A Do-It-Yourselfer’s Nightmare – Ever since the drawers were installed, the project’s been going downhill……

Posted on January 10, 2011 by RTA Cabinets Expert

customer service nightmare

A do-it-yourselfer at heart, Mike chose to save some money and assemble his new kitchen cabinets on his own.  Humming to himself as he worked he was very confident in his ability to do a quality job. The cabinets were assembled in no time. When the cabinets were installed in under a week he was glad to see he was making great timing. He, ever so efficiently, screwed on the cabinet pulls and laid down the granite over the weekend. Proud of his handiwork and eager to show it off, he threw a party for his buddies.

After a couple of rounds of chit-chat, his ego was burst faster than the soda bubbles in his glass of coke. It was when he was pointed out his unpleasant blunder. His  cutlery drawers were installed on the bottom of the cabinet, giving his boisterous terrier full access to his silverware! (Quite obviously his wife was out of town when he installed the cabinet.)

Mike called us visibly disheartened and asked us to please help him rectify his mistake before his wife comes home next week. Please let us know if you have any tips for Mike.

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InStock Kitchens .com Black Friday Cyber Monday Weekend Event

Posted on November 24, 2010 by RTA Cabinets Expert

Feasterville, PA, Nov. 11, 2010 – Instock Kitchens announced today their biggest sale event of the year for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. The sale is 20% off all cabinet lines with no minimum purchase necessary. The coupon code to use is BLACK20. The sale will continue through Tuesday, Nov. 30th, ending at 11:59 pm EST.

Instock Kitchens has a complete line of kitchen and bath cabinetry at up to fifty percent less than most retailers. Affordable kitchen cabinets make the perfect holiday gift for any homeowner. “It’s definitely a huge improvement from what we had. Thank you so much for helping us design our kitchen. It’s better than we ever imagined it could be.” says Jen Reid, a satisfied customer.

Instock Kitchens manufactures, imports, and distributes their own cabinetry. Because they are cutting out the middleman, they are able to offer their designer cabinets at 30%-50% cheaper than their competitors. The cabinets are all solid wood and Grade “A” plywood. High-end features, including dovetail, soft-close and undermount glides are available on many of their cabinet lines.

The Instock Kitchens showroom is open to the public, to those in the trade and homeowners alike. All are welcome to browse their showroom and view their complete line of stunning cabinetry. Free design consultations are available. It is advisable to bring in kitchen measurements to obtain an accurate design and quote.

Instock Kitchens sells kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities to homeowners, contractors and designers. Their cabinets feature a solid wood frame, doors and drawer heads with plywood sides, bottoms, shelves and drawer boxes. The cabinets can be purchased RTA (ready-to-assemble) or assembled. The assembly and shipping takes place from their 165,000 square foot warehouse in Levittown, PA where there are over 40,000 cabinets in stock. Their goal at Instock Kitchens is to provide a beautiful and durable product at an affordable price. To view the complete line of cabinets, visit their showroom located at 915 Pennsylvania Blvd., Feasterville, PA  19053. They can also be viewed on the web at http://www.instockkitchens.com.

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Useful Cabinet Solutions

Posted on November 17, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

No matter the size of the kitchen, there never seems to be enough space. Maximizing your space with useful storage cabinets is the key to a well-designed kitchen.

The corner of a kitchen is the most common place to lose storage space. It is advisable to use a diagonal base cabinet or blind base cabinet when turning a corner. Practical storage solutions such as a lazy susan or pull-outs are recommended for easier access.

Roll-out trays, soap tip-out trays, spice cabinets and large pot drawers are all practical storage solutions to make the space more useful and efficient. Installing usable cabinets is the key to a functional and valuable kitchen.

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Are the kitchen cabinets that are shown on this website the only options that you have?

Posted on October 18, 2010 by RTA Cabinets Expert

Yes, the kitchen cabinets that are shown on this website the only options that we have.

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Important Measurements for a Kitchen Remodel

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

Before going to kitchen showrooms, you have some measuring to do. It is frustrating not to have your kitchen measurements when you are in a showroom and chose the cabinet style that you would like.

There are five main measurements that need to be done.

1) Ceiling Height – The ceiling height should be noted so that the designer knows how much room you have for wall cabinets and if there is space for crown molding.

2) Plumbing, Electric and Gas Line – If you will be using existing lines their placements should be noted on your plans.

3) Dimension of Appliances – In order to be able to accurately plan your cabinet layout the dimensions of all your appliances are necessary.

