The basics on cabinetry construction for your kitchen.

RTA (ready to assemble) or KD (knock down) or Flat Pack.
These cabinets are usually available in limited sizes and colors and require the buyer to take responsibility for assembly.

STOCK
Cabinets constructed in standard sizes, usually in 3" increments, and in selected door styles and colors. Inventoried before being sold, stock cabinets are often available off the shelf, or within days and are usually the most economically priced fully assembled cabinets. Stock cabinets often have some accessory items available for job-site installation.

SEMI-CUSTOM/BUILT-TO ORDER
Cabinetry manufactured in a greater variety of standard sizes, finishes and styles. Each kitchen is built-to-order within standard specifications and may include optional modifications and/or more factory installed accessory items for customization.

CUSTOM
Any cabinets built to specific, requested measurements. Custom cabinets usually have extended production time and a wide range of pricing and construction standards. "Custom" indicates the cabinets were built for a specific order, but does not imply quality standards. Custom cabinets may or may not meet KCMA* or ANSI** standards.

CABINET CONSTRUCTION TYPES

CABINET DOOR CONSTRUCTION TYPES
There are basically three types of cabinet door shapes; slab, raised panel and recessed panel. Variations may consist of differences in how the panel is held in the frame or how the door is strengthened to maintain dimensional stability during changes in humidity levels.
(What to look for in cabinet door quality)

1. Slab - Flat door styles with no raised or recessed profile. Wood slab doors are usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock lumber joined with adhesive, then cut to size. Laminated slab styles are made of a substrate material (without a routed shape), then covered with the manufacturer's choice of laminate. Slab door styles may have detailed or plain edge profiles.

2. Recessed Panel - A 'picture frame' is constructed, often with either miter or mortise and tenon joints. One or more flat panels is secured within the frame. Panels may be grooved or otherwise decorated.

3. Raised Panel - Frames are constructed with panels secured in place as above. The raised panel is usually constructed of several pieces of solid stock lumber joined with adhesive, cut dimensionally and then routed or shaped with the desired edge profile. Raised panels might also consist of wood veneers adhered to plywood or another substrate.

4. Routed - MDF (medium density fiberboard) or other material is shaped to create the appearance of raised or recessed panel or panels then painted or covered with the manufacturer's choice of laminate.

Cabinet door styles are also distinguished by varied frame edge profiles and the dimension to which the door overlays the cabinet front frame. (Doors for frameless cabinets necessarily overlay the front edges nearly completely and are "full overlay" styles.) Framed door styles may overlay the frame or be fitted within the frame when closed. (See beaded inset)

WOOD SPECIES
There may be dozens of woods represented in the whole cabinet manufacturing realm. The most commonly used woods in the U.S. are Oak, Maple, Pine, Cherry, Hickory, Poplar, Alder and Birch. Of these, Hickory and Oak are the hardest and heaviest. Cherry, Birch and Maple are also fine hard woods well suited to cabinetry. Alder and Poplar are less expensive, more plentiful woods that take well to glazed finishes with distressing (factory applied impressions to create an 'antique' look), but are apt not to absorb stains in an even, full coverage. Pine, treasured for it's rustic appearance, does take many types of stains well, but is a soft wood and will be more easily dented and scratched, even with high quality conversion varnish finishes. Choose Pine for its 'old time' appearance and recognize that it may age a little more quickly than hardwoods, especially when used for cabinets in a busy kitchen environment.

Oak		Maple
	Pine		Cherry
Hickory		Poplar
	Birch

Woods commonly develop what is called a 'patina' by professionals and recognized by homeowners as 'darkening color'. Woods such as cherry and pine develop this phenomenon more quickly than others. These two species can be expected to darken for a year or two after installation. The degree to which they darken is influenced by several factors including the stain and finish. Best quality finishes contain Ultra Violet inhibitors to help slow or restrict the process. Another important factor is the amount of light to which the cabinets are directly exposed. Usually, areas exposed to the most direct or indirect lighting for the greatest amount of time, will darken faster than those in low light or shaded areas. Keep in mind that this process is NATURAL and cannot be completely inhibited by stains or finishes. The darker the finish, the less noticeable the patina. Natural cherry or natural pine are the most susceptible to this effect, so if these finishes are your passion, be prepared to accept this natural darkening with time.

