If the time has come for you to remodel your kitchen, you will find the market has a baffling array of options. Semicustom now makes up a giant, complex category of kitchen cabinetry. Nowadays, the choices available are so varied and the specifications are so sophisticated, they are, for all practical purposes, custom cabinets. Experts agree on what distinguishes quality kitchen cabinets. Before you pay a visit to a kitchen-cabinets showroom, arm yourself with the facts and get the most for your money.
A great starting point is to visit the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association website to familiarize yourself with the leading brands in kitchen cabinetry. It is one thing to have identified a general aesthetic you like, but you will want to carefully evaluate the quality of the cabinetry’s construction and mechanical function.
The carcase is the main box of a cabinet, and the best materials to look for are plywood, particleboard, or MDF. Plywood alone, generally the most expensive option, isn’t necessarily an indicator of superior quality. Look at the number of plies and evaluate the grade of the wood. Stability is increased the more plies there are in a panel. The technology of particleboard has changed considerably and has proved to be a dense and durable substrate for veneer and is a more affordable alternative to plywood. While MDF is heavy, it is the smoothest of the three materials, making it a strong candidate for paint. While these are the materials, take a close look at their substantiality and the fit of any joints.
Drawers get a real workout, so look for dovetailed or doweled construction. Not only do they look better, they are bound to last longer than a drawer that is merely glued or stapled. Make sure the front of the drawer is not the fourth side of the box. A durable drawer should have a face attached to a sturdy box. And the drawers are only as good as their hardware. Look for full-extension, undermount slides with a soft-close feature. Test them out. They should function easily and quietly.
Don’t judge a cabinet solely by its doors. It can be tempting to see handsome doors and ignore the hardware and box construction. Without a sturdy box and strong hardware, those good-looking doors will burn out fast. A door should be 3/4 in. thick with adequate bumpers and quality adjustable hinges.
And last but not least, evaluate the quality of the finish. Make sure it is clear. Cloudiness, drips, unintentional sanding marks, and buildup are indicators of poorer quality. There is no shortage of finish choices. Numerous colors of stain and paint for a variety of wood species. Additional features may include glazing, distressing, burnishing, and antiquing.
You may think we have finished, but we have just begun in some respects because now that we have identified some rules of thumb for assessing quality–and assuming you have a solid sense of what you want–pricing is one of the most complicated matters. For as many customizable options that are offered from brand to brand, price structure is affected as well. A showroom will have a list of retail prices for each cabinetry line and its upgrading and customizable options. Your price will be based on a cost-adjusted discount offered by the manufacturer. That means the manufacturer offers a discount to the showroom, but the showroom must in turn adjust that discount to cover their business expenses. The complex manufacturer discount varies based on the volume of sales of that particular line by that particular showroom among other factors. If you feel like you have identified what you want, it may be best to bring in a seasoned designer or dealer to help you navigate getting a fair price.
To learn more about kitchen cabinetry and what to look for, please take advantage of these Fine Homebuilding resources below.
FURTHER READING:
Get to Know Semicustom Cabinets
Buyers Guide to Kitchen Cabinets
Fine Homebuilding Recommended Products
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