Online kitchen cabinets can be purchased and delivered in one of two ways: Assembled or Ready to Assemble (RTA).

Assembled kitchen cabinets, as the name implies, are delivered already built from the manufacturer and ready to be installed in the home. Assembled cabinets do not require the homeowner to build the cabinets; everything is complete, including all the drawers and hardware components.

RTA kitchen cabinets are delivered in a form that is commonly referred to as “flat packed” or unassembled. RTA cabinets require the consumer to put together and build the cabinets at the location that they are being installed. The cabinet is in a broken-down form and will require extra work from the installer.

Cabinets.com offers only fully assembled cabinets, because they provide a better value and longevity for your investment. Although both types of cabinets can appeal to different types of buyers, we have listed the pros and cons of both types so you can decide which type will best suit your needs.

Kitchen cabinets consist of many different materials; particleboard, MDF, plywood, and solid wood are the most common. All of these woods have very different characteristics, so it’s important to know what you are buying and to be educated on the different types of materials. Most manufacturers still use solid wood (maple, Cherry, oak) for the cabinet face frames and doors. Since it’s not economical to use solid wood for the entire cabinet due to availability and cost, manufacturers have to find an alternative wood for the cabinet sides and backs. Most manufacturers will turn to particle board or plywood to keep costs down and still affordable.

Particle board

Particle board is commonly used for the sides and backs of cheaper cabinets with a lower quality of construction. Particle board is made up of tiny little wood chips that have been compressed and adhered together with some type of glue. Particle board does not have the strength that plywood does and over time will chip more easily during normal wear and tear. Particle board will also tend to swell up if it sits in water for a period of time. Cheaper particle board is made with a very low quality glue that you would use for home projects, however some particle board is made with an industrial style glue and will hold up much better. One of the pros with particle board is that its easier to mill and form more consistently. A lot of manufacturers will use a higher end particle board for the cabinet shelves since the precision is better than plywood.

Plywood

Plywood is usually preferred by manufacturers that want to offer a higher end cabinet and still offer them at an affordable price. Plywood is much more durable than particle board and also much more water resistant. Instead of being made from wood chips, it consists of wood sheets that are compressed together and then veneered. Plywood is also much easier to drill and screw into making the assemble much easier.

New cabinets for your kitchen or bath can be a big investment and you want to keep them looking great for many years to come! There are some very simple things you can do to maintain their appearance.  Just like any other type of furniture, the cabinets should be dusted and/or vacuumed regularly to remove any dust particles that have accumulated. When dusting, we recommend using a polish-moistened or damp cloth and to wipe following the grain of the wood. Wiping against the grain could cause scratches if the dust contains grit.  Any residues caused from cooking oils or smoke should be wiped up with a damp cloth and a small amount of furniture cleaner. Old t-shirts, cheesecloth, dish towels, or flannels make great wiping cloths; just make sure they are clean and free of buttons or snaps so they don’t cause scratches.

It takes just a small amount of effort to keep a kitchen looking brand new. Here are a few more tips to help you keep your cabinets looking new for many, many years to come!

• Wipe up spills, splatters, and water spots as they occur immediately, keeping the cabinets dry.

• Clean as needed with a soft, lint-free cloth.  Use a mild detergent or soap with warm water.

• Dry surfaces immediately with a soft cloth.

• Avoid using a dish cloth or sponge. It could contain remnants of grease or detergents.

• Do not use products with bleach, ammonia, or abrasive additives like petroleum solvents.

• Never use scouring pads, steel wool, or powdered cleaners.

• Do not allow oven cleaners to come into contact with wood surfaces.

• Avoid placing small kitchen appliances where heat is directed onto cabinet surfaces.

• Avoid draping damp cloths or dish towels over cabinet doors – excessive moisture can cause permanent damage.

• We recommend Guardsman furniture polish, which is available at most stores.  As with any new cleaning product, test a small spot in an inconspicuous spot to ensure it doesn’t damage the cabinet surface.

Cabinet hardware is the final touch when designing your kitchen or bath cabinetry. It finishes off the entire look, as well as helps convey the “style” you are wanting to achieve. Sometimes all it takes is a change in hardware to completely transform the look of a space.

Knobs, Pulls, and More

There are many different types of hardware available in a variety of finishes. There are your standard knobs and pulls, as well as cup pulls, which are popular paired with Shaker cabinets, and sleek “European” style cabinet bar pulls, which help bring a dose of modern to a space. Knobs and pulls can have a textured design to them or be smooth and bright. For finishes, brushed nickel tends to be the most popular because it makes a kitchen or bath seem more modern and also matches well with stainless steel appliances.

Knobs are traditionally used for doors and cabinet pulls are for drawers, but rules can be thrown out the window in the name of comfort and ease. The hardware has to work for the people using the space. Some pulls can be too small to fit big hands, while knobs can be hard for someone with arthritis to grab and pull.

Door Hinges and Drawer Glides

The hinges for the doors are a very important part of the design since they are used for the opening and closing of the doors. Hinges are almost always concealed, which provides a cleaner look to the cabinets. Soft close hinges are available now, which slows the cabinet door so it doesn’t slam. Soft close hinges cut down on noise of banging cabinets and also help minimize wear and tear on the cabinets.

The glides you choose for your drawers are another important choice. The least expensive choice is an all plastic glide, which isn’t the best structurally as it can’t support heavier loads. An all metal glide can handle more weight and is more durable. Some glides only allow the drawer to pull out partially, leaving part of the drawer in the cabinet box while others allow the drawer to be pulled completely out (full extension), which exposes all the drawer contents. Drawer glides are also available with the soft-close function.

Tips For Installing the Hardware

While you can place hardware wherever it makes the most sense for you and your needs, there are a few guidelines that help with the placement. On cabinet doors, it is best to use the cabinet rails and stiles as your guide. If you are using a knob, line it up with the top of the bottom door rail and center it on the stile. If using a pull, line up the bottom of the pull with the top of the bottom door rail and center it on the stile as well. If you have a bank of drawers and the bottom one is larger than the others, place it up higher on the drawer front rather than right in the center like the others. It makes it easier to use without needing to bend all the way down to the ground to reach your cabinet knob.

If you want to place the hardware before drilling, you could temporarily attach the hardware to the cabinets and drawers with adhesive putty. This may help you get an idea of what it would look like, as well as give you an idea of where to drill your holes. There are also template tools that can help you plan where you need to put the holes for the hardware. If you are replacing existing hardware and the new hardware leaves the old holes exposed, get a coordinating back plate to cover up the previous drill marks.