How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets

For any do-it-yourself enthusiast choosing kitchen cabinets can be an overwhelming decision. There’s stock, custom, natural finishes, painted finishes, stainless steel, and the list goes on and on. We understand your pain so we decided to write this handy dandy guide on choosing the right kitchen cabinets for your new home or remodeling project.

Budget

Just like many decisions we make in life it all comes down to money. Kitchen cabinets run the cost gamut from inexpensive to out of control. A rule of thumb is to figure out your total budget for your kitchen remodel and then allocate half that figure to your cabinet budget. It sounds pretty extreme but purchasing kitchen cabinets is typically your biggest investment when remodeling your kitchen.

Construction Type

Selecting your budget will help you make this decision. There are three different types of cabinets – stock, semi-custom and custom made. Stock cabinets may not fit your kitchen but they are typically available in the most popular looks and finishes. Since they require no customization they are generally the least expensive option.

Semi-custom cabinets are manufactured after your place your order. You can take the measurements or have a technician come out to take the measurements for you. Since semi-custom kitchen cabinets are made to order you typically have more options than stock cabinets.

Custom kitchen cabinets are at the top of the food chain in the cabinet world. They are typically made at a local kitchen cabinets manufacturer. You can choose the look, material, and size. Of course these are the most expensive to choose from.

Style

Kitchen cabinets are typically categorized into three styles describing the door design – slab door, raised panel, and recessed panel. Slab door is a single smooth door that creates a clean look. Raised panel look good in formal kitchens while recessed have a more country feel.

Material

This is where the choices can be overwhelming. Cabinets are generally made out of wood, laminate and metal. If you decide on wood, there are several different types including:

• Alder – accepts stains easy
• Birch – most common wood used for stock cabinets
• Cherry – uniform grain. Used in upscale kitchens
• Hickory – very hard wood, durable. Used in many country kitchens
• Maple – number one choice for kitchen cabinets. Smooth grain accepts colors well
• Mahogany – very dark wood so works best in formal and upscale kitchens
• Oak – very durable wood. Very popular for use in kitchen cabinets. Accepts stain very well so can be made lighter or darker

Wood can warp over time and you may want to consider a different material if you live in a very high humidity area. Steel works best for modern and contemporary kitchens with stainless steel appliances. Laminate is the least expensive of the three. It is actually made up of several layers of paper pressed together meaning it is not very durable and can chip.

For more tips and to see a great selection of kitchen cabinets at prices that the box stores like Lowes and Home Depot can’t beat visit ASA Builders Supply in the Detroit Metro Area.