FINISH TYPES
Gone are the days when unpainted wood cabinetry in your home required regular waxing to keep it protected from stains and dirt. Thankfully, hi-tech finishing techniques used by cabinet manufacturers no longer require this major household chore. The use of polyurethane finishes, particularly those that are heat catalyzed, limit cabinet care to regular dusting and, perhaps, a yearly polishing with a quality furniture polish. With a high quality factory finish, your cabinets will never require re-finishing. They will stay beautiful and develop a patina that cannot be expected from cabinets finished in the old ways. Old style lacquer finishes do not resist moisture well and may 'cloud' when exposed to the coffee maker.
Avoid them for best performance.

Look for these qualities in the finish of the cabinets you choose:

1. Conversion varnish (preferably heat catalyzed for additional strength)
2. High solids sealers for protection of the wood
3. Hand-rubbed stains (with equalizers and/or toners which help to blend stains in woods with natural color variations)
4. Ultra Violet Inhibitors to prevent over exposure to damaging light
5. Sanding procedures between finish steps producing smooth surfaces

CABINET HARDWARE
Functional hardware
1.Hinges
Barrel (or knuckle) hinges - the first of the 'self-closing', spring loaded variety, these hinges are fully exposed on the front frame of traditional framed cabinets. A highly decorative version of the barrel hinge may be used for inset doors and be fully visible. This type typically does not have the spring loaded self closing mechanism. Barrel hinges provide a wide door opening.

Knife hinges - this hinge type is often partially embedded in and screwed to the cabinet frame. It may be fully visible or only partially visible when the door is closed. Knife hinges also provide a full 180 degree door opening.

Concealed hinges - (sometimes called Euro style) several varieties which do not show when the door is closed. These are typically recessed and screwed into a "cup" or routed recessed area in the door and screwed to the cabinet face frame or side (end) panel. Most are also 'self-closing'. This type of hinge may also feature a 'clip' making it easy to remove and replace, handy for cleaning as well as original installation. Although concealed hinges are also the most easily adjustable and adjust in more ways than other type, they only allow a limited (up to 110 degree) or partial opening.

The door style and function desired will dictate the manufacturer's hinge choice. (Hinges are rarely a choice the consumer makes, except as they relate to the door style you choose.) Generally, partial overlay doors will have knuckle, knife or even concealed hinges. Full overlay door styles and frameless cabinets always have concealed hinges.

Best advice: Select cabinets with a lifetime warranty on hinges for full assurance of quality.

2.Drawer Suspensions
Most quality cabinets have glides mounted beneath the bottom of the drawer, on either side, and are attached to the back of the cabinet. The best of these are heavy duty (supporting at least 75 lbs.) and are easily adjustable. Some have a self-closing feature which pulls the drawer shut with a gentle push. Since drawers are accessed so often in a kitchen, the quality of the drawer glide is an important element of the overall quality of the cabinets. Look for epoxy coated drawer glides for smooth operation. Ball bearing action provides even greater smoothness. For the ultimate access to drawer space, consider full-extension drawer runners.

DECORATIVE HARDWARE
Most cabinet manufacturers offer decorative knobs and pulls for their cabinets. Full overlay and partial overlay doors require hardware to open and close. Decorative hardware is optional for doors with beveled profiles. Here are a few tips to help you select the decorative hardware that is right for your kitchen.

1. Most styles require decorative pulls or knobs to open doors and drawers, since the doors overlay the frame of the cabinet to the extent that there is no open space available for fingers.

2. Knobs and pulls serve to protect the wood and finish of your cabinets from the wear and tear of constant contact with body oils, traces of cooking oils and other cooking related soil and, not least, fingernails.

3. Knobs and pulls with backplates beneath them on the cabinet surface protect the doors and drawers even more.

4. Knobs or pulls? This is a question of personal preference. Some people prefer to combine the two, using knobs on doors and pulls on drawers, though there is no fashion reason to do so. When combining the two types, they should be of the same material and reflect the same styling.

5. Select a material that enhances the theme of your kitchen.

• Warm country decorating theme? Try white or ivory ceramic, copper or burnished brass decorative hardware.
• Contemporary theme? Consider pewter, brushed chrome or glossy plastics or metals.
• Traditional/Transitional kitchens invite burnished or bright brass, or some of the newer, more complex glazed finishes on various metals.

6. Select a style that helps define the overall theme of your kitchen.

• Country - Simple knobs or pulls with decorative 'country' icons like animals, cooking utensils, etc.
• Contemporary - Knobs in geometric shapes or sleek, elongated pulls
• Traditional/Transitional - Knobs or pulls with classic turnings and patterns like those found on fine furniture.

Insert Kitchen Types re-prints here

* KCMA - Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturer's Association. Establishes minimum standards for the cabinet industry.
**ANSI - American National Standards Institute - A federal agency which sets standards for quality, function and durability of materials used in manufacturing , building, etc.

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