4) Length of Walls – It is necessary so that the designer knows how many cabinets can be placed on each wall.

5) Window and Door Openings – It is important to leave space around windows and doors to so not to interfere with the moldings around them.

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Kitchen Faucets

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

Purchasing a kitchen faucet is enough to make you dizzy. Add a matching bar faucet and you’re really confused. There are many different faucet types and styles and of course price ranges. It is possible to purchase a beautiful faucet for under $100 but if the quality is low, chances are you will be looking for a new one within a few years.  So what are important features to look for when purchasing a faucet?

1. Quality -. A ceramic cartridge is important to its longevity. Rubber cartridges are more likely to leak and offer less protection to the valve itself thereby causing the valve to corrode over time. The material of the faucet itself is likewise important. Solid brass is recognized as the best material for a durable faucet. (There are some high-end manufacturers that offer solid stainless steel faucets which is the best (and most expensive) material for faucetry.)

2. Functionality – The faucet’s functionality is personal preference. There is the basic pull-out spray as well as gooseneck faucets that have a pull-down spray. Some feature a dual-spray mode so if that is something that is important to you, be sure to add it to your list. For those that prefer a separate sidespray, that is available as well. If your sink is not deep and you will be washing large pots it will be beneficial to purchase a tall faucet, such as a gooseneck or Victorian spout. For large sinks an extended reach is recommended.

**Note that a sidespray is not something that can be added later to a faucet. When purchasing a faucet with a sidespray it has a diverter mechanism to divert the water from the spout to the spray.**

3. Aesthetics/Style – There are many different styles of faucets, each give a different effect and look to the kitchen.

Single Hole– Simple, will often have a pull-out/pull-down spray

Single Lever – Has one lever to control hot and cold

8” Widespread – Separate handles for hot and cold, usually has the option with or without a pull-out spray

Bridge Faucet – Adds much personality to any kitchen; can be the focal point of the kitchen, tall height, separate hot and cold handles, usually has the option with or without a pull-out spray

Bar Faucet – Smaller faucet, typically has a smaller reach ideal for bar and prep sinks

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Preparing for the Project

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

Properly preparing for a project will keep the project moving as efficiently and smoothly as possible.

Some tips to ensure a smooth remodel.

  • Hire a licensed and qualified contractor.
  • Decide where you will store paraphernalia, tools etc.
  • Close off places you don’t want workers to enter.
  • Properly clean area and set up makeshift kitchen.
  • Make up for place to sleep if you need to move out of the house for a period of time.
  • Relocate pictures, fragile items/heirlooms such as lamps, end tables and china pieces.
  • Decide if you’ll give your contractor a house key.
  • Keep separate file for receipts of purchases to stay on budget.
  • Preselect the appliances, cabinets, paint, tile, etc. to avoiding delays due to backorders.
  • Always add a few weeks to the date that the contractor quotes for completion. Unexpected problems are likely to arise during the project such as corroded pipes, electrical problems and backordered fixtures.
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Instock Kitchens Super Labor Day Sale Extended

Posted on September 7, 2010 by RTA Cabinets Expert

Feasterville, PA, Sept 7, 2010 – Instock Kitchens let known today that their Labor Day sale will be extended. The sale is 18% off all cabinet lines with no minimum purchase necessary. The sale will continue through Wednesday, Sept 15th ending at 11:59 pm est.

When interviewed by Amy Buckman on 6 ABC, Neil Dayen, senior warehouse manager, told her “We only do discounts, everything is discounts.” Originally Instock Kitchens catered strictly to contractors before they decided to open to homeowners. “We decided to open to the public and people started pouring in.”

“Instock Kitchens had a great price. It was about $4,000 and anywhere else that I priced it out came to about $11,000.” says Leslie Mcguire, a satisfied customer.

For all those that would like to see the quality of the cabinets in person, they are welcome to visit the Instock Kitchens showroom. It is advisable, but not necessary to bring in kitchen measurements so that a kitchen designer can draft a kitchen layout for no additional fee.

About Instock Kitchens

Instock Kitchens sells kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities to homeowners, contractors and designers. Their cabinets feature a solid wood frame, doors and drawer heads with plywood sides, bottoms, shelves and drawer boxes. The cabinets can be purchased RTA (ready-to-assemble) or assembled. The assembly and shipping takes place from their 165,000 square foot in Levittown, PA where there are over 40,000 cabinets in stock. Their goal at Instock Kitchens is to provide a beautiful and durable product at an affordable price. To view the complete line of cabinets, visit their showroom located at 915 Pennsylvania Blvd., Feasterville, PA  19053. They can also be viewed 24/7 at http://www.instockkitchens.com.

