Battens, kerfs, muntins and melamines - what are they, exactly?
Find out here in our
Glossary,
and how they fit into
the picture of your perfect kitchen.
If you have a question not answered in our FAQs,
please send it to us by clicking
here.
General Information
Custom vs. Stock
Construction
Design
Buying
Delivery & Installation
Wood & MDF
Popular Doorstyles & Finishes
Price
Maintenance
What can you tell me about Details Custom
Cabinetry?
A
family-owned cabinetmaker located in Miami, the heart of
South Florida. Details Custom Cabinetry stands
for quality workmanship well within your reach. Each cabinet is
built with one of two time-tested methods depending on your
preference: framed, mortise and tenon construction with dovetail
drawers; or frameless, with metabox dovetail drawers. Details Custom Cabinetry's standard and
custom hand rubbed finishes are available with either style of
cabinetry. Details Custom Cabinetry builds each kitchen to your specifications
from wood species to doorstyle.
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Why should I invest in custom?
The biggest benefit to custom is the "yours only" factor. Custom
cabinetry is built to your exact specifications - color, doorstyle,
wood species and finishes. Cabinet height and depth can be adjusted
to fit corners or unusually-shaped spaces. Potential "dead space"
can be creatively turned into a unique storage area, for the best
look and optimum use of every nook and cranny. You can have the
kitchen of your dreams. And you should.
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What's the difference between custom, semi-custom and stock?
With custom almost anything is possible. The versatility of
free-standing accent pieces and furniture as well as fitted
cabinets. Door styles, from contemporary to classic. Wood species,
like Cherry, Hickory, Maple and Oak. And exquisite finishes
from soft antique-distressed to stylish low-sheen or custom-colored
enamels, as well as traditional stains ranging from rich and dark to
pale, natural tones.
Semi-custom cabinets are mid-priced, but offer a fair amount of
flexibility. Many of the components are stock, but they have
features that help the kitchen designer achieve a near-custom fit.
Stock offers the least versatility, but the most affordability.
You'll find you need to match up stock parts, typically a modular
system, to your kitchen space, and things won't always fit to
maximize space and storage.
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How are your cabinets constructed?
We hand-build each cabinet one of two ways: framed, mortise and
tenon construction with dovetail drawers; or frameless metabox dovetail drawers.
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How do I begin a remodeling project that includes cabinetry?
If you're remodeling, start with a little research. Read home
furnishings and design magazines, call manufacturers (cabinet,
appliances, worksurface, flooring) for literature, shop in your area
to get a feel for materials and what you like. Then visit us. Just
click here.
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Do you sell cabinetry for rooms other than the kitchen?
Yes! If you have special ideas for the bedroom, bath, dining room,
great room or some other space, We can help you bring them to life.
From built-in cabinetry for entertainment/media equipment to
freestanding pieces like armoires and farm tables, we will handcraft
and hand-finish each and every piece exactly the way you'd like.
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What should I think about when designing my
kitchen?
Think about you and your family and how you use your kitchen - or
would like to use it. What you like, what you don't and what you
need for a comfortable, convenient space. Devour home furnishings
magazines - Architectural Digest, Renovation Style, Metropolitan
Home, Midwest Living, Traditional Home, Coastal Living, House
Beautiful, House & Garden, Home, Country Home, Better Homes &
Gardens, Southern Living, Southern Accents and Country Living
are just a few places to look and learn what appeals to you. Tear
out what catches your eye and start a folder of ideas. A kitchen
designer will help you define your style based on this collection of
"tear sheets."
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Explain the term "work triangle."
The "work triangle" is created by the refrigerator, cooktop and
sink, which must all be within three steps of each other, for the
most efficient cooking space. This is why galley kitchens work so
well - they may be small spaces, but everything is easily
accessible.
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How long will it take to complete the
design?
We wish we could say for certain, but it's really up to you and how
much you understand about what you're looking for. We've had clients
work with a kitchen designer and complete their design within a
week. Others have taken a month. But take your own time, and be sure
you get exactly what you want.
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Should I
involve an interior designer or a kitchen-and-bath designer or both and when? What can a kitchen-and-bath
designer bring to my project?
Working with an interior designer is up to you. But if you're
remodeling your kitchen and choose the custom approach, a kitchen
designer is imperative, in conjunction with an interior designer or
alone. Kitchen designers understand how a kitchen works. They think
about the little things that can become big if not anticipated -
like the placement of outlets, size and shape of appliances and
proper storage spaces. They know about kitchen trends, innovations
and specific manufacturer details; they keep abreast of the frequent
changes, custom finishes and options offered by the many companies
that will be a part of your dream kitchen.
