Q: Do I need an email address to place an order with WoodCabinets4Less?

An email address is required to place an order as it is our primary means of communication for order confirmations, shipment tracking and intermittent correspondence.

Q: Does WoodCabinets4Less Install Cabinets?

WoodCabinets4Less does not offer installation services of any kind. If you are in our local area we may be able to provide names of contractors in that area but are not responsible for their performance, scheduling or pricing. All installers or contractors are their own business completely separate from WoodCabinets4Less and we will not assume any responsibility or liability for them. If any party you hire to install your cabinetry damages any part causing it to need replacement, WoodCabinets4Less will not provide replacements free of charge when it is the installer who has damaged the item(s). Be sure to clarify with your installer who will be responsible (you or them) should any item be damaged during installation or while it is sitting in the project area. It is critical that the party ordering and paying for the cabinetry inspect it upon delivery, do not leave this to another party.

Q: How do I request a price quote?

You can receive a quote by using our contact form found here: 
https://woodcabinets4less.com/contacts

We don't offer quotes for items on our website; you can get pricing on those by simply adding them to a cart and then applying any coupon or discount code available.

Any quote provided expires 7 calendar days from date issued unless otherwise noted on the quote.

If you are requesting pricing on All Wood Cabinetry By Ideal or Designer Series by SOLLiD or Premium Cabinetry we are happy to provide pricing for you.  Please use the contact link from above and include the color, style, and specific list of the cabinets (sizes) and trim you need. You must include your budget with this request; we will not quote anything without a budget included. By including your budget or a price you are trying to compare from another seller, we can save both you and us a lot of time by knowing what that number is. Often we are able to determine up front if your budget or pricing from another seller is something we can meet or beat.

If you don't have a cabinet list or don't know what sizes or configuration you need please visit our kitchen design services page here: https://woodcabinets4less.com/kitchen-design-services

We are not able to provide a quote without specific items and sizes. If your existing design or list of items needs to be re-designed to fit another cabinetry line you would need to fill out a design request. 

If we quote a list of pieces or existing design from another retailer we are not responsible for fit or quantity.  It's really important if you have a list or existing design for you to be sure of, and feel comfortable that everything is as you need it to be. We have no way to check it for you against your room. We mention this because if you are missing an item or something doesn't fit it can be expensive to ship a separate order and we don't want you to run into a situation where this would happen to you. These things can also delay your installation.

Q: How does the savings of up to 40% off big box store prices on all wood cabinetry work?

We offer a number of cabinetry options that are quality all wood items that may run up to 40% off the price you would pay for ordered cabinetry at a big box store. 

We do not sell the same exact items found at big box stores, as most of those lines are specific to, and available only at those locations.

We don't upcharge for plywood cabinet box or soft-close hinges. We do not offer particle board cabinetry. 

What this statement means is you can find comparable to better quality for less than a big box store on some styles we sell. It does not mean that our premium or hand-wiped stained, custom built, showroom, or hand-made cabinetry is less than a big box store standard or low level cabinetry line cost. It does not mean that if you have a quote on a particle board or any other cabinetry list from a big box store that you can automatically choose a high end line from our store and pay less. 

We do not compete with any cash and carry price on stock items in a big box store as we do not sell that type of cabinetry.

A good comparison to a big box store would be our pre-assembled or quick ship maple cabinetry. Big box stores offer  cabinetry mainly made from one manufacturer branded under different names. These items may incorporate parts, such as doors, imported from another country but built in the USA. 

Q: My order status says processing, what does that mean?

Your order status will be in "processing" until it ships. Once it ships you'll receive a shipping notification via email and your order status will change to "complete".

Q: How can I pay for my order? 

We accept MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, Bank Checks and Money Orders.

Q: How is my order being shipped? 

Larger cabinet and full kitchen orders will be shipped with a common freight carrier (the freight carrier will be determined when your order is ready for shipment and you will be emailed this info with you shipment confirmation). Smaller cabinets and accessories will be shipped with FedEx or UPS Ground. 

• Note that there is an $80.00 surcharge for shipping any item 96" and longer via FedEx. Be sure to have all toe kick and molding added to your main order to avoid this added shipping charge for ordering extra items after your main order ships.
  

Q: How long do I have to open my cabinets and check for concealed damage after my delivery? 

