Expert custom cabinet makers take onsite measurements, use laser-guided machinery to make precision cuts and assemble everything by hand to ensure seamless construction. This intimate process drives up the cost.
Stock cabinets are pre-built and offer a limited selection of sizes and styles. These options may include wainscot, glass-ready doors and interiors, beadboard ends or hutches.
Materials
Cabinet doors offer a wide range of options to architects and their clients, but what’s under the surface is equally important. Framed or frameless construction is the heart of any cabinet, and the materials used in this critical structural component are often the most visible part of the design.
A popular and economical choice is particle board, which is made by compressing resin, wood chips or sawdust into rigid sheets or panels that can be drilled, cut, milled and glued. It’s a good option for paint-ready cabinets, but not as durable as MDF.
Another good paint-ready option is high-density fiberboard (HDF), which is an engineered wood that combines hard and softwood residuals with glue, resin and heat, creating a tough, sturdy material that resists moisture and heat damage. A step up from HDF is plywood, which consists of thin layers of veneer glued together with the grain set at varying angles to create strength in all directions.
Styles
If you’re going for a minimal or modern kitchen, cabinet color and design can be used to create a dramatic effect. For example, black cabinets can provide a stark contrast to white wall cabinets and kitchen island cabinetry.
Beadboard cabinet doors feature vertical slats that are pretty to look at in a high-end cottage or farmhouse style kitchen. Beadboard cabinet doors also work well in a space with wood beams or distressed furniture.
Framed and face-framed cabinets have a 1.5-2 inch border that hides the cabinet box edge. This design is ideal for traditional and transitional styles of kitchens, and it can be complemented with decorative elements like corbels and fancy feet.
Finishes
There is a lot of work that goes into creating custom cabinets. Cabinet makers take precise onsite measurements and carefully assemble each piece to bring your vision to life. They work hard to make sure that everything is perfect, including the finish.
Stains are a popular way to color your cabinets. They allow you to see the innate wood grain and texture while adding a rich color that will add depth to your kitchen. Darker stains can hide the grain, but they offer more dramatic colors.
Glazing is another option that can be used in conjunction with staining. This technique accentuates crevices and brings out the details of special cabinetry designs. It can also be used to enhance skilled carvings and contours.
Installation
Cabinets can add a significant amount to your project’s overall cost. Basic wood cabinets run from $100 to $400 per linear foot, but the total price can increase based on your desired design and add-ons.
Before installing any cabinets, turn off the power and water to your home. This will prevent accidental shock when working on walls and prevent costly mistakes that can result from working around electrical wiring or plumbing.
Make sure all walls and bulkheads are drywalled, primed, and painted before your new cabinets go up. Paint touch-ups will be much easier without cabinets in the way. Before mounting any cabinets, find the highest point in the room by using an 8′ level on the wall. Use this as your layout line for all the cabinet lines. Mount the cabinets to the ledger board by lining them up with your layout mark and screwing into the studs. Wait to tighten the screws until you’re sure the cabinets are even and plumb.custom kitchen cabinets