Buying cheap kitchen cabinets may at first sound like a good
idea. Think again. After only a short period of time, you'll
find the cost of repairing and (more likely!) replacing them
actually costs more in the long run than purchasing good-quality
cabinets in the first place.
So how does one determine cheap kitchen cabinets from those of
high quality? First off, don't be fooled by the so-called
"sales" at some less-than-scrupulous lumberyards or other
cabinet retailers. These "bargains" can really sock it to you in
the long run with photo-simulated wood, thin-as-paper laminates,
poor-quality wood (when real wood is used!), and joinery to
shame the most lackadaisical carpenter.
One of the first places to be on the lookout for cheap kitchen
cabinets lies in the drawer construction. Do all the pieces fit
snugly together? Does the joinery appear solid and well
constructed? Does the drawer glide smoothly open and close? Are
they on metal extensions that work using ball bearings or on
cheap plastic tracks?
Other signs of cheap kitchen cabinets come to light when the
doors do not open and close smoothly and easily. Improper fit
can wear out hinges and even eventually cause cracking.
Well-made doors should open easily - without creaking - and with
an easy action. Hinges should be adjustable, and doors need to
be able to open adequately.
Although many people think of "big box" stores as places most
likely to sell cheap kitchen cabinets, this just isn't so. Many
small cabinet shops commonly build cabinets that don't quite
meet the grade because of a lack of the sophisticated equipment
found in large-scale manufacturers. Machining quality can vary
greatly in such things as laminating and edging panels, so it
pays to shop around.
So although the allure of cheap kitchen cabinets may at first
appeal to you, be sure and consider things on down the road. You
can spend more now and have great-looking cabinets for the next
30 years, or you can spend less and look at replacing those
cheap kitchen cabinets sooner than you would ever imagine. The
choice is yours.
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