You have 2-5 calendar days (depending on the cabinet style/manufacturer) to open all cabinet/accessory boxes, inspect the contents and notify woodcabinets4less.com of any damage(s) or missing items. If you find anything damaged, go here to file a damage or missing items claim: https://woodcabinets4less.com/claims/

When your order ships you will receive an email with complete instructions on how to receive your shipment and what to do if there is damage; it will also tell you, based on the style and manufacturer of your cabinets, how many days we have to report damages.

Q: How long will my order take to get to me once it ships? 

Depending on the warehouse your cabinets are shipping from and the freight company, most transit times to your local freight terminal will be additional 1-6 business days. After your order arrives at the terminal, the freight company will contact you (at the number you entered with your shipping address on your order) to schedule the exact delivery date and time.

Q: What does the warranty cover on & RTA/RTB Cabinets:

It covers the parts and finishes. It does not cover assembly or installation. Manufacturer cannot determine who built the cabinet and how or who installed it and how. If you have an issue with the construction/strength of your ready to assemble or ready to build cabinet please contact the person who put it together. WoodCabinets4Less is not responsible for construction defect or issues after installation. We cannot and do not guarantee workmanship of an individual assembling or installing your ready to assemble or ready to build cabinets.

Q: I don’t like the finish/style of the cabinets, can I return my order? 

We strongly recommend ordering door samples before purchasing any cabinets to make sure the finish and style are exactly what you want. However, if you receive the cabinets and aren’t happy with them, you would be able to return your order (as long as the item you wish to return is in the original packaging and is not one of the non-returnable items - see Are there any items that cannot be returned?). There is a 35% restocking fee for all returned items and you would be responsible for the return shipping. The initial shipping charge you paid when placing the order will not be able to be refunded. If you received free shipping, the shipping amount paid by woodcabinets4less would be deducted from any refunds. You would also need to make sure the order is packed on a pallet (you can usually find free pallets at local hardware and various retail stores) and plastic wrapped. We would be happy to get a quote using our freight carriers (as we can normally receive lesser expensive rates than if you were to get a quote locally) and if you’d like to use our carrier, that amount would just be deducted from your refund amount. When the item(s) are returned, if we find there are damages that occurred in transit, your refund may take a bit longer until a proper inspection by the trucking company can occur, and you may need to file a freight claim if you handled the return shipping yourself.

Q: I mis-measured, can I return a cabinet? 

Yes, absolutely (as long as the item you wish to return is in the original packaging and is not one of the non-returnable items – see: (Are there any items that cannot be returned?). Just contact customer service and they will get a return authorization for you to include with your returned item and let you know the address where it should be returned. We ship out of many locations, so please do not return anything without speaking to customer service to make sure the return address is correct. **A return Authorization number is required for all returns and without this number no credit will be issued. If something is returned to the incorrect address, unfortunately, we won’t be able to issue a refund for that item. There is a 35% restocking fee for all returned items and you would be responsible for the return shipping. The initial shipping charge you paid when placing the order will not be able to be refunded. When the item(s) are returned, if we find there are damages that occurred in transit, your refund may take a bit longer until a proper inspection by the trucking company can occur, and you may need to file a freight claim if you handled the return shipping yourself.

Q: I placed an order and then my cabinets went on sale, can I get the new discount? 

While we would love to honor all discounts all the time, many of the discounts offered during sales are issued directly from the manufacturer and are only valid for orders placed during the advertised sale dates. The manufacturers have very strict policies about discounts only applying to orders placed during these times. We often have no prior knowledge of the discounts that will be available until they are posted on the website so because of this, we are not able to honor discounts for current sales on past orders even if the order was just placed or has not shipped yet. Orders that are cancelled because current sale discounts cannot be applied may be subject to restocking fees and/or initial and return shipping charges (if the order has already been shipped and is in transit). If you wish to return an order that has already been delivered, our normal return policies would apply.

Q: I received the wrong cabinet/accessory, now what? 

If the wrong cabinet or accessory is shipped to you by mistake, please contact us within 7 days at 888-711-0171 or info@woodcabinets4less.com, and we will process and ship your correct items as quickly as possible. Pictures or other documentation may be required and if the incorrect item(s) needs to be returned, we will provide you with a shipping label.

Q: Is there a restocking fee for returned items? 

Yes, there is a 35% restocking fee on all returned items.

