options, HDPE requires less maintenance and holds up better to moisture.

HDPE is Solving Problems for Homeowners Left and Right

All outdoor kitchen materials have their positives and negatives. HDPE kitchen cabinets are growing in popularity because the material skews toward the positive end, saving homeowners time and money.

That’s a fantastic combo when you consider the cost of outdoor kitchens!

We at Outdoor Kitchen Insider are here to help you put together the outdoor kitchen of your dreams…and make it a little easier in the process. Whether it’s giving you tips on permit-free construction alternatives or helping you come up with a festive design, we’ll guide you on your homeowning journey.

If you’re still curious on the most durable materials to use when building your kitchen, you’ll love the following posts: