Custom Cabinets Vs Semi-Custom
Custom cabinets are made to order… But semi custom are also made to order. So what’s the difference ?
When you’re considering what type of cabinets you want, you probably automatically think that custom cabinets are the best but in most circumstances semi custom is the way to go.
Custom cabinets still have their place but you have to be careful about who is making them as quality varies a lot.
Knowing the difference between custom and semi custom cabients can not only save you money but it can make your kitchen design better.
McManus Kitchen and Bath is a full service remodeling company with an in-house design team and showroom right here in Tallahassee, FL.
We work exclusively with homeowners to help them remodel using a design-build approach that saves time, avoids confusion and creates better results. If you are considering a new project you can schedule a discovery call here.
A brief history of cabinets
Before WW1 modular cabinets were not common in kitchens. Most kitchens had a table for prep and a hoosier cabinet for storage along with a sink and stove.
The invention of the refridgerator and more modern appliances began to change that. The hoosier cabinet started to be replaced by modular cabinets closer to what we are used to today.
Before the mid 70’s you had 2 choices for cabinets:
Site built cabinets were made from plywood on site by the carpenters. These are the classic pine cabinets you see all over Tallahassee.
Site built cabinets were inexpensive and quick to build and like the original Ford cars you could get them in any color as long it was natural pine.
The quality of site build cabinets is decent but most carpenters did not know much about kitchen design so they were not always the most useful.
Custom Cabinets were made in a local cabinet shop and brought to site an installed. These were better quality, offered more colors and styles but came at considerable cost.
The classic pine site built cabinets so common in older Talahassee homes. A load of plywood was delivered and the cabinets were built and finsihed on site by the carpenters.
The Begining of Manufactured Cabinets
In the mid 70’s ‘stock cabinets’ made in a factory began to become popular but since you could only order them by the truckload not many home builders used them and site built cabinets continued to dominate.
Then companies like Kraftmaid starting allowing cabinets to be ordered by the piece and local lumber yards and cabinet showrooms started offering kitchen design services.
Stock cabinets were still limited in style and options so custom cabinets were still best for people who could afford them.
Today’s Options
Today there are 3 basis choices when it comes to cabinets:
1. Stock or RTA Cabinets
Today stock cabinets mostly come flatpacked or Ready to Assemble (RTA). They are made oversees, mostly in SE Asia and shipped over by the container.
- RTA cabinets only come in pre-set sizes in 3″ increments.
- They are the lowest cost cabinets, have the fewest options and
- are made from lower quality materials and use lower quality hardware than custom or semi-custom.
- One advantage over custom cabinets is they quality of finish is usually better.
RTA cabinets have limited door style and color options and come in limited sizes.
Semi Custom Cabinets
These cabinets are made to order usign modern manufactuing equipment in combination with hand assembly and quality control.
They come in in 1/4 inch increments so they can be made to fit any space and many companies offer other customizations.
The have dozens of color and style options and many companies also provide custom colors.
- Prices vary depending on materials used and options offered.
- The finishes are some of the best available
- Consistency is very good.
Custom Cabinets
These cabinets are made to order as well but the way they are made and quality of the cabinet can vary widely depending on who is making them and equipment they use.
Some custom cabinet shops are little more than a couple of guys in a garage while others are multi-million dollar facilites with lots of automated machinery.
- Quality varies widely
- Finishes are lower quality than manufactured cabinets
- Many companies order door from semi custom manufactures and only build the cabinet box themselves.
Another Thing to Consider… Framed Vs Frameless
We specialize in frameless cabinets. They are have several advantages over framed options. Read about them here.
Why We Recommend Semi-Custom Cabinets
In the past, custom cabinets were almost always the best you could get. But now, because of great advances in the manufacturing process, semi-custom cabinets are the way to go.
Like custom cabinets, semi-custom offers a very high degree of customization. While not completely limitless, you can almost certainly find exactly what you’re looking for with semi-custom cabinets.
They are made with high-quality materials and the quality control the manufacturer requires gives you the peace of mind you need for such a big investment.
And the wide variety of choices in terms of colors and finishes means you’ll be able to find the perfect aesthetic for your space.
They’re also better in terms of price, costing significantly less than custom cabinets. The wait time is shorter and often more reliable.
But most importantly, the cabinets are often better quality. Because they’re factory-made, they are consistently excellent. The finishes are flawless and the quality control protects you, the buyer.
Today semi custom cabinets are usually a better choice and offer better quality and reliablity.
When to Choose Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets do still have a place, especially if you are using a qualtiy company like Custom Wood Products. We’ve worked with CWP for several years and their service and quality are fantastic.
We like to use CWP when we the client wants inset cabinets. Inset cabinets have very tight tolerances so the extra care CWP takes in the manufacturing process is important.
Custom cabinets would also be the best choice if you wanted to use an exotic wood like Zebrawood or ebony since most semi custom shops won’t carry them because of lack of demand.
If you want specialty cabinets with curved doors or other unique features then custom is probably the best choice as well.
Picture of a hidden door panty from the Custom Wood Prodcuts Showroom
We Have a Lot to Say About Cabinets!
At McManus Kitchen and Bath, we’ve remodeled many kitchens. Our twenty years plus of experience have taught us a thing or two about kitchen cabinets.
- What are the five essential cabinets every kitchen needs? Read about them here.
- Do you know the difference between inset and frameless cabinets? Information about the two types and which one we recommend can be found here.
- If you want to know more about RTA cabinets, their pros and cons, and when they are useful, read this post or this one.
- For help in knowing what makes a quality cabinet and how to find them, click here.
Still have questions? We are here with answers! We offer knowledgeable designers, a curated showroom, and excellent craftsmanship. We can help you remodel your Tallahassee area kitchen into the perfect space you’ve always wanted. Contact us today and let’s get started.
