What Goes Into Making Our Cabinetry?
When choosing made-to-measure alcove cabinets or fitted wardrobes, it’s important to look beyond the design and consider the materials, construction methods and hardware used. These all play an important role in the durability, functionality and finish of your furniture.
At DIY Alcove Cabinets, we use premium MDF from Medite and Finsa, precision CNC manufacturing, hardware from Hettich and Häfele, and prefinished interiors from Egger UK.
Here’s a closer look at what goes into our cabinetry and what to look for when comparing fitted furniture suppliers.
What MDF Do We Use for Our Cabinets and Wardrobes?
Our cabinetry is manufactured using premium, trade-quality MDF, including Medite Premier by Medite Smartply and Fibrapan Hidrofugo by Finsa.
We choose these premium brands and boards for their durability, dimensional stability, excellent machining properties and smooth surface, making them particularly suitable for painted furniture.
Unlike solid timber, MDF is less susceptible to seasonal expansion and contraction, helping maintain a consistent finish.
The MDF boards we use are FSC-certified (Forest Stewardship Council), meaning the wood-based materials come from responsibly managed forests, recycled sources or other controlled sources, depending on the certification. FSC certification provides independent assurance that materials are sourced in accordance with recognised environmental and social standards.
Our MDF boards are also CARB Phase 2 compliant, meeting strict limits on formaldehyde emissions from composite wood products.
How Does CNC Manufacturing Improve the Quality of Our Furniture?
At our Surrey workshop, we use modern Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machinery to cut and shape cabinetry components with precision and consistency.
One advantage is that we can produce our decorative moulded cabinet doors from a single sheet of MDF, rather than assembling separate pieces of timber or moulding. This eliminates the joints where hairline cracks can sometimes develop as timber expands and contracts.
Manufacturing in a dedicated workshop also allows us to use professional dust extraction equipment, minimising the cutting and machining required in customers’ homes.
What Hinges, Drawer Runners and Interiors Do We Use?
The components you don’t always see are just as important as the cabinet doors and panels.
We use fittings from established manufacturers Hettich and Häfele, including hinges, drawer runners, wardrobe hanging rails and LED lighting. Well-made hinges and runners help doors and drawers operate smoothly and reliably with everyday use.
Our prefinished cabinet and wardrobe interiors come from Egger UK, providing an elegant, durable, practical and easy-to-clean surface.
What Questions Should You Ask When Buying Fitted Cabinetry?
Not all made-to-measure furniture is constructed in the same way. When comparing suppliers, consider:
- Materials: Which board manufacturers are used, and are the materials responsibly sourced and FSC-certified?
- Door construction: Are decorative details machined from a single board or assembled from separate pieces that may develop visible joints?
- Hardware: Are the hinges, drawer runners and other fittings supplied by reputable manufacturers?
- Interior finishes: Are the interiors prefinished or will they require painting?
- Manufacturing methods: How are components cut and manufactured to ensure accurate dimensions and a consistent fit?
Quality Cabinetry, Made-to-Measure and Built to Last
These are important questions to ask when comparing quotations, particularly where there are significant differences in price.
At DIY Alcove Cabinets, we understand that investing in fitted furniture is a significant purchase. That’s why we use premium MDF, quality hardware and precision CNC manufacturing to create made-to-measure cabinetry designed with durability and longevity in mind.
Our alcove cabinets, fitted wardrobes, bookcases and media units are supplied for customers to install and finish themselves, or with the help of their chosen tradesperson, helping to keep costs down without compromising on the quality of the materials or construction.
Explore our made-to-measure cabinetry and use our online price calculators to discover how much your project could cost.
For an instant online quote please visit our price calculators here.