Q: My order (or part of my order) was received damaged, can I return it? 

Don’t worry! There’s no need to return a damaged order, we will be able to get you the replacement parts/cabinets that are needed (please see What if something on my order is damaged?). If you decide to return your entire order it would be treated as a regular return and you would be responsible for the return shipping and a 35% restocking fee. If you received free shipping the amount paid by woodcabinets4less on that shipping will be deducted from any refunds. We will also need the delivery paperwork that noted the damage (paperwork the delivery driver had). ONLY UNOPENED RTA (READY TO ASSEMBLE CABINETS) IN THEIR ORIGINAL, UNOPENED CONTAINER CAN BE RETURNED WITHIN 30 DAYS OF RECEIPT. All other cabinets are non returnable. You can go here to file a damaged or missing items claim: https://woodcabinets4less.com/claims/

Q: Ordering Outside the United Sates

Currently we do not accept orders outside of the 48 continental U.S. states. We do not ship to Alaska or Hawaii. For those ordering from Alaska or Hawaii we can ship to a freight forwarding service and then you are responsible for arranging and having it forwarded to your delivery site. *Items must be check for shipping damage upon delivery to the freight forwarding company. Damages not reported before the shipment leaves the freight forwarder will not be replaced without cost to customer.

Q: Should I assemble cabinets with damages if I’m just waiting for a part? 

No, if any cabinets are damaged, please do not assemble these cabinets. The pictures needed by our claims department must be unassembled cabinets. Due to manufacturer guidelines, replacement parts will not be issued for cabinets that are already assembled or assembled to any degree because the manufacturer does not know the damage didn’t occur during assembly. Please leave any damaged cabinets unassembled until customer service lets you know it is okay to do so.

Q: Should I refuse a damaged item on my delivery? 

No, do not refuse any damaged items, just note the damages on the shipping paperwork the driver has, have them sign and make sure you receive a copy. Then, FILL OUT A CLAIM FORM HERE: https://woodcabinets4less.com/claims/

The warehouse that ships the cabinetry will not accept returned shipments without authorization and the freight company will not return the shipment without return freight charges which would be the responsibility of the customer.

Q: What do I need to do on delivery besides unload the cabinets/accessories? 

1. It is extremely important that you do a piece count and make sure all ordered pieces are there (unless you’ve been informed of any out of stock items). Some pieces may be packaged together, i.e. crown molding, fillers, etc… If you can, open any accessory boxes while the driver is there to make sure all pieces are accounted for, if you’re not able to, mark the Bill of Lading (BOL – shipping paperwork that the driver has) that you weren’t able to verify the piece count in that specific box. If there is anything missing, it must be noted on the BOL. Make sure to get a copy of the BOL with the driver’s signature and that the driver has a copy noting any shortages, we will need a copy sent to us to process your replacement order. If shortages are not noted on the BOL, we will not be able to reship these items for no charge. 

2. In addition to doing a piece count, you want to check each box for visible damage. The trucking company is required to let you check the outside of each box. You do not need to open each box, just check over the outside for cracks, dents, holes, etc… If the driver tells you they will not wait for you to check over the boxes, call the trucking company and explain that you need to note any visible damage on the BOL and the driver is giving you a hard time (this is not very common). The number to the trucking company will be on the BOL. The boxes are checked in the warehouses before being shipped out, however, as soon as the trucking company picks up your order, they are responsible for any damages that occur in transit and will only approve replacements if the damages are noted on the shipping paperwork (Bill of Lading – BOL) on your delivery.

Q: What if I entered my Shipping Address wrong or need to change it? 

Please contact customer service immediately if you need to change your shipping address. If a shipping address is changed after an order ships or if an address was entered incorrectly on an order and needs to be changed after shipment, most freight companies will charge a fee. We will contact the freight company ASAP if your order has already shipped and find out if there are any fees involved. We will do our best to eliminate or reduce any fees, but if the freight company charges for the change, you would be responsible for these charges.

Q: What if I have to cancel or make changes to my order? 

If you need to cancel or make changes to your order, please let customer service know within 24 hours of placing your order. After 24 hours changes/cancellations may not be made.

Q: What if I need to return something? 

