It is time to invest in some new cabinets and you want to be certain that what you are buying will stand the test of time.

How will you know the cabinetry is well made?

Here is how to recognize cabinets that will last AND that you will still love in 20+ years.

BOX CONSTRUCTION

Typically, higher end cabinetry will be constructed with plywood. This means that the sides and back of the cabinet will be make with plywood instead of particle board.

What is the difference?

Plywood is made from thin layers of hardwood glued together in a cross-grain pattern. The layers provide added strength and stability making the end product more robust and durable. The manufacturing process is more time-intensive and requires higher quality materials. As a result, plywood is a more expensive option.

Particle board is a composite material made from small wood particles such as saw dust and wood chips bound together with adhesives and heat. The manufacturing process is efficient and highly economical. However, particle board is more prone to warping, swelling and breaking under stress, leading to a less desirable option for cabinetry construction.

All of the cabinets lines that we carry at Ever After Interiors offer plywood construction on the boxes. Omega and RD Henry’s Evoke line offer 1/2” plywood construction and Fieldstone boasts 3/4” plywood boxes!

This construction is highly supportive for stone countertops and gives us peace of mind when it comes to the cabinet’s ability to resist warping and cracking with changes in temperature and humidity.

DRAWER JOINTS

When you are inspecting a cabinet for quality, be sure to open a drawer and check to see how the drawer front was attached. Cabinets of the highest quality will have dovetail joints.

Drawers that are constructed with dovetail joints will look like the one above, with interlocking pieces that fit together like a puzzle.

Such construction is considered superior to other types of joints such as butt joints or rabet joints because they are stronger, and typically able to hold considerably more weight. They are also less susceptible to cracking during periods of expansion and contraction.

Loving this Alder door with mortise and tenon joint, by Fieldstone

DOOR JOINTS

Doors are typically constructed with either mortise and tenon joints or mitered joints. We urge our clients to be aware of which joint is being used when selecting a door style.

Mortise and Tenon

We see mortise and tenon joints on most shaker style doors, and we can usually spot such construction because the joint is at a 90 degree angle when viewed straight-on.

A mortise and tenon joint is achieved when a tenon on one piece of wood fits snugly into the mortise hole on the other piece.

Such construction provides excellent strength and durability. This joint holds up well against changes in humidity, giving it a high degree of integrity when subjected to cycles of expansion and contraction.

Mitered Joint

We see mitered joints on many door styles that are more intricate in nature and those having applied overlays. A mitered joint is often present in slim shaker styles which gives the door it’s fine line appearance.

A mitered joint is easily spotted because the joint is at a 45 degree angle when viewed from the front.

This type of joint is often aesthetically pleasing, but not especially strong. As the wood expands and contracts with seasons and changes in humidity, the joint can appear to crack, leaving a gap between the pieces.

If you live in a place that experiences extremes in humidity, this might be a concern for you. We simply make our clients aware of this phenomenon before they purchase cabinetry with a mitered joint.

LAMINATE VS. WOOD

Sleek & Contemporary Kitchen using Omega Cabinetry

There are so many finish options available for cabinet finishes today! Laminate designed to look like wood is quite prevalent and popular and can look incredibly realistic.

At Ever After Interiors we educate our clients about the differences between laminate and wood options so we can be certain that they are getting exactly what they want in their space.

Laminate Pros:

Laminate finishes give cabinets a contemporary, sleek and uniform appearance. The cabinetry will not fade, yellow or mellow as it ages. Finishes are also consistent across lots and orders. That means if you order a laminate finish for your kitchen this year, you can order the same finish in two years time for your great room and it will match perfectly.

Laminate Cons:

Laminate cannot be refinished or painted, or easily touched up in the event of scratching or chipping. It also has the potential to be more trendy (or go “out of style” more readily) than traditional wood finishes. If a laminate finish is of inferior quality, it tends to look like a sticker, which can cheapen overall appearance of the cabinetry.

Wood Pros:

Wood has a natural and timeless quality that gives a certain degree of soul to a space. We love that as it ages, it gains patina. It can be easily touched up in the event of a ding or scrape and can be refinished or painted if desired. Real wood doesn’t have the same potential to be trendy (though certain stains have more staying power than others, in my opinion.)

Wood Cons:

Because it is a natural product, there can be a large variation in lots, leading to variable color and grain patterns across orders. Wood can yellow, darken, or lighten with age, depending upon which species you choose.

For more information on this, I go more into depth about how specific wood species age in a recent blog article: Which Wood to Choose

HARDWARE

The hinges and drawer glides are an integral component in the functioning of your cabinets. We help our clients to understand that quality hardware is crucial if they want their drawers to last for years.

At Ever After Interiors, our cabinet brands Fieldstone and Omega both use BLUM hinges and drawer glides which are currently considered to be some of the strongest in the marketplace. The drawer glides are rated to 100#! This ensures that the drawer can withstand the rigors of life, supporting heavy dishes, pans and appliances.

If you are shopping for cabinetry, be sure to inquire about the hardware. Quality cabinetry will have hardware that allows for soft-close doors and drawers and drawer glides will be rated at 100#.

How to Spot Quality Cabinetry