Dutton Kitchen & Bath, a design build company

Visit our showroom!

When remodeling a kitchen, the choices for cabinets are vast. Our showroom in Vacaville can help you narrow your choices. Plan a visit and we can answer your questions.

Materials – what makes for a high quality cabinet? It all starts with the wood selected.

• Solid Hard Wood – Some typical cabinet woods include: cherry, maple, pine, oak, hickory, walnut, and mahogany.  These woods can vary greatly in their natural color and wood grain patterns.  Maple is probably the most consistent wood with very little grain pattern and with fewer knots than pine.  Pine is also a lighter wood, but typically has more knots and will give a more rustic look.  Hickory and mahogany are darker woods and will show a high degree of variation even after being stained.  Cherry is a beautiful wood for cabinets and can give a more furniture quality finish, but cherry also has high shade variation and typically darkens somewhat as it ages and you have to be accepting of that if you choose cherry.  Cherry is also commonly more expensive than maple.  Oak cabinets used to be more popular, but have fallen out of favor with most of my clients who don’t want a “builder grade” look and don’t like the graininess of oak. Whatever your wood preference, know that a cabinet made out of SOLID wood is going to typically be higher priced and deemed higher quality than a veneered cabinet or a cabinet made of MDF or particle board.  All natural wood materials, however, are prone to expansion and contraction, cracking and warping due to changes in temperature and moisture content.
• Plywood – Another commonly used material for cabinet construction is plywood.  Plywood has layers of wood that are sandwiched and bonded together under high pressure.  The layers are positioned so the wood grains go in opposite directions to give it more strength.  In order to make a cabinet using plywood, manufacturers have to finish the ends with very thin strips of wood veneer to hide the layers and make it look like a solid piece of wood.  Because the veneer strips have to be glued to the edges of the boards, they can become chipped or come loose over time and are deemed a lesser quality material than solid wood.  The price point for a veneered cabinet should be less than a solid wood cabinet.
• Medium Density Fiberboard ( MDF) – MDF is made by breaking wood particles down into individual fibers then glueing and pressing them together under high pressure to form boards.  Because the particles are much smaller, MDF is denser than particle board and has a smooth finish.  MDF is a good choice for painted cabinets because the smoothness allows it to take paint very well.  Also because it is not a solid piece of wood it is not prone to warping, cracking, and splitting like wood boards.
• Particle Board & Melamine – Particle board is made by glueing tiny pieces of wood, sawdust and sawmill shavings together under high pressure.  Particle board is the weakest of any of the materials and is very prone to water damage.  It is also the least expensive type of cabinet material.   Melamine is a particle board that has a plastic coating applied to it.  Melamine is acceptable for closet shelving since it has a smooth finish that won’t snag clothes.  It’s also easy to clean and typically is not at risk for water damage in a closet application.  Particle board and melamine cabinets are lower quality and should be significantly less expensive.
• Thermofoil - Thermofoil is a material mostly used for cabinet doors.  It is a MDF board with a vinyl coating over it.  In years past it was typically very limited in color – white or off white.  Now thermofoil has advanced to mimic wood cabinets and comes in a wider variety of styles.   The advantages of this material are durability and cleanability.   The vinyl coating is easily wiped down with a household cleaner.   The disadvantage is that they can melt if exposed to any high heat.  The price point of thermofoil should be less than solid wood since the MDF core is less expensive.

Hardware – what hardware will withstand the test of time? Ever noticed a neighbor’s saggy cabinets? Well, nine times out of ten, the hardware is to blame. Choosing well made, easily adjustable hardware will ensure saggy cabinets are not an option in your home. We can show you the hardware options, and be sure to specifically ask to see how they adjust. All cabinets grow and shrink with temperature and moisture levels, so cabinets with well made easily adjustable hardware will keep your cabinets opening and closing with both ease and alignment! Also, a current hot topic amongst the high quality hardware distributors is ‘full extension soft closing cabinets’. This hardware enables the cabinets to open fully, allowing a complete visual of the back of the cabinet drawer, while still softly gliding to a close. Full extension cabinets mean that every inch of the space can be utilized, vs. those all-too-common ‘junk drawers’, deceptively hiding the mismatched goods at the back of the drawer.

