When you are considering the use of custom cabinets in your home, you’ve probably wondered how to go about getting your dream cabinets. There are several steps that cabinet builders follow. Here, we’ll discuss the different design processes, materials, construction techniques, and final approval of the design. Following these steps will help you create the cabinets of your dreams!
Designing Your Custom Cabinets
The design process is arguably the most crucial part of custom cabinetmaking. You can work closely with the cabinetmaker or do some research and just type in cabinet builders near me to ensure that they understand what you are looking for and that they can deliver on your expectations. It would help if you took special note of cabinet heights, shelf spacing, and the material and style of the doors and drawer fronts. You must also consider special requests, such as a built-in soft closing hinge, to prevent slamming.
Choosing the right type of cabinetry is crucial in any renovation. While some contractors often use the term “custom” term ” vaguely, this word should be taken seriously. The term “custom” should mean cabinets specifically designed for one house. On the other hand, pre-fabricated and semi-custom cabinets are mass-produced by cabinet companies with predetermined dimensions. Because of this, cabinet installers often must use fillers and spacers to make them look as if they’ll fit, wasting space and creating awkward gaps between the sections.
Materials
There are a variety of materials to choose from when you’re designing your kitchen. You can choose solid wood, veneers, or laminates, often used in cabinets. While you can choose solid wood, there are some drawbacks. Solid wood can warp if you live in a humid environment or a warm climate. Fortunately, marine-grade plywood is an excellent choice, emitting fewer VOCs than solid-wood cabinets.
On the other hand, MDF is a structurally-sound material created by binding wood fibers together. MDF is made of medium-density fiberboard and sometimes contains formaldehyde. You can choose a manufacturer that uses low-VOC materials, but it’s best to be aware of the potential drawbacks and benefits.
The face frame is the front part of the cabinet. Typically made of solid wood, it conceals the edges of the cabinet and provides areas for installing cabinet hardware. A high-quality cabinet will have a solid wood face frame and drawer fronts. You can even choose to add an apron or crown molding to your custom cabinets. But make sure you ask about the quality of the drawers before making a purchase.
Construction Techniques
The most straightforward construction technique for custom cabinets involves glue and finish nails – but these are often set just below the surface. Next, wood putty is used to fill in any holes. Most cabinets feature a raised bottom shelf (or “toe space”), and the kickboard is cut with a saber saw. Once the cabinet frame is installed, doors and drawer fronts are attached using self-starting wood screws and glued blocks from the backside.
Custom cabinets offer more than just storage space to create an impressive appearance. They feature remarkable storage options that will improve the efficiency of even the most compact kitchen. Accessories range from revolving can racks in pantry cabinets to pull-out wire pantries, spice racks, and recycling bins. Pull-out base trays, shelves, and special pull-outs for baking sheets are among the many additional cabinet additions. Cabinet manufacturers offer a range of accessories as extensions of their lines, while independent suppliers also provide many more.
Cost of Custom Cabinets
When comparing the costs of custom cabinets and stock cabinets, it’s essential to make sure that you know exactly what you want. This is because custom cabinet makers will include installation in the cabinets’ price. While stock and semi-custom cabinets can only quote you a price, they don’t provide installation service. Therefore, it’s essential to have a detailed list of questions prepared before seeking an estimate. The following are some of the questions you should ask.
The price of the labor to build cabinets starts from $1,111 per cabinet. The actual cost depends on the size of the project, the materials, and the options you choose. Basic labor costs will include the planning, materials, equipment, and site preparation. Other costs include fasteners, connectors, and surface preparation. Additional expenses include specialty equipment and tools like a pneumatic finish nailer, a 10″ miter, a 3″ belt sander, and an electric planer.
