• About
    • Professionals Program – Cabinet Discount
  • How We Work
  • Services
    • Kitchen & Bath Design
  • Cabinet Gallery
  • Cabinet Products
    • StarkMark Cabinetry
    • UltraCraft Custom Cabinets
    • Waypoint Living Spaces
    • Plato Woodwork Custom Cabinetry
    • Eclipse Cabinetry
    • Shiloh Cabinetry
    • WW Wood Products, Inc.
    • Cabinet Categories
      • Bathroom Vanities
      • Kitchen Islands
      • Kitchen Cabinet Designs
      • Kitchen Cabinet Showroom
      • Kitchen Remodeling
      • Custom Closet Systems
      • StarMark Cabinetry
      • Eclipse Modern European Cabinets
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Testimonials

Call us 925.588.2411 • 9am – 5pm M–F • 10am–3pm Sat

Find us on Map
steve@distinctivecabinetry.us
Login

Login
Custom High End Cabinets  |  Kitchen Cabinet Suppliers Bay Area  |  Bath Vanity Cabinets  |  Distinctive CabinetryCustom High End Cabinets  |  Kitchen Cabinet Suppliers Bay Area  |  Bath Vanity Cabinets  |  Distinctive Cabinetry
best-kitchen-bath-cabinet-remodel-east-bay-area
  • About
    • Professionals Program – Cabinet Discount
  • How We Work
  • Services
    • Kitchen & Bath Design
  • Cabinet Gallery
  • Cabinet Products
    • StarkMark Cabinetry
    • UltraCraft Custom Cabinets
    • Waypoint Living Spaces
    • Plato Woodwork Custom Cabinetry
    • Eclipse Cabinetry
    • Shiloh Cabinetry
    • WW Wood Products, Inc.
    • Cabinet Categories
      • Bathroom Vanities
      • Kitchen Islands
      • Kitchen Cabinet Designs
      • Kitchen Cabinet Showroom
      • Kitchen Remodeling
      • Custom Closet Systems
      • StarMark Cabinetry
      • Eclipse Modern European Cabinets
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Testimonials

What to Ask Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets

Home BathWhat to Ask Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets
buying-kitchen-cabinets

What to Ask Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets

November 22, 2016 Bath, Bathroom Remodel, Cabinet Styles, Kitchen, Kitchen Cabinets, Kitchen Remodel

If you’re looking to improve your kitchen and make your home more valuable, buying kitchen cabinets and investing in quality materials is one of the smartest things you can do. Statistics show, modern buyers crave beautiful, yet functional kitchens, and are willing to pay a premium to get them.

Thus, many homeowners are updating their kitchen cabinets, countertops and appliances with the intent of adding value to their home for a future sale. The only problem is where do you start? Luckily for the readers or our blog, Distinctive Cabinetry specializes in Kitchens & Bath Remodels & Renovations. With the help of StarMark Cabinetry we’ve created a “What to Ask Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets” Guide.

 

Questions to Ask Before Buying Kitchen Cabinets


1)
   WHAT TYPE OF FINISH IS USED? A very durable finish is an oven-cured catalyzed conversion varnish top coat. It provides a clear, non-yellowing, chemicallyresistant finish. The least durable top coats are lacquer and catalyzed lacquer. Just a few years after lacquer-finished cabinets are installed, the area around the pulls and knobs develop a tacky, dark color. That is the lacquer wearing down from everyday handling and exposure to water (sink), detergents, chemicals, and steam (coffee maker and dishwasher). Lacquers also yellow over time. This does not happen with a catalyzed conversion varnish.

StarMark Cabinetry uses a catalyzed conversion varnish. Cabinetry finished with this process will look better and hold up better over time compared to cabinetry with a lacquer top coat. Our finish is more than durable, it’s beautiful. Our top coat has a lustrous feel, incredible depth, and an understated, elegant satin sheen. It’s what you’d expect of fine heirloom furniture, so we call it the “Furniture Finish.”

.

2)   WHO SUPPLIES THE FINISH MATERIALS?

StarMark Cabinetry uses finish materials from only the best and most reputable manufacturers. The coatings comply with all regulations regarding Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde.

.

3)   WHAT IS THE FINISH PROCESS?

kitchen-cabinet-finishStarMark Cabinetry has a multi-step finish process that is one of the very best in the industry. It is certified by KCMA (see LEARN MORE at left) and passes a rigorous certification process that tests for resistance against chemicals and harmful household products. StarMark Cabinetry finishes cabinetry in a professional, climate controlled system. The varnish is catalyzed and oven cured to provide a super hard finish that is clear, nonyellowing and chemically resistant. Each cabinet in a StarMark Cabinetry installation will have a pleasing overall color match due to our exacting color standards and controlled manufacturing environment.

