There is the perception that custom cabinets are better made than stock cabinets. On more than one occasion I have had clients ask for custom cabinets in situations when they aren’t necessary. The truth of the matter is that how a cabinet is made has the biggest impact on the quality and longevity of cabinetry. The quality of the materials, hardware, and finish are the key to durability as well as construction methods or how the cabinet was built. There are many details, but most people can relate to the way drawers are constructed and how well they slide in and out.
Everyone has come across that drawer that is coming apart or falling off the slides in a kitchen. Drawers can be put together with a number of different joints and materials. A stapled drawer made from fiberboard is significantly weaker than one constructed of solid 3/4 inch thick maple with dovetailed joints. And when children hang from the drawer or use the drawer pulls as steps to climb on the counter top, the stronger the drawer, the more likely they will survive undamaged.
