Signature Kitchens and Baths Magazine
How to Choose the Right Cabinetry
by Kenneth W. Peterson, CKD
copyright © 2002
This article is protected by copyright law and may not reproduced
without written consent from its author.
 To
most consumers, few cabinet brands are well known, and a lot of
cabinetry looks alike today. It is almost impossible at a glance to tell
the difference between expensive and inexpensive cabinetry—even for many
professionals in the field! Yet cabinetry can represent as much as 60
percent of an average kitchen's cost. So it's important for you to be
thoroughly informed about the quality differences in cabinetry. It will
keep you from making the wrong decision and being disappointed with the
end result.
Construction Differences
There are basically two types of cabinet construction systems. The
first is called framed construction and represents the traditional
American methodology from yesteryear. It takes a "box" and attaches a
solid 1½" wide x ¾" thick frame to the front of it. Doors can then slab,
lip, set in flush (like fine furniture) or marginally cover this front
frame.
The second production method was developed in Europe 40 years ago. In
the frameless (or European) system, 5/8"-3/4" thick melamine (or
plywood) panels are assembled to construct the cabinet chassis (or box).
This thicker side panel material eliminates the need for a front frame
to keep the box rigid.
Which system is better? This subject is open for debate. Purists prefer
framed cabinetry for it's authentic look, old world construction, and
general absence of substitute wood materials like particleboard.
Frameless cabinetry enthusiasts point to the many advantages of this
more modern construction system:
- No front frame means wider access to storage interiors and drawers (at
least 1½" more); it also creates greater storage capacity, particularly
in drawers and roll-out shelves.
- Typical elimination of center stile support in double door cabinets
leads to greater ease of storage placement and removal without the risk
of chipped china.
- White melamine interiors are light, bright, and sanitary-looking, making
it easier to read grocery labels while eliminating the need for shelf
paper.
- Full, flush overlay doors eliminate the "shadowing" of doors on frames,
making small spaces look larger; it also eliminates another edge to
clean up after spills.
- Any cabinet surface damage is confined to the doors; these are a lot
less costly to repair or replace than an entire cabinet whose frame is
also damaged.
- In the future, you can change the look of the kitchen by just replacing
the doors; both traditional and contemporary styles work well on
frameless construction.
Framed cabinetry still remains the most popular choice today. But
frameless cabinetry is coming on strong, as more and more consumers
become informed and embrace the age-old design principle of "form
follows function." Also, there are production economies associated with
this manufacturing system that make frameless cabinetry generally a
little more affordable. Be advised, however, that it takes a highly
skilled specialist to install frameless cabinets; if they are not
installed plumb and level, doors and drawers will not operate properly.
Quality Grade Differences
 The SEN Buying Group has identified seven different quality grades:
Shop-built, Ready-to-assemble (RTA), Production, Semi-Custom, Popular,
Furniture and Luxury. With so many quality grades, you can imagine the
broad spectrum in features, benefits, and pricing.
Indeed, no cabinet manufacturer-whether local, regional or national- can
stay in business very long unless its product is priced right for value
received. If a product costs more, you can assume that there must be
more invested in the way of materials, manufacturing, or marketing
dollars that add value. Knowing how, where, and why these investments
were made, and what they mean to you as a consumer, is one major reason
to see a kitchen specialist.
Recognizing both the tangible and intangible differences between quality
grades will help you understand the seemingly wide feature/price
variances. This investigative process will lead you to a wise final
product selection. A Cabinet Quality Comparison Chart, available from
your SEN Design Group Firm, offers a good summary of the differences in
quality between the seven grades.
Local cabinet shops produce the shop-built cabinetry which, in some
regions, is only finished on site. RTA, Production, and Semi-Custom are
mostly available through home centers; some kitchen specialists carry
them as well. Since skilled designers and craftsmen are critical,
Popular, Furniture and Luxury grade cabinetry are almost exclusively
available through professional kitchen specialists.
