Shopping for Kitchen Cabinets: Choosing the Right Kitchen Cabinet for your Price Range

Kitchen Cabinets are by and large the core of anyfeatures offered by the custom and semi-custom
kitchen. They can be highlighted by kitchen applianceskitchen cabinet manufacturers.
such as the refrigerator, stove, cooktop, dishwasherOne of the biggest advantages to true custom kitchen
and microwave, or these appliances can be modifiedcabinets is the ability to make one giant base or wall
to blend in by using panels that match your kitchenkitchen cabinet instead of separate boxes that are
cabinets.screwed together by the installer at the jobsite. A
Shopping for kitchen cabinets can be intimidating,custom-cabinet maker can easily make one giant base
especially for a first time buyer. There are hundredscabinet 8 feet long that installs as if it were a piece of
thousands of major kitchen cabinet companies, andfurniture. The same is true for wall kitchen cabinets.
many more smaller custom kitchen cabinet shopsThe advantage of this method is the lack of vertical
where you can get any cabinet made from anyseams where two traditional cabinet boxes would
species of wood that your mind can imagine. Add tomate up to one another.
that list the explosion of RTA Kitchen CabinetPay particular attention to the materials used to build
importers, and the laminated cabinet manufacturers,the kitchen cabinets. Some kitchen cabinets are made
and suddenly the list can be overwhelming. Not towith minimal-quality engineered lumber, particleboard, or
mention the fact that higher price always means highfiberboard. . If you plan to load a wall cabinet with
quality in construction, or more features being available.heavy traditional china, the weight of the dishes may
In the past, pricing had always been the way tocause the cabinet to pull apart over time. This is
categorize kitchen cabinets. Traditionally, ttheparticularly true when it comes to the semi-custom
higher-quality cabinets simply cost more money. As Icabinets that the name brand cabinet manufacturers
mentioned before, with more and more importerssell at the big box stores (which is why price is not
conforming to the KCMA (Kitchen Cabinetalways an accurate gauge of cabinet quality). Many of
Manufacturers Association) building standards, some ofthe RTA Kitchen Cabinet manufacturers use solid
the RTA Kitchen Cabinets or Stock kitchen cabinetsplywood sides, which obviously creates a strong
can actually be a sturdier cabinet than the traditional,kitchen cabinet box than a particleboard or fiberboard
made to order cabinets. Regardless of what type ofbox. When it comes to custom cabinets, the material
kitchen cabinet you decide to go with, it does not takechoices are endless and can usually be specified by
much effort to spend tens of thousands of dollars onthe customer.
the actual kitchen cabinets.Another factor that will determine the price of kitchen
Most kitchen cabinet manufacturers build their kitchencabinets is the material used to hold it together.
base and wall cabinets in standard sizes. The kitchenCustom kitchen cabinet manufacturers will often use a
base cabinets are often 34.5 inches tall and 24 inchescombination of dovetailed joints, wood biscuits, and glue
deep. They come in widths starting at 12 inches andto create tight joints. Mid-grade kitchen cabinets will
can go up to 48 inches often in increasing widthhave a wide range of materials holding them together
increments of 3 inches. Kitchen wall cabinets are often(staples and nails on the lower end, to cam lock
12 inches deep and 30 inches or 42 inches tall. Theyassembly and wood glue on the higher end). Most
also come in the same size widths as the baseRTA Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers utilize the cam
cabinets. Wall cabinets also come in several differentlock system, which creates a nice sturdy cabinet, and
heights and depths for locations such as over thewhen enhanced with wood glue, can last a life time.
refrigerator or over the microwave/hood range unit.Steer away from any kitchen cabinets that are using
With custom kitchen cabinets, you have even morestaples, wooden dowels, or just screws. The strength
choices available, since the kitchen cabinets will beof the cabinet will be compromised at the joints with
created specifically for your kitchen space.these weaker joining materials.
Different semi-custom kitchen cabinet manufacturersI have been remodeling houses for over 10 years, and
make different-sized kitchen cabinets for all sorts ofhave been able to weed out some of the kitchen
special looks and situations. It is not uncommon to havecabinet choices that didn't work for me. If you are
one cabinet extend beyond adjacent cabinets tointerested in learning more about my personal
create a distinguished look. It pays to shop around topreferences, check out my author bio.
see all of the different possibilities and special cabinet