| Working in the remodeling industry for the last 38 | | | | describe conditions in other parts of the country. |
| years, and exclusively in the kitchen and bath | | | | However, I believe there are sufficient similarities |
| remodeling sector for the last 8 years, I have noticed a | | | | nationwide to make this material relevant and useful |
| good deal of confusion and misunderstanding regarding | | | | for consumers wherever they may live. So now we |
| custom cabinetry. This article is intended to shed some | | | | know that making any quality assumptions regarding |
| light on the subject. The dictionary defines "custom" | | | | "custom cabinetry" is not a good idea. So what should |
| when used as an adjective as meaning "made for an | | | | one do? The quality of each potential cabinet purchase |
| individual". It says nothing regarding the quality of what | | | | should be evaluated on its own merit with little, if any, |
| is made. This is an important distinction primarily | | | | weight given to terms such as "custom", |
| because people make assumptions and decisions | | | | "semi-custom", "manufactured" or "modular". So what |
| based on the meaning they associate with a word. | | | | are the important questions to ask when selecting |
| To illustrate, lets say that I offer to build a "custom | | | | kitchen, bathroom or other cabinets? They can be |
| home" for you. You agree and I proceed to construct | | | | broken down into the following categories: |
| one out of popsicle sticks. This would by definition be a | | | | General box construction: |
| "custom home" but would not meet any sane persons | | | | What are the materials and their dimensions used to |
| criteria for quality nor match your idea of what a | | | | construct the cabinet and drawer boxes. Cabinet |
| "custom home "should be. Something similar occurs | | | | boxes should be constructed of plywood anywhere |
| when people consider, as one of their options for a | | | | where fasteners are installed since it has a much |
| kitchen or bath remodel, purchasing "custom cabinets'. | | | | greater holding strength than furniture or particle board. |
| The problem arises when they discover that what | | | | The drawer boxes should be solid birch or maple with |
| they have purchased falls short of their expectations. | | | | dove-tailed glued joints. |
| This is, more often than not, the result of making | | | | Door and drawer fronts and face frame: |
| assumptions based on a false definition of the | | | | What is the wood species (i.e. maple, cherry, alder, etc.) |
| terminology and neglecting to investigate the quality of | | | | and is it solid or a thin veneer over plywood or a lesser |
| the products important components. | | | | quality wood. These should be ¾ to 1 inch in |
| There are basically 3 types of custom cabinetry: | | | | thickness and properly jointed. Veneers can be used if |
| - Those made by fine craftsmen both here and | | | | price is the primary consideration but the client should |
| abroad. | | | | ask about their limitations as well as their cost. |
| - Those made by major manufacturers with | | | | Hardware: |
| customization capabilities. | | | | What type of hinges and drawer and rollout slides are |
| - Those made by small to medium sized local shops. | | | | used. Who makes them and what is the warranty. |
| The first type ends up in exclusive high end homes or | | | | This is important because the moving parts are what |
| establishments. These clients have both the time and | | | | tend to wear out first and the cheaper imitations fail |
| financial resources to acquire something unique. This | | | | sooner and frequently have little if any warranty. |
| satisfies their discriminating taste and sets them apart | | | | Finish: |
| from others much like owning an exclusive watch, car | | | | How are all the visible portions of the cabinetry finished. |
| etc.. | | | | How are they sanded, how are they stained and most |
| The second type appeals to reasonably affluent | | | | importantly, which method is used to topcoat or |
| clients who want something better than average and | | | | finish-coat the cabinets to protect them from sunlight, |
| don't mind spending a bit more to get it. | | | | moisture and oil from peoples hands. What is the |
| The third type is by far the most prevalent and the | | | | warranty for the finish. The very best topcoat is what |
| category with which we are concerning ourselves | | | | is call pre-catalyzed oil based varnish and is dried |
| here. These run the gamut from one man operations | | | | under lights to provide a durable finish that is warranted |
| to reasonably sophisticated facilities producing | | | | to last many years. |
| thousands of kitchen and bathroom cabinets each | | | | While these criteria are by no means exhaustive, they |
| year. | | | | will provide more useful guidelines for the average |
| At this point I should mention that my experience is | | | | consumer than relying upon mistaken assumptions |
| primarily in Southern California, and consequently my | | | | regarding the various types of cabinetry. |
| perspective will reflect that and may not accurately | | | | |