Types of Glass for Cabinet Doors
In the kitchen, cabinets with glass fronts or shelves get liked for their transparency. And the fact that they frame items nicely, putting them on display without exposing them entirely. Of course, if you’re not a fan of transparency in your decor, there are other types of glass to choose from.
Where to Put Glass Cabinet Doors
Glass-front cabinet doors most commonly appear on upper-level cabinets. Practical reasons for this include:
• They are more easily seen.
• Heavier pots and pans stored in lower cabinets typically aren’t very decorative.
• Lower cabinets are more susceptible to bumps and bangs and run a higher risk of getting damaged.
Where to Place Upper Glass Cabinets
Whether to have all upper kitchen cabinet doors in glass is a personal choice. And some kitchens have them. However, many designers and homeowners alike opt for the less is more approach. Designating only a few cabinets as accent pieces with glass doors. Common areas for glass cabinet doors include:
• Corner cabinets
• End cabinets
• Cabinets framing the stove or kitchen sink
• Peninsula cabinets
• Small top cabinets, between the upper cabinets and ceiling
Where to Place Lower Glass Cabinets
Occasionally, you can find lower cabinets with glass doors that face out into other rooms. Like on kitchen bars or buffets. You may consider a more durable material such as plexiglass for lower cabinets, which is still very attractive. And better equipped to handle the inevitable contact from the feet and knees of those sitting at the counter.
Types of Glass
The type of glass used on cabinet fronts dramatically affects the entire kitchen’s look, just as the cabinets do. Therefore, the type of glass chosen and any decorative design elements should complement the style of the cabinetry. And the overall style of the kitchen.
- Transparent Glass is a sturdy and strong choice.
As the name implies, transparent glass offers crystal-clear views of items inside cabinets.
Transparent glass is extensively used. Since it is inexpensive. And comes in various colors. Besides, this sort of glass is artistic and elegant. It complements various kitchen styles due to its emphasis on content display.
Choose a transparent glass; it should be simply appealing and flat-paneled, toughened glass. To guard against easy smashing or decorative design. To enhance your kitchen cabinet’s look. Transparent kitchen glass cabinets are more prone to greasy, oil splashes, and smears from hands. Therefore, you get required to wipe them often to be appealing.
- Frosted Glass is great for a distorted view
Frosted glass gets created by sandblasting clear glass to appear more opaque. Although frosted glass has a considerably distorted view, it retains a limited amount of transparency. Allowing shapes and colors to show through. Frosted glass cabinet doors look great with stainless steel and modern kitchen cabinets’ clean, sleek finishes.
You can partially use the frosted glass to secrete your content in your kitchen cabinet. And mount puck light on your kitchen cabinets. Making the content display more visible through the frosted glass. The advantage of purchasing a frosted glass is that it can assist in masking fingerprints and splashes.
- Textured Glass is for a classy appearance
Textured glass gets embossed with various patterns that appear ribbed, fluted, reeded, wavy, pebbled, or floral.
Like frosted glass, textured glass has limited transparency depending on how heavy the texture is.
Since the textured glass was frequently employed in traditional kitchen cabinet glass design, it has an archaic appearance that plenty of kitchen styles could benefit from.
Kitchen cabinet glass with a textured finish can adjust to match any decorative design style. Unlike other glass varieties, they create the illusion of additional space and openness in a kitchen.
- Leaded Glass is for a seamless and arty look.
Leaded glass is a beautiful addition to modern kitchen decor. It is also referred to as crystal glass since it comprises numerous little pieces of linked glasses that give it its appealing appearance. Leaded glass has a distinctive appearance due to the actual metal content and the color that imparts an improved artistic quality to the glass.
The primary advantage of leaded glass is that it can get customized to your specifications regarding direct location, color, and art glass. Add some backlight to your leaded glass to enhance the appearance of the entire kitchen.
- Seeded Glass is for a perfect vintage expression.
Seeded glass gets infused with air bubbles that occur during the manufacturing process. The bubbles can be small or large, depending on how the glass gets made. Seeded glass doors provide a vintage look and work well with Shaker-style cabinet doors and cottage or traditional style kitchens.
