Custom Cabinetry 101: Need to Know Basics!

When beginning a home renovation, most people start where it’s easiest - online. If you're planning a kitchen remodel, browsing inspiration and researching options for tile, flooring, and custom cabinetry can be incredibly helpful in shaping your vision. But once you start digging into cabinetry, the internet quickly becomes a maze of conflicting opinions and overwhelming choices. So, who should you trust, and how do you separate opinion from fact?

At Revival House, we believe the best way to design a space you truly love is by having clear, unbiased information from the start. That’s why today’s post is all about cutting through the noise with Custom Cabinetry 101: the Basics you Need to Know!

What is custom cabinetry?

Custom means that, if and when possible, you can get exactly what you want. While a semi-custom line might have many (but still limited) options, custom cabinetry is not limited by

• wood species - as long as it can be sourced, you could make cabinets out of a tree from your backyard, walnut burl wood, reclaimed boards, or any other kind of suitable material.
• finish - paint, stain, or specialty finish. Maybe you match your new cabinets to existing cabinetry, maybe you want sparkles or cabinets that are painted to look like stone...
• dimensions - as long as the cabinetry is structurally sound, custom cabinets can be any height, width, or depth
• form - cabinets don't always have to be square, you could get curved cabinets, wavy crown moulding, a door shaped like a cat...

Truly custom cabinetry is only limited by your imagination and your ability to find the materials and craftspeople able to bring your vision to life. 

Shop Made vs. Factory Made

Custom cabinets may be crafted and finished in a shop or in a factory. We are going to break down the pros and cons to each!

Factory-Made Advantages

•  There is typically greater control over the quality and supply of wood and other building materials in factory-made cabinetry, including management of the moisture content in the wood. This makes a difference in the overall quality, consistency, performance, and value of cabinetry.
• Finishes applied in a factory are catalyzed, or “baked” on. This enhances durability and greatly reduces chipping and scratching.
• The advanced machinery that larger factories have allows for higher precision and less variation in the construction of cabinets.

Shop-Made Advantages

• Cabinets can be adjusted on site to perfectly accommodate any changes or surprises.
• The finish is applied on site, so the installer can adjust the finish if necessary.
• Each shop will have or be able to find wood species that a factory might not be willing to use.

Framed vs. Frameless

Framed cabinets have a face frame around the box of the cabinet. The benefit to framed cabinetry is that it offers three different overlay door styles to select from: standard (or partial) overlay, full overlay, or inset. The overlay refers to how much of the face frame remains visible when the door is closed. Because the face frame projects into the opening of the cabinet slightly, framed cabinets offer slightly less space than frameless cabinets. 

Frameless cabinets provide maximum storage space and better accommodate larger platters and cookware. Without the face frame, the drawer box can also be wider compared to a framed cabinet meant to fit into the same space. 

All frameless cabinets have a full overlay door style. The full overlay of a frameless cabinet completely covers the entire box, leaving only a 2mm reveal. This creates a sleek, seamless appearance, making it a popular choice for modern, transitional, and contemporary style kitchens.

Solid Wood vs. MDF

Advantages of solid wood

• Resistant to dents.

• In terms of appearance, solid wood is unmatched in its allure. 
• Can be refinished.
• Many species of wood to choose from, each differing in strength, appearance, and cost.

Disadvantages of solid wood

• Susceptible to moisture damage.
• Potential for warping and cracking. Solid woods expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.

What is MDF

MDF is a composite material made by combining recycled wood particles with a resin binder.

Advantages of MDF

• Stable, won't crack or warp.
• Resistant to environmental changes. Stands up to humidity better than solid wood.
• Free of wood blemishes. No knots or wood grain patterns.
• Provides a smooth finish when painted.
• Cheaper than solid wood.

Disadvantages of MDF

• Can’t be used outdoors. Can’t withstand extreme temperatures without damage.
• More susceptible to scratches and dents.
• Can’t be refinished. Once MDF gets scratched, it can’t be repaired. This is unlike wood that can be sanded down to eliminate any damage on the surface.

Choosing a custom cabinet line

There are certain strengths to every cabinetry line. We encourage you to research the products you are interested in so that you can make the best choice for your project and your budget.

Some elements to consider are:

• Cabinet construction (framed or frameless)
• Wood species
• Finish
• Door style
• Customization
• Overall quality of the product
• Customer service and warranty

Once you’ve determined what cabinetry elements are most important to you, your kitchen & bath designer will set you up with the cabinet line best suited for your specific project.

Additional considerations

• Back and side panels should be ½” to ¾” thick on the sides and at least ½” thick on the back.
• Check the number and spacing of shelf holes. Some cabinet manufacturers only drill holes for shelves in the middle of the cabinets. If you want maximum flexibility, you will want shelf holes all the way from top to bottom.

Is the person designing your cabinetry an expert in cabinetry?

A designer who is specifically trained in cabinetry will have the knowledge and experience to provide you with the best cabinetry for your home and your lifestyle. In addition, that person will be able to troubleshoot any problems that may arise during the design and installation process.

Click here to check out our blog on what to look for in a quality designer worth hiring.

We hope this blog serves as a guide as you embark on your next project and taught you a little something along the way. To learn more about custom cabinetry or to start a project with Revival House, contact us!