Think about your kitchen designer as your advocate, adding value by
providing knowledge and ideas. Engaging one is not only helpful, but
inspirational and smart. A kitchen designer is worth the investment. call
305-234-0030.
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How do I find a kitchen and bath design
professional or a Details Custom Cabinetry Showroom?
Click right here
or call us at 305-234-0030.
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Kitchen Design Primer
Serious at-home chefs, or anyone, considering kitchen renovations,
read on.
Consult a kitchen designer.
Kitchen design is highly specialized. If you're working with an
architect and/or an interior designer, insist on working with a
kitchen designer as well to ensure a well-planned, well-executed
design. And involve the kitchen designer early in the process,
whether you're building or remodeling.
Incorporate the traditional work triangle.
The "triangle" - the refrigerator, cooktop and sink - must all
be within three steps of each other, for the most efficient
cooking space. This is why galley kitchens work so well - they
may be small spaces, but everything is well within reach.
Design compartmentally for good flow.
Collections, place settings and glassware don't belong where you
cook. Spices and cookware do. Designate storage space for
tabletop items away from your cooking areas, so the "chef"
doesn't collide with those setting the table or making
cocktails.
Give dry goods a proper home - a pantry.
Our forefathers were right. A "dry refrigerator" is invaluable.
Dry goods need a cool, dark and dry place. A pantry fits the
bill. Only remember that today, we, unlike the pilgrims, have
electricity.
Don't skimp on integrating good task lighting everywhere you
work. Halogen is popular, or choose more conventional spot
lighting.
Think about you and your stuff.
Particularly with custom, you can design a perfect kitchen for
you and all you've acquired. Take stock and make sure your
design accommodates your belongings. Renovation can be
overwhelming, but when it's all over, that space should speak to
who you are, what you need and where.
Question open shelving or glass-front
cabinets.
These two design elements are indisputably pretty, but unless
you love to dust and do windows, be careful.
Contemplate the trash.
Make sure your trash and recycling center is hidden behind
cabinetry and close to a door leading outside.
Consider custom.
You may be surprised to learn that custom doesn't have to break
the bank. For avid cooks in remodeling mode, a custom kitchen is
a smart investment. Not only will it make life easier in your
kitchen, but a well-designed, quality kitchen adds considerable
value to your home.
To learn more, call Details Custom Cabinetry at 305-234-0030 or go to our
Dealer Locator
to find an authorized kitchen and bath showroom near you.
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How long will it take for the cabinetry to arrive for
installation?
Again this varies depending on the season. Remember, we make to
order, so it does take us time to handcraft your special cabinets.
You can expect your cabinetry to deliver about 5 to 6 weeks from
the date the order is submitted to the factory.
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Who installs the cabinetry?
The best route is to work with your kitchen designer and showroom to
arrange for a contractor. They have relationships with contractors
trained specifically to install custom cabinetry - there is an art
to it, and it's worth retaining someone who's a pro.
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What kind of wood species do you have available? Can you tell me
their characteristics, and what you recommend?
Our core wood species are Cherry, Maple, Hickory, Red Oak,
and Walnut. Maple is the highest selling followed closely
by Cherry. As for preference, it's a matter of personal taste. But
we will offer a small warning - if you have three kids, three dogs
and two cats, we'd steer clear of Pine, the softest, least durable
of the bunch.
Cherry: Belongs to the rose family, and was used by
the Greeks and Romans as long ago as 400 B.C. for furniture
making. Cherry helped define American traditional design
because Colonial cabinetmakers recognized its superior
woodworking qualities. It has a rich red-brown color that
deepens with age and exposure to sunlight. Its exceptionally
lustrous appearance almost glows. It's straight-grained and
satiny, and sometimes contains pin knots and gum pockets
that give the wood a distinctive character. Its more uniform
texture takes a stain very well. Cherry is light, strong,
stiff and rather hard.
Maple: Interestingly, until the turn of the century,
the heels of women's shoes were made from Maple, as were
airplane propellers in the 1920s. Maple has been a favorite
of American furniture makers since early Colonial days.
Maple coloring ranges from cream to light reddish-brown,
with a uniform grain and texture. Maple is heavy, hard,
strong, tough and stiff with excellent resistance to
abrasion and indentation - ideal for a kitchen chopping
block or counter. Its uniform surface takes a stain well.
Oak: Oak has a long distinguished history in
furnishings and interior design. Oak was a favorite of early
English craftsmen and a prized material for American
colonists. Red oak grows only in North America and is found
further north than any other oak species. A red oak grows
slowly, taking 20 years to mature and living an average of
300 years. Red Oak ranges from a white/cream color to a
warm, pale brown, tinted with red. The grain is known for
its "rays," which reflect light and add to its appeal.
