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"High End" Cabinets
Post by abu on Mar 18th, 2010, 10:15am
What exactly constitutes a "high end" cabinet? I know there's a lot of debate over using particle board/melamine but I have found it to be very durable and wondered what other cost effective options there were.
Rob, you mentioned in your bio that you were upset about a company you worked for using particle board for "high end" kitchens. I'm wondering what cabinet makers would consider to be "high end".
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by Pete on Mar 19th, 2010, 05:13am
I build all my cabinets the same way using 3/4" through-out so I guess the higher end cabinets would have more detail, options and a custom finish.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by Rob on Mar 20th, 2010, 3:03pm
The particle board I mentioned was used for shelves and the bottoms of base cabinets mostly. What they did was just spray a mist of stain on it and then two coats of lacquer. It was absolutely hideous!
We were carrying in a set of kitchen cabinets once and the homeowner saw the shelves and asked what they were for. When I told him they were his shelves he told us to pack everything up and leave. Can't say I blame him. It wasn't long after that I quit working for them.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by abu on Mar 21st, 2010, 6:43pm
I probably would have done the same if that was the case! Thanks for responding Rob!
Since few have responded, and thanks to those who have, here's my take on "high end" cabinets.
First of all material choice, in my opinion, really isn't an issue as much as what's done with it. I've seen plywood cabinets that have been constructed cheaply and look horrible. At the same time I've seen melamine cabinets, mine included, that are "high end" and look really awesome! Many companies such as Kraftmaid and Merillat also use melamine for their cabinets. One thing that is most definite, however, I would NEVER use raw particle board for cabinet construction!
What I think separates a budget from a "high end" cabinet is the quality, detail and design, ornateness, finish, dovetail or locking rabit drawers, pull-out shelves, hardware, doors, etc.
In my area there are some shops that fall short on all of the above because they only build one style of kitchen and yet are contracted to build them! Unfortunately their clients don't really know any better and get caught up more with the novelty of a new kitchen and forego the quality.
Those are just my two cents (actually about a dollar's worth) on the subject and, "That's all I have to say about that". It's been something on my mind lately and thought I would voice my opinion.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by trulycustom on Mar 22nd, 2010, 08:38am
In my opinion, high end cabinets would be more on the options, trim work, accessories, etc. I build my cabinets with 3/4" plywood, one because that is the way I learned and two because I do quite a bit of painted cabinets and the client wants the inside of the cabinets painted to match, which is easier to do with hardwood plywood than any other choice of materials (at least in my opinion). I can build a basic cabinet with plywood just as easily as a very ornate cabinet. I do lean to the plywood side especially for the bottom of sink bases, etc. that would be exposed to moisture, I think it holds up better than melamine or printed particle board, but that is just me. I would consider cabinets high end when you start doing fluted/beaded mouldings, corbels, distressing or glaze finishes, lighting rails, drawer dividers, etc. etc. etc.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by abu on Mar 22nd, 2010, 1:37pm
what type of paint do you use for your cabinets?
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by trulycustom on Mar 23rd, 2010, 08:46am
M.L. Campbell tinted lacquers. I have a really good distributor for the ML Campbell product line. they can do any tinted color or stain color I can imagine.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by abu on Mar 23rd, 2010, 5:12pm
Hmm...lacquer...that's good to know.
I've never had a request for painted cabinets so I'm actually a little ignorant about the whole process. All this time I'm thinking latex or oil base....silly me.
With painted cabinets how do you deal with cracks at the face frame and door joints or is that just a given that over time the cracks will emerge?
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by trulycustom on Mar 24th, 2010, 07:59am
Excellent question regarding the cracks. You have to do a really good job using wood filler on the face frame joints and making sure you sand it all off or it will telegraph through the primer. I apply wood filler to every joint regardless if it looks like it needs it or not. Some time after the first coat of primer I see things that I didn't see prior, so I fill those and sand it smooth, then 2nd coat of primer, sanding between coats of course. It is a real time consuming effort to do painted/tinted cabinets and I charge accordingly. I have had tinted jobs take an extra week or so to deal with all of it. During the initial contact with the customers I make sure they know that eventually, cracks will be more than likely to show up on any joint; i.e. face frame, box side to face frame, box to box, etc. I have done more tinted/painted cabinets than stained this last year.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by mike on Mar 24th, 2010, 3:05pm
have you ever tried Bondo like they use on autos? it shrinks way less and drys really fast. 
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by trulycustom on Mar 24th, 2010, 3:18pm
No I haven't tried Bondo. Someone told me to use it but stay away from the red color, use the gray or tan color. I will have to get some and try it because I have another set of painted cabinets to do. Thanks for jogging the old memory bank...I had forgotten all about Bondo.
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by mike on Mar 28th, 2010, 3:55pm
never tried the gray or tan color just red and blue..no problems with either. works great
Re: "High End" Cabinets
Post by JGCW on Apr 15th, 2010, 07:07am
I build with plywood veneers exclusively. The durability and longevity over melamine is a big selling point to my customers. I like using Prefinished Maple and Cherry veneer plys. They save me a lot of time and look great.