| The line between semi custom and custom cabinetry | | | | the difference immediately. Cabinetry is the same way. |
| is being blurred. It's easy to be misled into thinking semi | | | | Here are some things to consider when looking at |
| custom cabinets are the same as custom cabinets | | | | cabinetry. |
| because you can "customize" by upgrading to various | | | | Lumber selection- The construction of your cabinets |
| options on semi custom lines. It would lead you to | | | | should be all wood. Do the panels match for |
| believe that you now have a custom cabinet. That is | | | | consistency in both grain pattern and color? Is the |
| not the case. Semi custom cabinets can only be made | | | | company using all wood and veneer core plywood |
| to fit certain design and size parameters. They are | | | | materials? Avoid particle board. |
| typically ordered from a catalog of predetermined | | | | Construction Methods- Durability is very important. You |
| sizes and styles. You typically have to pay extra once | | | | want to avoid maintenance issues down the road. |
| you stray from the "standards." | | | | Mortise and tenon joinery is durable and strong. Thick |
| Custom cabinetry offers great design flexibility and | | | | and sturdy veneer core plywood cabinet boxes should |
| unlimited size variations. Custom cabinets are designed | | | | have ¾" sides and ½" backs. Dovetail |
| to accommodate your lifestyle and custom fitted to | | | | construction on all four corners of your drawer boxes |
| your home to within 1/16". Because of the flexibility | | | | should be smooth to the touch. Shelving inside the |
| offered by custom, you can build to any width, depth | | | | cabinets should be 3/4" thick plywood. Wood dowel |
| or height. With custom cabinets you have functional | | | | pins should be used for reinforcements in both the |
| space in areas where you would typically have fillers | | | | doors and face frames. Drawer guides should allow |
| with semi custom. You can use essentially every cubic | | | | full extension of the drawer box with a soft closing |
| inch of space. | | | | mechanism allowing the drawer to gently glide and |
| A noticeable difference between semi custom and | | | | close. The base cabinets should also include a dust |
| custom is the finish choices available. While semi | | | | cover to minimize dust and dry wall particles getting |
| custom lines have come a long way, there is still a | | | | into the cabinet and affecting the ball bearings in the |
| world of difference when you look at and run your | | | | drawer guide. |
| fingers across a semi custom finish. Semi custom lines | | | | Finishes- The finish on your cabinetry should include a |
| offer very basic colors and glazes. They are a | | | | catalyzed conversion varnish. This is a clear coat that |
| production facility and need to keep things simple and | | | | protects the paint or stain and makes the cabinetry |
| fast. Custom companies are worlds apart on finishing | | | | moisture and mar resistant. Twenty years down the |
| techniques with unlimited capabilities. They offer hand | | | | road it will still feel the same. You should run your hand |
| distressing to achieve various looks and styles. Paint, | | | | over the finish and a quality finish will feel like satin. You |
| Old World Hand Brushed Paints, Die stains, specialty | | | | shouldn't feel bumps or a gritty feeling due to several |
| glazes, and custom color matches are only available | | | | stages of hand sanding and a controlled finishing |
| with a custom cabinet company. | | | | environment to eliminate any roughness. |
| A custom kitchen is one of the best investments you | | | | Accessories- Using cheap imported wire and plastic |
| can make in your home. It increases the value of your | | | | accessories will shorten the life of your accessories. |
| home not only in dollars, but also in aesthetic and | | | | Rev-A-Shelf, Richelieu, Knape & Vogt and Hafele |
| design appeal. Custom kitchen cabinets are worlds | | | | offer great accessories. Even though semi custom |
| apart in finish applications, construction methods, space | | | | cabinet lines certainly have increased the offerings and |
| utilization, and design. A well designed and built kitchen | | | | upgrade features available, custom cabinetry is still |
| will be money wisely invested. You will recoup | | | | head and shoulders above any semi custom line |
| 85-100+% of the value of a remodel. | | | | available. While there may be a slightly higher |
| Think of a car. You could build a car that looks good | | | | investment on the front end, the durability, beauty and |
| on the outside or even from a few feet away. Once | | | | design of a custom kitchen will pay for itself over and |
| you touch it, open the doors, and drive it you can tell | | | | over again. |