Differences Between Semi-Custom & Custom Cabinets

The kitchen is widely recognized as being one of the most important rooms in any home. Not only is it usually the center of activity when entertaining guests, but it is also the heart of everyday life for a family. Meals are created, stories are shared, and family ties are bonded all around the kitchen space. Not only that, but a lot of the home’s financial value is dependent on the kitchen as well. For these reasons, it can be a real boon to consider upgrading your kitchen with custom cabinets. This can make the space more modern, functional, and valuable.

Two popular options when considering upgrading your cabinets are semi-custom and custom cabinets. Each have their pros and cons. Knowing the differences between the two can help you make the best decision for your home.

Semi-custom cabinets are a mix between regular stock cabinets and fully custom built ones. They are essentially pre-made pieces with some customizable options for detailing, including type of wood, choice of finish, different dimension choices, and size options for drawers and doors. This semi-custom type is achieved by changing slightly the regular dimensions of a stock cabinet in order to allow for perfect fit into a particular space.

Pros: There are more options to allow for more specific design, fit, and style.

Cons: These options mean added cost. If you add enough options onto a semi-custom cabinet, the price can match or sometimes even exceed the cost of custom ones. Options for size and dimension changes are wide ranging, but those for wood and finish are less available.

Custom cabinets offer the homeowner a huge variety of options for customization, including type of wood, choice of finish, details in design, size, and dimension. The choices are limited only to what the customer can imagine.

Pros: There are plenty of benefits to having cabinets custom made. Because of the limitless options for design and customization, as well as more specialized carpentry, they can give your kitchen the optimum storage space, ideal aesthetics, and superior quality of construction. Custom cabinets can even be made from reclaimed, local, or recycled wood, allowing for greener and more environmentally conscious construction.

Cons: Custom cabinets can take longer to build and will likely cost more than stock or semi-custom cabinets.

Whether you decide to install semi-custom or custom, upgrading your kitchen cabinets will increase your home’s style, functionality, and value.