Assembled Cabinets vs. RTA Cabinets
There are two primary options for purchasing and receiving online kitchen cabinets: Assembled or Ready to Assemble (RTA).
Assembled kitchen cabinets, as the name suggests, are shipped pre-built from the manufacturer and are ready for installation in your home. With assembled cabinets, homeowners do not need to construct the cabinets themselves; everything is already completed, including the drawers and hardware components.
On the other hand, RTA kitchen cabinets are delivered in what is commonly known as a "flat packed" or unassembled state. RTA cabinets require the buyer to assemble and construct the cabinets at the location where they will be installed. These cabinets arrive in disassembled form, demanding additional effort from the installer.
At blueribbonmillwork.ca, we exclusively offer fully assembled cabinets, as they offer superior value and long-lasting quality for your investment. While both cabinet types can attract different types of buyers, we have outlined the advantages and disadvantages of each style so you can determine which option aligns best with your requirements.
Pros of Assembled Cabinets
- Delivered FULLY ASSEMBLED and crafted with exceptional Canadian expertise. Homeowners do not need to engage in any assembly process; these cabinets are ready to be effortlessly installed.
- They deliver a sturdier and impeccably finished end product due to their assembly at the manufacturer's facilities, utilizing precise tools, machinery, and premium materials.
- They provide ample room for various internal cabinet accessories such as Trash Pull-Outs, Lazy-Susans, and more.
- The cabinet boxes are constructed entirely from wood, utilizing high-quality wood and premium plywood—no particleboard is used.
- Featuring that are expertly sanded and polished at the factory to achieve perfection.
- For most cabinet sizes, there are personalized options available, allowing for adjustments in depth and choices of glass doors.
Cons of Assembled Cabinets
- Extended delivery times due to the fact that the cabinets are tailored to order once the purchase is made.
RTA Kitchen Cabinets
Pros of RTA Cabinets
- Reduced delivery waiting times as the cabinets are readily available in stock and can be shipped immediately upon order placement.
Cons of RTA Cabinets
- Buyers are responsible for assembling cabinets at the project site, resulting in added effort, time investment, and potential extra labor costs from installers.
- Shipped in multiple boxes for each cabinet, leading to the need for careful matching.
- Typically produced overseas, making it difficult, if not impossible, to easily obtain replacement or missing parts.
- Prone to higher chances of cosmetic damages during on-site assembly.
- Limited range of size options available.
- Paint colors might not be consistent due to different batches of dye or paint used during separate manufacturing times.
- RTA cabinets are commonly purchased through intermediary retailers, lacking direct connections to the manufacturer or factory.
- Less robust than fully assembled cabinets as they are assembled on-site using basic locking cams or screws, without the additional strength of high-temperature adhesives or furniture staples/fasteners.