Components for Living

"Every Living Space Benefits from Craft and Design"

 
 
 

“How much does it cost?”

This is the toughest question of all.  The individual cost of any one component of a construction or remodel job fairly  meaningless to the cost of the entire project.  There are certainly relative cost comparisons that are valid. A Formica countertop is less expensive than a custom stone counter top.

There are 3 rules that govern cost:

1. How big is the project?
2. How complex is the project?
3. What material is the project constructed from?
   
   Bring us a simple measured drawing of the room and talk with us about your preferences and we will be happy to work up a quote for your consideration. We do not like to work in “rough estimates.”

 

 

“What really is the mark of quality cabinets?”

Look at the cases.

If the actual boxes are made of plywood that is a mark of quality.  If the word “furniture board’ or “compressed cabinet board” is used to describe the case work, that is a mark of low quality. ¾” or combination of ¾” &  ½” plywood cases will last generations. Look at the inside corners of the cases there should be some sort of bracing, corner block or joinery to reinforce the inside corners.

Look at the back.

There has to be a mounting strip (generally a 4’ to 6” strip near the top of the back of the unit, or at least a ½” thick full back on the cabinet.  Remember all the weight of the cabinet is going to be hanging on a couple of screws. Those screws need something to transfer that stress to. ¼” furniture board or MDF with no plywood or lumber mounting strip is not adequate.

Dove tailed drawer boxes are more of a sales feature these days. They are a very nice feature. There are lots of dovetailed drawers in extremely cheap cases available on today’s market.  The next question is what are the drawers made from? Solid hard wood is desirable. The next question is what quality are the drawer glides. The glide is the most complex and most used component on the cabinets. It should be a brand name, full extension, soft close, warranted for around 100 pounds, under mounted glide.