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Cabinetry has been a long-standing mainstay for kitchen decor, and, hence, it’s no surprise that homeowners get pulled into the RTA vs. assembled cabinets debate — which one should they pick?
More than keeping things presentable and organized, the right kitchen cabinet can help transform the entire look of your kitchen layout. So what are the two main options?
Answer: Ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled cabinets.
People may use the names of these cabinets interchangeably because it is easy to mistake them to be the same. But you must understand the difference no matter how small it may be.
This guide dives deep into their distinct features, differences, and pros and cons, so you can pick the right cabinet for your kitchen.
What Are Ready-to-Assemble (RTA) and Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinets?
RTA cabinets are ready to assemble cabinets that are typically sent to you unpackaged, in flat boxes, also known as flat packs. The entire cabinet is packed together, all parts are cut to measure, and labeled for easy assembly. It even comes with pre-drilled holes for the hardware, allowing for easy on-site assembly with a few simple tools.
In contrast, pre-assembled cabinets come from the manufacturer already assembled with all the doors and pull-outs already hung. Pre-assembled cabinetry arrives ready to be installed with no additional hardware or assembly required.
Key Differences Between RTA and Pre-Assembled Cabinets
Both pre-assembled and RTA cabinets are excellent picks for kitchen cabinets. However, the two have key differences that make them better suited for specific kitchen types.
Cost Comparison
If you choose RTA cabinets, you are really buying a wholesale option for cabinets. Overwhelming majority are mass produced to provide best quality RTA cabinets for a reasonable price, hence RTA kitchen cabinets are typically less expensive than pre-assembled cabinets even when you select the highest quality finishes such as solid wood.
Curious about RTA cabinet pricing and what affects it? Check our detailed guide on How Much Do RTA Cabinets Cost.
What’s more, RTA cabinets are shipped flat packed in boxes, allowing for even more savings in shipping (they take up less space) and consequently a lower price. On the downside, pre-assembled cabinets are pricey, costing consumers almost twice as much as ready-to-assemble cabinets because of their design, shipping, and production. Since a fully assembled cabinet is more so large and cannot be shipped through smart packaging, shipping takes extra time and costs.
Installation
Even though RTA kitchen cabinets are to be assembled first and then installed, these cabinets are providing simple assembly and do not need the professional assistance.
In these cabinets, wood, hinges and screws are pre-cut, and holes are pre-drilled. Tools like a drill, screwdriver, level, hammer, tape measure, etc. are basics needed to assemble cabinets. Manufacturers will provide instructions, or a walk-through video, to guide you seamlessly through the assembly stage. For slightly more money, you can hire someone to do it for you.
In contrast, preassembled cabinets come fully constructed and ready to install. But they are often bulky and heavy, so another person, or a pro, may be needed to get one on a wall.
Quality Durability
Real wood is the highest quality material to choose from in both RTA and pre-assembled cabinets for kitchens. Assuming you take care of the cabinets, real wood will usually outlast engineered wood and can be refinished at a later date to help make your cabinets look new again. On the other hand, in order to reduce costs, some sellers sell prefabricated cabinets made of compressed wood, particleboard or other mixed materials. So, it’s better to be well researched and go for a popular brand or manufacturer offering best RTA cabinets at best quality materials.
The sanity of these cabinets truly falls on how well they were built. Pre-assembled options are factory assembled as part of their manufacturing process (as long as they are of a reputable manufacturer using standard practicing, they will always be consistent in quality and durable).
On the other hand, RTA cabinets could even have higher durability by using good hardware and proper procedures. One of the best means to accomplish this goal is to get a specialist to put together these appropriately and secure that they are steady.
Customization Style Options
Pre-assembled cabinets are usually available in various colors and offer additional features like lazy Susans, trash chutes, and pull-outs. They’re made to fit your kitchen’s exact specifications. However, if you wish to make any configuration changes during installation, that would be challenging, as the design was pre-determined.
RTA cabinets, since they’re mass-manufactured, have limited style or design customizations. But, they do give you the flexibility to make some on-spot reconfigurations during the assembly process, such as taking off a shelf to create more vertical space in the cabinet. Moreover, you can purchase complementary accessories to further stylize them, as per their availability. These can include custom features like glass door inserts, to kicks, molding pieces, built-in wine storage, and recycling centers.
Shipping & Delivery Time
Since ready-to-assemble cabinets are pre-made and shipped in flat boxes, they’re easy to deliver and take a shorter time to reach you. Most RTA cabinets are delivered within two weeks. On the other hand, pre-assembled cabinets involve customized manufacturing and are shipped in larger boxes, meaning most of the time, especially if you’re customizing your design, it may take almost a month to receive your cabinet. However, if it’s a standard design that is available in stock, you may get it earlier.
Skill Level Required for Assembly
For both RTA and pre-assembled cabinets, the assembly skill required isn’t usually very high. For pre-assembled cabinets, it hardly requires any skill as the entire cabinet arrives ready to be installed.
For ready-to-assemble cabinets, a few basic tools should be enough to help you assemble. However, if your chosen design is complex or has additional accessories, it may require a skilled professional to properly install the cabinet and ensure that there aren’t any loose drawers, doors, or joints.
