Consumer Information

Methods for building and assembling cabinets will vary based on manufacturer and the level of quality you pay for. There’s no need to become a master carpenter to be an informed cabinet buyer but there are some terms and construction techniques that you’ll probably encounter, even if it’s just browsing a cabinet maker’s brochure or website.

The important thing to take home on this subject is that there is a relationship between the type of construction and the cabinet’s level of quality and durability.

The following terms describe some common methods of wood cabinet “joinery” (‘joinery’ just being the trade term for how the various wood parts are joined together):

Dovetail joints – this is a strong method of joining two boards together at right angles, such as with drawer boxes. The ends of two boards or panels are notched with v-shaped cutouts that mesh with corresponding notches on the adjoining panel. If they’re tight, these types of joints are considered very solid.

Mortise and tenon – another form of joinery, this method uses a square “post” protruding from one end of a piece of wood that fits into a square hole or cutout in the mating piece. This type of joinery might be used to fasten the pieces of a cabinet’s face frame together

Dado – this is a groove that’s cut into a board or panel that the edge of another board/panel can fit into. A good example is the sides and back of a cabinet drawer that are dadoed to accept the edges of the drawer bottom. It’s a stronger way to ‘capture’ the drawer bottom than just gluing or nailing the drawer bottom edges to the side panels

Rabbet – this is not the kind that Elmer Fudd chases but rather, a notch or step that’s cut into the edge of a board to accept the edge of another board to form a 90-degree angle. It’s similar to a dada cut except one side is left “open”.

Doweled joint – this joinery technique uses round wood dowels (pegs) that are pressed and/or glued half way into holes drilled into one piece of wood. The protruding part of the dowel is then fit into holes drilled into the mating piece of wood. This method is another way to join the sides of drawers or cabinet boxes together.

Butt joint – on a butt joint, the ends of two pieces of material are brought or “butted” together, edge to edge. Some form of mechanical retention like nails, screws or glue is needed to hold this joint together.

Nails, screws, staples, glue – while these aren’t classified as true wood ‘joinery’ techniques, they’re included because they’re also used in a lot of cabinet assemblies. They either reinforce the wood joinery techniques or they’re used alone which makes for less-sturdy construction.

The bottom line on cabinet construction methods is that good joinery techniques where the parts ‘lock’ together or where one piece is captured in the other makes for the strongest joints. Supplemental fastening methods on these joints (such as a mortise and tenon joint plus screws) makes an even stronger connection. Stronger joints equate to more durable cabinets.

The overall quality of kitchen cabinets is closely linked to their construction, meaning how they’re put together and the materials they’re made from. You’ll be wise to pay close attention to these key features, particularly if you expect to live with them for a long time. Parts of your cabinets, particularly the drawers, take a lot of punishment so paying a bit extra for some added durability is a wise investment.

Key points to be aware of include the following:

Materials

They include particle board, MDF (medium density fiberboard), plywood, solid wood, metal and laminate/melamine (the laminate or melamine is laid over the particle board or similar substrate).

Construction and Design

Cabinets are constructed in one of two different design styles: framed or frameless. Framed cabinets employ a wood frame that outlines the front of the cabinet box. Frameless units don’t have this feature. Also, the joinery and techniques used to assemble and support them. Structural braces are made from plastic, wood or metal. Methods of joinery include hot-glue, staples and nails, or, more intricate woodworking techniques like dovetails and dadoes.

Hardware

Door/Drawer hardware varies in quality and durability.

Drawer slides

• Quality: vary in level of quality, some use ball bearings whereas others use nylon wheels/rollers,
• Mounting; physical location on the drawer (sidemount or on the bottom) which affects available drawer space. Shelf mounting brackets can be either plastic or metal.
• Extension: Some hardware allows you to open the drawer all the way others have restrictions.
• Soft close; Drawer hardware is available with soft-close, which stops the drawer from slamming shut, a worthwhile upgrade in the kitchen to avoid drawers slamming

Hinges

Exposed and concealed:

• Exposed hinges are the kind of cabinet hinge you see (or partially see) when the cabinet door is closed. Some have a self-closing feature but many do not. If you want a self-closing hinge you’ll need to specify that when you shop for hinges. Exposed hinges provide the maximum amount of cabinet door opening possible, up to 270 degrees. Limited adjustability and need to be drilled accurately.
• Concealed (European) hinges cannot be seen when the cabinet door is closed. They’re also known as “hidden” hinges. These hinges are 2-way or 3-way adjustable (side-to-side, height, depth). This feature is useful for getting cabinet doors properly aligned with each other. Some Euro style hinges have a built-in self-closing feature. These hinges will pull the door closed when it is close to being shut and will hold it closed. Euro hinges allow for easy removal of the cabinet doors without having to remove the hinges from the cabinet. On some hinges this is achieved by use of a simple clip-on feature. European style hinges offer a range of door opening angles. Examples include 95, 100, 110 and 120-degree opening angles. Larger opening capabilities such as 170-degrees are available but wide-opening Euro-style hinges are often bigger and bulkier than hinges with smaller opening angles.

No Decorative Style

Concealed hinges, as their name implies, are hidden from view and have no real decorative appeal.

• Hinges are manufactured to accommodate different variations in cabinet construction (framed/frameless, door overlay, etc.).
• Some doors have a self-closing or “hands-free” element that will close the door in a controlled manner after you initiate the closing action.

