Kitchen cabinets are one of the most expensive components of a kitchen renovation. There are many choices of cabinetry, from Home Depot to custom, luxury brands.
Top five features to consider when purchasing new kitchen cabinets:
1) Cabinet Box
The cabinet box is comprised of the top, sides, back and bottom. All of these components are crucial to the strength of the cabinet and how long it will last. Generally, cabinets are made of two different kinds of materials: particle board and veneer-core plywood. Always choose the plywood option. Also pay attention to the thickness of the boards; wood that is at least a half an inch thick is best.
2) Shelves and Interiors
The materials and thickness of the shelves is also important. Thicker wood, rather than thinner particle board, is what you want. The inside of lower-end cabinets may be finished with a faux-wood printed interior. In a higher quality cabinet, the finish is a natural wood interior.
3) Drawers
Quality drawers are constructed of solid wood, not the plywood veneer like the cabinets, with dovetail sides, not staples or glue. The thickness of the sides should be at least 5/8" and the bottom of the drawer should be at least 3/8" thick. Avoid low-end cabinets with drawer bottoms around 1/4" thick.
4) Full-Extension Drawer Glides
When you open your drawer, does it open all the way so you can see inside the entire drawer or does it stop with an inch of the drawer hidden inside the frame? Full-extension glides are a feature you’ll regret passing up. It is best to find a cabinet line that offers full-extension glides as a standard feature rather than a costly upgrade.
5) Soft-Close Drawers
Another nice touch is the “soft-close” feature which keeps your drawers from slamming shut. At the point the drawer is almost closed, the drawer will slow down and close gently. Like drawer glides, it’s more cost-effective to find a cabinet line that offers this as a standard feature.
In addition to these key features, look for a cabinet line that offers a wide variety of door styles and finishes so you can easily craft a look suits your style.
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