Frequently Asked Questions
What are the cabinets made of?
Please do not be misled by the use of “solid” or “all wood” terminology.
Either a product is well engineered and constructed, or it is not. Today, there are many materials and methods available to produce a very, high quality cabinet.
Brave manufactures only high quality cabinetry. Our cabinets are primarily constructed of two materials: furniture grade medium density fiberboard, (also known as MDF), and solid wood. The MDF is of furniture quality grade, and not typically available in a local lumberyard. Therefore, you may not be familiar with it. It is not particleboard, but rather an engineered wood product that provides great strength and a pure unblemished surface for our paint lacquer finishes, or as a substrate for hardwood veneers. It is also highly resistant to warping, cracking and splitting. It generally retains its shape over time and is often used in very expensive furniture pieces.
The fact is, it would be unadviseable and uneconomical to create a large, all solid wood, cabinet built-in system. However, our use of solid wood edging and other solid wood components in conjunction with MDF produces superior quality cabinets that will last for many years. Our quality construction techniques prevent shelves from bowing and/or sagging under normal use. We prefer the stability and flatness of MDF over the use of plywood.
Also, as a benefit to us all, the use of MDF helps conserve our forest resources by utilizing up to 95% of each tree!
What is MDF and how is it made?
Medium density fiberboard (MDF) is made from the wood that remains after a tree is milled. This wood is cleaned and refined to create uniform fibers, which are then added to an ultra-strong adhesive, and fused under intense heat and pressure into a panel form. If not veneered, MDF can then be surface or edge routed, (like our one piece doors), edged with solid mouldings, (like our cabinet sides and shelves), and then be finished with little probability of paint cracks due to fewer joints and much less warping than with all-solid wood.
How are the cabinets engineered?
What are your standard features?
- Crown molding.
- Lacquer paint.
- Adjustable shelves with 3/4" x 1-1/2" built up, no sag shelf edge.
- Counter top edge trim.
- Toe kick molding.
- Hidden and fully adjustable hinges.
- Full extension drawer slides.
How do you handle any electrical and cable outlets in the built-in cabinets?
In most instances, we can cut a hole in the back of the cabinet and re-install the face plate. If an electrical outlet needs to be moved, you need to hire a licensed electrician to do so. Prior to installation, we will inform you if that is the case.
Our custom cabinets have holes in the sides to allow for easy pass through of wires. Our shelves can be notched as well. We offer grommets for the counter top at no additional cost.
What kind of paint do you use?
We use lacquer. It is sprayed in an environmentally controlled booth that dries by a solvent evaporation or a curing process that produces a hard, durable finish. There is no paint done onsite so no foul oders in your home.
Do you have a showroom and can I stop by to see examples of your cabinets and tour your woodworking shop?
Yes, we like having visitors. Please let us know when you intend to come by.
How long are you in my home for installation of the built-in cabinets?
Since we custom manufacture and finish everything in our shop, we usually are in your home for less than a day.
What joining technique do you use to assemble the cabinets?
Our boxes are joined with a combination of screwing and blind dados. Face frames and shelf edges are dadoes and glued on.
Buy with confidence!
Our past performance and hundreds of satisfied customers speak for the quality of our products. Many of our customers are repeat customers spanning periods of over 20 years! Our cabinets have been time tested, and typically will last the life of your home. We would be happy to provide references upon request.