As long as the item you wish to return is in the original packaging and is not one of the non-returnable items (see Are there any items that cannot be returned?), you would just need to contact customer service within 7 days of your delivery. They will get a return authorization for you to include with your returned item and let you know the address where it should be returned. All returns require a return authorization number. Returns without this number will not be accepted and credit will not be issued. We ship out of many locations, so please do not return anything without speaking to customer service to make sure the return address is correct. If something is returned to the incorrect address, unfortunately, we won’t be able to issue a refund for that item. There is a 35% restocking fee for all returned items and you would be responsible for the return shipping. If you received free shipping the amount paid by woodcabinets4less will be deducted from any refunds. If you’re returning something that requires shipment by a freight company, we would be happy to get a quote using our carriers (as we can normally receive lesser expensive rates than if you were to get a quote locally) and if you’d like to use our carrier, that amount would just be deducted from your refund amount. You would also need to make sure the item(s) is packed on a pallet (you can usually find free pallets at local hardware and various retail stores) and plastic wrapped. When the item(s) are returned, if we find there are damages that occurred in transit, your refund may take a bit longer until a proper inspection by the trucking company can occur, and you may need to file a freight claim if you handled the return shipping yourself.

Q: What if I ordered cabinets with glass and the glass arrives broken? 

If Glass Door Inserts or Glass Shelves are damaged during shipment, the manufacturers will not re-ship since they would have to ship via Ground and will more than likely be damaged again. If you receive damaged glass, please send pictures and let our offices know immediately and you will be issued a credit so the glass can be cut/purchased locally.

Q: What if I receive damages on a Pre-Assembled RTA cabinet order? 

The cabinet manufacturers reserve the right to determine the most cost effective and efficient method to correct damaged items as a result of manufacturer defect or freight/shipping damage. This may not involve a total cabinet/accessory replacement. For example, a cabinet with a damaged door would receive a new door - not an entirely new cabinet. 

Q: What if I want to cancel my order and it has already shipped, but I have not received it yet? 

Orders may not be cancelled after the first 24 hours. No credits or refunds will be issued after the 24 hour period has passed.

Q: What if I want to cancel my order right after I place it? 

You have 24 hours to cancel your order after it’s placed on our website or by phone. Please call us at 888-711-0171 or email us at info@woodcabinets4less.com and we will handle the cancellation for you. There are no fees if cancelled within 24 hours. If it’s after 24 hours, the order cannot be cancelled.

 What if something on my order is out of stock? 

In some cases, there will be certain items out of stock. If this is the case, we will notify you and let you know when it will be in stock. Then you will have the option to:

1) Ship all in-stock items right away and the out-of-stock item(s) when they come in and you will be responsible for any additional shipping charges

2) Wait until all items are in, then ship

3) Cancel the out of stock item(s)

4) Switch the out of stock item(s) to another item that is in stock and ship the order. 

Q: What is a curbside, end-of-truck delivery? 

If shipping to a residential address, it is a curbside, end of truck delivery. Curbside, meaning the delivery will be made either at the curb or in your driveway, depending on what the driver deems the easiest and safest way to deliver your order. End of truck, meaning the driver is only responsible for moving the pallet to the end of the truck (unless you order a lift gate). From that point, it is the customer’s responsibility to unload the pallet piece by piece (this is a perfect time to do a piece count and inspect each box for damage).

Q: What is a lift gate? 

The lift gate is like an 'elevator' on the back of the freight truck that lowers the pallet onto the curb. You would then unload the pallet from the curb as opposed to the back of the truck. Certain orders will not be able to use a lift gate due to the size of the pallets used for delivery. If your order is able to utilize a lift gate, it will be automatically included on your delivery free of charge!

Q: What orders qualify for Free Shipping promotions? 

Free shipping offers apply to all kitchen cabinet and bathroom vanity orders during free shipping promotional periods only. Accessories such as trash inserts, roll out trays and specialty cabinet inserts do not ship free unless included in a qualifying cabinetry order. Free shipping is not always available. Please watch our website for details on free shipping or give us a call. NOTE: IF YOU ARE ORDERING CABINETRY THAT SHIPS FROM DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ONLY 1 POINT OF ORIGIN WOULD QUALITY FOR FREE SHIPPING AND YOU WOULD BE INVOICED FOR THE OTHER SHIPPING AMOUNT PRIOR TO CABINETRY SHIP OUT.

