Karin Ross Designs Kansas City

Kitchen Cabinets: Why Quality Counts

Story by Karin Ross

In your kitchen, the “furniture” of the space is your cabinets. In most cases, the cabinets you have in place will be one of the first things you and your guests notice about the room. Most designers will tell you – first impressions matter!

Also, the kitchen is the “heart” of the home. It is where you, your family and guests and visitors gather to socialize, prepare food and enjoy each other’s company. It’s also (in many cases) the room that sets the design and mood for the remainder of your home.

The Significance of Quality Kitchen Cabinets

When you begin renovating or designing the inside of your home, what you choose for your kitchen cabinets is extremely important.

From countertops to backsplash and plumbing fixture installation, these choices going to define the overall style of your kitchen, but it’s also going to impact the convenience, longevity, total amount of storage space and layout.

Defining the Quality Standards for Kitchen Cabinets

There are several things to consider when it comes to finding quality kitchen cabinets. Some of these factors include:

Craftsmanship
Construction techniques
Finish
Types of materials used

Due to all the variables, there are a wide range of quality levels available when you begin purchasing kitchen cabinets.

While quality is somewhat a subjective term, there are some general guidelines that define a quality versus a subpar cabinet.

The Basics of a Quality Kitchen Cabinet

When it comes to the quality of kitchen cabinets, there are a few, common-sense standards to follow. For example, denser and thicker materials are much more durable and able to withstand constant use. However, less expensive cabinets that are lightweight and thin will fall apart quickly, even with average amounts of wear and tear.

In most cases, purchasing the lowest priced cabinets isn’t going to be the best option. Generally, these “cheaper” options will have low grade finishes, the drawers will become stuck or begin to wobble, and the doors won’t close. In some cases, the cabinets wind up falling apart altogether.

Even refinishing or painting the cabinets is challenging, or even impossible, unless the surface is constructed of a quality wood veneer or solid wood. As a result, it’s imperative to consider the quality of the cabinets carefully. When you choose quality cabinets to begin with, it will save you quite a bit of stress and money.

Construction and Materials

The type of materials that are used will significantly impact the cabinet’s quality. Additionally, the way the cabinets are put together will play a huge role in their overall quality. Function, longevity and durability are all directly related to the materials used for the cabinet’s construction. Plywood is a premium option for cabinet boxes, along with solid wood as the face frame. Medium density fibreboard and particle board are lower quality options that can be easily damaged by even small amounts of moisture.

Some other quality features to look for include a hanging rail made of solid hardwood, and box reinforcements, such as corner braces and I-beams, along with a ¾ inch front frame made of solid wood.