In case you are constructing a brand new residence, or renovating a kitchen, you could have come throughout the time period “builder-grade” in some unspecified time in the future in your analysis. What are builder-grade cupboards precisely? Must you put builder grade cupboards in your house? Or, if in case you have them in your house already, how are you going to replace these cupboards to look extra like a {custom} kitchen?
What Are Builder-Grade Cupboards?
Builder-grade, or contractor-grade, is an business time period for product constructed to fulfill building code necessities, utilizing easy, cheap supplies with minimal detailing. These merchandise are normally very inexpensive and can be found in-stock at residence enchancment shops and even on-line.
There are builder-grade choices for all sorts of residence enchancment supplies, together with: lumber, roofing, lighting, plumbing fixtures, flooring, cupboards & extra. These merchandise are interesting to many contractors due to their availability and price, which is the place they get the identify “builder-grade.” Nonetheless, these merchandise are likely to get a foul fame as a result of they’re made with cheap supplies and don’t final so long as high quality cabinetry.
Notice: Regardless of the identify, it is very important perceive that not all builders use builder-grade cupboards. For instance, the kitchen cupboards that Norfolk provides to our contractors are a lot larger high quality than your typical builder-grade. In case you are constructing a house, it is necessary so that you can perceive the fabric high quality provided by your builder.
What Are Builder Grade Cupboards Made Of?
A typical builder-grade cupboard is made of a reasonable wooden product, comparable to particleboard or a less expensive plywood. Many come ready-to-assemble (RTA), that means they’re delivered to you in a flat field to avoid wasting on delivery prices. The cupboards are then assembled utilizing butt-joints, a way the place the ends of every piece are positioned collectively and fixed into place. Whereas sizing & fashion choices are restricted, the kitchen cupboards are available in the most well-liked fashion and colours and are very price range pleasant.
Builder-Grade Vs. Customized Cupboards
Customized cupboards, or semi-custom cupboards, are larger high quality than builder-grade. They’re made with both actual wooden, hardwood plywood or a high-density wooden product. These supplies give the cupboard larger humidity & moisture resistance, as they’re much less porous than cheaper wooden merchandise comparable to particleboard.
Customized cupboards are rigorously made with loads of structural helps and reinforcements, holding the cupboard inflexible & sq.. Drawer joints are dovetailed collectively and secured with wooden glue for max power, and soft-close door & drawer {hardware} is used to forestall slamming. Customized & semi-custom cupboards are available in many sizes, kinds, and colours, and have a high-quality paint or stain end, which protects your cupboard from the wear and tear and tear of on a regular basis life. The one variations between semi-custom and {custom} cupboards are the quantity of design flexibility and sizing choices.
Whereas builder-grade cupboards have the benefit of being extra inexpensive than {custom} cabinetry, it is necessary so that you can think about the standard you might be receiving, in addition to the worth tag, earlier than making the selection that’s proper for your loved ones.
How Do You Replace Your Builder Grade Cupboards With out Changing Them?
In case you purchased a home with builder grade cupboards put in already, you might be on the lookout for methods to replace the cupboards or enhance the general look of your kitchen, and there are numerous methods to try this. Earlier than you resolve, there are just a few essential questions it is advisable ask your self:
Are The Cupboards In Good Situation?
As we stated above, builder-grade cupboards get a foul fame for poor sturdiness over time. In case your cupboards are structurally falling aside, we don’t advocate spending your hard-earning time and money updating a failing product.
Is Your Kitchen Practical?
Does your kitchen format give you the results you want and your loved ones? Do you have got sufficient storage & countertop area? In case your present kitchen isn’t useful, no quantity of paint or crown molding goes to enhance that. You could be higher off planning for a full kitchen transform. It may be extra inexpensive than you assume!
Are You Planning On Promoting?
In case you are planning a fast replace to promote your own home, some fast & straightforward updates to your builder-grade kitchen might make a huge impact in your general sale worth.
In case you are planning to make your own home a perpetually residence, just a few short-term enhancements are an efficient manner to enhance the present look when you save & plan on your dream kitchen down the highway.
How To Make Builder Grade Cupboards Look Customized
In case you are renovating an present builder-grade kitchen, there are a number of methods you can provide your kitchen and your cupboards a custom-made feel and appear.
Notice: In case you are constructing a brand new residence, we strongly advocate working with a kitchen designer who’s skilled working with builders and is aware of the best way to maximize your floorplan & your price range.
