What type of cabinets should I install in my new rental property

[Nathaniel Tant]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to figure out what type of cabinets to install in my kitchen. Should I go particle board, prefabricated or the nicer, more expensive plywood cabinets. I'm looking for functionality and cost benefit with these cabinets. I would like something that will last through abuse considering it's a rental property. All advice is welcome!

[JD Martin]

We generally install unfinished cabinets from Lowe's for the following reasons:

1. The frames and doors are solid red oak.

2. They can be finished in any color you want (we usually just use a clear poly because it's easy to touch up in the future).

3. The drawers are solid wood (other than the bottoms, which is cheap particle board).

4. Unless you spend high-end all big box-store cabinets are cheap pressed wood boxes; you are only paying for fancier finishes. These are 10-50% cheaper than anything else off the shelf.

5. It's faster than RTA (ready to assemble) cabinets by a long shot.

6. They only come in standard cabinet sizes so you have to design your kitchen around them, but then if a cabinet gets damaged later you aren't trying to order weird sizes.