.

4)   IF A DOOR HAS TO BE REPLACED, CAN YOU GET IT FINISHED TO MATCH YOUR KITCHEN?
Watch out for cabinetmakers who may not be in business when you need a door or two down the road.

StarMark Cabinetry has been in business for more than 35 years. StarMark will be there if you need a door, a hinge, or a glide.

.

5)   WHAT IS THE WARRANTY?
Cabinetry has to endure hard knocks. 

StarMark Cabinetry has a limited Lifetime Warranty. StarMark Cabinetry has been in business for more than 35 years. StarMark will be there if you need a door, a hinge, or a glide.

.

6)   IS THE PRODUCT ON VIEW?
Avoid cabinetmakers who do not have their product on display. You need to open and close doors and drawers, judge the glides, and judge the material, methods and joinery used to build the cabinets.

StarMark Cabinetry is on display in our Walnut Creek Showroom.

.

7)   ARE THE CABINETS CERTIFIED BY THE KITCHEN CABINET MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION?
Cabinets that comply and bear the KCMA certification seal are a quality product able to perform after a rigorous battery of ANSI tests simulating years of typical household use

kitchen cabinets made in americaStarMark Cabinetry is KCMA certified. StarMark Cabinetry uses the best construction methods and materials available.

Throughout the entire manufacturing process, every employee is empowered to remove product that doesn’t meet their standards. Our employees are actively and passionately engaged in our Continuous Improvement (CI) process. We have several CI teams from several different departments who watch over every aspect of cabinet production, from order processing through delivery. Our Continuous Improvement process works!

.

8)   DOES THE CABINETMAKER HAVE A WRITTEN FRIM DELIVERY TIME?
Floors, appliances and counter tops have to be coordinated with the delivery of cabinets. A delay will throw off several components of your project.

StarMark Cabinetry delivers 99% on time and complete. We have a four week delivery time for stains, six week delivery time for other finishes and specialty items, eight week or ten week delivery time for inset cabinetry.

.

9)   WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS?
Most projects need replacement parts and add-ons.

StarMark Cabinetry emphasizes fast turnaround on job completion items.

.

Other factors to watch out for when buying kitchen cabinets:

1)   HOW ARE THE FACE FRAMES ATTACHED TO THE CABINET BOX?
Some cabinetmakers cut costs by just nailing the face frame to the side panels, instead of using durable, time tested woodwork joinery.

2)   DO THE CABINETS US HARDWOOD PLYWOOD OR PARTICLE BOARD?
Particle board isn’t very strong, and it doesn’t take finish evenly. Some cabinetmakers create cabinet exteriors with a mix of wood and melamine components. Be aware that melamine doesn’t age like the wood components will, and eventually your kitchen will be two different colors.

3)   WILL YOUR HAVE A BACK PANEL?
When buying kitchen cabinets it’s easy to overlook little features. But, how about the back panel? Some cabinetmakers cut costs by eliminating the back panel. When you open the cabinet door, you will see the wall.

4)   WILL THE PARTICLE BOARD BE UNFINISHED?
Unfinished particle board will absorb moisture and bubble.

5)   HOW THICK SHOULD CABINET SHELVES BE AND ARE THEY ADJUSTABLE?
Shelves that are only 5/8” thick are likely to bow. Unadjustable shelves will limit how you can arrange the contents of your cabinets.

6)   HOW STURDY ARE THE CABINET DRAWERS AND ROLL TRAY?
Some cabinetmakers cut costs by building their drawers with particle board or soft wood. They pin the drawer sides to the front and back. A drawer made with these materials and the pinning method WILL NOT stand up to the daily abuse kitchens drawers are put through. Insist on rugged material and dovetail joinery. Some cabinetmakers cut costs by not protecting the glides from the finish process, so the glides are speckled with the cabinet color.

7)   BEFORE BUYING KITCHEN CABINETS CHECK THE HINGES… DO THEY SOFT CLOSE?
Cabinetry will shrink and expand with the changing seasons. If you can’t adjust your hinges to accommodate seasonal changes, your doors won’t close properly.

Distinctive Cabinetry makes buying kitchen cabinets easy. For more than 30 years our kitchen designers have turned dreams into reality. Our NKBA certified designers have the knowledge and experience to work within your budget and space, giving you exactly what you want.

Click the button below if you need help buying kitchen cabinets.

Yes, I Need Kitchen Cabinets.

 

Share
3

You also might be interested in

starmark-cabinetry-bathroom-vanity

Tips to Plan a Bathroom Remodel

Nov 22, 2014

Our friends at Starmark Cabinetry posted this helpful article on[...]

what-color-cabinets-for-kitchen-remodel-alamo-supplier

What Color Cabinets for Kitchen Remodel?

