When it is time to remodel the kitchen or bathroom, cabinetry prices can devour the bulk of a budget. It is estimated that cabinetry can take up to 30 percent of your desired investment level. Because cabinets are a major investment, you’ll need to sort through the available options in order to make choices with confidence. Below are some of the most typical cabinet budget levels and style choices to consider for your kitchen or bathroom space.
Refresh Your Existing Cabinets
If the existing cabinets are of good quality, are in excellent working condition and the layout functions well, the most affordable option is to refresh them by restaining or painting the cabinetry. Another alternative to use your existing cabinetry is refacing. This involves installing a new wood veneer on the exterior of the cabinet box and replacing the door and drawer fronts. This process is much faster than installing new cabinets because the cabinets remain intact and the work is done onsite. Door and drawer fronts account for the 60 to 70 percent of the total cost of the cabinet, so, in some cases, it may be more affordable to shop for new cabinetry. If refreshing existing cabinetry is not an option and new cabinets are in your future, you will have the freedom to explore different layout possibilities depending on the space you have available.
Stock Cabinetry
Stock cabinets are the least expensive of the new cabinet options. Stock cabinets are mass-produced and are pre-sized by the manufacturer and measured in three-inch increments. Stock cabinet materials range from particleboard covered with plastic laminates or melamine to solid wood, depending on the manufacturer. Finishes and color choices may be limited, but you will save money by choosing this option because you are not paying for any customizations. The price of installation for stock cabinetry is typically not included in the purchase price.
Semi-Custom Cabinetry
With a broader selection in both style and material, semi-custom cabinetry generally marks the mid-range option in terms of price point. Semi-custom cabinetry allows for some size adjustments and usually offers better quality cabinet construction. These cabinets are made to fit project size requirements and the manufacturer produces them in predetermined increments. Semi-custom cabinetry boasts an extensive selection of styles, finishes, storage solutions and decorative enhancements, resulting in a personalized look at a reasonable price point.
Custom Cabinetry
On the high end, custom cabinetry is completely made to order and offers the most diversity in style, materials, finishes and accessories. These cabinets are one-of-a-kind with tailored sizes and innovative design solutions, suiting even the most unique spaces. Narrow measurements with exact increments down to the 32nd of an inch offer the finest in precision. You often have the flexibility of any size, shape, depth, finish and accessories you can imagine, but these limitless options can quickly exhaust a budget.
Cabinet Construction
The way a cabinet is built varies among manufacturers, but all cabinets conform to two basic design styles, framed and frameless. Framed cabinets are popular in traditional designs and have a front frame around the cabinet opening that the door attaches to. In frameless cabinetry, also known as European-style cabinets, there is no front frame. Frameless cabinets offer greater accessibility to the interior of the cabinet by eliminating the frame face and rely on thicker box construction for stability. The main difference between these styles is the look and the amount of accessibility to the interior of the cabinet.
Cabinet Style
Framed cabinets generally offer some style variety based on the amount of door overlay. Door overlay refers to the extent to which the door covers or “lays over” the face frame. Full-overlay means that the doors and drawers completely cover the face frame on the cabinet, while partial-overlay simply means that the doors and drawers cover only part of the frame. Full-inset doors are another cabinet style option. Inset doors and drawers are made to fit within the face frame opening. Often, doors will need to be adjusted seasonally to accommodate shrinking and swelling of the door due to humidity changes.
The center panel on a door also comes in two different styles, raised panel and recessed or flat panel. On a raised panel door, the center panel on the door is often elevated and surrounded by a decorative edge detail and is considered a more traditional style. A door that has a recessed panel will have a flat center area that is less ornate and often seen in contemporary design.
With so many choices in cabinetry construction, styles and accessories, it is well worth investing some time to learn about the myriad of options available to create your perfect kitchen or bath design. FBN
By Michelle Mallett