Popham Construction
Cabinets
TO HELP OUR CLIENTS…
Choosing cabinets is a big decision since they can consume a large part of your remodeling budget. This information sheet is provided to help you make an educated decision. At the bottom of this page, we’ve included a few brand websites for you to explore. Popham does not endorse these resources, but only supplies them as a convenient source of information.
Popham also encourages you to visit local business resources such as Lensing Home Consultants Center and Kight Home Center to view samples in person.
Planning
The best cabinet decisions start with good planning. The more specific you can be about what you desire, the easier it will be to narrow your choices from the vast array of cabinets available.
- Will cabinets be a long-term investment or is there a possibility that you might move? Kitchen cabinets, particularly the drawers, take a lot of punishment so paying for durability is a wise investment.
- How much storage space do you need?
- What style is your home or your preferred decor?
- Set a budget that includes the hardware needed.
- Cabinets can be a large investment, so it is advisable to seek advice from a professional cabinet consultant as well as educating yourself about the basics.
How Cabinets are Manufactured
These terms do not relate to the quality of cabinets but rather, how they’re manufactured.
- STOCK CABINETS – Pre-manufactured in specific sizes. They are off-the-shelf products in a limited range of styles.
- SEMI-CUSTOM CABINETS – Like stock in that they’re also pre-manufactured but come with a wider array of options and sizes than pure stock cabinets.
- CUSTOM CABINETS – Built to the customer’s specifications, with no limitation on size, style choices, wood grade, or finish. They are truly made-to-order. Custom cabinets don’t necessarily imply quality cabinetry. Hand-built cabinets can still be poorly constructed. Conversely, stock cabinets that are produced in mass quantities and limited sizes can also be manufactured with solid construction and quality materials.
Be Informed
Cabinets are made with a variety of construction techniques using different materials that affect quality. It is advantageous to understand the differences in cabinet construction and materials and how those elements impact their quality and durability.
Materials
Cabinet materials include particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard), plywood, solid wood, metal, and laminate/melamine (the laminate or melamine is laid over the particle board or similar substrate). You’ll typically see plywood as an upgrade from particle board or MDF from many cabinet makers. Also, be watchful for the terms “solid wood” or “all wood” as it pertains to cabinet construction in a manufacturer’s literature. “Solid wood” should represent whole, uniform lumber, not a fabrication or wood composite, like particle board, MDF, or even plywood. “All wood” is slightly different in that it usually means all-plywood construction or a combination of plywood and solid wood. When shopping for cabinets, make sure to find out the exact material, so you don’t run into any surprises.
Construction and Design
Cabinets are constructed in one of two different design styles – framed or frameless. Framed cabinets employ a wood frame that outlines the front of the cabinet box. Frameless cabinets do not have this feature. Also, the joinery and techniques used to assemble and support cabinets vary. Structural braces are made from plastic, wood, or metal. Methods of joinery include hot-glue, staples, and nails, or more intricate woodworking techniques like dovetails and dadoes.
Hardware
Drawer slides vary in level of quality (some use ball bearings whereas others use nylon wheels/rollers) and physical location on the drawer (side mount or on the bottom) which affects available drawer space. Shelf mounting brackets can be either plastic or metal. Please review our Cabinet & Drawer Hardware information sheet regarding pulls, knobs, and hinges.