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Tag: Planning
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The Difference Between Standard, Semi-Custom and Custom Cabinets
If you’re planning a kitchen renovation, or bathroom remodel, in the near future you need to understand the difference between RTA, standard, semi-custom, and custom cabinets before you begin. Kitchen cabinets are often the focal point of your favorite space, and as such need to be as much about form as function. Bathroom cabinets need to be as beautiful as they are sturdy
Installing ready-made cabinets can result in an attractive kitchen or bathroom that’s every bit as functional as installing cabinets made, or adapted, to your specifications. The difference between the different types of cabinets refers to the production method used, and not necessarily the beauty of your kitchen cabinets.
Here we break down the differences between RTA, standard, semi-custom, and custom cabinets. These are the basic cabinet types available to you. Understanding what the advantages and disadvantages of each kitchen cabinet type will help you make the best choice for your new kitchen.
RTA (Ready-to-Assemble) Cabinets
As the name implies, RTA cabinets are ready-made kitchen cabinets produced using standard measurements, and available in both classic and on-trend styles. Stock cabinets are readily available, though not necessarily something you can customize to your taste. In other words, what you see is what you get.
However, not all RTA kitchen cabinets are bad, and if you’re working on a tight timeline, or budget, they can be a way to stay within both. Be aware that these are typically only available in modular units, and your selection of shapes, colors, heights and wood types will be limited.
Standard Cabinets
Standard level cabinets are the lowest level of cabinets we stock here at Seiffert. They’re still excellent quality cabinets, but they don’t come with the variety of wood types, color options and other customization features of our semi-custom lines.
Like our semi-custom lines, our standard level cabinets are made to order. They are not stock, modular pieces that are already manufactured. They’re made to fill a particular order and to fit your kitchen or bathroom configuration. Often standard cabinets are made by the same manufacturer as semi-custom lines and are very high quality.
Semi-Custom Cabinets
When you opt for semi-custom cabinets you’re choosing cabinets for your kitchen or bathroom that have been customized to your specifications in some manner. You can choose to change up your choice of finish, the depth or other dimension of your cabinets, and in many cases, the type of wood used to make the finished product.
A semi-custom bathroom or kitchen cabinet may add a bit to your timeline, and budget, depending on the customization you require. If you find you’re timeline and budget somewhat limited, but still want plenty of options for tailoring your cabinets to your taste, then semi-custom cabinets are for you.
The difference between semi-custom and full custom cabinets is less than you might think. Our semi-custom lines offer an amazing selection of woods, colors, finishes and other options that it’s rare you can’t find the perfect combination of choices. Our clients often confuse our semi-custom lines with custom cabinetry because the choices are so extensive.
Custom Cabinets
Custom cabinets are something we feature here at Seiffert with the semi-custom lines we carry. If budget and timeline aren’t a factor, or you have some very particular configuration requirements, custom cabinets may be in order. Often custom cabinets are required for only a small portion of a project and the rest is met with semi-custom.
Standard and semi-custom cabinets are built to fit most common configurations. Full custom bathroom and kitchen cabinets are designed specifically for your space. This makes your choices virtually unlimited when it comes to designing your kitchen. For those home chefs who use their kitchen fairly often and have very unique needs, custom cabinets may be the way to go.
With standard and semi-custom cabinets you’ll find you need to use a combination of the available pieces to fit your space. Not so with custom cabinets. Your cabinets are built to fit any space, or shape, to your specifications.
The selection of wood and finishes is virtually unlimited. You can add details as you like and work directly with the design team to further customize the look of your bathroom or kitchen cabinets.
The Choice is Yours
The trend today is toward efficient kitchen systems and, to that end, your cabinets play a huge role. You want a kitchen that’s functional, fits seamlessly into your lifestyle, and, above all, is an example of your specific style and panache.
For more information on the difference between standard, semi-custom, and custom cabinets, contact the design team at Seiffert Building Supplies. We will work with you to find the best, most affordable cabinets for your kitchen or bathroom, in budget and on time.
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Planning for Your Kitchen Remodel
When you’re thinking about remodeling your current kitchen, there are a lot of different things you’ll need to consider. Before you get started, it’s always a good idea to do a little planning and consulting. Here are a few suggestions that can save you time and money while getting you the kitchen you’ve been dreaming about.
Consult with the Pros
Professional advice doesn’t have to be expensive and may not cost anything early in the process. Make the most of the design and planning services offered by your local kitchen and bath providers. They can provide great ideas you may not have considered and help you save time and money later in the process.
You should also use them as sources for prospective contractors if you don’t already have them. They work with dozens of contractors and can help steer you toward some who specialize in your kind of projects.
Keep Your Floor Plan Practical
You can definitely move things around but you’ll want to make sure your kitchen layout remains functional. This means you’ll want to keep a natural triangular pattern between the refrigerator, stove, and faucet.
You’ll also want to ensure the dishwasher is close to the faucet for transfer of dishes. There is some flexibility in these arrangements but you want to keep your kitchen layout clean and make sure that things are arranged in the way you’ll need to use them.
Maximize Your Cabinet Space
If you haven’t purchased cabinets for a while there are probably quite a few new layout options and features you haven’t seen. A visit to the showroom can be a real eye opener when it comes to choosing your new cabinets and making the most of your available square footage.
There are also a lot of new features for saving space, storage and organizing that you might not anticipate in standard cabinetry. A lot of features that used to be custom are now incorporated into many levels of cabinets.
Don’t Skimp on Countertops and Flooring
Kitchen traffic and use can have a greater impact on countertops and flooring than other parts of the kitchen. Spend the money and get high quality products that are as durable as they are beautiful. You can change out a faucet without too much difficulty but replacing worn counters or flooring can quickly add up to more time and money.
Counters and floors also present very large surfaces for visual inspection. This means choosing the right materials, colors and patterns often make the difference in overall visual appeal. Get lots of samples and put them together to make sure everything fits in a way that’s pleasing to the eye.