Crown Molding
Crown molding is a good way to enhance customary builder-grade cupboards, giving them a {custom} look. The molding is hooked up to the highest of the cupboard and may be added both throughout set up or later down the highway. Some householders select to mix, or “stack,” molding items collectively to offer it extra element and top. Crown molding additionally helps add top to present cupboards and remove the hole between the highest of your kitchen cupboards and the ceiling.
Open Shelving
Do you have got some additional wall area in your kitchen? Open shelving provides storage capabilities to a builder grade kitchen with out having to try to match your present cabinetry. Cupboard producers change their merchandise usually. In case you are attempting to replace an older kitchen, there’s a robust chance that your cupboard’s fashion or end has been discontinued by the producer. Open cabinets may be stained or painted to match your present cupboards and create additional space for storing on your kitchen.
Glass Doorways
Glass displays mild and creates depth in a kitchen design, giving your kitchen a brighter & airier really feel with out altering the format or including home windows. They are often custom-made to enrich and elevate any design fashion, with a number of mullion and glass choices accessible. Thoughtfully positioned glass doorways may also present a focus in your design, permitting you to show particular décor or dinnerware on your company.
Glass doorways are usually added throughout the preliminary design section, though it’s potential to interchange a typical door or two with a glass door later, as a part of a cupboard refacing challenge.
Cupboard {Hardware}
Cupboard {hardware} is jewellery on your cupboards. Decorate your builder-grade cupboards by changing your easy {hardware} with a extra elegant, trendy choice. This can instantly give your design an upscale look and is a straightforward DIY challenge for any useful home-owner.
Countertop & Tile
Does your kitchen or bathtub embody laminate counter tops, or a fundamental granite? Think about switching it out for a fantastic pure stone or quartz countertop. Including an attention-grabbing, stylish countertop design and a complementing tile backsplash can provide your kitchen or bathtub a {custom} take a look at an affordable price.
Notice: In case you are updating an present design, we solely advocate a countertop substitute in case your cupboards are in good structural situation. Weak, unsupported cabinetry won’t be able to handle the load of a stone countertop. Many transforming firms is not going to reuse present stone counter tops, as a result of they’re tough to deal with & retailer with out breaking.
Can Builder Grade Cupboards Be Painted?
The brief reply is sure. You’ll be able to paint almost something these days, and cupboards are not any exception. Portray your builder grade cupboards could also be one of the crucial impactful updates you may make to your kitchen outdoors of a full transform.
How To Paint Cupboards
Earlier than you paint your cupboards, make sure you clear them totally and remove any grease. Take away the cupboard doorways, drawer fronts, and {hardware}. As soon as your cupboards are clear & dry, use 100 or 150-grit sandpaper to take away the graceful end. This can assist your paint adhere higher to your cabinetry.
Portray cabinetry requires a whole lot of time & persistence to realize a high-quality end. You have to to prime your cupboards utilizing an inside, all-purpose paint primer, comparable to Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3. After the primer is dried and sanded, be certain to make use of an alkyd enamel paint supposed for cupboards & trim, like Benjamin Moore ADVANCE). Though this paint takes longer to dry than conventional latex paint, you may be rewarded with a tougher, extra sturdy end.
For extra info on the best way to paint kitchen cupboards, please try this how-to information from the paint specialists at Norfolk {Hardware}.
Designing Your Kitchen With A Builder?
Simply since you are working with a builder, doesn’t imply you need to accept builder-grade. Think about contacting an area builder design specialist, like those we now have at Norfolk Kitchen & Bathtub. Along with providing a higher-quality cupboard, our staff is aware of all the guidelines & methods of the commerce to realize a {custom}, thoughtfully designed kitchen inside your builder’s price range. Having an professional design your kitchen could make the distinction between a useful design for your loved ones and a room full of cupboards.
Renovate Your Builder-Grade Kitchen With Norfolk
Able to ditch the builder-grade? Norfolk Kitchen & Bathtub is New England’s largest family-owned kitchen design showroom, with six places in Massachusetts & New Hampshire. We provide high-quality cupboards for householders and builders alike, in addition to counter tops, cupboard {hardware} and transforming companies.
Whether or not you need to transform your kitchen or constructing a brand-new residence, Norfolk might help you design the right kitchen for you and your loved ones. Along with our broad choice of cabinetry, we now have an professional staff of kitchen & bathtub designers, who’re skilled that will help you maximize your area and your price range with a useful & lovely design plan.
Allow us to present you the way nice your kitchen may be. Request your free design & estimate right now to get began!