The Pros & Cons of Stock, Semi-Custom, and Custom Cabinetry

Know the Difference When Choosing Cabinets for your Chicagoland Home

Natural wood-tone shaker style custom cabinets with a floating shelf.

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At Tri-Star Cabinet and Top Co, custom cabinetry is our thing. We also know you have other options, so here is a comprehensive list of the pros and cons of selecting cabinetry for your next project. Not all projects demand the unique touches of custom cabinetry, so we want you to understand what you are paying for before you buy it. 

Before we get to the nitty-gritty details on the differences in types of cabinetry, know that it boils down to these three main things:

  • The cost

  • The quality

  • The look

There are other benefits and drawbacks to each but know that your final decision will typically revolve around these three factors.

 

Stock Cabinetry

Stock cabinets are off-the-shelf cabinets found in local hardware stores or from a cabinet company or wholesaler online. Stock cabinets are limited in their options and are manufactured with standard dimensions, styles, and finishes. 

Stock cabinets limit how creative you can get in your space because of their standard dimensions. For example, if you have a weird corner or section in your kitchen, your stock cabinet may not fit.

Stock cabinets are also typically made from plywood or cheaper materials than you would find in semi-custom or custom cabinetry.

Save time and money with stock cabinets.

The benefit of snagging stock cabinets for your next home renovation: they are cheaper and easier to grab and get going on your home project. Stock cabinets can be easier to work with when completing a DIY project, and you still get a variety of colors and styles.

However, stock cabinets are limited in sizes and styles and only work for standard kitchens and bathrooms. Stock cabinets also show wear and tear quicker than the quality materials used in semi-custom and custom cabinetry.

 

Semi-Custom Cabinetry

White unfinished semi-custom cabinetry in a kitchen waiting for countertops to be installed.

Semi-custom and custom cabinets closely resemble one another; however, your semi-custom cabinets will have less flexibility than your custom ones. Semi-custom cabinetry is still limited to certain styles, colors, and designs. 

Additionally, semi-custom cabinets vary from place to place in their options, so you may find yourself searching for options that best suit your tastes and needs.

Semi-custom cabinets are quality priced just right.

Semi-custom cabinets are the sweet spot of cabinetry. They cost more than stock cabinets and allow you to add that personal touch to your space. You have more choices and the option of investing in higher-quality materials than your standard stock cabinets. 

Unfortunately, semi-custom will be pricier and typically have a longer lead time, so your DIY project may take longer to accomplish. Also, while you will have a lot of options, they will still be more limited than with custom cabinets.

 

Custom Cabinetry

Custom cabinetry from Tri-Star cabinets featuring a custom hood and island countertop.

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Custom cabinetry is the investment you want to make for top-quality and a made-for-you look. You can literally design your cabinets from top to bottom with endless possibilities and options. A personal touch and individualized cabinetry design will be apparent and appreciated every time you enter the room. Custom cabinets will last longer and retain their beauty and durability for years. 

Custom cabinetry is an investment that will last a lifetime, so the extra cost or time it takes to create the cabinetry will be well worth the end result. Custom means you get cabinetry that fits your space perfectly and offers a high level of functionality you won’t find with off-the-shelf cabinets. The investment you make now will increase the value of your home and lifestyle for years to come.

 

Think Outside the Box with Your Cabinetry

Stock cabinetry and semi-custom cabinetry may be more affordable, but do they offer the same level of customization that custom cabinets offer? Not quite. 

At Tri-Star Cabinet & Top Co, we get creative and think outside the box when designing your cabinets.

Kitchen Customization

Custom cabinetry from Tri-Star in New Lenox, IL featuring custom basket pull outs and intricate woodworking

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Your kitchen should serve you and your family. As the heart of the home, a kitchen design should accommodate all your wants and needs. At Tri-Star, we have installed many intricate and functional cabinets in kitchens throughout Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. 

We have customized kitchens for clients with exquisite pantries, appliance cabinets, refrigerator paneling, and range hoods. Nothing is outside the realm of possibility when you have a vision, and we have designers that can bring it to life!

Bathroom Customization

Custom floating vanity for a home in the chicagoland area by Tri-Star. Tri-Star is more than just custom cabinetry for kitchens and bathrooms.

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Your bathroom should be an oasis where you can retreat. Whether you are taking a hot shower or a long soak in the tub, your bathroom should serve your personal hygiene needs morning, noon, and night.

At Tri-Star, we create custom vanities and bathroom shelving that accommodate all of your necessities (and then some). We know there are homes that lack linen closets and extra storage space for those essential bathroom items. So, we build clients' storage solutions that are beautiful, unique, and stylish.

 

Tri-Star: More Than Just Kitchens and Bathrooms

At Tri-Star Cabinet and Top Co, custom cabinetry for your kitchen and bathroom cabinets is just the beginning of our capabilities. Our designers are available to help you achieve any custom cabinetry job you are looking to outsource. Some of our top custom residential cabinetry jobs in the New Lenox, IL area include:

  • Home offices

  • Entertainment centers

  • Mantels for fireplaces

  • Outdoor kitchen/bar

  • Window seats

  • Mudrooms

  • Shelving

There are many unique ways to implement custom cabinetry in a home. Tri-Star designers are available seven days a week to help you create spatial solutions that fit your home like a glove.

 

Start Designing Your Custom Cabinetry Today!

Are custom cabinets calling your name? If a renovation is on the horizon in your Chicagoland home, then working with Tri-Star is the place to start. Our team of professional designers and experienced cabinet makers is ready to help you create a space that is uniquely yours. 


Reach out to us today by contacting us online or calling us at (815) 485-2564. You can stop by our showroom any day of the week to browse options for your cabinetry, hardware, counters, and more. A member of our team is always available to help you design your custom cabinetry.

Becky Harvell