Overhead Cabinets Lift Systems

Lift systems are available for overhead cabinets that open the door like an overhead garage door. Lift systems are available with easy-touch opening action as well as stay-in-place positioning. The mechanism can be adjusted to lift to the height you open it to. It stays there while you’re getting access to contents of the cabinet and the door can still be reached when it’s time to close it, rather than out of reach at a fully opened position.

Setting a budget for your kitchen remodel can be tricky and staying within it sounds so obvious and simple, but it’s harder than you think.

There are several factors in determining a budget for your home; you should consider the following,

How much can you afford to spend? Determining how much money you can spend on your renovation will help you figure out the project scope.

If you’re on a tight budget, skip the nonessentials and focus on convenience. Work-savers include a lazy Susan, a pull-down soap and sponge holder, and deep drawers for pots. Glazing, while nice, typically adds 10 to 20 percent to the cost. Remember to check if installation is included in your prices.

If you feel like getting dirty and saving some money, do some of the easy work yourself like removing out the old cabinets, appliances and flooring.

What is the scope of the project? Will you be tearing out the entire main floor, removing walls, re-framing, electrical and plumbing, or will you keep the same floor plan and install new cabinetry.

How long you plan on staying in your home? If you are planning on selling the home within the next few years, then your kitchen renovation should be viewed as an improvement on a real estate investment. Only spend what you think you will get back. If you plan on staying then spending the extra money could pay off, do a remodel that will make you and your family most comfortable.

Where do you live? Is your neighborhood modest or upscale? Are you able to sell your house for more then what you purchased it for.

Know how the costs will break down.

Labor will consume anywhere from 20 to 35 percent of your project costs. Cabinets can also devour a big chunk of your kitchen remodel budget.

Here’s How it Breaks Down, on Average:

Set aside 15-20 percent of your budget to handle the unexpected.

To make your overall kitchen renovation experience less stressful on your piggy bank, putting some money on the side for the unexpected is recommended.

Almost every kitchen remodel will have a surprise, especially in an older residence. For instance you rip out your drywall and out of date wiring and needs to be updated to meet electrical codes or a leaky water hose behind your dishwasher that has caused floor damage.

Renovation Priority List

What things must you have?

My Renovation Must Have’s:

• Stainless Steel Appliances
• Granite Countertops
• Tile Back Splash
• Hardwood Floors

What’s most important to you? Writing a list of your priorities will help you check of what you wanted to include and what you can exclude if you start exceeding your budget and you’ll still get the top things on your list done. Remember little things add up like custom wood, finishes and accessories.

How will you pay for this project?

There are many ways to pay for a kitchen remodel, home equity loans, refinancing, and personal loan or cash in hand, however borrowing money at a low interest rate may be smarter than pulling your money from an investment account getting a higher return.

If you’re getting a loan, factor in costs like interest and loan origination fees. Also, find out when you’ll get the funding from your loan. You’ll need to make deposits with your contractors, and you’ll need to pay for materials up front.

Where will you stay while the renovation takes place?

If you are doing a large project you may want to move out while the work is being done. This allows trades to come and go without disturbing you and you will not be living with drywall dust and tools. However if living with a family member is not an option and renting a short-term condo is not in the budget, then setting up a temporary kitchen in an adjacent room will help with your sanity and help to feed you and your family during the renovation. You will most likely be picking up or eating out during your kitchen renovation, which will also need to be including in your budget..

Make a Budget Spreadsheet

If you write it down, check it and update it, your spreadsheet will help you ensure you stay on budget. It will allow you to compare your budget to your spending. If you see a cost overrun starting to happen, you can stop it.

There are many options in choosing cabinets for your home that will impact the cabinet’s performance and price. Understanding the options will give you an advantage in making your selection. Many suppliers provide extensive selections of door styles, materials, finishes and accessories.

Researching the available manufacturers beforehand can save you time and money so you don’t purchase the wrong cabinets. Start by checking online for manufacturers and retailers in your area and visit their showrooms; you’ll be able to tell the quality cabinets from the bad ones once you know where to look.

Clients who chose cabinets solely on the basis of advice from contractors, designers, or architects are twice as likely to report a problem as those more involved in the selection.

Most cabinetry manufacturing companies and/or Dealers have showroom with skilled designers on staff who can assist in designing your Dream kitchen. These experts will have several ideas on how to best use your space, each with different budgets in mind.

To find out more about certification and find a CKCA Certified Manufacturer, please click here.

 

Picking a Certified Brand

When you choose to purchase certified CKCA Cabinetry, you can be rest assured that the cabinetry you are purchase has been built and tested under strict guidelines.  In order for cabinetry to be CKCA certified they must be manufactured in Canada. Cabinets are tested for their construction, durability, finish, measure resistance to moisture, heat & household chemicals, drawers, shelf and hinge strength, appearance and workmanship and other important features.

You are making an informed decision by choosing a certified product, you are also investing in a Canadian manufacturer that has dedicated themselves to continuous improvement and is an active  member of the CKCA. These companies most likely attend CKCA events 2-3 times per year to improve their knowledge by networking with other cabinet manufacturers, attending plant tours, and seminars. This knowledge can then be implemented and used to improve their facility and workplace.

Who are the best kitchen cabinet manufacturers?  The best brands to look at are what is available to you locally, from a national brand perspective and local producers. The best manufacturer for you is the one that is reputable and gives you what you are looking for. The quality, options, quantity, and warranty for the price you are willing to pay. When you understand the company’s philosophy, products, and reputation you are making an educated decision which will help to ensure you are happy with your purchasing experience.