Before buying discount kitchen cabinets, there are some quality tests that you should do. There are cabinet dealers who offer lower quality cabinets under the “discount” designation. But if you look around and shop carefully, you may find one of the dealers that 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 you decide where to buy, you can ensure you’re buying high-quality cabinets (where only the price is lower) rather than low-quality, cheap 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 attach drawers together. They’re not just glued together, either. A good construction will do drawers with dovetail assembly. A good drawer in discount kitchen cabinets will be able to support around 75 pounds when open. It is generally wise to avoid building drawers out of thin particle board.
- Look at the sides and back of the kitchen cabinets off. This is an important indication of quality. Cabinet shell: 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 true proof of the highest quality cabinetry. Some discount kitchen cabinets will leave these surfaces unfinished. This not only creates an unattractive appearance, but 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 sag (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. One style of construction allows the door hinges to be seen. In this case, you’ll want to check the finish on the hardware to make sure it won’t get damaged by moisture and matches other metals used prominently in your kitchen.
By paying close attention to these five discount kitchen cabinet tests, you can buy the quality you want at a discount price and not risk buying inferior quality in the name of discount kitchen cabinets.