The Most Critical Factors In Quality
 In terms of function and durability, the two most critical quality
factors are exterior finish and drawer action.
One of the major reasons why Americans remodel their kitchens results
from "finish failure." Even the acids from your hands can deteriorate a
lacquer finish around a cabinet door pull, leaving a whitened area.
Household spills and grease residue from an inadequate ventilation
system can also leave cabinet surfaces in a sticky state.
When shopping for wood cabinets, look closely at the doors. You may
discover a number of flaws in the less expensive quality grades such as:
Stain "globs" in crevices; tiny dirt particles trapped under the clear
coat finish; rougher areas to the touch where final sanding procedures
were missed; a murky look where the natural wood graining seems masked
because a toner stain was used prior to hand-rubbing to blend together
the different wood characteristics of less-than-premium lumber.
The best wood cabinet finishes use a multiple step process of sanding,
sealing, hand-wipe staining, finish coating of conversion varnish, and
baking in the oven. Because local cabinet shops usually lack the capital
to invest in state-of-the-art finishing equipment, the finishes on their
products are the most suspect. Indeed, it is the shop-built variety that
is the most frequently removed quality grade in kitchen remodeling
projects.
Since drawers take the weight of heavy utensils and pots and are subject
to a great deal of everyday slamming shut, they need to be functionally
sound. Like exterior cabinet finishes, they are among the first features
to show signs of wear and tear in a kitchen. Choose a cabinet grade with
a good quality drawer system, strong joinery between the drawer box and
drawer face, and a smooth gliding action.
Effectively Cutting Your Cabinet Budget
Let us assume for a moment that you would like Furniture Grade
cabinetry. However, when the estimate for the entire project comes in
over your budget, you realize you will have to make concessions in
several areas. Saving several hundred (or thousand) dollars by switching
to Popular Grade cabinetry may become very appealing. Follow these two
steps to avoid disappointment:
- Closely re-examine the differences between the two quality
grades - exterior finish, drawer construction, interior finish, shelf
adjustments, nature of interior accessories, etc. One of the best ways
to do this is with the respective displays side by side (sometimes
called a Cabinet Comparison Wall), where the quality differences are
most visible. An objectively minded, professional design consultant can
be a tremendous asset here. Pay close attention to the differences in
tolerances between the two lines. The Popular Grade cabinets may show
larger "gaps" around the doors-something you may not wish to live with.
- Think of the cost difference as an investment, not as an expense.
Mentally test whether the extra savings will give you a better return
than the extra pride of ownership, more convenience, better performance,
greater enjoyment or more peace of mind over the period of time you and
your family will be using the new kitchen.
The Intangible Factor
Believe it or not, a set of beautiful cabinets is much more an
intangible product than a tangible one. Unlike a refrigerator, car or
sofa, it does not come off an assembly line as a finished product.
Cabinetry must be installed in your home from a dizzying number of
individual parts, according to a detailed set of blueprints and
specifications.
The human element will have a huge impact on your level of satisfaction.
For example, a professional designer can create a dramatic plan using a
relatively inexpensive Production Grade cabinet line. Then, in the hands
of a skilled craftsman, that unique design can be given a "fit and
finish" that can make it look as if it is worth thousands more.
Conversely, Luxury Grade cabinetry designed by the inexperienced person
could become your worst nightmare. The tangible result might be an
inferior-looking project with a poor return on your investment. The
worst part is finding out too late, when the cost of making a change has
already become insurmountable.
When it comes to choosing cabinetry, your best insurance policy,
regardless of the brand name or quality grade, is the selection of a
professional kitchen firm with a professional staff and the right
services. Find someone who takes an educational approach to the project,
furnishes objective advice, has strong references, and offers proof of
value of services. Without question, the quality of people used in all
stages of the project -measuring, designing, ordering, scheduling and
installing- will ultimately be reflected in the degree of quality and
value you receive from your cabinet investment.
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