How RTA and Pre-Assembled Cabinets are Different and Which is Better
There is a fast growing market for ready-to-assemble (RTA) kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. If you are in the market for new cabinets or vanities, you might be interested to learn more about the differences between RTA and pre-assembled cabinets, and find out which one might be better for you.
First, most experts consider that RTA cabinets are made from higher quality materials than the average pre-assembled, custom-made versions. Although the RTA versions used to be considered lower quality, materials and manufacturing methods have developed over the past few decades and they are now considered to be quite good. This is one reason that they are quickly growing in popularity..
For those homeowners who do not need custom pre-assembled cabinets, and have more flexibility with their design and layout, RTA cabinets are a very good choice. You can order fine kitchen cabinets in RTA versions, in a vast array of colors and finishes. There is something for everyone in these collections! Some people will still need the custom versions, but let’s look at some of the major differences so that you can decide whether RTA or pre-assembled cabinets are best for your needs.
1. Cost:
In most cases, RTA cabinets cost far less than their pre-assembled counterparts. In some cases, the costs may even out if you are placing a particularly large order for pre-assembled cabinets. But, for the average homeowner, the RTA versions are going to save a bundle when it comes to building or rebuilding your kitchen and making it exactly how you want it. As long as you make sure to purchase your RTA cabinets from a manufacturer that uses high quality materials and processes, you will get a lot more bangs for your buck by going with the RTA versions of kitchen cabinets or bathroom vanities. Another consideration is that the shipping costs are often far higher for the pre-assembled cabinets, as they are going to be shipped in larger, bulkier packages compared to the RTA types of cabinets.
2. Installation:
For many homeowners, a huge difference in value comes from the ease of installation. When new cabinets can be easily installed in a kitchen or bathroom, some people are willing to pay more for that convenience. In this case pre-assembled cabinets are often a bit ahead of the RTA versions, because the installation should be fairly straightforward, since the cabinets were specifically designed for the exact space they need to fit in. A homeowner who is particularly handy will probably not have too much difficulty installing RTA cabinets, with the right tools. Most manufacturers of RTA cabinets have great customer service that includes detailed installation and assembly instructions, making them a breeze to install. Even if you are not handy, you will still probably save money by hiring a handyman to install your RTA cabinets instead of spending so much more money on the pre-assembled types of cabinets.
3. Shipping method:
RTA cabinets are often shipped quite quickly, while the time required to receive your pre-assembled kitchen cabinets may be quite long. First, the pre-assembled cabinets have to be made, according to your exact specifications and measurements. Then, they will need to be shipped in large, heavy packages, using ground freight methods, which are not known to be the quickest (and, in some cases can take months to arrive). When basing your decision on a time frame, RTA cabinets will almost always come out ahead of pre-assembled cabinets.
Today’s RTA cabinets are of a far higher quality than those your parents may have considered using. Although a generation ago, RTA cabinets carried a bit of a stigma as being inferior to custom cabinetry, the materials and workmanship that you will find in the RTA cabinets today make them well worth considering. You won’t have to worry about chipping, cracking, fading, peeling, or other problems with the fine kitchen cabinets available today, they are just as well-made as the finest custom cabinets from a decade ago, thanks to new methods and materials.
Keep in mind that when quality is essentially equal, you will probably want to base your decision on cost and ease of installation. RTA cabinets almost always cost less than the pre-assembled, custom-made varieties of cabinets, they come in the same wide variety of colors and finishes, they are available in a huge range of sizes and shapes, they offer excellent functionality, and they are fairly easy to install for the average handy person (along with the help of the great customer service from most RTA companies).
Although there are differences between RTA and pre-assembled kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities, the choice is often clear for most people who do not require an extreme custom package. Take a look at the amazing options available for RTA cabinets and vanities, and get a brand new kitchen or bathroom that fits your personal tastes as well as your price range.
