By understanding the basics and knowing your options, you can have an easier time creating your dream kitchen.
By understanding the basics and knowing your options, you can have an easier time creating your dream kitchen.
Structure of a cabinet
The first things to note are the structural components of a cabinet. They are the box, the shelves, and the drawers. Each can be constructed in a number of ways. In addition, to build or construct cabinets, general assembly comes in three ways: boxed, semi-installed, and custom. From there comes the exciting and creative part: choosing your door and drawer styles to complement the kitchen aesthetic you are looking for. If you keep these guidelines in mind, cabinet planning from Q Colors MSI Countertops Supplier Toronto will be a cinch.
Let’s look at the ways cabinets can be made, and the materials needed to build them before we move on to the designs.
Cabinet construction types
1. Custom
Custom-designed cabinets involve a carpenter hand-crafting your cabinets from scratch. This provides nearly endless choices for style and size. Because they are built according to your exact specifications, your cabinet designs are entirely under your control, which means you have complete freedom over the layout of your kitchen. If you want, for example, for base cabinets to have scrolling legs and feet that mimic the look of the furniture, or if you want to change the entire layout of your kitchen because of its inefficiency and poor planning, custom cabinets are the way to go.
However, take note that custom cabinets are very expensive and take a long time to build. Planning well in advance of when the cabinets will need to be delivered is imperative. Depending on how extensive the specifications for your custom cabinets are, expect to wait between six and 12 weeks for delivery and construction, with additional time for installation.
2. Semi-custom/semi-stock
This is where wording gets a bit confusing in the cabinet world. Some experts say “semi-custom,” others say “semi stock,” and still others interchange the two. Essentially, these types of cabinets offer you more variety than stock cabinets, but not as many options as custom cabinets. They are typically cheaper than custom-built options but keep in mind that your selections can alter the total cost.
It takes four to six weeks for delivery of semi-custom cabinets, but showrooms displaying them will enable you to see what you’re getting while at the same time allowing you to visualize how your kitchen cabinets will look after installation.
It’s not the end of the world if you go from custom to semi. The materials of the cabinets are just as durable as custom, and personalizing your space is still an option. From plate racks to pantries, and sliding shelves to corner cupboards, semi-custom cabinets – with sides constructed of engineered wood or plywood – might be the best compromise when trying to choose between these options.
3. Stock
Stock kitchen cabinets – i.e. cabinets already built to standard dimensions at construction and home stores – are your best bet if you are budget-conscious and need your cabinets delivered in a time-efficient manner. That’s because stock cabinets are readily available at almost any cabinetry store and, because they are already made, wait times are much shorter.
The making of your cabinets
When it comes to materials, oak, maple, cherry, and hickory are popular options for cabinets. Veneers over plywood are another, more economical option. If you don’t like the look of wood, industrial metal and stainless steel cabinets can lend your kitchen a sophisticated, modern vibe.
The boxes of your cabinets are made in one of three ways. They are plywood, MDF (medium-density fiberboard), and particleboard.
- Plywood
Plywood is made from layers of wood laminate glued together. It can last a lifetime because it performs well in areas with higher humidity – places where, say, the ocean or beach is nearby. The downside of plywood is that it is expensive. But you do get what you pay for: plywood is stronger and more durable than cabinets constructed of particleboard.
- MDF
MDF is a cheaper alternative to plywood. Not only does it produce a more uniform surface than particleboard, but it offers many options because MDF is easily paintable.
- Particleboard
Using particleboard will save you money in the construction of your cabinets. In addition, it produces a smooth surface. But because it’s heavier than other materials, you’ll need a lot of support for your cabinets. You should also be aware that it’s more susceptible to moisture damage.
It’s important to remember that drawers and shelves are also made using these three options.
Cabinet door options
While there are seemingly innumerable door options for cabinets, when you get down to it, there are basically only a few common and popular options to choose from.
- Flat
A flat-panel cabinet is as inexpensive as it is modern. There are no details on these cabinets, and the minimalistic look and feel lend itself to modern kitchens. If you are on a budget, choose a laminate face, as it is cheaper than wood.
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