skip to main content

Buying and Selling Homes Design Dilemma Bathrooms

Thermofoil or wood fronts for refacing bath vanity?

last year

I am doing a minor facelift on my bathroom, which includes refacing the vanity. I have quotes for both real walnut wood front and a thermofoil option - they look very similar. The quote for the thermofoil is actually more than the wood, and I am wondering why anyone would want thermofoil over wood?

The shower/toilet area is in a separate area with a door, so the steam from the shower won't be affecting the vanity. My thought is that real wood could at least be painted or re-stained. While thermofoil can never be changed.

We will be selling the house within 5 years. Does anyone have advice on which I should go with?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
At this point in my life what ever wipes off the easiest is my choice. However, I would NOT select an overly details door for walnut. It's a more modern wood.
J Pru thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
Lyn Nielson
last year
real wood.
J Pru thanked Lyn Nielson
Related Discussions
Switches & Vanity Reface Opinions Needed - My 50's Bathroom Saga
Q
Comments (16)
Does it really matter if the 50's BR's didn't have shaker? If you like it, and you're going to the trouble of replacing doors, I would do whichever style you like best. Otherwise, why not just paint your 'real 50's' doors? You're not putting in 50's light switches, and I assume you're not putting in a 50's fan. Doesn't look like a 50's toilet... I actually like the look of the shaker style drawer front in your pic, even though I have shaker doors in my kitchen and went with slab on my smaller top drawers. Problem with the shaker drawer front, is I am not sure if you can put a handle in the middle part, is there enough wood? So, if you wanted to position your new knobs/handles in the middle that might be a deal breaker. I am not sure if this option would work for you, but in our Master BR we did not have enough space to put in a 4 gang box. I positioned 2 2 gangs one above the other. You could do 3 and 2, or 2 and 2 using one double. I put my two programmable switches (and I strongly recommend using a timer switch for your fan) together, and the light switches together. In your case, I would put the three light switches on one gang, and the fan and the outlet on the other.
...See More
bathroom vanities - wood or thermofoil
Q
Comments (1)
We have bright white thermofoil Kraftmaid cabinets in the kids' bath and after a year of use, they look as good as the day we installed them. We purchased at Home Depot.
...See More
Thermofoil vs. Wood Cabinets
Q
Comments (24)
Reading the responses to this question have convinced me that the thermofoil industry has not done a good job of making the public aware of what is available. I have had white thermofoil doors on basement storage cabinets for over 15 years and they're still as solid as can be. Yes, they look plastic because they have a heavy matte texture. However, thermofoil is now available in a satin finish that really does look like a high quality paint job. Also, check out the link below for an example of some 5 piece thermofoil doors. This is not my company, nor do I work for them. I'm just convinced buyers don't even know this stuff is available. Here is a link that might be useful: Five Piece Thermofoil Doors
...See More
Wood flooring in house, wood look tile in master bath?
Q
Comments (12)
Thanks everyone - still struggling with this. SJ thank you for the idea of the Emser tile. I like the look of the striations and the coloring that calls to mind wood. Here is a link to my inspiration - really just the first photo with the tub/shower/floor I love the artisan subway tile and simple hex shower floor. My issue is that I don't want to do a marble look because then it "fancies" it up too much and the subway won't look right. I'm also struggling with whether to use Misterio Quartz on the white shaker vanity - or this GORGEOUS iceberg calcite. I know the calcite is fancy - but damn it is SO gorgeous and comparable in price to the Quartz and I think the subway would bring it back down to earth. And everyone is telling me the master bath has to be WOW. The wood I have chosen for the rest of the house is Emilia (the first photo is the closest to what it actually looks like). Edited - Okay - but what about a parquet look tile Y'all are so generous for sharing your ideas and time with me. Thank you so much.
...See More
J Pru
Original Author
last year
The doors will be flat slab, thus walnut is a good choice IMO.
J Pru
Original Author
last year
@Lyn Nielson, any particular reason?
Lyn Nielson
last year
@J Pru wood can be painted easily is you change your mind.

thermofoil will peel in time.
ker9
last year
Is it solid walnut or walnut veneer? Solid is great, veneer is easier to ding and scratch.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
last year
I have never seen a thermofoil door peel unless it was next to a dishwasher.
njmomma
last year
last modified: last year
***** Correction below**** I don't have Thermofoil (so sorry)

I have had Thermofoil over wood, dovetail draws, for over 25 years! They have never peeled and if I ever replace them, I would do it all over again. Sooooo easy to clean. They still look great and I have a very active household.
njmomma
last year
These cabinets are under my sink.
njmomma
last year
***** Correction

It has been 25 years. So forgive me.

I have Melamine
mcarroll16
last year
Had thermofoil in a rental kitchn. It wasn't peeling, but it was dinged and scratched through in several places, showing the fiberboard underneath. There's no easy way to repair that. Veneer would be easier to disguise scratches. But if you want bulletproof, go melamine. Our melamine doors are ugly as sin. But they are at least 30 years old, with no damage. Super easy to clean too.

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Wonderful Wood Countertops for Kitchen and Bath

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

Yes, you can enjoy beautifully warm wood counters near water sans worry (almost), with the right type of wood and sealer

DECORATING GUIDES How to Bring the Beauty of Reclaimed Wood to the Bath

By Becky Harris

Beautiful salvaged wood adds warmth and texture to a bathroom. Here's how to get the look right

BATHROOM VANITIES Vintage Vanities Bring Bygone Style to Baths

By Susan Mathison

Turn an old table, desk or dresser into a bathroom vanity with a character all its own

BATHROOM DESIGN 10 Bathrooms With White-and-Wood Double Vanities

By Bryan Anthony

See how double vanities in this popular palette add brightness and warmth to a bathroom

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS Bathroom of the Week: Airy, Boho Look and a Wood Vanity

By Jeannie Matteucci

A designer gives a homeowner’s basic bathroom more openness and a fresh style with brass details and geometric pattern

COLOR Bathed in Color: When to Use Gray in the Bath

By Jennifer Ott Design

Go for elegance and sophistication without going overboard on coolness, using these gray bathroom paint picks and inspirational photos

BATHROOM MAKEOVERS A Master Bath With a Checkered Past Is Now Bathed in Elegance

By Karen Egly-Thompson

The overhaul of a Chicago-area bathroom ditches the room’s 1980s look to reclaim its Victorian roots

COLOR Bathed in Color: When to Use Red in the Bath

By Jennifer Ott Design

Rev up your space and flatter all skin tones with bold, beautiful red on bathroom walls, floors and fixtures

BATHROOM DESIGN Room of the Day: Renovation Retains a 1920s Bath’s Vintage Charm

By Becky Harris

A ceiling leak spurs this family to stop patching and go for the gut

INSIDE HOUZZ Inside Houzz: Rich Wood Transforms a Dallas Bathroom

By Mitchell Parker

All white was all wrong for this Texas couple. See how they remodeled their bath with high-end materials in warm tones

Sponsored

Frasure Home Improvements

2 Reviews

Franklin County's Highly Skilled General Contractor

More Discussions

Want to downsize and move to planned community closer to family.

8

Resale Value: Composit vs PVC Deck

28

would you paint these built in ?

19

Will this kitchen reno ideawork or will it just look and feel awkward?

8

Concerns of buying 2br house (instead of 3 br)

4