Ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets offer a convenient and affordable way to get a customized kitchen or other storage solution. RTA cabinets come packaged with all the parts and hardware needed for assembly. They can be put together easily following included instructions, without requiring professional installation. There are many RTA cabinet suppliers to choose from, with varying quality, selection, and price points. This article explores 10 top RTA cabinet brands to consider for your next cabinetry project.
Overview of RTA Cabinets
RTA cabinets provide several benefits that make them a popular choice:
- Cost savings – RTA cabinets are typically 20-50% cheaper than custom cabinetry you would get from a kitchen designer or home improvement store. There are no middleman markups since you order direct from the manufacturer.
- Convenience – The cabinets ship directly to your home rather than needing to coordinate delivery from a cabinet showroom. All parts and hardware are included for complete DIY assembly.
- Customization – Many RTA suppliers allow you to customize cabinets to your exact size, style, and finish preferences. You can get a semi-custom cabinetry look for ready-to-assemble prices.
- Quality materials – Leading RTA brands use quality plywood boxes and solid wood doors/drawers. Though not as high-end as custom cabinets, RTA provides durable and stylish cabinetry.
While RTA cabinets require more upfront work to assemble and install yourself, the tradeoff in cost savings often makes it worthwhile. Choosing a reputable RTA supplier is key though – many low-cost brands cut corners and have subpar quality.
Below are 10 top ready-to-assemble cabinet brands to consider:
1. Barkaboda Cabinets
Barkaboda is an affordable RTA cabinet supplier based out of Canada. They offer a wide range of classic and contemporary cabinet styles and finishes. Barkaboda uses quality materials like plywood construction, soft-close hinges, and wood veneer doors and drawers. Custom sizing and modifications are available.
Barkaboda emphasizes simple DIY assembly with cam locks, dowels, and other easy-to-use fasteners. Their RTA cabinets come with detailed instructions and labeled parts. Customer service assists with any questions during the assembly process.
The brand stands behind their products with a lifetime warranty on cabinet boxes and 5 years on doors and drawers. Given the reasonable prices and good quality, Barkaboda cabinets are a great choice for the DIYer or contractor.
2. Cabinet Joint
New Jersey based Cabinet Joint provides modern, clean lined RTA cabinets. They use precision European hardware for easy assembly and seamless doors. Cabinet construction consists of 18mm thick plywood rather than particleboard for enhanced durability.
The line includes a range of door styles and finishes – from contemporary matte painted to traditional wood grains and stains. Custom sizes, storage solutions, moldings and accessories are available. Specialty items like glass cabinet doors and pull-out pantries allow high-end custom looks on a budget.
Cabinet Joint offers free design services to select cabinetry for your unique kitchen or bath. Ordering and delivery is simple and includes all necessary assembly hardware and detailed instructions. Given the quality components and lifetime warranty, Cabinet Joint is a great semi-custom RTA option.
3. Ready Set Cabinets
Ready Set Cabinets provides affordable, quick ship RTA cabinets perfect for small kitchens, garages, closets and home offices. They offer a variety of in-stock cabinet sizes and styles for base cabinets, wall cabinets, vanities and more.
Their RTA cabinets feature a solid wood face frame, plywood sidewalls, and particle board cabinet backs. Doors are available in slab, shaker and raised panel styles. Ready Set Cabinets range from $50 – $200 per cabinet depending on size and features.
Because they keep common sizes in stock, Ready Set Cabinets can ship within 3-5 business days. Fast shipping combined with easy assembly makes these a great choice for small or budget projects. Their RTA cabinets come with a 3-year warranty.
4. cabinets.com
Formerly known as Direct Cabinet Sales, cabinets.com has offered quality RTA cabinetry since 2005. They provide a huge selection of styles from modern and sleek to traditional wood tones. Custom sizing is available, as are many storage and organizing accessories.
The cabinets use furniture grade 18mm plywood sides rather than particle board for enhanced durability. Soft-close doors and drawers come standard. cabinets.com has innovative features like slide-out trays, tip out hamper cabinets, and pull down mixer shelves for added convenience.
