Before you buy discount kitchen cabinets, there are some quality tests you need to do. There are cabinet dealers who offer lower quality cabinets under the “discount” designation. But if you look around and shop carefully, you can find one of the dealers who offer high-quality cabinets at discount prices. Cabinets really aren’t the place to sacrifice quality for savings when remodeling a kitchen.
By spending some time looking at sample cabinets and asking key questions before deciding where to buy, you can ensure that you are buying high-quality cabinets (where only the price is lower) rather than cheap, low-quality cabinets.
Here are the five things to look for:
- See how the drawers are made. High-quality cabinet construction includes no staples or nails to hold drawers together. They’re not just glued on, either. A good build will dovetail drawers. A good drawer in discount kitchen cabinets will be able to hold about 75 pounds when open. In general, it is advisable to avoid building drawers from thin particle board.
- Look at the sides and back of discount kitchen cabinets. This is an important indication of quality. Cabinet Carcass: Sides, top, bottom, and back must be solid wood at least one-half inch thick. You will create a lot of heat and steam in your kitchen. Thin cabinet shells can warp. Particle board, which has a tendency to warp, is also not recommended.
- The finished interior surfaces are a true test of cabinetry of the highest quality. Some discount kitchen cabinets will leave these surfaces unfinished. Not only does this create an unattractive appearance, but it also leaves the wood subject to damage and splinters. This could be harmful and very inconvenient.
- Look for adjustable shelves. This is a definite indication of the quality of the cabinets. It doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with the construction of the cabinets, if they meet other quality tests, but it does create a lot of wasted space that you probably need for storage in your kitchen. Shelves can warp (just like bookcases) from weight and moisture. Insist on shelves that are at least 5/8 inch thick.
Check the quality of the hardware and the appearance of the hardware. Cabinet doors can be installed in two ways. A style of construction allows to see the hinges of the doors. In this case, you’ll want to check the finish on the hardware to make sure it’s not damaged by moisture and matches other metals used prominently in your kitchen.
If you pay close attention to these five discount kitchen cabinet tests, you can buy the quality you want at a discount price and not take the risk of buying inferior quality in the name of discount kitchen cabinets.