What are the differences between cabinet quality?

At one time, virtually all kitchen cabinets were custom built by local cabinet shops or mills for each house. Today, a great majority of kitchen cabinet systems are produced in highly sophisticated manufacturing facilities, both here in North America and internationally.
Cabinets are specified with three broad categories. Within each of these sources, the quality levels, production costs, retail selling price, delivery schedules and reliability factors vary. In the United States, stock, semi-custom and custom cabinet definitions are outlined below. (In the international community, the United States definition of semi-custom is considered custom.)

Stock

Stock cabinet manufacturers offer a full range of cabinets in specified sizes. The cabinets are made in quantity and are shipped to a distributor's or manufacturer's warehouse so they are available for quick delivery. Because the cabinets are produced in quantity  the assembly lines cannot be stopped for special units. Therefore, the cabinet manufacturers use market research so that they offer the most popular finishes and door styles.

This type of manufacturing method provides the specifier good value because of the economics of manufacturing  The biggest advantages of stock cabinetry are its availability  specified quality level and consistency of service from these large, stable manufacturers. Stock cabinets offer an excellent product for a project faced with budget or time constraints. Because styles and special sizes are limited, you should investigate the breadth of the line before trying to design with the product.

Stock cabinets do vary in quality levels. Some lines use doors of mismatched or lower-quality woods. They may use thin laminates or actual paper to simulate wood on finished sides. The parts of the case may be glued together with no mechanical fasteners, which is not as durable a method of case construction as combining both glue and mechanical fasteners. Make sure you carefully compare the construction of the stock cabinets you are considering for your project.

Semi-Custom

Semi-custom cabinets are produced by both stock and custom manufacturers. This type of product is produced on an assembly line basis, but the offerings include more interior fittings in the form of accessories and some custom cabinet size possibilities. Typically, a wider finish and style palette will be offered as well.

This product combines the advantage of an assembly line process with the ability to create limited custom cabinet sizes. Traditionally, more door styles and finishes are also available in semi-custom product.

Semi-custom cabinets come in a wide variety of quality and price levels. Because they may be high on style but limited in their size offering, review the manufacturers catalog.

For international cabinet producers who focus on a finely engineered specific style - used to define their cabinet branding - extensive customization is neither recommended nor offered. Therefore. the manufacturing definition of semi-custom defines their highest level of product offerings.

Custom

Custom cabinet manufacturers make one kitchen at a time. The cabinets are not produced until the kitchen has been designed and all details are finalized. Custom cabinets may be made by a local fabricator or in a large manufacturing facility. Generally, the publish a specifications manual listing a range of specific cabinet sizes but special sized are available for a perfect fit. One-of-a-kind, hand-made specialty pieces, such as mantel hoods, wood turned posts, curved/angled cabinetry elements and free-standing furniture pieces are also available.

These totally custom "built-to-order" cabinets are considered "furniture grade" cabinet systems. These manufacturers generally offer the latest in functional hardware, technology, construction methods and case materials, and the most extensive array of accessories available. These companies offer new trendsetting styles and finishes to the market. Much like custom furniture, an eight to twenty week delivery time is to be expected.