Kitchen Cabinet Guide

Fresh cabinets can transform a boring, run-down kitchen into a modern and beautiful space. They can also make your Ottawa kitchen more functional and convenient. There are many factors to consider when it comes time to choose new cabinets.

It is always a good idea to be personally involved in choosing the cabinets and layouts, as you know better than anyone what your storage needs are, and what the best layout for you would be. Researching costs and staying within a budget are also major considerations you must not overlook. Cabinets can end up being far more expensive than you might think.

Wood Types Used in Cabinetry

Kitchen cabinets in Ottawa may be crafted from several different types of wood – oak, cherry, pine and maple. Each can provide a different look, and they all have good and bad points.

Oak – One of the most common kitchen cabinet materials is oak. It is a hardwood and easy to come by, as oak trees are abundant. The wood is easy to stain as well.
Cherry – While cherry is more expensive, it is also beautiful, with a rich red appearance.
Pine – Since it is soft and easily scratched, dented and splintered, pine is typically not the best choice for kitchen cabinets. It can work, though, if your funds are low.
Maple – Because maple can be stained either light or dark, it can be a versatile choice in cabinetry. It is also generally less expensive than oak.

Pre-Made Cabinets

There are three levels of kitchen cabinets, and they are determined by the materials, how well they are built and some other features.

Basic – The basic kitchen cabinets are the least expensive, and already put together and ready for installation. That can make hanging the cabinets easier, but it may also mean that they will not fit properly in the space allotted. Some are made with solid wood doors and drawers, but it is necessary to check, as others are made with particleboard.
Mid-level – The mid-level kitchen cabinets can typically be ordered in specific sizes to custom-fit in your kitchen. They are fairly reasonable in cost and they can be made-to-order with the finish, hardware, etc., that you choose. Mid-levels can vary greatly in value, and some at this level also have doors made from particleboard, so it will be necessary to check.
Premium – The premium kitchen cabinets are best for those who have plenty of money to spend and want to upgrade their kitchens with added style and storage capacity. These are made of plywood, never particleboard, and feature high quality hardware. The drawers are often deeper, and the shelves may pull out, and/or have Lazy Susans or lights in them.

Additional Considerations

Frames – The cabinet frame, or box, is strongest when it is made from plywood that is one-half to three-fourths inch thick. Particleboard cabinets will be much quicker to succumb to wear or tear.
Doors – There are different levels of door quality. The best are those that are solid wood or plywood, and that are attached to hard wood frames. Again, laminated and coated particleboard should be avoided.
Shelves – Shelves made of plywood are the most common, although some are made of solid wood. They can hold more weight, which means your heavy glasses and pots and pans will be safer. Particleboard shelves tend to sag before long.
Drawers – The highest quality drawers are also made from plywood or solid wood – bottoms and sides. They should be fitted together with dovetail joinery, and again, particleboard does not have lasting power.
Hardware – When it comes to cabinets’ hardware, the choices can often be made based on what you find aesthetically pleasing, or whatever you are most comfortable with – knobs or handles, style, etc. When choosing hardware that determines the inner workings, the decision is more important. Full-extension guides will work better than side rails on the drawers or rollers underneath. These can always be replaced later, if necessary.
Mounting strips – Storing some items on mounting strips can save space in cabinets. However, it is important that when you store heavy items, they should be made of metal or hardwood, not particleboard or thinner wood that may strain and break under the weight.

Although the number of choices and details may seem overwhelming at first, there are only a few features that really need to be considered, and then you can just go with the style you like best. You must keep the following in mind:

Materials used should be hardwood or plywood. Particleboard will not last.
Hardware should be high quality and durable.
Cabinets must be able to last for years to come, so they must be built well and sturdy.

Thinking about replacing your kitchen cabinets? Visit these Ottawa kitchen cabinet stores and Kitchen renovation specialists:

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[column size=”1/3″]CP & Son General Contractor

Kitchen Renovations Ottawa[/column]

[column size=”1/3″]Address: Suite 201, 372 Rideau St
Ottawa, ON K1N 1G7

Phone: (613) 695-5645

Email: info@cpandson.ca

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[column size=”1/3″]Ben Ozorak Construction & Design