Cabinetry Styles to Suit your Kitchen Remodel

Today’s world is abounding with all sorts of cabinets for your kitchen and bathroom. From face-framed and frameless cabinets to custom-built cabinets in a myriad of finishes, the right cabinetry will do wonders for your home. For these reasons, the home remodeling experts with Handyman Connection of Ann Arbor would like to offer you some cabinetry basics.

Basic cabinet types

In the first place, there are three main types of cabinets: custom or shop-built cabinetry, semi-custom cabinetry and stock or production cabinetry. Stock cabinets are the most cost effective and are easily obtainable. However, if your kitchen is small, and you’re desirous to save space, semi-custom cabinets may work best for you, since they come in more size choices, finishes and storage solutions than stock cabinets.

As for custom cabinets, they come in a full line of designs, finishes, wood types and sizes and are the most expensive type of cabinetry. Additional custom-built organizational accessories such as pullout drawers and shelves can be included with custom cabinetry, as well.

Framed or frameless?

You might be wondering whether you should choose framed or frameless cabinetry. If you want your cabinets to resemble the traditional look, we recommend framed cabinetry, also called face-frame.

Frameless cabinetry, on the other hand, will give you about 10 percent more interior storage space because the doors lie flush against each other. Also known as European style or full-access cabinetry, they have a clean, stylish look with an emphasis on the doors. Additionally, without frames

in your way, you’ll have greater access to your cabinet’s contents and be able to easily store away oversized bowls, platters and dishes.

A word about the wood

When you consider the type of wood you want for your cabinets, bear in mind these three essential features: type, grain and color. Each characteristic will make a difference in the appearance of your cabinetry choice.

To begin, there are two main types of wood for your cabinetry: soft and hard. Evergreen trees that produce needles are classified as softwood; while oak, birch, maple, hickory, cherry and similar wide-leafed trees are classified as hardwood.

They type of wood you choose will have its own unique grain, or distinct design running through it. Some of these designs or patterns are curly, wavy and spiral. Other patterns include the arch, or inverted V or U patterns; fine patterns, which are less visible; cross patterns with lines running parallel with the wood and straight vertical patterns.

As for the color of your wood cabinets, this can be a bit complicated because many wood types have numerous color variations. Even wood from the same tree can produce several different shades. Take birch wood, for example. Although birch is light-colored with shades ranging from light yellow to cream, its heartwood, or wood found in the middle of the tree, is a very dark, reddish-brown color.

Similarly, oak, alder and hickory are available in light and dark shades, and maple, while light in color, can take on darker finishes to resemble higher wood grades. Interesting to note is the fact that cherry and alder darken with age. In the end, however, many wood varieties can be stained to the color of your choice.

Hire the pros

Are you looking for a dependable, experienced and trustworthy company to take care of your home maintenance and remodeling needs? Consider contacting Handyman Connection of Ann Arbor for your free, no-obligation project estimate. You’ll not only be pleased with our high quality service, but you’ll also enjoy how we’ll treat you long after the job is complete. So give us a call today, and let us give you a helping hand with all those home repairs and updates.