10 Things to Know When Buying and Installing Kitchen Cabinets

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1. It’s always best to start your search by looking for products certified by the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association that put cabinets through tests that replicate years of normal use. Certified cabinets must be able to withstand exposure to moisture, temperatures ranging from -5 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, and are subjected to normal everyday condiments such as vinegar, coffee, and ketchup without blistering or showing signs of discoloration.

2. It is important to know the language of kitchen furniture. The most important thing to know is that stock and semi_stock cabinets are the most popular types available on the market. Stock cabinets is by far the leader due to its very low price, availability and endless supply of accessories and hardware to make your cabinets more personal. Semi-Stock cabinets offer a much wider range of sizes, finishes, and styles. The obvious higher end cabinets are custom made for whatever look or function you want to achieve. However, the average time to complete these custom cabinets is 12 weeks and can range in price from $12,000 to $75,000 depending on the number of cabinets ordered, the details, features, and material used in their construction.

3. I think it’s important to put your own touch on your kitchen, and keep in mind exactly what function it will serve. Most cabinets offer easy-to-use options, like full-extension pull-out shelves so you won’t bump your hand reaching for that can of ketchup that’s buried in the back. The large drawers in the base can hold pots, pans, and other large kitchen utensils which will save you from having to store your pots and pans in the oven as I have seen many customers do.

4. I also believe that in addition to functionality it is equally important that you choose the right look. Light colored woods like oak and maple make your kitchen appear brighter and larger. While darker woods like cherry and mahogany create a more dramatic effect. To give cabinets less visual weight, most manufacturers offer turned legs that mimic the look of furniture. Also sets of accessories for household appliances will help to visually unite the kitchen.

5. Make sure you know exactly what your cabinets are made of. The box is the backbone of the cabinets, the more resistant the better. I prefer heavy boxes with walls at least 1/2 inch thick or structural support that can be attached to wall studs with screws. Most cabinets today are made from MDF (medium density fiberboard) or OSB (oriented strand board), but my favorite is plywood with groove or mortise joints and metal or wood corner braces with the drawer boxes made of dovetail joints. These are only found in custom cabinets and will typically cost a little more than big box store cabinets, but the old saying rings true in this case: “You get what you pay for.”

6. Think about future repairs and fixes by purchasing a repair kit before you leave the store with your new cabinets. A typical repair kit should contain items such as colored wax, putty, or markers to cover nails or repair dents or scratches. I always suggest buying some extra hinges and drawer slides because these are the items that seem to go first.

7. Don’t fuck around. If you are installing the cabinets yourself, be sure to use 2 1/2-inch deck screws, as drywall screws will break under heavy load from the upper cabinets. And always be sure to screw your cabinets to studs that are typically 16 to 18 inches apart on the wall. Sometimes it’s best to hire a professional for the installation because they may have to cut open the wall and make a support bracket to hold your cabinets. I can’t tell you how many times people have called us asking for help after they installed the cabinets themselves or hired handyman Harry to hang them only to then collapse ruining their counter, cabinets and contents, and more than likely the wall.

8. If you’re still hell-bent on doing it yourself, I suggest screwing a 1X3 batten just below the bottom of the wall cabinets which should have a line. This will help support your weight as you install the cabinets. This kitchen normally requires 2 people when possible, but the wall cabinets can be installed correctly if you use cabinet outlets.

9. Always make sure your cabinets are flush and plumb. I typically connect a line of cabinets using C-clamps on the floor followed by wood screws and then lift the cabinets up as a complete unit, which makes installation easy and makes sure it’s level.

10. If you or a professional company is replacing your current cabinets, don’t destroy them or let others do it because you can receive a tax deduction by donating them to charities like Habitat for Humanity and similar organizations that will help give your old cabinets a new lease of life. new life while getting a good payback and helping those less fortunate.

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