How About Semicustom Cabinets?

When designing a kitchen and choosing cabinetry, the vast array of options can seem overwhelming. To begin sorting them all out, keep in mind that there are essentially three different types of cabinets: stock, custom, and semicustom. Semicustom cabinets offer more variety than stock cabinets, but are less expensive than custom cabinets.

Stock cabinets refer to the cabinet inventory stocked at a manufacturer or retailer. Options for wood type, finishes, door style, etc., are limited to what is available. Cabinet box sizes and depths are also limited to what is available, and stock cabinets come with the shortest warrantees: about five years. However, stock cabinets have entry-level prices and have the fastest delivery, sometimes immediate or in a few days.

Custom cabinets are on the other end of the spectrum. They are built to a client’s specifications and can incorporate any number of specialized designs, so anything is possible. These cabinets have an abundance of options, but come with a premium price tag. In addition, they will have lead times of about eight weeks to several months. Large manufacturers will offer up to lifetime warrantees for custom cabinets.

Semicustom cabinets fall between stock and custom cabinets. The Kitchen Cabinets Manufacturers Association defines them as “built to order but within a defined set of construction parameters; available in standard widths but with more choices for depth and height modifications.” They can be customized to the degree of the shop’s capabilities. Semicustom is the type of cabinetry sold at Boston Building Resources.

When choosing a semicustom cabinet, keep in mind the four things that determine its quality: box construction, drawers, doors, and finish.

Boxes

Cabinet boxes can be made from plywood, cabinet-grade particle board, or medium density fiberboard (MDF). Plywood is typically the most expensive option, and it can vary in quality. High-quality plywood will have durable glue and expert fabrication, as well as many plies. Formaldehyde-free particle board, also known as furniture board, is a dense, durable substrate for veneer and can be more affordable than plywood. MDF is made of recycled wood fibers and resin that takes paint and veneer well. It is the smoothest of the three options, and also the heaviest. 

Drawers

Here, the darker hardwood front panel is attached to the front of the drawer box, and a dovetail joint is visible. Slides are underneath.

Here, the darker hardwood front panel is attached to the front of the drawer box, and a dovetail joint is visible. Slides are underneath.

For good-quality drawers, dovetailed or doweled construction is best, rather than stapled. 

Doors

Good-quality doors should be 3/4 inch thick and be made of hardwood or of painted or veneered MDF. The doors should have rubber bumpers and adjustable hinges produced by a reputable manufacturer. The center panel of the door should have room to move, but shouldn’t rattle, and should closely match the grain and color of the frame. High-quality doors have raised center panels facing either in or out in order to give the door better thickness and stability. The door edge, frame, and raised-panel profiles can be individualized in semicustom cabinets. Some popular door styles are Shaker, slab, beadboard, and raised panel. These are available in most all semicustom cabinet lines.

Finish

Finish styles vary extensively in semicustom cabinets. The semicustom lines that Rebon offers have a variety of color and stain options. Semicustom cabinets come in basically any color that the customer could desire.