Ordering is easy through their website with online design tools. Cabinets ship within 5 business days and come with all necessary hardware and instructions for simple DIY assembly. With quality components and affordable pricing, cabinets.com is a great choice for a full kitchen or bath remodel.
5. Affordable Cabinets
As their name suggests, Affordable Cabinets focuses on budget-friendly RTA options without sacrificing quality. They sell cabinets wholesale direct to contractors and homeowners, removing showroom markups. The streamlined process results in cabinetry pricing 25-50% below home improvement stores.
Their RTA cabinets are available in many sizes, finishes and accessory options. Construction uses 3⁄4” solid wood cabinet doors, 1⁄2” plywood sides and 3⁄4” plywood for cabinet floors. Soft-close hinges prevent slamming. Simple CAM locks make DIY assembly straightforward.
Affordable Cabinets provides full kitchen design services to select the optimal layout and features. Orders ship within 1-3 weeks and include everything needed for installation. For well-made RTA cabinets on a budget, Affordable Cabinets is worth considering.
6. Conestoga Cabinets
Pennsylvania based Conestoga offers an affordable line of RTA cabinets known as Express. The Express Series provides the same quality construction as their custom cabinetry at ready-to-assemble pricing.
These RTA cabinets consist of 3⁄4” plywood boxes and solid wood doors and drawers. Soft-close drawer glides and door hinges come standard. Conestoga uses Blum hinges and Hafele pulls widely considered as top hardware brands.
The Express Series line includes a variety of door styles, finishes, and organizational accessories. Unique features like tambour cabinet doors and Split Top Sink bases give a high-end look for less. Conestoga Cabinets stands behind their RTA line with a lifetime warranty.
7. Cabinetia
Cabinetia provides modern, clean-lined RTA cabinets for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and more. Their cabinets come with soft close doors, adjustable legs, and organizer accessories. Optional upgrades include glass doors, wine racks, and Pull Out cabinets with built-in trays.
Their cabinet boxes consist of 18mm thick laminated particleboard while doors use high-quality MDF with veneer finishes. All exposed edges are covered with matching PVC tape to prevent water damage and warping.
Orders ship by UPS with easy to follow assembly instructions. Cabinet doors, shelves, and hinges come pre-installed. Cabinetia RTA cabinets are made in Bulgaria and imported to provide quality European styling at affordable prices. Their products come with a limited lifetime warranty.
8. Decorá
Decorá is a direct to consumer cabinet supplier based in Texas that provides RTA cabinets and hardware. Their line includes both stock and quick ship semi-custom options. Decorá uses quality materials like solid wood doors, plywood side panels, soft-close mechanisms, and adjustable legs.
Their cabinet construction and hardware aim to simplify home assembly. Pie cut corners eliminate joint alignment struggles. Drawers come built so you just need to insert and adjust. Decorá includes an installation guide with step-by-step instructions and videos.
Decorá offers free design services to create a customized kitchen layout. Their kitchen designers have over 120 cabinetry and hardware options to select from. For well-constructed and thoughtful RTA cabinet designs, Decorá is a great choice.
9. Cabinet Maker Warehouse
Cabinet Maker Warehouse provides RTA cabinets, countertops, sinks, and accessories for affordable prices. Their products are exclusively sold at Lowe’s home improvement stores. The cabinet line includes various door styles, finishes, and storage accessories.
Construction uses solid wood doors, plywood side panels, and particle board cabinet backs. Full extension drawers are an upgrade option. Soft-close door hinges help prevent slamming. Cabinet Maker Warehouse offers sink base models, filler panels and crown molding for a built-in look.
Assembly instructions come with color photos and detailed steps. Cabinet Maker Warehouse RTA cabinets provide simple assembly and integrated cabinets for kitchen and bath projects on a budget. Lowe’s provides design expertise if needed.
10. IKEA
Known for affordability and Scandinavian style, IKEA offers several RTA cabinet lines. Their cabinet boxes use pre-cut wood particleboard or fiberboard for reduced cost and environmental impact. Door and drawer front materials vary.
Some product lines like FÖRVARA feature solid wood doors while others like METOD have veneer, foil or glass. Hinges allow for soft-closing doors on many models. IKEA cabinets include interior fittings like drawers, shelves, wire baskets and other organizers.
