rustic alder collection

three main types:

Cabinetry falls into one of three basic types:

• Custom or Shop Built Cabinetry
• Semi-Custom Cabinetry
• Stock or Production Cabinetry

custom or shop built cabinetry

Locally built in every region of the country, this cabinet type varies widely in quality. The upside is that these cabinets can match any color and have almost no style or fit limitations. But the downside is that many custom cabinetmakers are unable to provide the latest finishes and accessories, lacking the capital investment in state-of-the-art machinery. The lacquer finishes common to this cabinet grade may have questionable durability or can be more commonly be frequently flawed by trapped dust particles. This is typically the most expensive type of cabinetry and requires a minimum of 6-10 weeks for delivery.

semi-custom cabinetry

Flexibility is the name of the game when it comes to semi-custom cabinets. Partly stock and partly custom, you get many more features than stock cabinetry with a shorter lead time than custom. Since construction begins once the order is finalized, the cabinets are somewhat built to suit with a wide selection of doors and finishes. The downside is that quality standards range significantly from company to company. Schedule at least a month for delivery.

KraftMaid has more than 40 years of experience building quality cabinetry that helps you express your personal style. Our quality construction details can be seen and felt as you interact with our cabinets. With over 65 finish options, over 100 door styles, and over 200 Storage Solutions, we offer you thousands of custom options – and typical delivery is just 4-6 weeks.

Stock or Production Cabinetry

This type invests most of its manufacturing dollar in a good, durable finish. It suffers from a limited number of styles, finishes, accessories, and hardware, and it requires space-wasting fillers to fit. The upside is that the product has an entry-level price point and is usually in stock or available within a few days. It is perfect for investment properties or starter homes.

Choosing the right wood for your project.

All woods can be classified as hard or soft. Hardwood comes from broad-leafed trees such as birch, oak, maple, cherry and hickory. Softwood comes from needle-bearing evergreen trees such as pine, spruce and cedar.

Alder is softer than other hardwood species with a fine grain pattern. In its raw state, Rustic Alder’s color can range from pale pink–brown to tan. Rustic Alder likely includes some combination of rustic characteristics such as open and closed knots, burls, worm holes, mineral streaks and sound cracks reflecting the inherent beauty of the wood. These characteristics are expected and preferred as they occur naturally in the material. Of the natural characteristics, open and closed knots are the most common in the species.

Maple is a medium to hard wood with a straight, wavy or curly grain. Popular for its shock resistance and durability, maple has a light, uniform appearance that produces a smooth, clean look when stained. Another plus is that it can also be finished to resemble other, more expensive hardwoods and softwoods such as cherry and cedar. Maple is a great choice for a light, airy kitchen or a dramatic kitchen with darker finishes.

Oak is a very hard, heavy wood with a coarse grain that varies from straight to a distinctive sweeping arch pattern. Found in both red and white varieties, oak is a great cabinetry choice because it is timeless, blending beautifully with many different design styles. And it stains well in standard finish colours.

Birch is a smooth hardwood with straight, wavy or curly grains with a high shock resistance that takes any stain well. Birch is mostly a light-coloured wood, and varies from cream to light yellow. However, the wood found in the centre of the tree, or heartwood, takes on a darker reddish brown colour, which may result in unique colour variations in your cabinetry. It is versatile and can achieve any look, from a more casual space to a refined setting.

Hickory is one of our strongest, hardest and heaviest woods with random natural streaks that add unique accents to your cabinetry. Hickory has an array of naturally prominent colours ranging from very light cream to dark reddish brown to sometimes nearly black which easily can be enhanced by light or natural stains.

Cherry is well known for its smooth grain and unique colour that mellows and deepens as it ages—like fine wine. This 'mellowing' effect is enhanced by exposure to bright light and, depending on the amount of exposure, will tend to darken several shades over time. Considered a luxury wood due to its expensive price, cherry has pinkish-brown hues and occasional shades of white, green, or grey. Its dark colour brings a warm elegance to any room.

Standard Wall Cabinet Features

Wall cabinets feature adjustable shelves for maximum storage capacity. Concealed Whisper Touch ™ Hinges provide soft close doors and are adjustable six ways for the perfect alignment.

Standard Base Cabinet Features

Base cabinets feature thicker back and bottom panels and I-beam construction. Full-depth solid wood drawer boxes feature dovetail construction. Full-extension Whisper Touch™ Drawer Runners create soft close drawers with easy access to contents. Click on the image to the right to learn more.

Whisper Touch™ System

Silence is standard. Doors and drawers close softly and quietly every time, thanks to the Whisper Touch Hinge and Whisper Touch Drawer Runner. The Whisper Touch System is one of the many standard quality features on KraftMaid Cabinetry.

Whisper Touch™ Hinges

Cabinet doors include concealed Whisper Touch Hinges which close doors softly and quietly, plus are adjustable six ways for the perfect alignment.

Whisper Touch™ Drawer Runners

Our Whisper Touch Drawer Runners provide easy access to contents and close drawers softly and quietly every time.

     Wood Selection

• Highest grades of renewable American hardwoods
• Lumber-drying kilns designed in partnership with world-renowned wood science laboratories
• Computerised imaging equipment inspects and measures to ensure strength and beauty