CABINETRY, WHATS THE DIFFERENCE?

 

STOCK/ SEMI CUSTOM/ CUSTOM

 

AmeriCrafters has done this homework for you in always trying

to provide the best quality cabinetry & craftsmanship available.

 

 

 

Stock Cabinets

 

Type 1

 

 

Flat Stacked, Assembled at homeowners or Retailers facility, then shipped.

 

Pro’s - Inexpensive

 

Cons – Water damage prone, not built to last

 

Particle board Frames & or drawers & many times MDF doors.

These cabinets are susceptible to moisture warping and swelling.

 

Type 2

 

Flat Stacked, Assembled at homeowners or Retailers facility, then shipped.

 

Pro’s- Less expensive

 

Cons – need to be educated concerning materials & quality labor

 

Usually sold on-line or from a local Cabinet Company.

Come in many variations, here is a short list of what to look for.

Plywood Cases, Dovetail or Plywood drawers, Hardwood Frames,

Hardwood Doors, ½” Backs, ¾” plywood Shelves. Any moving parts

such as hinges & Drawer slides should be easy to adjust and known to last.

Optional choices include Soft Close Doors & Drawers.

Depending on the manufacturer This type varies in degree of wood quality & construction.

 

 

Type 3

 

Pro’s-  BIG BOX Guarantee

 

Con’s- Very Expensive, can be a long impersonal process

 

 Sold at large Retailers, many times touted as Custom or Semi-Custom Cabinetry

 Like Type 2 but Assembled at the manufacturing plant then shipped. Built in 3” Increment widths

Fillers & scribe used when to too close to the 3” Increments.

The outcome is pretty much the same look as Type 2 cabinetry but usually use mounting strips instead of ½” backs.

 

 

 

Semi Custom

 

Many times, this term is used to make you feel better about paying that higher price tag and is really just a term to describe the Custom Design of your Kitchen & NOT a Customization of cabinetry which is VERY different. Unless your choosing a custom color, most cabinetry in this category just resembles the Type 1-3 cabinetry above. Truly Semi Custom is when an Installer modifies the already built cabinet or assembles a cabinet from parts that is not standard to fit a unique arrangement.

 

 

 

Custom Cabinets

 

Custom Cabinetry is when the Customer chooses each and every detail concerning the cabinetry & cabinetry components & also the sizing is not limited to 3” increments, and if frameless is the chosen method, maximizes space. The range of quality is vast and can be affordable to very expensive. Custom also comes with a higher price tag due to the research involved in just getting to the agreement stage.

 

 

Thank You for taking the time to educate yourself concerning Cabinetry.