Depending on the way the logs are sawn into timber
(rift-cut, flat sliced, flat sawn, rotary cut,
quarter-sawn), many distinctive and sought after patterns
emerge: flake and flame figures, pin stripes, fine lines,
leafy grains and watery figures. Oak is heavy, very strong
and hard, stiff and durable under exposure and
wear-resistant. Oaks take a wide range of finishes very
well.
Quarter-sawn Oak:
Cut at a 90-degree angle to the grown rings, Quarter-sawn
Oak has a distinctive straight and vertical grain. Because
of the method, this wood is limited in length and width, but
highly prized for veneers.
Hickory: A heavyweight contender for your kitchen,
Hickory is famous for its extreme strength, flexibility and
shock resistance. Once used for wagon wheels, and even the
Wright Brothers’ historic plane, it exhibits wide variations
in colors, ranging from white to chocolate, and provides an
alternative to oak for consumers who prefer an open-grained
wood, but have tired of the traditional oak look.
Just as no two trees are alike, no two pieces of wood are alike.
Some species of wood have more variation than others. Please note
that certain wood species have inherent characteristics.
Cherry may have mineral streaks and pin burls, and will
darken noticeably with age. Sapwood may appear in profiled areas.
Maple may have mineral streaks or dark areas, especially in
profiled areas.
Walnut varies considerably from light to dark.
Paint grade may be a blend of birch, soft maple or hard maple, which
are all close-grain woods. Paint grade is non-select for color and
grain pattern and may vary from dark heartwood to very light
sapwood.
Also note that wooden hardware (knobs, pulls, etc.) having a finish
will wear with use.
If you are interested is using a species different from any of
these, we can usually source it. Just ask the showroom you're
working with to check with us.
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I've heard about natural wood expanding and contracting. Is this
true, and what does this mean to me in my home?
Wood is a natural and organic thing. When the air is warm and humid,
wood absorbs extra moisture and expands. In dry conditions, the wood
will expel moisture and contract. By running a humidifier during the
winter and the air conditioning in the summer, you can keep the
relative humidity at or above 50 percent to help prevent drastic
moisture fluctuations. We do our best to take the natural expansion
and contraction of wood into account when building your kitchen.
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What is MDF board?
Medium Density Fiber (MDF) board is made from engineered wood fibers
sealed with adhesive, and exhibits exceptional stability and an
extremely smooth surface. The fibers are wetted, heated and pressed
to form a smooth, consistent thickness, great for laying up face and
back veneers.
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Do Details CC products contain formaldehyde?
Yes, as do many everyday products around your house, including some
paints, coatings, and cosmetics; permanent press-treated fabrics and
drapery; and certain insulation materials.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission,
formaldehyde is a naturally occurring substance released in the air
by natural gas, kerosene, cars and even burning wood.
It's often used in cabinetry as a glue or adhesive, and can be found
in particleboard, hardwood plywood and medium density fiberboard (MDF).
Current studies indicate that typically, human exposure to
formaldehyde does not lead to long-term health problems. For more
information, contact the CPSC at 1-800-638-2772 or visit
www.cpsc.gov.
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What are some options for Details CC doorstyles?
For a contemporary look, you might consider full-overlay
doors, which cover the cabinetry frame. For a more traditional
style, you could choose a partial-overlay.
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What is Antique Distressed? Stained? Glazed? Ghosted? Frosted?
Antique Distressed
surfaces are physically dented, dinged and rasped for a time-worn
look.
Details CC has a variety of Stains available. A Stain is
applied to wood to darken it, or change the color without hiding
grain or texture.
A
Glaze is a smooth, glossy and fairly transparent coating
applied to wood that highlights the surface that shines through it.
A
Ghosted finish has a whitish-tint to it, especially visible
within the routing. Even whiter is a Frosted finish, which
has a pale sheen.
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How much can I expect to spend on a kitchen remodeling project?
Custom cabinetry pricing varies widely and can be affected by the
size of your kitchen, wood species, finish choice and doorstyle. A
kitchen designer can help you ball park prices as part of an initial
consultation. When moving forward with your kitchen, the designer
will typically charge a design fee which is often put towards the
cost of cabinetry when the kitchen is ordered. But do keep in mind
that Details Custom Cabinetry can be surprisingly affordable.
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How do I keep my cabinetry looking great?
Treat your cabinetry just as you would fine furniture, particularly
when it comes to moisture - wood's biggest enemy. Don't drape wet
towels across cabinet doors and take special care of cabinetry near
sinks, dishwashers and like areas.
Dust with a soft lint-free cloth, and only use non-alkaline soap to
clean your cabinetry. Don't use abrasive cleansers or scouring pads,
which can damage the finish.
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