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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. Ready-to-assemble and pre-assembled cabinets are the two main options you’ll be picking from, and while many think there isn’t much difference between them, their assembly is just the tip of the iceberg. 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 RTA and Assembled Cabinets?
RTA cabinets are ready-to-assemble cabinets that you usually receive in flat, compact boxes, also called ‘flat packs’. All the individual parts of the cabinet are packed together, cut to size, and labeled for easy assembly. The cabinet pieces also include pre-drilled hardware holes so they can be quickly assembled on site using only a few basic tools.
On the contrary, pre-assembled cabinets are delivered already pieced together by the manufacturer, with all the doors and pull-outs installed. With no extra hardware or assembly required, pre-assembled cabinetry can be installed as soon as it arrives.
Key Differences Between RTA vs. 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
Choosing RTA cabinets means you’re essentially purchasing a wholesale cabinet option. Most are pre-produced in large quantities to offer high quality RTA cabinets at affordable prices, meaning RTA kitchen cabinets will usually cost less than pre-assembled ones, even if you opt for high-grade finishes such as solid wood.
Additionally, RTA cabinets are shipped via flat packed boxes, which means further savings in shipping costs since they occupy less space, and ultimately, a lower price tag. However, pre-assembled cabinets are expensive, often costing twice as much as ready-to-assemble cabinets, due to their design, shipping, and production. A pre-assembled cabinet, due to its bulk and size, cannot be shipped through compact packaging, resulting in longer and costlier shipping.
Installation
The most obvious difference between the two cabinets is their installation. RTA kitchen cabinets, although requiring some assembly before installation, typically involve easy assembly and don’t need professional help.
Ready-to-assemble cabinets include pre-cut screws, wood, hinges, and pre-drilled holes. You will need basic tools like a drill, screwdriver, level, hammer, and tape measure to assemble cabinets. Manufacturers usually provide instructions or a walk-through video to help you assemble seamlessly. If you’d like to spend a little more, you could hire a professional to do it for you.
On the other hand, pre-assembled cabinets require no construction and arrive ready to install. However, since they’re usually heavy, you may need another person or a professional to help mount them.
Quality & Durability
Both RTA and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets come in real wood options, which is the best material quality to opt for. Real wood typically lasts longer than engineered wood and can also be refinished later on to give your cabinets a new look. However, some sellers sell ready-to-assemble cabinets created from compressed wood, particleboard, or other mixed materials to cut costs. Hence, it’s best to do thorough research and opt for a renowned brand or manufacturer that provides the best RTA cabinets in high-quality materials.
The durability of these cabinets mainly depends on how well they’ve been assembled. Pre-assembled options undergo a factory assembly line as part of their manufacturing process, which ensures consistent quality and durability, especially if the manufacturer adheres to industry-standard practices.
Meanwhile, you could have even better durability with RTA cabinets by using high-quality hardware and thorough techniques. The best way to do so is to hire a professional to assemble them well and ensure they’re sturdy.
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.
Pros and Cons of RTA Cabinets vs. Assembled
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 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 Assembled 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.
Which One Should You Choose for Your Kitchen?
Both pre-assembled and ready-to-assemble cabinets are great for kitchens. However, which one you should get will depend on multiple factors. Since cabinetry is all about matching your cabinets to the existing decor and appliances, you first need to assess how much customization you may need. If you want a specific color and shape, you can opt for a pre-assembled one.
However, if you don’t have high customization needs and also want to purchase a high-quality cabinet at a lower price, RTA cabinets would be better for you. Ultimately, the RTA vs. assembled kitchen cabinets debate also rests on time vs. money. Do you want a cabinet as quickly as possible, or are you okay with waiting and spending more to avoid the DIY time needed?
Depending on these factors, you can choose either. However, if budget consideration is your priority, then RTA cabinets are your best bet.
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.
