High-end clients selecting new cabinets desire more than aesthetics; they want lasting value, flawless performance and superior craftsmanship. Your expertise in cabinet quality is paramount.
“Our customers focus the most on the cabinet finish and the hardware,” said Bill Allen, CEO of Showplace Cabinetry in South Dakota. “When they walk into the room, the first thing they notice is the cabinet color or the stain and the beauty of it. And the second thing is the function of the hardware. It’s like the doors on your car. You open and close them constantly. You do the same in your kitchen.”
By guiding customers through the intricacies of kitchen cabinet construction, materials and certifications, you can differentiate your design showroom, center or studio.
Photo: Showplace Cabinetry
Expert Guide to Cabinet Materials
A growing trend, according to Chuck Arnold at the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) is the use of frameless cabinets. While framed cabinets still represent the vast majority of purchases in the United States, frameless cabinets offer clean lines and full access and are increasingly common on the West Coast, South Florida and the northeast United States. Robust cabinet construction techniques contribute to their long-term durability and minimize future issues for customers.
The KCMA A161.1 Quality Certification Seal assures customers that cabinets are designed to withstand a lifetime of use.
“The A161.1 certification covers a variety of test methods that cabinets are subjected to, and the test methods are designed to simulate what a typical cabinet will see during its lifetime of use,” says Arnold. “Our KCMA door and drawer cycling test includes opening and closing doors and drawers 25,000 times; roughly 20 to 25 years of use.”
The certification provides confidence in the structural integrity and functional performance of a customer’s investment.
Exterior finishes provide the crucial first impression. Conversion varnish is the preferred choice for premium cabinets due to its balance of aesthetic appeal, toughness, durability and chemical resistance. Its professional application and superior performance withstand daily kitchen demands like heavy usage and moisture.
“The finishes on today’s luxury high-end cabinets are durable and should stand up to long-term everyday use in a kitchen,” says Allen.
Customers can choose from paint, stain or laminates for the exterior finish. Paint offers a durable, multi-layer, baked-on finish but can show chips more easily, while stain provides a natural look and is more forgiving of minor imperfections. Laminates are highly durable, easy to clean and scratch-resistant, and often require no additional finish.
“Painted products offer unlimited colors,” Allen said. “As a semi-custom supplier, we can paint kitchen cabinets any color that customers want them painted. They can pick it out of the standard fan deck or from other suppliers, and we can match that and paint it however they would like.”
Photo: Showplace Cabinetry
Long-Term Cabinet Value
Investing in quality cabinets safeguards against premature wear and tear and the need for costly replacements. High-quality cabinets gracefully endure years of daily use.
Cabinet innovations also maximize customer satisfaction by adding both utility and luxury features. Today’s popular cabinet features and storage solutions include:
● Built-in charging stations
● Integrated lighting
● Lazy susans
● Motion-sensor lighting
● Roll trays
● Spice racks
● Touch-to-open mechanisms
● Vertical dividers
● Waste management systems
“High-quality, full extension drawer glides are popular in the industry,” said Allen, adding, “Hinges that slow down and quietly close doors have become very popular and are almost expected at the higher end price points. The accessory companies are adept at creating innovative ways to maximize storage for blind corner cabinets to easily access products.”
Understanding the performance-based standard offered by KCMA and exploring the variety of accessories available today empowers you to work more efficiently with affluent clients and solidify your role as a trusted luxury expert.
—By Ryan Johnson, APR, content strategy manager at Two Rivers Marketing, an agency based in Des Moines