May 6, 2021

There’s a lot to think about when planning a kitchen[...]

teens-kitchen-redesign

EXCELLENT TIPS FOR A ‪KITCHEN‬ ‪REDESIGN‬ WITH KIDS IN MIND

Aug 24, 2015

This post originally appeared on the StarMark Cabinetry Website.  [...]

Leave a Reply

Your email is safe with us.
Cancel Reply

Hand-Crafted Cabinets

starmark-special-ad2

Finding Your Kitchen Style Just Got Easier

find-kitchen-cabinets-bay-area Make remodeling your kitchen easier with a Style Quiz by Waypoint Living Spaces® (one of our Cabinet Manufacturers).

Testimonials Widget

  • We couldn’t be more pleased with the design expertise and service that Sherry and the team and Distinctive Cabinetry provided in our renovation project. We used them for 4 different cabinet solutions (kitchen, entertainment center, and two bathrooms) and everything turned out better than we could have ever imagined. Not only did Sherry help us with all of the design / planning, her customer service throughout the process to ensure they were working in lock step with our contractor was outstanding. 5 SHINY STARS for Sherry and Distinctive Cabinetry!!

    Ryan
    Kitchen, Entertainment Center & Bathroom Client
  • Sherry at Distinctive Cabinetry showed immense patience with us while we struggled to figure out exactly what we wanted. The whole project turned out absolutely beautiful. They were easy to work with, let us take home samples and made numerous changes as we kept changing our minds on a few things. After delivery and install, they were quick to address any issues and changes we had. Highly recommend them! Oh and the total price ended up lower than expected.

    HU
    Kitchen Renovation Client
  • Had a great experience with Sherry at Distinctive Cabinetry. She was so helpful in answering all our questions, helping us think through a an updated design for our kitchen. She made the process easy, was responsive, had great ideas, and such a pleasure to work with through the entire process. I would highly recommend Distinctive Cabinetry and Sherry!

    SG
    Kitchen Cabinet Update Client

View our favorite Bath & Kitchen Cabinet Solutions on Houzz.

houzz-logo

Distinctive Cabinetry, bath & kitchen cabinetry supplier and designer in Walnut Creek, California, offers high end custom cabinets, fine bathroom vanities, pre-made kitchen islands, custom outdoor kitchen cabinets and cabinet accessories. Serving Danville, LaFayette, and Alamo in East Bay.

Visit our profile on HOUZZ.

RECENT POSTS

  • How to Choose Kitchen Cabinets for a Remodel March 31, 2023
  • 4 Materials for Your Home Cabinets November 5, 2022
  • 6 Ways to Add Storage Space to Your Bathroom July 1, 2022
  • Replacing Your Kitchen Cabinets? April 24, 2022
  • Styles of Bathroom Vanities: Types of Materials and Average Costs December 22, 2021

Contact Us

We love helping people find the perfect cabinets for their kitchens!

Send Message
Learn why we're the best high-end kitchen cabinet supplier CLICK HERE!

Tag Cloud

3D Rendering Software Alamo - CA Bath Cabinetry Supplier bathroom vanities Best Kitchen Island Bridgeport Cabinet Colors Common Mistake Custom Cabinetry Danville - California East Bay Home Builders Kitchen Cabinetry Designer Kitchen Cabinet Supplier Kitchen Design Kitchen Designer Kitchen Islands Kitchen Planning Lafayette - CA Mission Popular Cabinet Styles Pre-Made Kitchen Islands Professional Kitchen Designer Shaker Starmark Cabinetry Walnut Creek - CA

SHOWROOM ADDRESS

2225 North Main Street
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

SHOWROOM HOURS

9am - 5pm • Monday - Friday
10am - 3pm • Saturday

AWARDS & AFFILIATIONS

best-kitchen-designer-walnut-creek

© 2000new Date().getFullYear()>2010&&document.write("-"+new Date().getFullYear());, Distinctive Cabinetry • 2225 North Main Street, Walnut Creek, California 94596 • 925.588.2411

  • About
    • Professionals Program – Cabinet Discount
  • How We Work
  • Services
    • Kitchen & Bath Design
  • Cabinet Gallery
  • Cabinet Products
    • StarkMark Cabinetry
    • UltraCraft Custom Cabinets
    • Waypoint Living Spaces
    • Plato Woodwork Custom Cabinetry
    • Eclipse Cabinetry
    • Shiloh Cabinetry
    • WW Wood Products, Inc.
    • Cabinet Categories
      • Bathroom Vanities
      • Kitchen Islands
      • Kitchen Cabinet Designs
      • Kitchen Cabinet Showroom
      • Kitchen Remodeling
      • Custom Closet Systems
      • StarMark Cabinetry
      • Eclipse Modern European Cabinets
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • Testimonials
Prev Next