Given the low prices, IKEA cabinets are a great budget-friendly option. The tradeoff is having to fully assemble cabinets yourself, including installing hinges and fittings. For small projects or secondary spaces, IKEA delivers simple and affordable RTA solutions.
What to Look for in RTA Cabinets
When evaluating and selecting RTA cabinets, here are some key considerations:
- Box construction – Look for plywood rather than particleboard sides for enhanced durability and moisture resistance. Also assess back panel material.
- Doors and drawers – Seek out solid wood doors and drawer fronts. These offer better wear than laminate or veneers. Also look for full extension drawers.
- Hardware – Soft-close hinges and glides prevent slamming and improve usability. Concealed European style hinges provide uninterrupted lines.
- Assembly – Look for cam locks, dowels, and other easy-to-use fasteners for DIY assembly. Matching pre-drilled holes simplify the process.
- Warranty – Many reputable RTA brands offer lifetime warranties on boxes and multi-year warranties on doors and drawers. This provides piece of mind.
- Certifications – Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association (KCMA) testing verifies quality, durability and performance. Look for brands that have acquired KCMA certification.
Doing your homework on construction, convenience, and cost considerations will lead you to the best RTA cabinet solution for your unique needs and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About RTA Cabinets
RTA cabinets provide a convenient and affordable option for many kitchen and bathroom projects. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about specifying and installing ready-to-assemble cabinetry:
How difficult is it to assemble RTA cabinets?
Most RTA cabinets are designed for DIY assembly by homeowners without professional carpentry skills. Suppliers include detailed instructions with pictures and installation tips. Basic tools like drills, screws, and fasteners are provided. The process may be time consuming but is typically manageable for most DIYers.
Can you change the configuration of RTA cabinets?
One of the benefits of RTA cabinets is flexibility. Before assembly, the cabinet boxes can be cut down for custom sizing. Drawer stacks and organizational accessories can also be repositioned to your space. This allows customization of stock cabinets. Modifications are more difficult after assembly so plan ahead.
How long does delivery and installation take?
Delivery lead times vary by manufacturer – ranging from in-stock and ready to ship to 4-6 week production timeframes. Some suppliers like Ready Set Cabinets keep common sizes in inventory for very fast fulfilment. Installation is up to you following delivery – most DIYers budget 2-5 days for RTA cabinet assembly and installation.
Can RTA cabinets support granite or quartz countertops?
High-quality RTA cabinets with plywood boxes rather than particleboard provide sufficient strength for natural stone counters like granite, marble or quartz. Be sure to reinforce with wood bracing spanning the upper cabinets. Screw countertops from below rather than just using glue for a secure attachment.
How do you attach RTA cabinets together?
RTA cabinets hang on a wall stud like custom cabinets. The assembly process involves joining cabinet face frames together as well as attaching cabinets side-by-side and stacking base and wall units. CAM lock fasteners, screws, and adhesive provide a secure fit. Fillers cover any gaps.
What questions should you ask RTA cabinet suppliers?
Key questions to ask include:
- What materials are used for cabinet box, doors, and drawers? Look for plywood and solid wood.
- Is soft-close hardware for doors/drawers included? This prevents slamming.
- How many adjustable shelves are included? Shelving needs often change.
- What is the lead time for production and delivery? Factor into your renovation timeline.
- What are my customization options? Sizing, finishes, storage accessories.
- Is professional design assistance included?
- What is the assembly process? Are clear instructions provided?
- What warranties apply to cabinets, doors, and hardware?
Doing your homework when selecting cabinets ensures your RTA cabinetry performs well and matches your kitchen or bath design needs.
Conclusion
Ready-to-assemble cabinets provide convenience, customization, and significant cost savings compared to custom cabinetry. Leading RTA suppliers like Barkaboda, Cabinet Joint, and Conestoga offer well-constructed cabinets that rival semi-custom options at DIY prices.
Seeking out quality materials, soft-close hardware, and smart storage accessories results in an affordable and high performing cabinetry solution. Investigating warranty coverage provides peace of mind. With some homework on cabinet construction and design support from the manufacturer, RTA cabinets offer a budget-friendly path to your dream kitchen or bathroom.