**Free shipping only applies to the 48 contiguous US states, it does not apply to Alaska, Hawaii, or out of country orders.** In the event you cancel your order after it has shipped, the shipping that would have been charged (had the Free Shipping discount not been applied) and any return shipping fees will be deducted from your refund. 

***Ordering a large item such as a pantry with less than a total of 5 items or ordering a single item will result in an added or higher shipping cost.

Q: What shipping method do I use to return an item back to the warehouse? 

If it’s a small RTA cabinet, it can usually be returned via ground shipping (FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc…). If it’s a larger, heavier item then it would need to be returned using a common freight company. You would also need to make sure the item(s) is packed on a pallet (you can usually find free pallets at local hardware and various retail stores) and plastic wrapped. If you’re returning something that requires shipment by a freight company, we would be happy to get a quote using our carriers (as we can normally receive lesser expensive rates than if you were to get a quote locally) and if you’d like to use our carrier, that amount would just be deducted from your refund amount. When the item(s) are returned, if we find there are damages that occurred in transit, your refund may take a bit longer until a proper inspection by the trucking company can occur, and you may need to file a freight claim if you handled the return shipping yourself.

Q: What should I do with damaged items? 

Some manufacturers will require damaged parts or cabinets to be returned in order for replacements to be sent. These parts/cabinets must be returned to the manufacturer if requested or you will be charged for the cost of the replacement parts/cabinets. Returns must be received within 30 days of receipt of replacement parts (or sooner, if requested), or else you will be charged for all parts. Different finishes ship from different warehouses throughout the USA, so please be sure to confirm the return address before returning anything. If they are returned to the wrong location, unfortunately, we won't be able to replace the damaged parts for no charge.

Q: When I receive delivery, what if something on my order is damaged? 

It is very important to look for any damages to the outside of the boxes upon your delivery. If any damages are visible, mark this on the shipping paperwork the driver has and be sure they sign and give you a copy (do not refuse any damaged items). Many times the contents will not be damaged even if the box is, but if you find any parts of the cabinets to be damaged, please report it BY FILING A CLAIM HERE: https://woodcabinets4less.com/claims/

You will have 2-5 days from the day of delivery to report any damages. Your shipping confirmation email will state the amount of time available for filing a claim.

Q: When will my credit card be charged? 

Credit card authorization is needed before an order can be processed so your credit card will be charged when your order is placed.

Q: When will my order ship? 

Most Ready-to-Assemble orders will ship in 5-7 business days. Pre-Assembled orders will ship in 7-10 business days. Quick Ship Semi-Custom orders will ship in 7-15 business days but this can run up t o 3 weeks, Semi-Custom orders will ship in 4-11 weeks depending on the finish, Premium/Custom orders will ship in 3-5 weeks depending on the finish. These times are averages and are not guaranteed. 

Q: Will I be able to accept my delivery by myself?

Many cabinets will be very large and heavy (in excess of 100 lbs) so having 1 or 2 additional people to help is highly recommended. The delivery drivers work for the freight companies and are not employed by woodcabinets4less.com and for insurance purposes, are not able to assist in unloading any cabinets so he or she would not be able to help during this process.

Q: Will I be reimbursed for any labor or time needed to repair any shipping damaged cabinets? 

If replacements parts are needed, woodcabinets4less.com is only responsible for providing those parts. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reimburse any additional costs of labor incurred by the customer to replace or repair damaged cabinets. 

Q: Will I receive a new cabinet if something is damaged in the box? 

Depending on the damage, in most cases, a replacement part will be sent, not an entire new cabinet if you have an RTA or Pre-Assembled order. The manufacturer reserves the right to determine the most cost effective and efficient method to correct damaged and/or defective cabinets/accessories. For example, if a door is cracked, you would receive a new door, not a whole new cabinet. If you received Pre-Assembled cabinets, in some cases, it may be necessary to unassemble a cabinet or part of a cabinet if it’s required for a replacement part. If you have a quick ship semi-custom, semi-custom or premium/custom cabinet then the manufacturer will typically ship an entirely new piece unless it is a damaged door or drawer front/box in which case they will ship a replacement door/drawer/drawer box.

Q: Will I receive my entire order in one shipment? 

