Kitchen Cabinet Quality Ratings

Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association

• The Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is among the best sources of cabinetry information and has created its own certification program. The organization tests cabinets for both performance and construction using a third party lab. Any produced prefinished cabinet in North America is up for certification but must pass a series of tests before being certified. These tests look at heat, moisture and chemical resistance as well as drawer, shelf and hinge strength. Finally, overall appearance and quality of workmanship is considered. Any cabinet with a blue KCMA Certified sticker has met these requirements and is considered a quality product within the industry.

Environmental Stewardship Program

• Another program by the KCMA is the Environmental Stewardship Program, a program that takes both quality and green factors into account. This program looks at several environmental factors regarding the materials and manufacturing processes used to create cabinets. To be certified, companies must prove their efforts to improve air quality, resource management and community relations, among other areas. This certification and the KCMA certification represent some of the best quality pieces in North America.

Materials

• Material selection is key in regards to cabinet quality. Choosing a strong, durable material means a longer lasting, better looking final product that will withstand wear and tear. Particleboard is among the most common materials in cabinet manufacturing today, according to allaboutcabinets.com. This is a product created from sawdust, wood byproducts and shavings mixed with glue and pressed together. Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) is a top-quality material made from core material, meaning it is easier to shape than particleboard and has a cleaner, smoother surface. Plywood is a composite created from layers of wood plies. Sheet goods, including plywood and MDF are less expensive than natural wood products such as cherry, maple and oak, and are actually preferred because they resist moisture and are resistant to cracking.

Construction

• When looking at cabinets, there are a few areas that will indicate the quality of construction. Drawers and doors are the first area where improper joining or poor construction will appear. If drawers don't slide smoothly or fit properly or doors aren't sitting square, the installation process will likely be a struggle. Top-quality drawers will have ball bearing extensions or rollers while lower quality products will have plastic runners. If any piece of the cabinet doesn't sit or move correctly, it is probably not a quality product. Metal hinges and slides are preferable to plastic as they are sturdier and have a longer lifespan.