Kitchen Renovation FAQs – Are Custom Kitchen Cabinets Worth It?
If you’re looking at remodeling or renovating your kitchen then you’re probably thinking about your kitchen cabinets and whether to go with stock cabinets or to get them built custom. You might be wondering if it’s worth it to get custom kitchen cabinets. There isn’t a simple answer to this question since every person’s circumstance is unique, particularly in terms of budget and design requirements. However, it’s helpful to understand the advantages and disadvantages of custom cabinets. That is precisely what we’re discussing on this article today.
Reasons Why Custom Kitchen Cabinets Are Worth It
Higher Quality
The basic fact is that, in general, custom cabinets are generally of greater quality than semi-custom or stock cabinets. Most standard cabinetry is made from readily accessible, low-cost materials. Because of this, they frequently substitute wood with MDF (Medium-density fiber board), resulting in cabinets that typically start to disintegrate within a few years. However, one of the biggest advantages of customized kitchen cabinets is that they have been created with high-quality components, rendering them more resilient than their generic counterparts.
Customized for Your Kitchen
Custom cabinets offer more flexibility when creating your perfect kitchen. Most of the time, stock cabinetry follow the “one size fits all” principle. They frequently include cabinet units made to fit into typical locations without considering how your specific space and layout will be used. Your family’s needs are distinct and personal to you, which is why customized kitchen cabinets are a good option to take into account. Instead of changing how you use your kitchen, custom cabinet manufacturers make kitchen cabinets work for your needs.
Increase the Value of Your Home
Aside from higher-quality and customizability, the fact that custom kitchen cabinets increase the value of your home is yet another reason why they are worth the investment. Custom kitchen cabinets are one of the best ways to increase the value of a home, while maintaining its stunning appearance. Most homes have standard cabinets, meaning you will have an edge in terms of how home buyers view your home. A knock-out kitchen will differentiate your property from others on the market and, add value to your home.
Cons of Custom Kitchen Cabinets
It’s time to discuss some of the drawbacks of custom kitchen cabinets.
Repair and Maintenance
A specialized millworker or a cabinet manufacturer is the best able to attend any issues that you may come across with your kitchen over time. Unlike stock cabinets, cabinet boxes or doors may not be easily replaceable by off-the-shelf options. This implies that the cost of repairs will be higher than replacing standard cabinetry parts.
Duration of Manufacturing
Simply put, custom cabinets take longer than purchasing premade, stock cabinets. Your contractor will need to measure your space in detail and every component of your custom kitchen will need to be manufactured. This timeline depends on how busy the shop is, but can be anywhere between 3 to 10 weeks, depending on your contractor and the time of the year. (hot tip: summer is the busiest time of the year)
Material Quality
As time passes, trends and fashions come and go. If you are a fan of traditional kitchens with wood cabinet boxes and natural oak or maple doors, you can be sure that your kitchen will last you quite a long time. If you are planning on keeping up with the latest in the interior design world, or if you’ve based your kitchen renovation on an inspiration image from Instagram, we recommend you to request product samples from your contractor prior to start of fabrication. Sometimes latest trends, though may be visually appealing, can let you down when it comes to longevity. A kitchen renovation is a serious undertaking, and you always want to make sure you do it right the first time!
What Other Options Are There Apart From Custom Cabinetry?
When it comes to cabinetry, there are two more choices:
- Stock Cabinets
- Semi-custom Cabinets
You can buy ready-to-go stock cabinets from a vendor. They are available in fixed styles and uniform sizes. Bulk production of them is common. These pre-assembled solutions are typically constructed of particle board. Collectively, these reduce expenses, making stock cabinets a cost-effective choice. Stock cabinets are also advantageous when it comes to speed of construction. Because they are typically readily available, if you wish to get your project underway immediately, they can be a good option for you. The thing to bear in mind with stock cabinetry is that one size doesn’t fit all in real life. Not every kitchen has straight rectangular walls with no windows. This being the case, you may have to make some sacrifices in terms of space and functionality when using stock cabinets.
The semi-custom cabinet is the next level up. As the name suggests, it falls between stock cabinets and customized cabinets. They often come in a predefined style, similar to stock cabinets. You have the ability to customize, unlike the standard option. What you’re able to modify varies depending on the millwork contractor.
How Custom Cabinets are Built
Cabinets must always have a stiff, solid chipboard, MDF, or high-quality plywood (usually birch or maple). As it is a good match for many applications, reputable cabinetry firms may still provide greater quality melamine products mounted on particle boards.
Is it Cheaper to Make Your Own Kitchen Cabinets?
Making a kitchen cabinet is only possible if you have ample time, a garage filled with tools and at least an intermediate woodworking skill set. Building your own custom cabinets is simply not feasible or cost-effective unless you have these prerequisites. Without them, it’s best to find a manufacturer that specializes in cabinet making.
Why do Customized Kitchen Cabinets Cost So Much?
Custom kitchen require time to design, procure materials for, manufacture and install. Unlike stock cabinets which are simply determined by the length of your kitchen walls, a lot of thought goes into what’s the best way to design your custom kitchen to suit your needs, suit your kitchen layout, satisfy your aesthetic requirements and be made to last the test of time. In addition to the time required to design a custom kitchen, material procurement is typically also more complex due to the vast number of options available. Natural wood doors, glass cupboards, two-tone cabinetry, built-in appliances. The possibilities are endless.
Final Thoughts
Your kitchen is, without question, one of the most important rooms in your home. When it comes to kitchen cabinets, consider the importance of customization. Should your cabinets be built based on your specific needs? Stock cabinetry don’t offer the same level of quality or customization. Nor will they help to increase the value of your home. On the other hand, choosing custom cabinets is more expensive. Consulting with an expert first will help introduce you to options available and help you to decide which approach to take in your home.www.quayconstruction.cainfo@quayconstruction.ca(778) 697-9924