Finish

• Stain: Staining your cabinets is a great way to add color to the wood without ruining the beauty of the wood grain. You want to be careful when picking stain colors because manufacturers use all different names. The same name might be a completely different color under another company. Your best bet it to select the wood you prefer and then consider the final look you want. At that point it will be easier for you to decide whether a stain with a light, medium, or dark tone will be best for you.
• Glaze: With a glaze you have the option of using it by itself or applying it over a base stain or paint. Once it is applied, it is then wiped off by hand. As you wipe off the glaze, it settles in the cabinets open grain areas and defines its details. Glazes can also be tinted any color. Contrasting the color of the wood with the color of the glaze creates a uniquely attractive look.
• Paint: The wonderful thing about paint is that you have such an enormous range of colors to select from. You can also create an array of special effects. Whether you are looking for a smooth, glossy, sanded or textured finish, paint can do the job! The only downside to paint is that hairline cracks with eventually form as the wood expands and contracts.
• Polyester: Polyester is known for bringing durability and quality to automobiles, and it can do the same thing for your cabinets. In recent times, polyester is being used on modern-style cabinets to add extra protection and quality. It can be applied in a glossy or matte finish and special glazes and polishes can be applied for additional design and protection. Polyester creates a more solid look feel compared to paint because it fills the pores of the door more fully.

Joinery — Cabinet joinery has to do with all the ways the cabinet parts can be joined together.  Common joint techniques include a mortise and tenon, dado, rabbet, doweled, dovetail, and a butt joint.  Mechanical fasteners such as staples, nails, screws as well as glues are also used in some cases.  Some are stronger than others.  The strongest joints are ones where the two pieces are intertwined together – such as the dovetail joint and the mortise and tenon joint.  Once they are made, you can’t really see a mortise and tenon joint, so look for a dovetail joint for a quality joint.  Cabinets that have butt joints and are stapled, glued, or nailed are not as strong and should not cost as much as a dovetail joint cabinet.

We are happy to answer all your questions about how to select the cabinets that best meet your needs and budget.

You have made the decision to remodel. You are excited to start the project. You have someone selected with whom you are comfortable.

But not so fast! Take a bit more time and get answers to these questions before signing the contract.

How long you have you been in business?

Look for a well-established company and check it out with consumer protection officials. Are you licensed and registered with the state? California requires that all General Contractors and their field supervisors be licensed.

Will my project require a permit?

CA requires permits for building projects, even for simple jobs like decks. A competent contractor will get all the necessary permits before starting work on your project. Be suspicious if the contractor asks you to get the permit(s). It could mean that the contractor is not licensed or registered, as required by your state or locality.

May I have a list of references?

You will find a list of our most recent clients along with testimonials from past projects in our pre-project package. Every contractor should be able to give you the names, addresses, and phone numbers of multiple clients. We can also visit jobs in progress. During our presentation you will be able to view some pictures of the projects we have done.

Will you be using subcontractors on my project?

If yes, you may want to meet them. This is usually accomplished at our project walk-through. All of Dutton Kitchen & Bath subcontractors have current insurance coverage and licenses, if required and are usually long time partners.

What type of insurance do you carry?

All contractors are required to carry general liability insurance and worker’s compensation. The general liability policy should carry limits of not less than $1,000,000/$2,000,000. Ask for copies of insurance certificates, and make sure they’re current. Avoid doing business with contractors who don’t carry the appropriate insurance. Otherwise, you’ll be held liable for any injuries and damages that occur during the project.

What is included in a typical contract package?

Our contract package is the culmination of time spent in the design phase. Specifications are the numerous details specific to your project; the Plans are the specifications into detailed drawings. In our pre-construction package you will find a sample of the contract and Specifications. You will see some examples of plans during your presentation.

How will our project be managed?

We use the Lead Carpenter concept of project management. We assign one person to each project at a time. This Project Manager is a master craftsman as well as a project manager. This is the person who will be your primary contact throughout the project and will be with you every day until the project is successfully completed.

Will you give us a copy of the schedule for our project?

Your project needs to be finished in a timely and efficient manner. We are committed to the process of producing your project on schedule. Timeliness is the single biggest complaint about contractors. We will give you a copy of your schedule so that you may monitor our progress. A sample schedule is included in your pre-construction package for your review.

What is your warranty?

We stand behind our projects with a two year limited warranty. It is the best warranty in our area and we put it in writing into the contract. Will the job be kept clean? While no one can promise that the home will be kept completely dust free, we use dust curtains to seal off the area under renovation. We cover the floors that will be used for travel with protective covering designed specifically for the floor type involved. Work areas are swept at the end of every day and we provide a detailed maid service for the work area at the end of the job.

Check references

Talk with some of the builder/remodeler’s former customers. They can help you decide if a particular contractor is right for you. You may want to ask:

• Can I visit your home to see the completed job?
• Were you satisfied with the project?
• Was it completed on time?
• Did the contractor keep you informed about the status of the project, and any problems along the way?
• Were there unexpected costs? If so, what were they?
• Did workers show up on time?
• Did they clean up after finishing the job?
• Would you recommend the contractor?
• Would you use the contractor again?

Dutton Kitchen & Bath welcomes all of your questions. Be well informed before hiring any contractor to work in your home. Call Scott Dutton, ask your questions!