Various finishes ship from different locations throughout the USA. If you are ordering multiple finishes, you may receive separate shipments depending on which warehouses they are being shipped from. You will receive confirmation emails whenever your order (or part of your order) has shipped. Inside cabinet accessory items would also ship separately (trash inserts, pullouts, etc…) If some of your items are on back order you will have the option of receiving the in stock cabinetry first and then the back order pieces or of waiting until the back order is in stock and receiving everything at once.

Q: Are there any items that cannot be returned?

All built or pre-assembled cabinetry is not returnable. Built cabinetry including, but may not be limited to:

Semi-Custom Cabinetry
SOLLiD Cabinetry
All Wood By Ideal
Premium/Custom Cabinetry
Quick Ship Maple Cabinetry
Pre-Assembled Cabinetry
Custom Items (Anything made to a specific size or modified or customized in any way).
Trims, moldings and accessories are not returnable.

Any Ready To Assemble Cabinet That Has Been Opened, Assembled, Modified In Any Way

Items that have been damaged on the work site or by a contractor or customer
Items ordered without receiving or viewing a sample first
Subjective opinion: If an item or items do not seem to meet a client's idea of what they should be but are what the client ordered we cannot accept a return based on that. We'll work with a client to resolve the issue but will not issue refund because of this.

Trim and accessories are not returnable. 

Damaged items when reported within guidelines will be replaced in whole or in part.

WoodCabinets4Less.com reserves the right to refuse service, remove or edit content, terminate accounts, or cancel orders at its sole discretion.

Cabinet Terminology:

Ball Bearing - Smooth gliding guides that are typically side mounted. They slide on small metallic balls that bear the weight of the drawer.

Butt Doors - Door on a double door cabinet that when closed, nearly touch each other. Typically, a 1/8" gap is allowed between the butt doors.

Cam Locks - Cylindrical lock or fastener commonly used for cabinets. Often there will be a male and female part. Once inserted, simply turn the metal piece 180 degrees clockwise to lock into place. We do not offer cabinetry with cam lock systems.

Center Mullion/Stile - Vertical strips of wood that divide cabinets for extra support and durability. Usually seen on larger width cabinets when you open the door it will be in the center..

Concealed hinge - Hinge that is not visible on the front of a cabinet door. Concealed hinges are attached to the inside surface of the door.

Dado - Groove that is cut into a piece of material so that another piece may slide into it. The inside surface of cabinet drawers may be dadoed with a groove to accept the drawer bottom panel which helps make for a stronger joint between the drawer side and bottom panels.

Dovetail - Wood joinery that is used to connect drawer sides to the drawer face without the use of exposed hardware. These joints are known for their durability. The wood is cut in a series of angled portions that look like dove tails. These “tails” interlock and are difficult to separate once attached. There are differnet cuts of dovetail such as english, french or even bull nose. Some dovetails are a hybrid of both.

Epoxy Coated Glides - A fast drying white protective coating that is baked into hardware metal guides. It is low VOC and can be used for side mount and under mount hardware.

Exposed hinge - Hinge type that is visible on the outside edge of the cabinet door when the door is closed.

Face Frame - Wood frame that is attached to the front edges of the top, bottom and sides of the cabinet box. The door gets hinged to the face frame. This frame helps provide rigidity to the box. Cabinet designs that incorporate this feature are called "framed" or "face-frame" cabinets.

Framed - Cabinet design that uses a face-frame which is typically a wood frame attached to the front edges of the cabinet box where the door hings onto.

Frameless - Cabinet design that does not use a frame on the front outside edges of the cabinet box. The front of the cabinet box is formed by the edges of the top, bottom and side panels of the cabinet box. The cabinet door typically covers these edges when closed.

Full Extension Glides - Hardware that provides full-access to drawers and allows the drawer to pass the face frame fully opening.

Full Overlay - Cabinet design where the cabinet door or drawer front covers the entire face frame so that only the cabinet door is seen with no part of the face frame visible. A cabinet is also considered full-overlay when the reveal is ¼ inch or less.