Warranty Customer Support
Irrespective of the two cabinet types, warranty and customer support will depend on the manufacturer you opt for. A renowned manufacturer will not only provide end-to-end customer support, but also a minimum of a year’s warranty to ensure that you can continue using your cabinets worry-free.
| Feature | RTA Cabinets | Pre-Assembled Cabinets |
| Cost | 40–60% savings | Higher costs; labor & shipping included |
| Installation | DIY-friendly | Ready to install |
| Customization | Limited | High |
| Shipping & Delivery | Fast | Slower |
| Durability | High if properly assembled | High, consistent factory assembly |
| Time & Effort | More time to assemble | Less effort required |
Pros and Cons of RTA vs. Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinets
The distinct differences between pre-assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinets mean the two have unique pros and cons, and you can choose the best one after you understand those.
Pros and Cons of RTA Kitchen Cabinets
Pros:
- Affordability: RTA cabinets offer significant cost savings. They are made unassembled and flat and shipped in compact packaging, meaning they cost less to manufacture and ship. Assembling them yourself also means you can save on labor costs.
- Availability: RTA cabinets have faster turnaround times because their individual parts are pre-made, often being shipped on the same day.
- Convenient storage: Since ready-to-assemble cabinets are flat-pack in nature, they’re the ideal option for storing the cabinet and holding off on installing it before starting your kitchen redecoration.
Cons:
- Time-consuming: Even though most manufacturers have simplified the cabinet assembly process, if you’re new to it, the entire assembly setup may take you at least 30-45 minutes.
- Possibility of unforeseen expenses: Having to assemble the cabinet means there might be extra costs involved if you damage any of the parts when setting them up. The best solution here would be to hire a professional first, to assemble the cabinet properly.
Pros and Cons of Pre-Assembled Kitchen Cabinets
Pros:
- Faster installation: Since a pre-assembled cabinet is shipped already pieced together, you can install it in your kitchen as soon as you receive it, often without requiring any professional help.
- No DIY effort: If you’re new to assembling cabinets, you don’t have to worry about piecing together all the parts to set up your cabinet, as that can be time-consuming.
- High customization: When ordering a pre-assembled cabinet, you can fully customize it to suit your needs, including its color, shape, and the fittings you’d want on it.
Cons:
- Higher costs: Given that pre-assembled cabinets require a lot of labor to be pieced together, manufacturers usually sell them at higher prices than RTA cabinets. Plus, pre-assembled cabinets need to be shipped in large containers due to their size, hence their shipping costs are higher as well.
- Longer delivery times: The entire process of assembling the cabinets and shipping the cabinet through large containers is time-consuming. As such, it may take anywhere between a few weeks to over a month for a manufacturer to ship your pre-assembled cabinet.
How to Choose Between RTA and Pre-Assembled Cabinets
Pre assembled cabinets and ready to assemble cabinets can be used for kitchens as well. However, which one you should be getting will depend on a plethora of factors. Cabinets are not just the items you own but also depend on your home decor and appliances thus you may find that you heat to check how custom you may need your stuff to be. If you are looking for a particular color and shape, you can get one readymade.
In contrast, if you want to buy a high-quality cabinet for an affordable price but do not have much customization requirements, RTA cabinets are the way to go for you. When it comes down to it, the RTA vs. assembled kitchen cabinets debate boils down to time vs. money. Would you rather get a cabinet ASAP, or are you fine with time and cash in order to avoid the DIY time investment?
So, you can go for either one, depending on these things. But, if looking for your best choice on budget-ground, RTA cabinets are your way to go.
Conclusion
Trying to decide on kitchen cabinets is often understated. While the choice often boils down to a pre-assembled or a ready-to-assemble cabinet, their popularity and designs make it difficult to pick one. Knowing what each excels at and their distinct considerations equips you with the right knowledge to choose a cabinet that will enhance your kitchen’s appearance.
A robust kitchen cabinet adds elegance and functionality to your kitchen, which is why you must choose it wisely. At Buy Wholesale Cabinets, we strive to provide premium-quality and reliable solid wood cabinets to help you transform your kitchen. To explore our RTA kitchen cabinet collection, visit our website.
FAQs
Are RTA cabinets lower in quality than assembled cabinets?
Today, many manufacturers provide high-quality RTA cabinets, similar to what you’d usually expect from an assembled cabinet. Hence, RTA cabinets aren’t always lower in quality; you must research well and purchase from reputable manufacturers to get high-quality RTA cabinets.
Can I customize RTA cabinets to fit my kitchen design?
No, as most RTA cabinet pieces are typically mass-manufactured beforehand. However, you can check if RTA cabinets are available in your required measurements and then purchase accordingly.
Are assembled cabinets worth the extra cost?
This depends on your requirements. If you prioritize custom fittings, colors, and sizes for your cabinets, along with the removal of setting them up yourself, then yes, an assembled cabinet is worth the extra cost.
Do RTA cabinets come with all necessary hardware?
Yes. Manufacturers ship RTA cabinets with most of the required hardware for easy assembling. You may just need a few basic tools, if at all required during the assembly and installation.
How do shipping costs compare for RTA vs. assembled cabinets?
RTA cabinets usually cost less to ship because they are flat-packed and unassembled. Pre-assembled cabinets, on the other hand, will typically cost two to four times as much because they are shipped via larger containers.
Which type of cabinet is more durable over time?
While pre-assembled cabinets are durable due to their consistent manufacturing process, RTA cabinets can prove to be more durable over time, if assembled correctly and using high-grade tools with a professional’s help.
