1. Look at the material: The material is the main factor that affects the overall quality of the kitchen cabinet. Different materials result in different quality outcomes and prices, with differences mainly in the door panels and countertops. Currently, popular cabinet door panel materials on the market include solid wood, PVC wrapped frames, PVC vacuum formed, baked enamel, crystal, and fire-resistant boards. Solid wood has complex processing techniques and is more expensive, suitable for classical style decoration; PVC wrapped frames and PVC vacuum formed are mainstream products in the international market. They come in a variety of shapes, are easy to clean, and corrosion-resistant, appealing to fashionable professionals; Baked enamel has a smooth surface with rich colors; Crystal panels are transparent and clean; Fire-resistant boards are economical and practical, widely used in the market. Countertop materials are mainly artificial stone and fire-resistant boards. Due to different qualities and brands, there is a significant price difference.
2. Look at hardware components: The quality of cabinet hardware affects the lifespan and price of the cabinets. To keep items neatly organized, it is necessary to use some hardware accessories, such as rotating trays suitable for corner cabinets and dividers for pull-out storage cabinets. Good cabinets are a perfect combination of hardware components, cabinet body, and cabinet doors. When in use, they open and close smoothly without noise, and can withstand tens of thousands of openings and closings without deformation or damage.
Hinges undergo the most testing during the frequent opening and closing of cabinet doors. Not only do they need to precisely connect the cabinet body and door panels, but they also have to independently bear the weight of the door panels while maintaining consistent alignment. Otherwise, after some time of use, the doors may become misaligned or even fall off.
The damping system applies the latest technological achievements in furniture hardware - the damping system - to cabinet drawers and doors. This damping system creates a gentle automatic closing technology. Damping drawers with buffering and automatic closing technology can automatically close when reaching the 5cm rebound point on the slide rail, avoiding collisions between items inside the drawer and preventing the drawer from bouncing back. Damping drawers have unique characteristics - the heavier the load, the smoother the movement. With just a light push, a drawer loaded with 50 kilograms of weight can slowly and automatically close.
Other hardware components include aluminum kick plates and folding doors. Consumers should not overlook these small elements when choosing cabinets. Currently, imported hardware components from Germany and Italy occupy a large share of the market. They are world-leading hardware producers with top-notch quality. Therefore, when purchasing, pay attention to the brand of the hardware functional components used. It is worth spending a bit more money.
3. Look at craftsmanship: Not only should you check the countertop and cabinet doors, but also examine the edge banding of the cabinets. The key distinction between cabinets produced by large factories and small workshops lies in the edge banding. Whether the cabinet body and sealing strips are machine-pressed determines whether the product will remain glued, free from bubbling or deformation over long-term use. Poorly sealed sealing strips can allow smoke, dust, and insects to enter. Additionally, inquire whether the cabinet production process is manual or involves an assembly line. Whether the countertop includes special water-stop designs to prevent water from spilling onto the cabinet body ensures the longevity of the cabinet. Generally speaking, handmade or semi-mechanized products have unstable quality and are prone to issues. It's best to choose products made on German professional assembly lines with fully automatic large-scale edge banding equipment and precision-made connectors. Details reveal the spirit, so carefully understand the details of cabinet craftsmanship. Good manufacturers produce high-quality workmanship, often adopting the internationally popular European 32mm standard.
4. Look at service: Comprehensive and detailed services are also important conditions for good cabinets. This includes pre-sales home measurement and design, careful installation during sales, and after-sales service. Establishing customer records, timely follow-ups, and prompt problem resolution are essential. Since kitchens are comprehensive spaces integrating water, electricity, gas, and steam, conditions are relatively complex. Even cabinets made from the same materials can differ significantly due to varying processing equipment and personnel installation. Moreover, as durable consumer goods, cabinets have long lifespans and frequent usage, making service commitments and quality crucial. Don't consider only price factors.
5. Look at environmental protection: The environmental friendliness of cabinet materials is very important, mainly reflected in the adhesive used for panels, countertops, and edge banding. These materials must meet environmental standards. Panels should be made from formaldehyde emission-compliant engineered wood, while countertops are better suited to fire-resistant boards and artificial stones.
Below is a comparison of common panel and countertop advantages and disadvantages for your reference.
Regarding pricing, there can be significant differences.
Overall, branded products offer more guarantees because many cabinet details require large-scale mechanical operations, which small factories lack the capability for, thus unable to ensure quality.
Of course, branded products are much more expensive.
In China, currently well-reputed brands suitable for middle-class families include KeBao, ShanJia, BoFuMan, XinXing, and KangJie. KeBao offers good after-sales service, while ShanJia suits smaller units, both worth considering.
Foreign big brands are generally much more expensive.
However, it’s worth checking out to understand styles. Shaanxi Ruibo Furniture Decoration Co., Ltd. is a professional manufacturer of cabinets, cabinet door panels, cabinet accessories, commercial display cabinets, and office furniture. Their brands include XinXing Bosbao and XinXing Diana integrated cabinets and wardrobes. They offer good quality and after-sales service, with group-buying options available. It’s worth checking out to learn more.
Speaking of price calculations, domestic manufacturers usually price by linear meter, while imported ones price per piece. Each method has its advantages, but in terms of transparency, domestic manufacturers lag behind. It's best to clarify the configuration before calculating the cost. Related articles: Prevention and health care methods for orchitis, Taobao Xiao Qu how rebate works.