If you end choose to use stock cabinets in your home, because of your time frame or your budget dictates it, don't worry too much that you are unduly compromising, and getting poor quality cabinets. Over the last few years (and especially over the last 15 years or so) the quality of stock cabinets has vastly improved in all aspects-appearance, detailing and durability. In fact, stock cabinets may be the most sensible choice for you, even if you can afford more expensive ones. Why? Well, sometimes the biggest difference between a stock cabinet and a custom cabinet is how the finish is applied, by hand or machine, and what type of bearings the drawer has etc. Do you really care about the costlier hand applied finishes?
Although, custom and semi-custom lines of cabinets offer the most choices in the doors, stock lines also offer enough to keep you scratching your head trying to decide what you want in your house. So, do not worry about your options when you use stock cabinets. Instead worry about quality. Cabinet doors are generally made of wood and also generally speaking, there are two types-traditional or contemporary. What is the difference? With contemporary, the door will be completely flat, traditional will have a panel which can be raised or flat.

With stock cabinets, the choice you need to make is in quality. You will likely have three basic choices. The least expensive wood door will have a single panel of veneered plywood, a medium-priced stock cabinet door will have a raised panel that is veneered wood over particle board, and the most expensive stock cabinet door will have a solid wood panel (it looks and wears the same as the other one, but you will know the difference!).

Which choice should you pick? Well, probably the solid wood, but if this does not fit your cabinet budget for every cabinet in your home, then consider the following: a flat-paneled stock cabinet door is fine for a bathroom, but in the kitchen, try to upgrade to a raised panel type if possible. Kitchens are more high use, and thus the durability is going to make a bigger difference here. The increased thickness of the door gives it more strength and rigidity. Another thing you will want to consider with stock cabinets is the hinge. The type of hinge can affect the door strength. A concealed European-type hinge that is commonly used on a full overlay door is generally stronger than standard hinge, which is partially exposed.

Also, it is important to remember that the size of the cabinet doors will affect both price and appearance. Larger doors and drawers that cover the front of the cabinet box when they're closed are more expensive. The difference is subtle, but it can give a `traditional look" a more "contemporary feel." With standard door and drawer sizes, the front of the cabinet box is partially exposed when the doors are closed.

Nearly all stock cabinet lines offer oak, maple, hickory, cherry, and vinyl wrapped white doors. It is important to remember that with cabinets trends come and go, so rather than pick a trendy finish, choose a classic finish that will last and not be outdated in a few years. You will have a better investment in cabinets if you pick stock cabinets that are going to "go" with anything. And last but not least, try to get a picture, at least in your head, of what the finished product will look like.