What to Look for When Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
Looking for information on the pros and cons of factory finished cabinets versus local shop cabinets in residential kitchen remodeling? We’ve got the info you need! The article below will discuss how cabinetry becomes part of the architecture of your home, and why quality, finishes, stability, and consistency are important factors to understand when choosing kitchen cabinets.
The kitchen cabinetry manufacturing process has gone through significant transformation over the past several decades. Factory made custom kitchen cabinets have become very popular, and offer homeowners flexibility in design and a fitted look unavailable with stock cabinetry. Luxury kitchen cabinets are made like good furniture, utilizing the best materials with the highest quality of construction. A large manufacturer has the skills, equipment and flexibility to craft the finest cabinetry for your remodeling project.
The advantages of factory-made cabinetry include a chemical baking process, creating a highly durable finish which resists staining. Large cabinet manufacturing facilities utilize the best industry hardwood, panels and veneers. For most cost effective cabinetry options, they can use durable particleboard or MDF. Large manufacturers measure wood for moisture content before it is received, and monitor and control indoor humidity with misters to ensure the air and wood have optimal moisture content.
In contrast, small cabinet makers often use lower grade materials, do not take advantage of the benefits of particleboard or MDF, and cannot offer inset cabinet construction as they cannot sufficiently control moisture content. Small local cabinet makers typically let finishes air dry, resulting in cabinets that may not fully cure. Product is finished in a shop or on the job site, neither of which is a controlled environment for applying a finish, with both locations exposing cabinetry to a high level of dust. Local shops tend to have less design experience and training, and often do not have a wide variety of displays and samples.
Large manufacturing facilities have a larger talent pool and a greater number of design choices. They typically have a larger variety of cabinet options in stock, and can custom make decorative pieces. Finishes are done in a dedicated area with positive air flow, which keeps dust out. A combination of state of the art sanding machines along with hand sanding techniques create the smoothest possible surface to apply finishes.
Local cabinet makers use orbital hand sanders and hand paint sprayers, with sanding and finishing often done in the same space, resulting in inferior consistency, quality and durability in comparison with factory finished cabinets. Local shops may be able to construct the cabinet boxes on a job site, but may buy the cabinet parts from large manufacturers, which are then put into the local shop’s cabinet box.
Lastly, local shops are frequently smaller operations, while large cabinet manufacturing facilities typically have dedicated departments for additional or replacement parts. Consistency of material and finishes allow large manufacturing facilities to provide exact matching replacement parts when required. Many local shops do not have a formal warranty, may not maintain consistency of materials and finishes, and may not be in business if a problem occurs in the future.
With cabinetry being a major expense in residential kitchen remodeling, it is wise to consider hiring a kitchen designer. These experts can assist with optimal functional cabinetry layout and design, recommending materials and manufacturers, and obtaining the best possible results for their clients. For modern kitchen design and custom kitchens in Sauk City or the greater Wisconsin area, please consider Driftless Kitchens. We specialize in choosing and supplying custom and semi-custom cabinetry, countertops, decorative hardware and lighting for creative and unique kitchen designs.