We've gotten to know Fabuwood well over the last year and have become very big fans of their finishes, availability, and customization. We are committed to helping homeowners understand just how many good options they have when it comes to buying new cabinetry. From preventing common mistakes, to understanding how the entire process should work, our goal is to ensure you are as prepared as possible when making such an important (and expensive!) decision.
From finishes to accessories, we get into what we do and don't love about Fabuwood's product. Let's jump in...
What We Love
Factory Finishes
If you've spent any time with us here on the blog or our Facebook group, you know how important we consider good, professional cabinet finishes to be. You may or may not have seen the many headaches homeowners have had when working with under-qualified finishers, which can be incredibly frustrating and rarely ends well.
Working with a company that has tried-and-true standard finishes eliminates all of the guesswork when starting from zero on each new project. Once samples are approved, you can rest assured that your new cabinets will be consistent in tone and arrive without any surprises.
Another big major benefit to factory finishes is that they are oven-cured and extremely durable.
Bonus: Fabuwood's Timber finish on birch can be a cost-effective alternative to white oak!
Pretty Darn Customizable
While Fabuwood is technically "semi-custom", don't let that label fool you. From clever storage accessories, range hoods, furniture details, and offering any of Sherwin-Williams 1700+ colors, they can customize just about anything you need.
Dovetail Cabinet Construction
This is our favorite part of their cabinetry. While dovetails are common in solid-wood drawers, they are not as common in the actual cabinet's construction. This approach offers the best of both worlds when it comes to joinery: lots of glue surface and a mechanical joint (once slid together, it's all but impossible for that joint to come loose).
This is a very clever way of building cabinetry and guaranteed to last for decades.
Their Q12 Quality Guarantee
It's the details that make up a great cabinet. From the type of finish, to the specific drawer guide manufacturer, to something as small as a metal vs plastic shelf clip, each step of the process has been thoughtfully considered to create a long-lasting product. Their 12-pillar Q12 program ensures each cabinet has met this high standard and comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.
What We Don't Love
Toned finishes
Toning is a slightly different approach to stained wood cabinets. While it does create very even tones from door to door, it can sometimes cloud the grain a bit.
Limited Stain Colors
This is one drawback to semi-custom cabinets. While paint colors can be switched out relatively easily, stains are an entirely different ballgame. All that said, what they don't offer in real wood stains, they now offer in a new textured laminate collection.
Some Dealers Are Better/More Helpful Than Others
This especially applies to customer service, installation, etc. If no one is local to you (or if you don't get a good vibe from your local dealer), they are sold through some direct-to-consumer online sites and installation can be handled by your GC, builder, or trim carpenter. Just be sure to have the conversation early in the process so everyone is on the same page.
To Review
Fabuwood cabinets are a good choice for homeowners seeking a balance of quality, design flexibility, and affordability. While they may not offer the same level of customization as high-end, fully custom cabinets, they are an excellent option for semi-custom cabinetry that looks great, holds up well over time, and therefore 100% get our endorsement.
Their cabinetry is available throughout the US, and you can find your local dealer here.
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