(Newswire.net — February 28, 2024) — If you’re planning to purchase new kitchen cabinets for your home, choosing the right ones is critical. If you purchase poor-quality cabinets, you will end up regretting the decision, and likely sooner than you think. However, the average homeowner isn’t equipped with the knowledge necessary to judge the quality of kitchen cabinetry. To remedy that, here are six key tips for choosing quality kitchen cabinets that will last.
1. Look for All-Plywood Construction
The most obvious thing that distinguishes high-quality cabinetry from low-quality cabinetry is the material used in its construction. High-quality cabinets will feature all-plywood construction, while lower-quality cabinetry will use something like particle board. Plywood is far more durable, can tolerate moisture, and won’t buckle under the weight of whatever you put in your cabinets.
2. Insist on Full-Height Back Panels
Quality cabinetry should also have full-height back panels made of the same material used in the rest of the cabinet. Cheaper cabinets often feature thinner back panels or rely on hang rails for additional support. The advantage of full-height back panels is that they lend significant structural integrity to a cabinet. They also add installation flexibility to make them easier to mount on your kitchen walls.
3. Look for Dovetail Drawer Joints
Another important feature you’ll find on quality cabinetry is dovetail joints holding their drawers together. This involves cutting the sides, back, and front of each drawer to create interlocking teeth to hold the drawer together. Cheaper cabinets often use flat-edged drawer parts and simply staple them together.
4. They Should Come Fully Assembled
Another thing to look for if you want to judge the quality of cabinetry is whether it comes fully assembled. Cheaper cabinets often come in flat packs and require assembly on-site. Such cabinets tend to fall apart quickly. Quality cabinets should come boxed and ready for installation as-is. That also makes installing your cabinets faster and easier and prevents the chance of accidental damage during assembly.
5. They Should Include Soft-Close Hinges and Drawer Glides
Quality cabinets should also include soft-close hinges and door glides. These features spare your cabinet doors and drawers from all kinds of punishment as you use them. That not only prevents premature wear and tear but also keeps your cabinets stable and strong. The drawer guides on quality cabinets should also be mounted underneath the drawers as opposed to on their sides. This provides maximum weight support to help the drawers last.
6. Buy From a Reputable Dealer
Finally, you should always buy your cabinetry from a reputable dealer if you want a quality product. Big-box stores almost always prioritize offering quantity over quality. So, look for a cabinetry dealer that offers a curated cabinetry collection. The dealer you choose should also have a showroom where you can examine your potential cabinetry choices up close. That way, you’ll have little difficulty noticing all of the aforementioned features of quality cabinets.
Choosing quality cabinets is a process, but by putting in the time to properly research your options, you will be able to choose kitchen cabinets that will last for years to come.