THE 1800CABINETS GUIDE
Builder Grade / Premium Shaker
Same beautiful finish. A different way to build.
Start with the look you love. Choose the construction and everyday features that fit your project, your priorities, and your budget.
Compare the detailsTwo ways to bring your kitchen together.
01 / START WITH THE BASICS
What does Builder Grade mean?
A lower entry price.
A kitchen you can feel good about.
Our Builder Grade collection brings a finished Shaker look to projects where keeping the cabinet budget in check matters. The savings come from a different combination of box materials, drawer construction, shelving, and hardware.
You still get the same beautiful finish appeal as our higher-end Shaker cabinets, with full-overlay, five-piece fronts and a solid wood face frame.
Premium Shaker adds plywood cabinet boxes, solid wood dovetail drawer boxes, and soft-close features. The right choice depends on which details matter most to you.
Familiar Shaker style.
Thoughtful details.
- Full-overlay, five-piece doors and drawer fronts
- Solid wood door frames with MDF center panels
- 3/4-inch solid wood cabinet face frames
02 / LOOK INSIDE
The difference is in the details.
Here is what changes when you move from Builder Grade to Premium Shaker.
| The detail | VALUE-FOCUSEDBuilder Grade | UPGRADED CONSTRUCTIONPremium Shaker |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet boxThe structure behind the doors | 1/2-inch cabinet-grade furniture board | 1/2-inch cabinet-grade plywood |
| Drawer boxMaterial and corner joints | Plywood with rebate joints | Solid wood with dovetail joints |
| Drawer glidesHow the drawer opens and closes | Standard undermount glides | Concealed undermount, full-extension glides with soft-close |
| Door hingesAdjustment and closing action | 6-way adjustable; non-soft-close | 6-way adjustable with soft-close |
| ShelvesMaterial and thickness | 5/8-inch furniture board with natural melamine; edge banding on all sides | 3/4-inch plywood with front edge banding |
| Interior finishThe look inside the cabinet | Natural-look melamine | Clear UV-coated natural plywood |
| Style & face frameA shared foundation | Full-overlay, five-piece fronts; 3/4-inch solid wood face frame | Full-overlay, five-piece fronts; 3/4-inch solid wood face frame |
Based on our 2026 catalog specifications. Premium Shaker includes Essential and Charm collections. Essential uses matching-color box exteriors; Charm uses natural plywood universal boxes and needs matching skins on exposed sides. Confirm the selected cabinet's specifications when planning your order.
Choose Builder Grade to put more of your budget toward the rest of the room. Choose Premium Shaker when plywood construction, dovetail drawers, and soft-close operation are priorities.
03 / KEEP THE LOOK
A smaller budget.
A beautiful finish.
Builder Grade gives you an accessible starting point with the same beautiful finish appeal as our higher-end Shaker cabinets. The construction changes behind the doors, while the finished kitchen can still feel pulled together.
The Floral collection offers three easy-to-style colors. Pair your choice with the countertop, backsplash, and hardware that suit your space.
See your options with samplesColor illustrations are a guide. Review physical samples for your project; colors across collections are not necessarily exact matches.
04 / FIND YOUR FIT
Different projects. Different priorities.
Start with your budget, then decide which construction and convenience features you want.
Rental & investment renovations
Consider Builder Grade when you want a consistent Shaker look while controlling the upfront cost of one kitchen or several units.
A practical starting point: Builder GradeFirst homes & budget-minded remodels
Builder Grade can leave room in the project budget for countertops, appliances, or installation. Step up to Premium if soft-close and plywood boxes are on your must-have list.
Let your feature priorities decideYour everyday kitchen
Consider Premium Shaker if you value the feel of soft-close doors, full-extension drawers, solid wood dovetail drawer boxes, and thicker plywood shelving.
An upgrade to consider: Premium Shaker05 / MAKE IT YOURS
Choose what matters to you.
Builder Grade
A lower entry point with the finished Shaker look you love.
- Your upfront cabinet budget comes first
- You are comfortable with furniture-board boxes
- Standard hardware meets your project needs
Premium Shaker
Plywood construction and details you notice every day.
- You prefer plywood boxes and shelves
- You want solid wood dovetail drawers
- Soft-close doors and drawers matter to you
LET'S PLAN YOUR KITCHEN
Not sure which line fits?
Share your layout, budget, and wish list. We can help you compare the options for your space.
Get kitchen design help