Remodeling the kitchen is the most common reconstruction everyone can and will do to their home in Ottawa and Gatineau. When doing so is pays to understand what makes a quality kitchen cabinet. As most might think, replacing the cabinets in the kitchen carries the highest value of this type of project.

In addition, the layout of the kitchen is determined by the style of the cabinets. Depending on the size of the room, the cabinets can function as an island for food preparation, or casual dinning. They may line one or three walls at eye level. The counter tops also add to the design, by using granite, wood or a composite material.

Furthermore, because the kitchen cabinets will equal almost half the cost of the remodel when purchased as new, there are alternatives. Accordingly, there is a range of price points for different levels of quality cabinetry. Having a custom set made here in Ottawa, is going to be the highest, with pre-fabricated, standard sized, varying in price because of the materials utilized.

So what makes a quality kitchen cabinet? There are things to look for when you are searching around Ottawa and Gatineau for the right style of cabinets for the project.

  • Stay away from cabinets that are glued, nailed, or stapled together, specifically with the drawers made in any of these fashions.
  • Steer clear of particle board, if you truly want wooded cabinets.
  • Ensure that the cabinet drawers can support up to 80 pounds in the open position.
  • The cabinet case is made of solid wood ½ thick.
  • The interior and the exterior of the cabinet will be finished.
  • A sure sign of quality is adjustable shelving with a thickness of 5/8 of an inch, (at a minimum).
  • As for the hinge type, these are purely a matter of taste and style, one aspect can be that they are not visible from the outside and do not make noise when operated.
  • Cabinets made of solid wood are top quality, but plywood combined with a solid wood frame is also a good choice.

Installing the cabinets can happen in two different manners, the first coming from a European method, which is frameless. The second is having a framed box that is mounted on the floor or wall depending on where the cabinets are going in the overall design of the kitchen. The locations for purchasing kitchen cabinets will vary from a custom cabinet shop to a big box store.

The cabinets found in the big stores come in standard sizes and materials will vary greatly depending on the price point. In addition, the styles are limited. Custom cabinets come in three variations. One is fully customized from scratch, a semi-custom approach, and a hybrid approach that is a combination of a standard design that is modified to meet the style designated by the overall design.

Naturally, custom cabinets,  are made in a Specialty shop that focuses on this type of product. In addition, they can offer the semi-custom in standard sizes that will range in style and options. In most cases, there are always different features for different styles with many choices available.

While remodeling a kitchen seems simple enough, the hardest and most difficult part is choosing the right style of cabinets. With all of the choices in colour, style, accessories, options, and so on, finding what will work best takes time. Using this information should help with the search in locating the perfect choice, it should be a fun and educational journey.

You can rely on these local Ottawa & Gatineau Kitchen Interior Designer  for suggestion on quality kitchen cabinets.