Aluminium kitchens are heavily advertised in Singapore, so it is natural to wonder whether wood is outdated. We build both at La Maison Carpentry, and for most homes we still recommend wood. Here is an honest comparison from a carpenter’s point of view: where each material does well, where it does not, and how to decide.
First, what “wood” actually means
A “wood” kitchen cabinet in Singapore is almost never solid timber. It is usually an engineered board, most often plywood, for the cabinet body, with a hard laminate surface on the doors and visible panels. An “aluminium” kitchen uses aluminium profiles and panels for the cabinet body, often with laminate, glass or coated doors. At La Maison Carpentry, our wood kitchens are E1-grade plywood with a laminate finish. We use solid plywood only, never particle board (chipboard).
Side-by-side comparison
| Wood (plywood + laminate) | Aluminium | |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Fitted and adjusted to real walls on site | Factory-cut profiles; less room to adjust on site |
| Changes on site | Can usually be trimmed, cut or re-drilled | Hard to alter once delivered |
| Around the sink | Needs good edge sealing and prompt leak repair | Unaffected by moisture in the cabinet body |
| Look and finishes | Wide range of laminate colours and woodgrains | Depends on the door finish chosen |
| Starting price (La Maison) | From S$145 per foot run (worktop and hardware extra) | From S$220 PFR bottom, S$215 PFR top (ACP box, honeycomb door). Powder coating +15%; countertop, finishing and hardware extra |
Why we usually recommend wood
1. It is easier to install well. Walls, floors and ceilings in real homes are rarely perfectly straight. Wood cabinets can be adjusted on site to sit flush against the wall and close gaps neatly, giving a cleaner built-in finish.
2. It can be modified on site. Renovations change. A pipe may be in a different place from the drawing, or you may switch to a larger fridge or a different hob. With wood, our installers can usually trim, cut or re-drill on the spot. Aluminium is cut to size in the factory, so a late change often means waiting for new parts.
When aluminium makes sense
Aluminium handles water in the cabinet body well, which some homeowners value, for example in a covered outdoor kitchen. Others simply prefer it. If aluminium is your choice, we build full aluminium kitchens too. We build each kitchen in one material, either wood or aluminium, not a mix of the two. See our aluminium kitchen cabinet price guide for what affects the cost.
The moisture question
The most common worry about wood is Singapore’s humidity. No cabinet board is fully waterproof. Problems usually start where water sits for a long time, typically from a leaking pipe under the sink or water reaching an exposed edge. Well-sealed edges, a properly fitted sink and prompt leak repair matter more than the board alone.
Price
Our custom wood kitchen cabinets start from S$145 per foot run. Our aluminium kitchen cabinets, an aluminium composite panel (ACP) box with honeycomb doors, start from S$220 per foot run for bottom cabinets and S$215 for top cabinets. Powder coating adds 15%, and countertop, finishing and hardware are extra. Top and bottom runs are each charged per foot run. For how the price builds up, see our wood kitchen cabinet price guide. The cheapest option on paper is not always the cheapest in practice: compare quotes for the same layout, fittings and worktop.
How to decide
- Choose wood if you want a fitted, built-in look, a wide choice of finishes, and the flexibility to adjust things during installation.
- Consider aluminium if you prefer it and your layout is fully finalised.
- If you are unsure, send us your floor plan. We will tell you what we would recommend for your kitchen and why.
Frequently asked questions
Is aluminium better than wood for kitchen cabinets?
Not automatically. Aluminium handles water in the cabinet body well, but wood is easier to fit closely and to adjust on site. For most homes we recommend wood.
Will a wood kitchen survive Singapore’s humidity?
Yes, with care. Pay most attention around the sink: good edge sealing and fixing leaks promptly.
Can I mix aluminium and wood in one kitchen?
We build each kitchen fully in wood or fully in aluminium. We do not mix the two in one kitchen.
Talk to a carpenter who builds both
La Maison Carpentry designs and manufactures in our own workshop in Johor, Malaysia, and installs in Singapore. We are a BCA Registered Renovation Contractor (RCPH2500239) with more than 1,300 completed projects. WhatsApp us your floor plan for a recommendation and quote.