Custom vs. Factory Made Kitchen Cabinets
When choosing to renovate your kitchen, there are many things to consider and one of the major ones are your cabinets. The cost for new cabinetry can usually eat up 60% or more of your remodeling budget, so the decision to keep your old ones or move forward with new furnishings really requires some thought. Larger remodeling jobs usually entail adding space or repositioning kitchen furnishings so it is a good idea to consult a design team as well and they are usually a good reference point for questions about your cabinets. Generally speaking cabinetry is broken down into three major categories that include: ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom and custom made cabinets and as you move closer to the latter the price goes quite a bit. The variation between the two ends of the spectrum is generally between $50/foot to something in the neighborhood of $1200/foot. The name of the game is to choose wisely!
The 4 Kitchen Cabinetry Categories
Ready-to-Assemble (RTA)
This is the closest concept to out-of-the-box cabinetry and you can find RTA furnishings at many of chain home improvement stores. This is also the cheapest way to go with new cabinetry and for that reason you will slightly limited on the variables such as: color, size, materials and style. The reason for the cost-savings with RTA cabinets is because the materials used to build them are less substantial and tends to break down over time. They don’t do well with moisture or much punishment either. If you have never installed cabinets before, this would be the easiest type to do own your own, but just because many of the pieces come pre-fabricated, it doesn’t guarantee you won’t run into some carpentry issues.
Stock
This cabinet option is mass-produced with simple designs and not a lot of leeway for alterations, but they are generally a decent price. They are usually made of everything from particle board and laminate to solid wood, just depends on the maker. This size-specific option generally comes in the 3-inch increments and has a limited number of styles. Stock cabinets can be stylish if you have the right space for them and the price is quite reasonable, but it does not typically include the installation which can be expensive and should probably be done by a professional.
Semi-Custom
As we turn the corner and begin to see the higher quality options, you can expect the price to climb as well. Semi-custom cabinets offer more size options than the types above and they are made of higher quality materials. This type offers lots of choices and styles too which can be very helpful if you are renovating a kitchen and altering the shape of the room to fit your needs. Installation is generally included in this type of cabinet and they range from stock materials with custom facings to made to order furnishings for your specific project. If you can make them work, semi-custom cabinets represent a beautiful option with your personal touch.
Custom
Granite has a beautiful one-of-a-kind look and can be found in many different shades. It is extremely tough and stands up well to scratching and water, but can stain if not sealed regularly. The weight of granite also mean your cabinetry must be strong to support it.When you have factored custom cabinets into your budget, you can expect them to work no matter what variable you throw at the carpenter. Basically any style, color, material or finish you can think of can be used and as the buyer you control all of the variables. Price for custom cabinets prevents it from being an option form many homeowners, but should you have the budget and a challenging space, a skilled carpenter can make artisan cabinets that are totally unique to your project.
What Kitchen Cabinets Do You Desire?
As you can see there is a wide variation for your cabinet choices and it all comes down to what you can afford and the limitation of your space and imagination. Individuals looking for durability and unique style will consider semi-custom or custom made cabinetry, whereas homeowners looking for practical, standard fitting furnishings would be perfectly happy with the clean lines of stock cabinets – really just up to your personal preference.