Hairline Crack - This refers to solid wood doors with a painted finish.This is not a defect and replacements will not be issued for this characteristic. It not the result of finish failure, but the result of expansion and contraction of the door’s framing. Most cabinet finishes, like any other cabinet finish, does not expand and contract well in multiple directions. So, when the top and bottom rails of cabinet door expand/contract in one direction and the left/right door stiles expand/contract in another, the painted finish cannot ‘keep up’ with the drastic wood movement taking place below it, especially at the joint where these forces are greatest and in direct opposition to each other. Something has to ‘give’ and the paint fractures at the place the stiles and rails meet…the door joint. Sometimes the crack will be more noticeable than others as the wood continues to expand and contract. This is why many manufacturers from economy to high-end are moving more and more to MDF or HDF material for painted finishes. There is no sure way to predict whether a specific item will crack or not. The information here is not stating it will certainly happen, but informing that it may happen.

Half Overlay/Partial Overlay - Cabinet design where the cabinet door or drawer front partially overlaps the face frame. When the drawers/doors are closed, more than ¼ inch of the face frame remains visible.

Hardwood HDF Paint Grade Door - While our premium line offers hardwood HDF as pictured here, some manufacturers will refer to a full MDF/HDF door as paint grade. You may also find some places use "paint-grade" in reference to an all wood door that is an economy level wood so it can have a center panel that is wood. If you need more information always ask questions before ordering cabinetry.

Inset - Cabinet design where the doors fit inside of the face frame when closed (rather than overlapping and sitting on top of the face frame).

Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF) - Wood-based product that's produced by the combination of very small wood fibers and a glue, resin or similar bonding agent. MDF can be more easily shaped than products like particle board due to the consistency of the material formed by the small fibers. MDF can be used for shelves, doors (typically painted or covered with melamine) and other cabinet parts. It is very dense and resists warping. It is commonly seen in the center panels of recessed cabinet door styles (like a Shaker door) to prevent warping and cracking of the center panel during the wood’s natural expansion and contraction throughout the year.

Melamine - Durable plastic, similar to laminate that can be applied to certain areas of cabinets. It is easy to clean and resists stains, chipping and fading.

Miter - Woodworking joint where two beveled pieces adjoin to make a 90 degree angle.

Mortise & Tenon - Wood joinery that involves part of one piece being inserted into a notch or hole in the mating piece. A typical mortise and tenon joint has a square protrusion coming off the end of one piece that fits tightly into a square hole or notch in the piece it's joined to. The pieces that make up the outer frame of a cabinet door might be joined using this technique.

Overlay - Overlay refers to the amount of face frame that is covered by the cabinet door or drawer front.

Partial Overlay/Half Overlay - Design where the cabinet door or drawer front partially overlaps the face frame. When the drawers/doors are closed, more than ¼ inch of the face frame remains visible.

Particle Board - Wood product made up of very small wood pieces and fragments that are fused together with a glue or resin under mechanical pressure.

Plywood - All wood product made up of several layers of wood with the grain direction running at different angles with respect to each other. This orientation gives plywood greater strength and stability in comparison to solid wood. It reduces the tendency of wood to split when nailed at the edges and reduces expansion and shrinkage, providing improved dimensional stability.

Rail - Horizontal pieces of a face frame or door frame (in contrast to a "stile" which is the vertical member of the frame).

Raised Panel - Doors that have slightly raised center panels.

Recessed Panel - Door style where the center panel is inset or recessed. A common example is a Shaker door style.

Recessed Picture Frame Back - Back of cabinets will have approximately 1/4" plywood panel with a frame of plywood attached over the top which can be 1/2"-5/8" thick. This looks like a frame around a recessed panel. The plywood frame is considered a hang rail.

Reveal - The exposed portion between the end of the cabinet face frame and the door.

Self Closing Drawers - Drawers that have mechanisms or magnets that guide the drawer closed. These are not soft-closing.

Side Mount Glides - Drawer hardware that is mounted on the side of the drawer.

Slab Front - A flat door panel with no design, moldings, recessed or raised areas. Commonly gives a more contemporary appearance.

Soft Close Drawers - Drawers guides containing a piston that respond to various levels of pressure and weight, absorbing the impact and closing the door slowly and safely.

Stile - the vertical pieces of a face frame or door frame (in contrast to the "rails" which are the horizontal pieces of the frame).

Under Mount Glides - Drawer hardware that is mounted underneath the drawer. Under mount guides can usually carry more weight than side mount guides.

Veneer - Very thin layers of wood applied to plywood or MDF before it’s treated with stain. Veneers can be used on the sides of exposed cabinets (for example, on the end of a run of cabinets) and on the interior surfaces of cabinet boxes.