That’s great that you are interested in taking on DIY projects! However, kitchen cabinets are one task that is best left to the experts. If your cabinets aren’t installed properly, it can compromise the functionality and integrity of your kitchen. And it’s no fun to spend more time and money later to have a contractor re-do what you’ve done incorrectly.

You can find many beautiful cabinet options that won’t break your budget at your local DirectBuy showroom. Plus, you can take advantage of their local suppliers, contractors and installers program for a variety of remodeling projects, including kitchen cabinet installation. These services are just some of the many benefits of a DirectBuy membership, and can help you save time and money as you create the home of your dreams.

If you’d like to try other DIY work around the house, DirectBuy has interior designers and product specialists trained to help you figure out which projects are a little more “DIY” friendly, and which products you’ll need to complete your project – all while staying on budget.

That’s a common question among homeowners. As you may already know, hard woods are ideal for kitchen cabinets, as they are more durable for everyday use. The most popular of these types? Oak, maple, hickory and cherry. Many people love the beautiful look of cherry cabinetry, although it’s important to note that cherry will darken as it ages. However, more and more soft woods, including pine and alder, are used for kitchen cabinets.

Some cabinetry manufacturers will use the term “cherry” as the finish color, which is applied over another wood species to give the cabinets a cherry appearance. When selecting your cabinetry, verify with your manufacturer the actual type of wood used.

Great question! The doors you choose for your cabinet play a huge role in the overall look of your kitchen, so it’s important to discover which types you like best.

According to the cabinetry experts at DirectBuy, the styles that you’ve been noticing are known in the cabinetry industry as frameless cabinets. These cabinets are constructed without a face frame, and the cabinet box construction of these types is typically 5/8” or ¾” thick particleboard. Special hinges are applied to the box so that the doors can cover the edges of the box for a full overlay look.

Most cabinet manufacturers offer the full overlay door style. However, when the door is closed, you may typically see about ¼ of an inch of the base. This reveal is necessary for the doors to open properly without conflicting with the doors of adjacent cabinets.

Some cabinet industry insiders warn that the face frame is the structural integrity of the cabinet, so think carefully about opting for frameless cabinets and discuss all the options with your manufacturer.

That’s a great question!

According to the cabinetry experts at DirectBuy, the cost of cabinets is directly related to the style and detail of the doors, so it’s important to educate yourself on the different types and figure out which will work best with your budget.

Here’s a quick primer on the differences between these two panels:

Raised panels are usually three-quarters of an inch thick and made of solid wood. Because of their thickness, they can be routed and milled for more detail. The thick, solid wood will give you a satisfyingly solid sound when you close your doors, rather than the more tinny sound you can expect from plywood.

Recessed panels are typically a quarter-inch thick and made of plywood. Because they aren’t as thick and aren’t made of solid wood, these panels aren’t as expensive as raised panels. If you’re looking for an Arts and Crafts or Shaker style for your kitchen, these panels can give you a simple, clean look at a lower price than you might expect.

If you’re torn between choosing between the look of raised panels and the lower price of recessed panels, there’s another option you might like. Many companies are making panels that look raised, but are actually plywood. They’re typically 15-30% less expensive than plywood, and the untrained eye can’t tell that they’re not raised panels.