Another characteristic to look for to distinguish custom cabinetry from stock is the size of the cabinets, particularly their widths. Most stock cabinets, being made first and then sold, limit their range of products to certain sizes, for example, three inch increments such as 12", 15", 18", 21", 24", etc. Where it is necessary to accommodate some space that does not fit into this range, filler strips are provided and cut to the appropriate width which, in this example, would be up to 3". Custom cabinets are sold first, then made to whatever specification the client wants. If they want a cabinet that is 20 15/16" wide, that is what they will get.
Thickness is another indicator. As it can be difficult to tell how thick the sides of a cabinet are once it is fully assembled, the thickness of the material used presents an opportunity for the cabinet provider to save some money in an area that is not particularly noticeable. There is a noticeable difference between a cabinet that is made with 3/4" thick material and one that is made with 1/2" thick material.
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