A generation ago, nearly all cabinets were custom built. While some homeowners still think that custom cabinetry has a special cachet, the vast majority of professionals believe that factory-make cabinets offer superior fit and finish characteristics. Today, factory-built kitchen cabinets come in a wide array of styles, woods and finishes, with something to fit every taste and budge. Many cabinet modules manufactured primarily for use in kitchens can serve as the basis for built-ins in other rooms.

One option to explore is semi-custom cabinetry. Semi-custom cabinets feature components that are factory make to suit a specific kitchen. Stock sizes are used to fill most of the space, while a few components are custom made to meet site-specific needs.

Another option is to stick with the stock cabinet lines. These consist of mix-and-match components starting at 9 inches in width and graduating in 3-inch increments to about 60 inches wide. Because the manufacturer builds these units in a high-volume, assembly-line fashion, stock cabinets are generally the most affordable.

Kitchen Cabinet Construction

The vast majority of cabinets sold today fall into one of two categories: face-frame cabinets and frameless cabinets. American-style cabinets have face-frame rails (horizontal members) and stiles (vertical members), usually made of solid wood. The drawers and doors close against these frame pieces. European-style cabinets, on the other hand, have no face frames, and are thus described as “frameless.” The doors are hinged from the sides and overlap the front edges on the cabinet sides and bottoms. Frameless cabinets generally have doors mounted with European-style hinges, which are not visible when doors are closed. Which is better—face frame or frame or frameless—is largely a matter of visual preference, though frameless cabinets offer more unobstructed access. Otherwise they function in the same way and are made from virtually the same materials.

Construction of cabinet carcasses (the box minus the drawers or drawers) differs in the thickness and quality of the materials used. The best cabinet carcasses are made with high-grade veneer plywood. When plywood isn’t used, particleboard or medium-density fiberboard (MDF) takes its place. For the sake of your own health and for the environment, it’s best to choose cabinets made from formaldehyde-free materials.

The material used for shelving is usually the same as that used to construct the carcase. If you have the option, it’s better to specify thicker shelves. For instance, it’s always a good idea to upgrade from ½-inch to ¾-inch shelving. The better the cabinetry, the deeper the shelves will be in the base cabinets, and the more shelves there will be in the wall cabinets. Three shelves for wall cabinets—instead of one or two—are always a better idea. And all shelves should be adjustable.

Kitchen Cabinet Doors and Drawers

Doors and drawer fronts further define cabinet styles, and while variations abound, most fall into a few basic design groups: flat panels, raised panels, glass panel and one-piece slabs, made either of solid wood or manufactured panels. The most expensive doors and drawers are always made of solid wood. The rarer the wood species, like cherry and walnut, the higher the cost. To keep costs down, many manufacturers now use quality hardwood veneers in place of solid wood. In the best examples, you can’t see the difference. The savings are substantial and with though, factory-applied finishes, premium-grade veneer doors and drawer fronts will last indefinitely.

When comparing drawer box construction, look for solid wood and sturdy drawer glides. Drawer glides range in capacity from 50 to 150 pounds. When choosing glides, think about how much stuff you’ll be putting in the drawers, then add to this the weight of a young child swinging on the end. The best drawer glides are full-extension, two-piece affairs that run on bearings and open almost all the way to the back of the drawer.

Kitchen Cabinet Storage Accessories

It goes without saying that kitchen and bath cabinets should be well built and beautiful, but they should also offer efficient storage and convenience.  Look for the options that promote maximum use of and access to the storage space—an aids to keeping it all organized. Divided kitchen drawers, pullout cutting boards, roll-out shelves, lazy susans and easy-access pantry accessories are hallmarks of a carefully planned kitchen.

Kitchen Cabinet Finishes

While stain and lacquer are still used for some cabinet finishes—especially in custom cabinets—most of the better factory units are sealed with a catalyzed-conversion varnish, which is very durable. In this respect, factory cabinets have a big edge over their custom-built cousins. Another option for medium-density fiberboard cabinets is a pigmented polyester finish, applied in multiple layers in a tightly controlled environment. It’s labor-intensive and therefore expensive. But the resulting finish is very tough and has a high luster, which makes it easy to wipe clean. Environmentally conscious remodelers will opt for low-VOC finishes.

Thermofoil finishes are another option for cabinets. This process uses PVC plastic, which is heat-bonded to the surface of fiberboard panels. It’s popular on medium-priced white cabinets because it offers a durable, seamless surface that is very affordable. And finally, some cabinets are made with various manufactured panels that are covered with plastic laminate. This gives you a great choice of different colors in a finish that is sturdy and very easy to keep clean.