How To Get The Best Cabinets For Your Kitchen

When remodeling your home the kitchen is always on the top of the "to do" list. One of the most important features of your kitchen are your cabinets. The cabinets can also be one of the larger expenses. It is important you know what you are getting into and how to get the best quality for the least amount of money.

Cabinet construction is quite standardized. There are either face-frame or euro-style boxes with sides of a) furniture board or b) plywood. Options include factory assembled or field assembled. Chinese imports are shipped unassembled and are more likely to be euro-style boxes with cam-lock assembly Cabinet construction are quite standardized. There are either face-frame or euro-style boxes with sides of a) furniture board or b) plywood. Options include factory assembled or field assembled. Chinese imports are shipped unassembled and are more likely to be euro-style boxes with cam-lock assembly hardware rather than being glued and stapled.

Once in the US, they are sold either "as shipped" or put together in the retailer's warehouse. By far, the cheapest cabinets are these unassembled imports. (The big box stores have discontinued selling this type of cabinet because of warranty issues- I understand. They are still available at discount cabinet places like Buy and Build, or Ikea.) Warehouse assembled cabinets are only as solid and square as the assembler's a) adhesives, b) tools, and c) skills. Repair and replacement pieces are less accessible, while color matching also becomes problematic. What kind of warranty and who will supply the warranty services is less defined, too. Buying from a "distributor" for a U.S. based, national company avoids virtually all the aforementioned issues.

The best cabinets are mid-grade cabinets, US made, factory assembled, face frame cabinets with full warrantees. Parts and repairs can be handled in days rather than weeks or months. Furniture board construction is standard for midgrade cabinetry- which saves money- though Aristokraft and Brandom both offer cabinet upgrades like plywood boxes, etc. These companies also offer a more extensive line of cabinet sizes than the typical "discount" cabinet line or "import" cabinet line.

If special orders are needed, our shipping times are as quick. Backorders and delays are virtually unknown. In addition to these very cost-effective cabinets (less than big box store prices for comparable cabinets), There are semi-custom lines like Decora, which allows you to get all the whistles and bells, amenities, upgrades, and custom sizes expected of high-end cabinet lines.

Even a small showroom can be rather extensive - equally as overwhelming as a big box store. The cabinet displays can be intimidating with numerous styles, colors and options. To help, ask if they offer in-store layout and design consultations, free of course, which are based on real-life experience with kitchen installations.