Cabinets change how your whole kitchen feels and looks, creating structure and warmth in your space. Anchored by the countertop and appliances, cabinets add color and function to your kitchen. They also add quite a bit of value to your home.
They can be solid or built with detailed moldings that combine multiple materials. You can choose cabinet styles that combine functionality and style for a unique look. With so many types of cupboards, it takes time to determine if you have the right ones for your home.
Let’s take a look at all the different types.
Cabinet Types
2C Construction typically installs four types of cabinets commonly used in kitchens: wall, specialty, base, and tall. Let’s take a look at what each one means and what it includes.
Wall
The wall cabinet is built into a wall and either holds an appliance or is used to store food and/or utensils. They are often located above the countertop area. This type of cabinet allows the most flexibility in your layout, with many options for hardware placement like shelves, doors, drawers, and drawers with doors. Many integrated wall cabinets keep the kitchen open and bright by not obstructing lines of sight.
Specialty Units
These cabinets are in their own separate unit and are used to store items differently from the other types of cabinets. They can be open for easy access or closed for a more streamlined look. Specialty units can be freestanding and are usually for storing appliances or serving specific functions such as food preparation areas. They can include wine racks, stove hoods, corner lazy susans, or spice racks.
Base
Base cabinets can go anywhere in the kitchen, but are often built into the floor or placed below the countertops. They provide storage space for food but are also used for display purposes as well. The base cabinets give you maximum storage, allowing you to organize your kitchen in any way that suits you.
Tall
Tall cabinets are placed in a corner or next to your cooking area. Depending on the design, the cabinets are used for display or storage. Tall cabinets also add height and drama to your room. They usually go from the floor to the top of the wall cabinets. And since they are so tall, they provide lots of room for whatever you’re looking to store in your kitchen. When you’re looking to maximize your storage, this can be your best option.
Cabinet Quality Grades
Cabinet options range in quality, price, style, and material. The higher the quality, the more style you’ll likely get from the materials and the design. Higher-grade cabinets also allow you to enjoy the look and functionality for years to come.
Stock Cabinets
These cabinets are ready-made pieces. All you have to do is choose the style, buy them, and have them installed. Stock cabinetry comes in several varieties based on the material used and the manufacturer who made the cabinet.
These ready-made cabinets also tend to be more cost-effective and have higher-quality finishes. Why? Because a big manufacturer is likely to have a more stable environment for finishing cabinets as well as a bigger space than a small operation that only has a small area for finishing.
Custom Cabinets
For custom cabinets, you receive cabinets built to your specifications. There are many options to choose from including the size, the type of material, and the style, color, and trim. Various manufacturers build them in a factory and then deliver them to the buyer. It’s completely unique and tailored to your exact taste. While costly, these are cabinets you’re almost guaranteed to love.
Semi-custom Cabinets
Semi-custom cabinets are stock cabinets that allow you to choose the color or finishes. The height and width are as-is but you can customize the extras to your taste. Because of this, they have a longer delivery time than stock cabinets, but you get a final product that fits your decor and needs. On top of that, they are much more affordable than fully custom cabinets.
So not only do you get a few choices at an affordable price, but you also don’t have to finish the cabinets yourself like you would if you bought unfinished cabinets. You’re saving time and money.
Cabinet Colors
Nowadays, cabinets come in just about any color under the sun. But, there are some colors that are more popular than others. White continues to be the most popular color for cabinets. Blue and green are also colors that are building in popularity as people look for more unique kitchens. Stained finishes have also seen a resurgence in popularity lately.
When To Replace Cabinets
When cabinets are showing wear and tear from age, it is usually time to think about replacing them. If there are nicks in the wood, doors that won’t shut, or shelves that no longer hold in place, it’s definitely time for an update.
On the other hand, your cabinets don’t need to be falling apart for you to update them. You may be looking for more storage or new storage features that weren’t available when your cabinets were first installed.
Typically, summer is the best time to replace cabinets as any renovation in the kitchen is going to cause some upset in your routine. The countertop usually needs to be removed to replace the cabinets so you’re not just removing all your storage, you’re moving the counter space as well. At least in the summer, you can cook and hang out outside.
Winter is when contractors tend to have greater availability, but you may have to give up parts of your home to their equipment, and with them going in and out of your home, your heating bill may be higher than you like.
Pricing
Pricing for cabinets can range dramatically. It all depends on how many cabinets you need to be installed, how big they need to be, and if they are customized or modified in any way.
Different elements can also cost more than others. For example, a drawer base can cost more than a standard base. What materials are being used and the door styles also factor into the cost. Whether you’re refacing your cabinets or doing a full replacement can also change how much you’ll need to pay.
To find out the exact pricing, request a quote from 2C Construction today. We’re happy to help you build the cabinets of your dreams.
Schedule An Appointment
There are many factors to consider before putting in new cabinets or replacing old ones. If you want a customized experience with expert professionals, 2C Construction is your best option. We supply our customers with the best and most cost-effective products and services. To schedule an appointment to discuss what you’re looking for, call us today at our Niles, MI office or fill out the contact form here.