CONSTRCTION LEVELS

Stock Cabinets
This level of cabinetry invests most of its manufacturing dollars in a good semi-durable finish. The box and drawer construction is typically manufactured wood, also known as particleboard. Furthermore, the drawer boxes are usually stapled and have inexpensive side mounted glides. Along with the lower grade construction, Stock cabinetry suffers due to a limited number of styles, finishes and accessories with NO customization. Additionally, these cabinets are modular and usually have limited size options available. Modular sizes are in 3” increments. It is generally considered a good choice for investment properties and starter homes. Stock cabinetry is ready to take home and available at most lumberyards and home centers. Some retailers even offer them unassembled, also called RTA (Ready to assemble), KD (Knock down) or flat pack. The price for these cabinets averages " $350 - $500 each.

Custom Cabinets
Also known as "shop built". Most, but not all, don’t measure up to the latest in finishes and accessories because the shop owner lacks the capital investment in state-of-the-art machinery and manpower. In most cases, structural integrity meets minimum standards. "Custom" indicates the cabinets were built for a specific order, but does not imply quality standards. Custom cabinets may or may not meet KCMA* or ANSI** standards. This level of cabinetry is generally appealing to builders because of its low cost and the ability to create an "Illusion of Quality". This is not to say that there are not high quality “custom” shops, there are. The consumer must know what to look for when picking this option. The advantage to using this option, these cabinets are not modular and can typically be made to any size or specification. The disadvantage to this type, there is usually an extended production time.

Semi-Custom Grade Cabinets
This type of cabinetry offers a wider selection of wood species, styles, stains, paint colors, accessories and even construction options. There are numerous brands availiable and like anything else quality is brand specific. All though these are “made to order” they are still considered modular, with customization options varying by brand. Typical delivery time is 3-6 weeks and the price averages $400 to $1400 per cabinet.

Luxury Grade Cabinets
"Luxury" grade cabinetry constitutes "leading edge" manufacturers mostly from Europe. It features bold new styles and "fashion statements" at $1300.00 to $2600.00 per cabinet. They are truly a luxury item.

CONSTRCTION OPTIONS

Framed - A carcass (or box) with a face frame surrounding the front edges. Hinges attach to the door and the face frame. Most framed cabinets do offer a choice of overlays; the amount of the face frame that is exposed while the cabinet door is closed.

Frameless– A carcass (or box) with no face frame. Hinges attach to doors and side (or end) panels of the carcass. This type is also called European style cabinetry.

Stock cabinets are usually always construced from manufactured wood, also referred to as "particle board".

Semi-custom and Custom offer a variety of options. Ranging from manufactured wood ends, Plywood ends, all plywood construction, all plywood construction with furniture plywood ends and so on. Typically the drawers are dovetailed with a variety of glide options from standard to full extend, and even soft close mechanisms.

Basically, there are 3 types of doors:

Slab - Flat door styles with no raised or recessed profile. Wood slab doors are usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock lumber joined with adhesive, then cut to size.

Recessed Panel - A “picture frame” is constructed, often with either miter or mortise and tenon joints.

Raised Panel - The raised panel is usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock lumber joined with adhesive, cut dimensionally and then routed with the desired edge profile.

Hinges
Knife hinges - this hinge type is often partially embedded in and screwed to the cabinet frame. It may be fully visible or only partially visible when the door is closed. Knife hinges also provide a full 180 degree door opening.

Concealed hinges - (also called Euro style) there are several varieties which do not show when the door is closed. These are typically recessed and screwed into a "cup" or routed recessed area in the door and screwed to the cabinet face frame or side (end) panel. Although concealed hinges are also the most easily adjustable and adjust in more ways than other type, they only allow a limited (up to 110 degree) or partial opening.

Finish Options:
Unfinished
Stain
Paint
Glaze
Distressing
A combination of these finishes

WOOD SPECIES

There is a myriad of wood species to select, select here for a list of some of the common species used.