We offer a wide range of cabinet lines to fit the needs of our diverse body of customers. In order to satisfy such a wide range of needs, we carry several lines of cabinetry. Cabinet manufacturers fall into three main categories: stock, semi-custom, and custom. Each of these categories have specific strengths that are suited to different applications. As we get to know you as a customer, we will help you decide which cabinet line is right for you. While you can follow the links to specific manufacturers from our products page or our links page, here is a quick description of the general qualities of each of the three categories:

Stock: These cabinets offer short lead times (typically 2-3 weeks) and the lowest prices. They are constructed on assembly lines in factories. While stock lines offer a wide variety of design choices, there are some limitations as to what you can design with them. In general, the cabinet box itself is constructed with laminated industrial strength particle board while the face frames and doors are constructed of wood. Usually, there is an option to upgrade to plywood cabinet sides for a fee. The finishes are usually applied by machines with minimal human contact.

Custom: These cabinets usually have long lead times (typically over 8 weeks) and the highest prices. The reason for this is that they are usually made entirely by hand. These cabinets offer the maximum flexibility in design and have the highest quality of materials. These lines are constructed entirely of wood, with the exception of laminated cabinets, and hand finished. They usually offer more stain choices and finishes as well as paint options. The finish on custom lines are usually heavier and more robust than stock lines.

Semi-custom: Semi-custom cabinets are designed to merge the best qualities of stock and custom cabinets. The lead times are moderate (typically 4-8 weeks) and the price is between the two extremes. These cabinets are usually constructed entirely of wood, again with the exception of laminated cabinets. Some parts of the cabinets are manufactured on assembly lines, while many other parts are hand made. This allows the price to be lower than custom cabinets while still offering high quality craftsmanship. They offer a wide variety of finishes and stains, which are usually applied by hand rather than machine.


These guidelines generally apply to cabinetry that is labeled as one of these three categories. So if you are gathering information from the web or other vendors, you can use these guidelines to give you an idea of what type of cabinet you are looking at. Of course, it is always best to ask questions about the specific manufacturer so you know exactly what you are getting.