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Cabinet Glossary Terms

Posted on September 5, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

Base Cabinets – They sit on the floor and have a standard 24″ depth.

Concealed Hinges – Hinges that cannot be seen from the outside when the cabinet is opened or closed.

Dishwasher Panel – A panel that is used to hide the exposed side of the dishwasher and hold up the countertop when the dishwasher is at the end of the cabinet row.

Drawer Head – The drawer front.

Dovetail – Drawers that have tapered connecting parts that can only go in a single direction. Due to its unique interlocking system, once it is glued together, it does not require any additional hardware to hold it in place.

Fillers – Strips of wood that come in 3” or 6” width, and various heights, that are used to fill in gaps due to extra space. At Instock Kitchens the fillers are finished on all sides and can be cut down to size.

Finish – The surface coating of stain that is applied to the cabinet. At Instock Kitchens our cabinets pass through quality control to be sure that all the cabinet stains are applied evenly so that they will match.

Framed – Cabinets that have a face-frame which is a wood frame that is attached to the inside of the cabinet box.

Frameless – Cabinets that are designed without a face frame. The cabinet door will be full-overlay to completely cover the exposed fronts of the sides, tops and bottom of the cabinet when it is closed.

Full-Extension Drawer Glides – When the drawer glides pull the drawer completely out of the cabinet allowing for all the items in the drawer to be accessible.

Full-Overlay – When a cabinet is designed that the doors and drawer fronts cover the face frames completely so that when they are closed no part of the frame is exposed. This eliminates the need for a stile to run down the center of wide cabinets (typically 30” plus) because the doors butt up to each other.

MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard) – It is an engineered wood produced by breaking down hardwood and softwood residuals and bonding them together with resin and wax and forming panels by applying a high temperature and pressure. It is extremely dense making it a good material to use when applying laminate or thermofoil to a cabinet.

Mitred – Joining the 4 sides a cabinet doors at a 45 degree angle which gives the door a seamless appearance.

Mullion Doors – Glass doors with a horizontal and vertical lined frame (similar to that of a window pane) which replaces the solid door.

Particleboard – A fiberboard composed of wood chips and shavings that is bonded together with resin.

Plywood – It is a type of wood that is made from thin sheets of wood glued together using a grain alteration method. It is commonly used in cabinet construction due to its positive attributes including resistance to shrinking, swelling and cracking making it an extremely durable wood.

Rail – The horizontal sides of the cabinet frame.

Raised Panel – A cabinet style that has a profile cut into it.

Refrigerator Panel – It is used to hide the sides of the refrigerator thereby giving it a built-in look.

RTA Cabinets (Ready-to-Assemble) – RTA cabinets are shipped to the customer unassembled. At Instock Kitchens come with all the hardware needed and are predrilled and grooved where necessary for easy assembly.

Stile – The vertical sides of the cabinet frame.

Thermofoil – Made of a smooth and rigid vinyl that is sealed and pressed onto an engineered wood; usually MDF.

Toekick – The indentation at the bottom of the base cabinets which is typically 4 1/2”high x 3 1/8” deep. Its purpose is to allow room for your feet in order to bring you closer to the work surface.

Wall Cabinets – The cabinets that mount to the wall. They are typically installed 54” above the finished floor and are 12″ deep.

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Storage Solutions

Posted on September 2, 2010 by Kitchen Cabinet Designer

Many of the innovative storage solutions that are available with custom kitchen cabinets can easily be achieved by making minor modifications to stocked RTA (ready-to-assemble) cabinets. There are a variety of companies that sell different kits so that all homeowners can customize their kitchen with breaking the bank.

Garbage can pull-outs are the prime example. For those that would like to hide their trash cans, it can easily be done by installing a pull-out kit inside one of the base cabinets. Spice racks are another common request which can easily be fulfilled. You can either mount a spice rack to the inside of a wall cabinet door or install a lazy susan in the top corner cabinet. Pullout drawers are available for organized storage as well as roll-out trays for base cabinets and pantries. Cutlery inserts, soap tip-out trays and cutting boards are also nice features that can easily be added.

With all the storage options available you can easily eliminate the need to go with custom cabinetry. Within the past ten years RTA cabinets have become extremely popular due the increase in their quality, durability and their surprisingly low cost.  At InstockKitchens.com, RTA cabinets equal all-wood construction, fast turnaround time and spectacular designs.

Shop now to view our complete line of cabinetry.

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