Kitchen cabinets
5 thing that separate the good from the cheap
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Here’s a secret about cabinets: Most companies offer similar door styles. So if you see one you like, there’s no need to settle for so-so construction, especially because most companies offer several quality levels. And well-made cabinets are likely to look good year after year. Here’s what to look for, based on our testing, whether you’re shopping for custom, semi-custom, or stock cabinets:
Doors with solid-wood frames surrounding a solid-wood or plywood panel. Veneered particleboard and medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels aren’t as good. Avoid laminate or thermofoil over particleboard.
Drawers with solid-wood sides, dovetail joints, a plywood bottom that fits grooves on all sides, and full-extension guide hardware. Hardware that uses undermounted double rollers and integrated side rails isn’t as good.
Shelves made of ¾-inch plywood or MDF. Thinner particleboard shelves might sag over time.
Cabinets made of ½-inch to ¾-inch furniture-grade plywood. MDF is OK, but avoid 3/8-inch coated particleboard.
Mounting strips made of ¾-inch hardwood or metal with bolt holes. MDF, particleboard, and wood that’s thinner than ½ inch can be a problem for heavily loaded wall cabinets.
