Cabinets

Cabinet Construction. Stock-grade cabinets are manufactured in standard sizes and warehoused until sold. Semi-custom grade cabinets are available in a wide variety of styles and shapes. Within limits, the manufacturer builds the cabinets to match the kitchen. Custom-grade cabinets are built specifically for the kitchen and include specialty doors, interior features, woods, and construction.

Cabinet Grades. Economy grade: Stock-grade cabinets with flush-face doors. Doors made from veneered particleboard. Standard grade: Stock-grade cabinets with raised panel or cathedral doors. Interior panel may be plywood. Lower grade plastic-laminate face cabinets. Semi-custom cabinets: Semi-custom grade cabinets are available in a wide variety of styles and shapes. Within limits, the manufacturer builds the cabinets to match the kitchen. High grade: Semi-custom cabinets with raised panel or cathedral doors. Higher grade plastic-laminate face and foil-face cabinets. Deluxe grade: Semi-custom cabinets with raised panel or cathedral doors. May include special slide-out drawers, pull-out baskets, glass doors, or foil-face cabinets. Materials include cherry, pecan, and Shaker-style maple or pine. Custom grade: Custom cabinets with raised panel or cathedral doors. May include special slide-out drawers, pull-out baskets, mullion or leaded glass doors. Materials include cherry, pecan, and Shaker-style maple or pine. Custom deluxe grade: Same as Custom Grade, may have some curved wood cabinets and more custom features.

Foil-Face Cabinets. Foil-faced cabinets (also called thermo foil) are coated with rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that has been heated and pressed. The interior core is usually medium density particleboard. Currently, there is no good way to repair scratched or dented foil-face cabinets. Although colors do not fade from foil-faces, it is almost impossible to replace doors or other parts with colors that will match. Foil-face cabinets are high to custom deluxe quality depending on the selection of interior features and the complexity of the design.

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Cabinets

Top quality cabinets are built with the structural stability of fine furniture. Framing stock is kiln dried and a full 1" thick. Cabinets have backs, usually 5-ply 3/16"-thick plywood, with all backs and interiors finished. Frames should be constructed of hardwood with mortise and tenon joints; corner blocks should be used on all four corners of all base cabinets. Doors are usually of select 7/16" thick solid core construction using semi-concealed hinges. End panels are 1/2" thick and attached to frames with mortise and tenon joints, glued and pinned under pressure. Panels should also be dadoed to receive the tops and bottoms of wall cabinets. Shelves are adjustable with veneer faces and front edges. The hardware includes magnetic catches, heavy duty die cast pulls and hinges, and ball-bearing suspension system. The finish is scratch and stain resistant, including a first coat of hand-wiped stain, a sealer coat, and a synthetic varnish with plastic laminate characteristics.

Average quality cabinets feature hardwood frame construction with plywood backs and veneered plywood end panels. Joints are glued mortise and tenon. Doors are solid core attached with exposed self-closing hinges. Shelves are adjustable, and drawers ride on a ball-bearing side suspension glide system. The finish is usually three coats including stain, sealer, and a mar-resistant top coat for easy cleaning.

Economy quality cabinets feature pine construction with joints glued under pressure. Doors, drawers fronts, and side or end panels are constructed of either 1/2"-thick wood composition board or 1/2"-thick veneered pine. Face frames are 3/4"-thick wood composition board or 3/4"-thick pine. Features include adjustable shelves, hinge straps, and a three-point suspension system on drawers (using nylon rollers). The finish consists of a filler coat, base coat, and final polyester top coat.

Kitchen Cabinet Installation Procedure

To develop a layout plan, measure and write down the following:

1. Floor space.

2. Height and width of all walls.

3. Location of electrical outlets.

4. Size and position of doors, windows, and vents.

5. Location of any posts or pillars. Walls must be prepared if chair rails or baseboards are located where cabinets will be installed.

6. Common height and depth of base cabinets (including 1" for countertops) and wall cabinets.

When you plan the cabinet placement, consider this Rule of Thumb:

Allow between 4-1/2' and 5-1/2' of counter surface between the refrigerator and sink. Allow between 3' and 4' between the sink and range.

1. What do you have to fit into the available space?

2. Is there enough counter space on both sides of all appliances and sinks? The kitchen has three work centers, each with a major appliance as its hub, and each needing adequate counter space. They are:

a. Fresh and frozen food center -- Refrigerator-freezer

b. Clean-up center -- Sink with disposal-dishwasher

c. Cooking center -- Range-oven

3. Will the sink workspace fit neatly in front of a window?

4. The kitchen triangle is the most efficient kitchen design; it means placing each major center at approximately equidistant triangle points. The ideal triangle is 22 feet total. It should never be less than 13 feet or more than 25 feet.

5. Where are the centers located? A logical working and walking pattern is from refrigerator to sink to range. The refrigerator should be at a triangle point near a door, to minimize the distance to bring in groceries and reduce traffic that could interfere with food preparation. The range should be at a triangle point near the serving and dining area. The sink is located between the two. The refrigerator should be located far enough from the range so that the heat will not affect the refrigerator's cooling efficiency.

6. Does the plan allow for lighting the range and sink work centers and for ventilating the range center?