Unlike most of the furniture sold at large retailers today, the materials that we use are quality hardwood and hardwood veneers. We do not use any synthetic materials or fiber boards (such as MDF) which tend to warp, chip and strip out over time.
Most of the furniture, bookcases and cabinets you find at large discount retailers are made of synthetic materials, like fiberboard which makes it easier to mass produce and keep the prices down. As with most products you buy, there is usually a strong correlation between quality and price. A lot of consumers today discard furniture when it is worn out or when they want to remodel to keep up with the latest trends. Large manufacturers know this, so they make products cheaper knowing that it only has to last a few years. Over time the synthetic veneers they use on cabinet surfaces and table tops end up wearing through and chipping. The legs of furniture are synthetic wood covered with a veneer, which over time the screws strip out and loosen up. The backs of cabinets or bookcases are usually 1/8” thick particle board held on with staples, which end up pulling out over time.
A quality piece of furniture is made with solid hardwood, or hardwood veneer, so it lasts for generations and holds its value. Every piece of hardwood we use is FSC certified and hand selected from a specified hardwood supplier, not a large retail store. We then mill each piece ourselves to the specifications needed for each project.
You might think that custom built-in furniture will cost more than going to somewhere like Ikea and you might be right. The difference with our built-in furniture is that ours is custom made with real quality hardwood, not synthetic wood or cardboard with a laminate glued on top of it. Unlike furniture that you buy at a furniture store, take home, set in place then take it with you when you move, built-in furniture becomes part of your home. It will also add value to your home just as a renovation would.
Quality is just as important to us as it is our customers.
"Built-ins are popular with homeowners for two important reasons: First, they add value, becoming a permanent, hand-crafted part of a home. Second, you can buy a piece of furniture at a store but you can't buy a built-in."
