stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinets

Stock cabinets are mass-produced in specific standard sizes and finishes. Generally, these are “face framed” cabinets, with standard [or partial overlay door], based upon costs and the manufacturer. They may also be frameless.  Frameless and framed cabinetry box construction will vary in terms of materials. How these are constructed will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.  They could be made with ¼” materials, such as melamine or plywood [usually for the back of the cabinetry, or for the bottoms of the drawers]. The sides of a framed or frameless box construction should be at least 5/8” or thicker. While some “stock cabinets” can be made from thinner materials [less expensive], lower costs are reflected in materials, the limitations of sizes, box construction, particularly less expensive hardware, wood and finishes. Usually cabinetry box parts pieces, hardware and sizes are “pre made or ordered” and stored in the warehouse. They are then assembled when you place your cabinetry order. You can’t modify the dimensions. They may be “pre-finished” or finished after assembly. Assembly and cabinetry construction can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. The advances in computerized woodworking tools that allow the large manufacturers to produce cabinet parts more quickly, lead to lower cost. Stock cabinetry may mean they are not as sturdy [as when the box construction is 5/8” or ¾” material] or not as well assembled or designed. But it doesn’t necessarily mean ‘cheap.’

Semi-custom can refer to a face framed cabinet or frameless box construction. Depending upon the manufacturer, the cabinet can be made in the standard known sizes, but they can be modified in terms of height, depth, and width. Generally, they are made specifically for the design/order. Again, depending upon the manufacturer, the box construction could be made of thinner materials [1/4” for backs and/or drawer bottoms of the drawers] with thicker materials for sides and bottoms.   With semi-custom cabinetry, and depending upon the manufacturer, there are more options offered in terms of selections of woods, door styles, hardware, with options for finishes, trim, and molding.

“Custom” means cabinetry can then be customized to fit the space designed but the term “custom” does not quite mean what it sounds like. It means going from semi-custom to: a] The customizing of any size of any cabinetry and/or parts to fit within almost all parameters of the design and/or the specifications; b] The ability to customize and manufacture any cabinet, using almost all woods species [including exotic wood]; c] To customize to any finish; d] To manufacture an inset door style.  While more expensive, the cabinets are made to each customer’s specifications, thus, “customized.”