If you've been looking into constructing a new kitchen for your home but aren't sure where to begin, you might want to consider the idea of purchasing RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets. What makes them so appealing to consumers is the fact that they can be purchased pre-assembled and delivered to your home as normal, unfinished cabinets. The only extra step is to add the finishing touches such as handles, doors, drawer slides, and kitchen door slides. The same construction techniques (typically dovetail drawer fronts and miter-level woodworking) that are used by pro craftsmen are utilized on RTA cabinets as well.
If you're wondering why RTA rather than just going with a ready to assemble cabinet, perhaps a glance at history might provide the answer. The term "ready to assemble" was first used about 25 years ago by a company callediture rental, which specialized in selling furniture and other household goods that were not fully assembled. They sought to provide consumers with a solution for the lack of expertise in assembling furniture. Since the company's founding in that era, similar companies have popped up offering ready to assemble furniture, which has allowed even the most inexperienced handyman or do-it-yourselfer to assemble cabinets, drawers, and other furniture that can be shipped directly to their customers.
RTA cabinetry is very popular with people who want to remodel their kitchens in a hurry and don't want to spend hours making individual pieces or hiring a carpenter. It is much faster to purchase ready to assemble products than it is to hire someone to construct the cabinet for you, which can end up being a considerable amount of money saved over the long run. Plus, when it comes time to actually put the cabinet together, you can do it yourself saving even more money. Another advantage to using RTA is the ability to be able to customize many of the cabinet styles, such as left or right handed cabinets, since the hardware is normally standard.
When purchasing ready to assemble cabinets, you will notice that most are made out of either oak or pine. These woods are strong and weather resistance, which mean that RTA cabinets can be used in any area of your home where there is moisture or water, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Some manufacturers, such as OSHA, recommend against using RTA cabinets in wet or damp areas, so be sure to check the list of materials used in the cabinet you plan to use. Many manufacturers also customize their RTA cabinets based on your specific measurements, so it is very easy to select the right size and style RTA cabinet.
One of the advantages to using RTA cabinets is the fact that they are made with simpler assembly methods than the standard cabinet designs. Although it is possible to buy pre-assembled RTA cabinets, the cost is often much higher than buying an unfinished cabinet. By using ready to assemble cabinets, all you need to do is read the instruction manual, place the cabinet in the desired location and screws are laid out for you. This method of assembly allows you to save time because everything is already prepared for you. There is no need to mark or prime the wood, preparation has already been done for you.
Another advantage to using RTA is that you can save money by avoiding the cost of buying pre-finished cabinets and having them installed. Most ready to assemble cabinets are available in unfinished designs, meaning that you can do the installation yourself. The price of ready to assemble RTA cabinets is typically cheaper than buying pre-finished, pre-drilled cabinets from a cabinet retailer. This means that you can design your own custom cabinets for less money. If you purchase ready to assemble RTA units from a reputable manufacturer, you will still be able to choose the color, wood stain, and hardware.
The main drawback to using RTA kitchen cabinets is that they are typically only available in standard size plywood. While the standard size of plywood is fine for most cabinets, it does not have the depth or width of some of the more unique woods that you may want to use for your RTA cabinets. This depth and width are important if you are using custom cabinets with elaborate designs. You may find that a standard cabinet will not be able to handle the designs that you want for your RTA drawers. This is why it is important to ensure that you measure the exact dimensions of the space that you intend to place your RTA cabinetry in. Because ready to assemble units are shipped flat, you can do the accurate calculation of how much cabinet space you will require before you place your order.
