Kitchen Cabinet Selection: Quality Stock Cabinets Offer Value And Savings

(HIT) - With kitchen cabinet manufacturers offering cabinets at nearly every price point, the kitchen cabinet selection process can be confusing and time consuming. However, careful research and prudent decisions are a homeowner’s best bets for sticking to a budget when planning a new kitchen.

To create a beautiful kitchen without breaking the bank in the process, Connie Edwards, Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) for Timeberlake Cabinet Company, Winchester, VA, recommends that homeowners consider stock kitchen cabinet selections. "Stock" cabinetry, factory-produced in standard sizes, is kept in-stock by kitchen dealers and home centers and is typically much less expensive than custom or semi-custom kitchen cabinet selections.

"Some manufacturers offer stock kitchen cabinets in a variety of standard sizes to meet each kitchen’s storage needs. And many options and features are available to give the homeowner flexibility in design," said Edwards.

When selecting kitchen cabinets, Edwards suggests that homeowners ask themselves the following questions: do the cabinets provide the type of options that will make the kitchen function well? Are there plenty of selections in cabinet styles, with a range of finishes? And, do the cabinet selections have good basic construction and a reliable warranty?

To get the best cabinety and exactly the options your budget allows, several features should be considered. These include: cabinet type (wood species, man-made laminate or veneer); style; quality of construction; specialty cabinets; and accessories.

Wood Species And Finish Selection

If you’re working within a limited budget, you can choose from an array of attractive laminates or wood veneer cabinets constructed of sturdy particle board. Higher-end laminates with a greater variety of color and texture selections are available for more generous budgets. An alternative material is Thermo Foil, a high-tech vinyl which gives a seamless look to door fronts and can be shaped in the manufacturing process allowing for a number of patterns.

Thermo Foil is found most often in white with an attractive textured finish. At this price point, you can also opt for wood—oaks and maples—in a range of finishes. Doors and drawer fronts can be solid wood, with veneer most common.

High-end options include high-gloss laminates in sleek European styles as well as wood cabinets in oak, maple, cherry and hickory featuring solid door and drawer fronts and an extensive range of colors and finishes.

Kitchen Cabinet Styles

For smaller budgets, kitchen cabinet selection options include basic door styles in laminates and veneers. Woods and Thermo Foil styles offer a wider range of detailing, such as cathedral door patterns and molded edges. Styles in wood range from sophisticated, contemporary and Shaker to more intricate, traditional looks.

"The more detailed the style, the more expensive the cabinet will be," said Edwards. Indeed, while you might appreciate raised-panel doors for their classic beauty, be prepared for a higher price tag. As a less costly alternative, you may want to consider recessed-paneled door styles instead.

Full-overlay styles, in which door and drawer fronts cover the cabinet frame can provide a clean, uncluttered look for those with a more flexible budget. You can also consider glass doors for added distinction, but again, they’ll cost more.

Kitchen Cabinet Construction

According to Edwards, cabinets in all price ranges should have sturdy construction and solid hardwood frames. Expect shelves to be at least a 1/2-inch thick and adjustable. Interiors and exteriors should have an easy-care finish and the cabinets should come with at least a one-year warranty.

Shelf thicknesses on higher-end stock cabinets can run from 5/8-inch to 3/4-inch thick. Upgrade options to consider include solid wood drawers and plywood sides with a matching wood veneer finish.
Look for cabinets with smooth-running drawer glides for easy operation. If your budget allows, select cabinets with quiet, self-closing drawer glides. Higher-end cabinets will feature under-mount glides that reduce dust collection and provide more drawer space.

Specialty Cabinets

You can keep your costs down by sticking to simple base and wall cabinets. However, it may be worth the added expense to choose one or even two specialty cabinets such as a lazy Susan or an angled cabinet which can provide added convenience and better use of space. You may even want to include a built-in desk or a utility cabinet to store cleaning supplies.

Kitchen Cabinet Accessories

Accessories will also increase costs, but with budget permitting, you can have some fun here. Items to consider are cookbook racks, cutlery dividers, bread boxes, message centers, appliance garages, spice shelves and recycling centers to name just a few of the many options available.

Kitchen Cabinet Hardware

Many manufacturers offer simple stock cabinets with bevel-edged doors and drawers making knobs and pulls unnecessary and eliminating additional cost. Moderately-priced hardware options include plated brass and ceramic knobs and pulls. Solid brass, black nickel and hand-painted porcelain are popular higher-end options.

Most likely, you will not have a choice as to hinges in stock cabinetry. The most basic cabinets will generally feature adjustable hinges as standard, with more expensive lines offering fully-concealed, self-closing hinges as standard.

Customize Stock Kitchen Cabinets With Molding

For a relatively affordable way to add personal flair to stock cabinets, consider trimming the cabinets or coutertop edges with a single strip of molding. If you have some flexibility in your budget, you may want to select more detailed moldings such as crown, rope, dentil or plate rail, or combine a number of these to create a unique look for your kitchen.

"For every style preference and for any budget requirement, a stock cabinet exists to meet those needs," said Edwards. The options are nearly endless, but with careful, informed selections, you can make an excellent investment in quality stock cabinetry reflecting personal taste and bringing years of enjoyment.
Timberlake cabinets are available through exclusive distributors and dealers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

For more information on Timberlake cabinets or the location of the nearest Timberlake dealer, visit Timberlake Cabinet Company online at www.timberlake.com.

Courtesy: Home Improvement News and Information Center