Buying and choosing kitchen cabinets can be an overwhelming task, as there are many things to take care of, from materials to door styles and finishes. So, here are some common questions about kitchen cabinets that most people ask, which may help you as well in the decision-making process, whether you’re buying ProCraft cabinets or any other brand.
FAQs About Choosing Kitchen Cabinets
Which factors affect the cost of kitchen cabinets?
Various factors affect the cost of kitchen cabinets. If we discuss the major factors, they will be five: The material, cabinet type (stock, semi-custom, custom), cabinet construction (framed, frameless), cabinet door style, and finish.
Material: What the cabinet is made of. It can be solid wood, plywood, MDF, particleboard, or any other material. We have mentioned them with respect to cost, from highest to lowest.
Cabinet type: You will see three classifications of cabinets: stock, semi-custom, and custom. Stock cabinets are pre-made and cost the least. Sem-custom cabinets allow a decent amount of customization and cost more than stock cabinets. Lastly, custom cabinets are made from scratch and cost the most.
Cabinet construction: There are two types of cabinet construction: framed and framed cabinets. Framed cabinets are easier to install and are lower-cost than frameless cabinets.
Door style: The door style also impacts the cost of cabinets, as it takes labor and time. If a door style requires more of that, it will be costlier. Basic shaker style and flat slab door styles are usually cheaper, whereas raised panel, glass inserts, carved wood, and any custom door style cost more.
Finish: The finish of cabinets dictates how the cabinets look and feel. Usually, laminate, melamine, thermofoil, and painted finishes are cheaper, while wood veneer, lacquer, solid wood, and custom finishes cost more.
Which kitchen cabinet material is the cheapest?
Particleboard is usually the cheapest kitchen cabinet material. It’s made from wood chips and sawdust combined with resin. It’s not as durable as other cabinet materials, and can chip, sag, or swell soon when exposed to moisture. Moreover, its load-bearing capacity is also lower. Commonly, these cabinets last from 5 to 10 years.
However, remember that the cost of kitchen cabinets also depends on the construction, door style, finish, hardware, and customizations.
For instance, stock MDF cabinets may be cheaper than semi-custom particleboard cabinets in some cases. Here, MDF is a costlier material, but stock cabinets don’t need to be customized, so they may cost less than a cheaper material like semi-custom particleboard.
How long do kitchen cabinets last?
The longevity of kitchen cabinets depends on factors like the material, construction type, and maintenance. Here’s the lifespan of kitchen cabinets with respect to the material:
- Solid wood cabinets: 20 to 50 years
- Metal (stainless steel or aluminum) cabinets: 20 to 50 years
- Plywood cabinets: 15 to 30 years
- MDF cabinets: 10 to 20 years
- Laminate or thermofoil over MDF: 10 to 20 years
- Particleboard cabinets: 5 to 15 years
What is the most durable kitchen cabinet material?
Solid wood and plywood are considered the most durable cabinet materials. Wood has many types, so the durability varies based on the species. It offers a longer lifespan due to its repairability.
On the other hand, plywood is durable because it resists moisture, warping, and sagging better than solid wood, even though it’s not reparable. Plus, plywood usually costs less than solid wood. If you want plywood or solid wood cabinets, check out 1951 cabinets MD.
Do I have to choose the same material for both the cabinet box and the door?
No, the cabinet box (carcass) and the door don’t need to be made of the same material. This allows for flexibility in choosing materials and fitting the project inside your budget. For instance, you can choose a durable cabinet box with a medium-range door for strong yet budget-friendly cabinets. An example of this can be: a plywood box with MDF doors.
If you want a high-end option, you can even go with a plywood box with solid wood doors.
How to choose the right finish for kitchen cabinets?
To choose the right finish, you should consider a few things, like the style of your kitchen, the maintenance, and your budget. Glossy and matte finishes with white and lighter colors work well for modern kitchens, while for traditional kitchens, classic wood finishes with warm tones are usually excellent.
When it comes to maintenance, high gloss finishes are easy to wipe but show fingerprints easily, matte finishes are more forgiving in showing any stains, but are harder to clean. On the other hand, stained finishes are difficult to clean and maintain. And if you go for a painted cabinet finish, it’s usually easy to maintain.
Moreover, you would also want the cabinet finish to be affordable for you. So, laminate, thermofoil, and basic painted finishes are cheaper, while wood stains, lacquer, high-quality paint, glazed, and custom finishes cost more.
How long does kitchen cabinet installation take?
Quick answer: For smaller kitchens: 2 to 3 days. For medium-sized kitchens: 4 to 6 days. And for larger kitchens: 7 to 10 days.
Long answer: The time it takes to install kitchen cabinets depends on various factors such as the type of cabinets (stock, semi-custom, custom), kitchen size (small or large), installation crew size, kitchen layout (L-shaped, U-shaped, etc.), finishes, and the removal of existing cabinets. Moreover, after cabinets, you also have to install countertops.
- The type of kitchen cabinets: Stock cabinets are the quickest to install, whereas custom cabinets take a lot of time.
- Kitchen size: This is a no-brainer that the kitchen size impacts the cabinet installation schedule.
- Installation crew size: This one is also obvious. A team of 2 people will take longer to install cabinets than a team of 4 workers.
- Kitchen layout: One-wall, galley, and simple L-shaped kitchens mean faster cabinet installation. On the other hand, U-shaped, G-shaped, and those with islands and a lot of appliances will take longer.
- Finishes: Finishes like trimming, crown molding, installing hardware, and the stuff can take from 1-2 days.
- Removal of existing cabinets: For kitchen remodels, you need to first remove the existing cabinets. It can take from a few hours to 2 days.
How to tell if kitchen cabinets are good quality?
Look for all-plywood cabinets or at least plywood cabinet boxes, full-height back panels, soft-close hinges, soft-close drawer glides, dovetail joints, thicker material, face frame, full-extension drawers, sturdy hardware, back support and leveling, and warranty.
What kitchen cabinet colors increase home value?
The color of cabinets itself doesn’t increase a home’s value, but it does impact the value indirectly, as some colors can enhance the appeal of a space or style that can impress buyers. Usually neutral colors like white, off-while, cream, gray, light beige, greige, taupe, natural wood, and two-tone colors are timeless cabinet color options you can use.
Conclusion
Choosing kitchen cabinets can be difficult, but if you do your research and understand your requirements, it can get easier. For more queries, consult a ProCraft cabinetry dealer MD.