6 Things to Know When Buying Cabinets
1. Cabinet Styles
You can choose from three styles of cabinets. The
traditional style reveals the frame with smaller doors.
Full overlay doors, similar to European style, cover
nearly the full frame. European style cabinets also
have full doors but have a frameless construction.
Inset doors close flush with the frame.

2. Wood species
Today cabinet makers offer plenty of choices
regarding the wood used in your cabinets. Couple
the wood choice with the number of stains and
mind-boggling.

Oak - A long-time favorite that has recently slipped in
popularity. This wood offers a large and prominent
grain that makes Oak so distinctive. Medium hued
stains are typically used.

Cherry - Very popular recently although more
expensive than most other species. It has small even
grain. If you see a section of very light wood, replace
the piece as this is the sap wood. Cherry can be
stained naturally (clear), but traditionally it has been
stained dark with deep red tones to play up the
natural red color of the wood. Cherry is also unique
as it will darken as it ages.

Maple - With an even grain, Maple is known for its
light color, one of the lightest of all wood species. As
a result, most people use Maple with a natural stain
or a very light stain.

Birch - Given its light color and even grain, many
people mistake Birch for Maple. It too is usually
stained natural or light.

Ash - Often used for painted trim due to its color
variations, people are now using Ash to turn its
varied color into interesting cabinets with natural to
medium stains.

Painted - More expensive and custom painted
cabinets will use a high quality hard enamel paint.
Mass produced and even semi-custom cabinets
frequently use a thermofoil laminate over the wood
substrate, especially for white and almond cabinets.
This finish can range from very high gloss to a very
small "pebbly" look. With custom painted cabinets,
you can also have two color tones or rub offs where
a second color shows through (almost like
highlights) in areas that have literally had the top
coat of paint rubbed off.

3. Doors
Cabinet doors should always be solid wood for the
best quality. (Thermofoil painted doors can be
applied to a particle board or MDF - synthetic wood -
substrates.) Styles abound with different profiles,
accents, plain, and fluted. Cathedral style doors
(with an arch at the top) are usually only used on
upper cabinets. When you are looking at cabinets,
make sure that no gaps exist between the joints or
mitered (45 degree angle) cuts. Check that the doors
are plumb (lay flat) and square (90 degree angled
corners). Also look for any cracks in the wood. Any
defects like these should be sent back and replaced.

4. Drawers
Many lesser quality cabinets can look great once
they are hung as most doors are usually pretty good
and solid. But open the drawer to get a true idea of
the cabinet's quality and craftsmanship. The best
cabinet drawers have dove-tail joints. These are like
teeth that fit together and give added strength to the
corners. They also should be glued and even nailed
with wire brads (small nails with practically no head).
Cheaper cabinets will just put two perpendicular
pieces together and nail them. Over a few years, the
opening and shutting (or banging, if you have kids)
of the drawers will loosen the nails, and the joint will
begin to open, and the drawer begin to fail.

In addition, the best cabinets use metal drawer
guides. These can be on the sides or bottom of the
drawer. Metal withstands greater pressure and bear
to break or bend unlike plastic will becomes brittle
with age and wear.

With custom cabinets, you can also choose drawers
that slide all the way out unlike standard drawers
which stop about 3/4 to 7/8 of the way.

5. Frames
Very few makers use solid wood frames. Why? It's
extra money for parts that aren't seen. Particle
board, MDF, or plywood is typically used in all
except the front frame which should be solid wood to
match your door. Sometimes the front of the frame
will be veneer (a thin slice of finish wood laminated
to a plywood substrate). If an end is butting up to
another cabinet, it is frequently left unfinished - like
the back - except for "out of the box" units (literally
finished cabinets you buy in a box). Exposed sides
are usually finished with a veneer. However, I have
also seen cabinet sides finished with a wood-look
vinyl laminate on really cheap cabinets. For a truly
finished look in custom or semi-custom cabinets,
order a wood panel like a door front that will be
added to an exposed side.

6. Refrigerator or dishwasher panels
With custom cabinets, you can also order fronts for
your appliances. Be sure to check that your make
and model allows for cabinetry and provide the
model and specifications to your cabinet maker.

Choosing cabinets involves many decisions. It helps
to be prepared and knowledgeable before you start
the purchasing process. However, your cabinets are
truly one of the most important elements of your
kitchen design and look so take care to make the
best decision.
About The Author
Julie Lohmeier is the veteran of numerous home remodeling and building projects.
From working hands on and doing much of the work herself to hiring contractors and
construction managers, she has seen the entire spectrum of home improvement.
She shares her remodeling tips, home decorating ideas, and other various rants at
http://www.myhomeredux.com. Sign up for her free email newsletter at:
http://myhomeredux.typepad.com/blog/2005/09/get_my_home_red_2.html. Copyright ©
2006, Julie Lohmeier, http://www.myhomeredux.com.