It’s also a natural fit for a modern kitchen. It also allows you to view the shapes and colors of the projected material, depending on the seeded glass density and bubble size. Additionally, you can install puck lights to enhance the appearance and appeal of your kitchen cabinet.
- Sumiglass is for a stylish interior look.
Sumiglass is made of different layers of compressed materials consisting of two or more panes, thus its decorative look. Sumiglass is also a great choice for your kitchen cabinet because of its high-class glass equipment.
Sumiglass comprises exclusive and advanced technology that ensures a permanent bond between each glass pane attached. In addition, Sumiglass has a variety of colors you can choose from and get designed to your preference, giving your kitchen cabinet a stylish interior décor.
- Painted Glass is for a sleek look
In an ultra-modern kitchen, consider painted glass cabinet doors. They usually appear completely opaque. With painted glass, the focus is on the cabinet’s color rather than what’s gotten displayed inside. Dozens of color options allow for vibrant kitchen design.
How to cover a missing cabinet door?
- Wire Mesh or Screens
Screens or wire mesh have several applications in the home and around the yard. They are commonly used on radiators to allow airflow and can also get used to screen in a porch, doorway, or chicken coop. Since they come in several weights and designs, you can easily find the screen that will meet your needs.
Pros
Wire mesh and screens can be very attractive, especially in a farmhouse-style home where the mesh or screen will give the kitchen a country feel.
When you opt for this door alternative, you can rest assured that there will be airflow in and around the dishes stored in your cabinet. In addition, this will help to prevent mold or mildew if you choose to put your dishes away while they are still damp.
Using the same mesh on radiator covers will help tie your home together.
You can buy wire mesh on a budget without worrying about overspending your remodel.
Screens are incredibly lightweight, making them a great choice if you worry about whether your cabinet can support the additional weight of the door.
Cons
This look is not one that everyone wants in their kitchen, as some people think it looks a little unfinished.
Some people may get frustrated that they can see a few of their dishes, but part of their view is still blocked.
While it looks great in an industrial home or a mix of modern and farmhouse, this style is not a great option for a more bohemian or classic home, as it will look out of place.
- Shutters
While they are often used as decoration in homes, shutters have a purpose: to keep the rain out of the windows and to protect the glass during a storm. They are generally wood and built to last, even during harsh elements.
Pros
Most people have old shutters around their homes or can find some relatively easily, making this a great option if you hurry to replace your cabinet doors.
Thanks to the design of shutters, they will add a little architectural interest to your kitchen and make your cabinets more of a focal point in your space.
Shutters are very easy to paint, which will make it easy to update your kitchen in the future.
Cons
The overlapping wood on shutters can easily trap grease and dust, so keeping them clean may be more of a struggle.
If your shutters aren’t completely clean when you bring them into your kitchen, you may be bringing in a lot of dirt and bacteria.
Old shutters may have lead-based paint on them, which will need to be removed before they get used in the kitchen.
- Fabric
The fabric has a variety of uses, including getting used for clothing, drapery, upholstery on furniture, and as sheets. It is commonly sold by the yard and wrapped around cardboard centers on a bolt. When you shop for fabric, you need to know how much you need to order the right amount.
Pros
The fabric is inexpensive and comes in various styles and colors, making choosing the right fabric for your kitchen fun and easy.
Most people can create fabric curtains for their cupboards in a short period.
Because they can be easily washed, you can simply put them in the washing machine when they get dirty. This decreases the chance that they will get stained and need to gotten replaced.
Cons
Fabric will tend to move when air blows through your kitchen, which some people do not like.
Unlike cabinet doors, which look solid and make your cabinets appear firmer and safer, the fabric is a lot lighter. This visual lightness may not appeal to some people.
Using the wrong type of fabric means that when you wash it, it will shrink, which can cause you to have to redo your cabinets completely.
