Quality Features To Look For When Purchasing New Kitchen Cabinets

Remodeling your kitchen is equal parts exciting and stressful. It's exciting because you get to rip out the dated backsplash and get brand new countertops, but stressful because you're not entirely sure what's quality and what won't stand the test of time. While it might not matter as much that your backsplash isn't high-quality material, one thing you definitely don't want to skimp on are the cabinets. Since they will experience years of opening, closing, and holding heavy weight (those porcelain dishes aren't light!), it's important to buy quality cupboards so they look just as good in 10 years as they do today. But what should you look for to ensure you're purchasing quality pieces? We asked an expert to find out.

According to Matt DiBara, 4th generation contractor and co-founder of The Contractor Consultants, you should look at two main things. He exclusively told House Digest that you want to take a closer look at what the cabinet is made of and what kind of hardware it has. For instance, if it's made from wood and has soft-close hardware, you're golden. If it's made from particleboard and slams when you close it, don't waste your money. Here is a closer look at why.

Before you fall in love with the style of a cabinet, first double check what it's made from. You want something sturdy that can last for decades without sagging, chipping, or peeling, and that means looking for cupboards made from either hardwood or plywood. "Solid wood is always a top choice for durability and a classic look," DiBara exclusively told House Digest. "But if you're looking to save a bit without sacrificing too much quality, plywood is a great option — it holds up well to moisture and is less likely to warp compared to particleboard, which can swell and sag over time in humid kitchens." The latter is one of the major disadvantages of buying budget cabinets. If you don't want to deal with uneven cabinets in about a decade, then it's best to skip particleboard entirely. 

You also want to take a closer look at how the cabinet is actually constructed. "High-quality cabinets use solid wood or plywood with dovetail or dowel joints, which make them a lot more durable," DiBara says. "If you see staples or glue holding pieces together, that's a red flag!"

In addition to the material, you also want to look at the finish on the cabinets. Just because your cabinet is made from plywood doesn't mean it's a foolproof choice. You need one with a good finish in order to protect the wood from the daily wear and tear of a kitchen. "It seals out moisture, stains, and spills, so your cabinets stay looking fresh no matter what kitchen messes get thrown their way," our expert explains. If it's bumpy or uneven, it probably won't last very long.

Not looking at the hardware is one of the mistakes everyone makes when buying kitchen cabinets. If the cabinets are made from hardwood or plywood, have sturdy construction, and have a smooth finish, you're almost home. The last thing you need to double check is its hardware. "Soft-close hinges and drawer glides might seem like small details, but they're huge for day-to-day use," DiBara exclusively told House Digest. "Soft-close hardware means no more slamming doors and helps prevent long-term wear and tear. Full-extension glides let you pull the drawers all the way out, so you're not left digging around for things in the back." Skipping this feature might seem insignificant, but having cheaper hardware will cause your cabinets to wear down much faster. It's a kitchen upgrade that's definitely worth the price. The doors will experience more abuse and you'll pull on the drawers harder to see all the way back, which can lead to eventual unalignment. 

So how do you know you're dealing with lower-quality glides and hinges? Give them a pull. "If the drawers don't open smoothly or don't pull out all the way, that's usually a sign of lower-quality glides," he explains. "And if you hear slamming every time you close a door or drawer, it probably means there's no soft-close feature, which is standard on better cabinets." If that's the case, it's better to keep looking for a higher quality collection.