Off-the-shelf cabinets vs. custom cabinets, what are the differences?

common cabinets

Storage or store cabinets are what you see if you go to a big box home improvement store. Typically, each store will have a very basic line of unfinished cabinets that is stocked in the store and ready to buy and take home that day. These are usually the cheapest option, but the selections are very limited. Most of the time, these will need to be finished by you or a contractor. Don’t expect anything spectacular, these are usually cabinets at their most basic. Drawer fronts are often made of glued strips of wood rather than a single piece of wood. The doors are usually panel doors rather than raised wood panel doors. Cabinet shells are typically cut from particle board, and if there is a back panel, it is typically 1/8″ hardboard. Countertop.

Standard cabinets are typically offered in extremely limited sizes and while most cabinets are offered in 3″ increments, some standard cabinets may only be available in 6″ increments. This is important when it comes to the overall design of your kitchen remodel, since common cabinets are mass-produced to the same size and specifications no matter where they go. You will typically need infills and end panels to create a finished look when using standard cabinets. The exposed end of each cabinet, both upper and lower cabinets, will need to be finished to match the front of the cabinets. This will include cutting and fitting finished panels to the cabinet shell itself. Note that if you are running the cabinets wall to wall, it is not important to finish the ends, as the wall will hide the ends.

Special Order Cabinets

Updating shop cabinets would be ordering them at your local home improvement store or local lumberyard. The quality will be much higher than standard cabinets, but your options are still somewhat limited in what you can order. Expect to see white or maple laminate interiors, solid wood drawers and doors, and upgrades like soft-close hinges or soft-close drawer slides. These cabinets will come finished and ready to install. These will typically be offered in 3″ increments, typically ranging from 12 inches wide to 36 or even 48 inches wide. The doors and drawer fronts can be customized a bit in terms of styles and colors, but options are still limited.Still expect 1/2″ thick shells (the box portion of the cabinets) and 1/8″ to 1/4″ thick cabinet backs.

Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinets are usually offered by specialty stores that carry a specific line of cabinets, but do not make them themselves. The customer will be able to choose the color, finish, style of the doors and drawers, as well as many upgrades such as ball bearing slides and soft close hinges. The dealer will work with you and will also include any fillers or other parts that may be needed to properly install the cabinets. Although you can often choose your own colors etc., the dealer will have limited options because they can only offer what their supplier offers. Usually, a semi-custom cabinet dealer will also be able to offer to install the cabinets and combine them in one lump sum for you.

custom cabinets

Custom cabinets will almost always be the best quality cabinets you can find. The cabinet company will usually visit your kitchen or bathroom and take field measurements and, together with you, design a functional layout for your project. As for the quality, the cabinetmaker has to make each piece of furniture individually, so the quality will be very high. Cabinet shells will generally be made of 5/8″ or 3/4″ material, either a laminate material for easy cleaning or hardwood plywood, it will be substantially stronger than particleboard or hardboard. medium density fiber. For the back of the cabinets, you will typically see 1/2″ thick material, with thicker areas made specifically for mounting screws. The tops will always incorporate a counter clamp strip on the front and rear of the cabinets. base cabinets, which you won’t see in stock cabinets. When it comes to design and aesthetics, the only limitations are your imagination and your budget. Almost anything is possible because your cabinets will be built specifically for you. You have full access to options like pull-out glides, bin organizers, unlimited hardware options, pantry organizers, and much more.The cabinetmaker will often install these cabinets as well, saving you the headache of doing it yourself.Although obviously more expensive, you can design and get exactly what you want, instead of settling for what you can find.