The Prefabricated vs Custom Debate: Which Cabinets Are Best For Your Kitchen?

There are several factors to consider when shopping for cabinetry for your new kitchen construction or kitchen renovation. Ultimately, you are going to have to choose between two main types of cabinets — prefabricated and custom-built. Each option has unique selling points, but neither can be said to be better than the other. The best cabinets for your kitchen will depend on your specific requirements and situation. 

Here's what you need to know before you decide which type of cabinet is right for your kitchen.

Prefabricated Cabinets

These cabinets are manufactured in advance of the day they are bought by the end-user. They usually come in basic, straightforward designs to fit standard kitchen dimensions. If you want your cabinet install to get completed quickly, look no further than prefab cabinets. These cabinets can easily be installed due to their limited customisation options. 

When it comes to cost, prefab cabinets are generally cheaper compared to their custom cousins. The mass production of these cabinets allows cabinet makers to achieve cost advantages that may not be possible with custom manufacturing. As a result, they can pass on the cost savings to customers by charging them lower prices. You may want to consider this option if you are on a tight budget. 

On the downside, the lower price tags of in-stock cabinetry may represent lower-quality products. Plus, the sizes, shapes, and designs that these cabinets come in are invariably limited. If you are looking to make a big interior design statement with your kitchen cabinets, you may need to make your cabinets a top splurge. 

Custom Cabinets

If you don't mind paying extra for quality craftsmanship, then you should opt for custom cabinets. These cabinets can be made to incorporate any design element you want. They give you total design freedom, from the size, shape, and material of your cabinetry down to its colour and finish. 

Custom cabinets may be the only option available for some kitchens. For example, an oddly shaped kitchen will require cabinets that have been specifically designed and built to fit the space.

On the downside, custom cabinets can be costly, and they take longer to finish and install compared to the prefab alternatives. But if you don't mind splurging and waiting, you will love the results. 

The prefab versus custom cabinetry debate doesn't look like it will end any time soon, so in the end, what you choose is squarely up to you.

To learn more, contact a kitchen cabinet supplier.


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