- Chalkboards
While originally used in classrooms to help with instruction, chalkboards are now more common in homes. You can either opt for a real chalkboard or use chalkboard paint to paint a plain piece of wood if you want to have a chalkboard in your home.
By using chalk and an eraser, you can write on the board and then remove the writing at a later time.
Pros
Chalkboards provide the perfect surface for a family to write notes to each other or to track a grocery list.
Children won’t get as bored in the kitchen when allowed to draw on the cabinet doors.
Cons
Chalkdust is very fine and can get all over everything in your kitchen. This means that you must be incredibly careful about cleaning up your space and preventing the dust from getting into your food.
When they aren’t cleaned regularly, chalkboards look messy and can be visually overwhelming.
Chalkboards are hard to clean perfectly, which frustrates homeowners who want a neat kitchen.
This alternative doesn’t look great in certain homes, such as classic homes, and will look very out of place, depending on the style and design of your kitchen.
- Mirrors
Mirrors get used in the home to allow family members to see their appearance, but they are also very beneficial from a design standpoint. Mirrors can make smaller rooms appear much larger and do a great job of reflecting any light in the space.
Pros
Mirrors are perfect if you have a small or dark kitchen and want to reflect as much light as possible in the space.
You won’t ever have to worry about how you look, as you can easily check your appearance in the mirror while working in the kitchen.
When you opt for mirrors instead of cabinet doors, you can make your kitchen look much larger than it is.
Cons
If the sun shines directly into your kitchen, it can reflect off the mirrors and be very painful in someone’s eye. This also can make it difficult to see a recipe, depending on where the sun gets located.
A cluttered kitchen will appear even messier when reflected in mirrors, which means that you always need to work hard to keep your kitchen neat and orderly. Otherwise, your mirrors will look dirty and messy.
Mirrors must always be kept perfectly clean, as any splatter, water droplets, or condensation will show up and mar their surface.
- Open Shelving
Displaying dishes and other kitchen items on open shelves has become more popular as people realize the pros of this option. However, it involves some sort of shelf or cupboard and no door to protect the dishes.
Pros
This is a very updated and trendy look that will change the whole feel of your kitchen.
It’s incredibly easy to grab the items you need when you don’t have to open doors.
They are a great option if you are on a budget and trying to remodel your kitchen without overspending, as you will not have to buy doors.
Plenty of airflow around your dishes will help them dry if you stack them while they are damp.
Thanks to your open shelving, if you want to display dishes that you want to display, you will love that you can always see them, thanks to your open shelving.
Cons
Any grease in your kitchen will land on your dishes, which may mean you must wash them more often to keep them clean for eating.
If you tend to hide items in your cupboard instead of keeping the kitchen clean, you will get frustrated that you have to keep the space in your cupboards neat and picked up since it is always on display.
If you live in an area prone to earthquakes, you will want to rethink open shelving in your kitchen. This is because tremors can cause the items on your shelves to vibrate and move towards the edge of the shelf, which may result in them falling over and breaking.
- Windows
Windows are primarily used on a home or other building to allow light in and to make it possible to see in and out of the space. They come in many different styles and sizes and are made of several different materials, depending on your needs.
Pros
Windows will allow you to see inside your cabinets without opening them. This allows you to display your favorite pieces and enjoy them even when they are put away. And you can easily tell where the items you need get located.
You can find windows in various styles to fit the appearance and style of your kitchen.
Windows are fast and easy to paint if you want to update your kitchen. Since they are not made of solid wood, you can paint them. This is in much less time than it would take to paint traditional cabinet doors.
Cons
Due to the weight of windows, you must ensure that your cabinets can support them. And get installed correctly, so they don’t damage your cabinets or fall.
Not everyone likes the look of window panes in their kitchen. And this alternative will be out of place in more modern homes.
Using new windows in your kitchen can be very expensive, which is why so many people opt for old windows.
Any paint that is chipping off needs to be removed so that it doesn’t flake into the food you’re making, as this can be very dangerous.
It can be more work to separate windows into parts that can get used for your doors.
Dust can settle in the windows, and cleaning each pane when they are dirty is frustrating.