When you are picking out cabinets it is so hard to understand the terms used. Here is some that many have come across.
CABINETRY FAQ
1. What services do you offer?
Unlike other companies, we do not charge for our bids, measures or auto cad drawings. This is part of our customer service.
Upon contacting us with your project, we will go over the cabinetry and countertop choices available. The range of choices is vast and is growing each day. We will be able to help you with this so it does not seem so overwhelming.
We will also show you the wide variety of options available in each cabinet line and assist you in choosing cabinetry and countertops that will fit your lifestyle, décor and budget.
We will precisely measure your project to ensure that when you order your cabinets are accurate the first time. Back to top
2. What is the difference between stock cabinets & semi-custom cabinets?
This is a common question. It comes down to a matter of sizes, available options and price.
Stock Cabinets:
They offer standard sizes. Stock cabinets offer less customization and available options. They are often (but not always) less expensive.
Semi-Custom Cabinets:
With semi-custom cabinets, you get a wider range of sizes in width, depth, height, etc. You also have greater flexibility and many more options such as wood specie, stains, glazes, etc. Another advantage to semi-custom cabinets is that you do not incur the high price of true custom-built cabinets. Back to top
3. I know there are many types of wood, what species do you carry & how do I choose?
Each species of wood has its own characteristics and it is important for you to have an understanding of this so that when you choose, you will not be disappointed.
The cabinet lines we carry offer Oak, Quartersawn Oak, Maple, Cherry, Alder, Hickory and Birch. Shiloh and Prestige cabinets offer their oak, maple, cherry & hickory cabinets in Rustic often called knotty. Wellborn offers a “character grade” maple with knots and mineral streaks. Back to top
4. What are the different characteristics of wood?
Birch: A medium density hardwood with a fine, moderate grain pattern. The predominant sapwood color is white to a creamy yellow, while the heartwood varies in color from medium or dark brown to reddish brown.
Oak: A strong, open grained wood that has a range in color of white, yellow and pink. Red Oak is sometimes streaked with green, yellow and black mineral deposits and may contain some wide grain.
Quartersawn Oak: - This refers to the method of cutting the oak. Boards are cut through the radius of the rings allowing wavy grain and flaked patterns on the face.
Cherry: An elegant, multi-colored hardwood. It may contain small knots and pinholes. Natural or light stains accent these color variations making a distinctive statement. Cherry wood will darken or “mellow” with age. This mellowing is a natural occurrence and the benefit of owning a Cherry kitchen.
Maple: A hard, strong, close-grained wood that is predominately off-white in color, although it also contains light hues of yellow-brown and pink. It can also have a varied sheen, a blotchy appearance or a satiny look. This is the beauty of maple not a defect. Hard maple occasionally contains light tan or small dark mineral streaks.
Hickory: A strong, open grained wood that is known for its wide variation in color. It is not uncommon to see doors or parts of doors that range in color from light to a deep brown when finished in light or natural stains. Darker stains will mildly tone these color variations. These characteristics are what make each Hickory kitchen unique.
Alder: A light weight wood that has a straight fine grain simliar to cherry. It is an elegant wood that is generally less than cherry but much softer of a wood. If you decide you want Alder you need to understand the softness of the wood. Back to top
5. Do you carry Alder?
Yes, we do carry Alder. However, Alder is moderately light in weight. And although it is classified as a hardwood, it is considerably softer than other hardwood species. While being a straight fine-grained species similar to cherry, it is commonly called ‘the poor mans cherry’. Back to top
6. What cabinet lines do you carry?
We carry Kraftmaid, Prestige, Quality, and Shiloh. Back to top
7. How can I tell what the cabinets will actually look like in my home?
It is very important that to make sure you will be happy with the look and feel of your cabinets. That is why we offer full-size samples for you to take with you. This way you can see how they look with your choices in countertops, flooring, wall colors, lighting and your décor.
It is important to us that you are completely happy with your choices. We will also work with you in designing your project and will provide you with drawings and elevations so you can see what your cabinetry will look like. Back to top
8. What is the difference between standard & full overlay doors?
The difference is in how much the door covers (overlays) the cabinet face. The pictures below show both types of doors. The photo on the top shows a standard overlay where the cabinet door does not quite cover the cabinet face.
The picture on the bottom shows a full overlay door and as you can see - the door fully covers the cabinet face.
9. I do not want to have any handles on my cabinets. What do I need to know to be sure I order correctly?
Handles are mandatory with full overlay doors (see images above), because there is no room to get your fingers behind the doors or under the drawers to open them.
If you are truly set against handles and knobs, you will have to order standard overlay. Back to top
10. How long does it take to get cabinets, once they are ordered?
This varies, depending on the manufacturer you chose. In general, however, we can get cabinets from as quickly as 3 weeks after they are ordered but up to 8 to 10 weeks after ordering. Generally, however, the lead times are 4 weeks. Back to top
11. Can you give me a cabinet price per lineal foot?
Due to the diversity and wide variety in wood species, door styles, finishes, construction, sizes, various options it impossible to price by the foot. We base our pricing on the actual cabinets you choose, color, wood specie, your individual layout, design, your chosen options, etc. This way you get an accurate bid with no surprises. Back to top
12. What can I do with a limited budget?
There are many things you can do with cabinetry & countertops that will lower the overall cost without impacting the look that you want. Ask us for creative ways to work within your budget. Back to top
13. What makes a kitchen remodel either more or less expensive?
Generally, cabinets account for roughly 50% of the total cost of your project and will therefore have the greatest impact on your budget. They range in price considerably based on the quality, the type of material they are made of, etc.
The material you choose for surfaces including counters, backsplashes and floors can also account for wide variations in price, as natural stone such as granite & marble and engineered stone such as Cambria & Caesar Stone are more expensive than laminates, however they last much longer.
Just like any other industry, you get what you pay for. While it may cost a bit more to work with an experienced designer, and a skilled installation crew, their expertise can actually save you from making costly mistakes. Back to top
14. We do not yet have a contractor to work with. What do you recommend?
We work with many contractors and subcontractors in the area and would be happy to recommend several you can contact. Back to top
15. I already have a contractor I trust that I want to have install my cabinets; does this work?
If you have someone that you already know and trust, we will be happy to work with him or her. Back to top
16. When do I need to decide on appliances?
As soon as possible. Your appliance specifications (dimensions, descriptions, etc) are critical in the design of your project. Without your appliance specifications, we cannot insure that they will fit and will be unable design you kitchen accurately. Back to top
