Kitchen Cabinet Quality Checklist & Grading Rules
Standard: 78+ Quality Points + KCMA Compliance | Grade: Premium Semi-Custom (Mid-High Tier)
I. Core Construction & Materials (Grade A Requirement)
1. Cabinet Box
- Material: Standard 3/4” furniture board (particleboard); upgrade to all-plywood (moisture-resistant, warp-proof)
- Back Panel: 1/4” plywood, fully captured (not stapled)
- Corner Reinforcement: I-beam/metal brackets (no plastic triangles)KraftMaid
- Sink Base: CoreGuard® moisture barrier (firehose-test certified)KraftMaid
- Shelves: 3/4” thick, full-depth, adjustable (32mm system)
2. Face Frame (Solid Hardwood)
- Material: 3/4” solid hardwood (maple/cherry/oak/hickory)KraftMaid
- Edges: Eased (rounded) to prevent splintering & improve finish holdKraftMaid
3. Doors
- Frame: Solid hardwood, cope-and-stick joineryKraftMaid
- Panel: Solid wood or veneered MDF (no warping; 1/4”–3/8” thick)
- Gap Tolerance: ±1.5mm (uniform gaps all around)
- Hinges: Whisper Touch® soft-close, 6-way adjustable; tested to 200,000 cycles (8× industry standard)KraftMaid
- Mounting: SureMount™ system (no stripped screws)KraftMaid
4. Drawers ( Signature)
- Bottom: 1/4” plywood (not particleboard)
- Depth: 4” deep (max storage)KraftMaid
- Glides: Bottom-mounted, full-extension, soft-close; tested to 100,000 cycles (4× industry standard)KraftMaid
- Load Rating: 75–100 lbs (per drawer)
II. Finishing ( Plus System – Grade A)
- Process: 14-step finishing (stain/toner + 2-layer catalytic topcoat)KraftMaid
- Finish Type: Satin, wipe-clean, scratch/stain resistantKraftMaid
- Coverage: Full, no bare wood; edges/corners fully coated
- Defects: No sagging, blisters, peeling, pinholes, dust spots
- Chemical Resistance: Withstands 24hr exposure to cleaners, coffee, oil, alcohol (no staining/deterioration)KraftMaid
- Color Consistency: Batch-matched (ΔE ≤2, visual uniformity)
III. Hardware & Functionality (Grade A)
- Soft-Close: Doors/drawers close silently (no slamming)KraftMaid
- Alignment: Doors/drawers flush, parallel, no binding
- Adjustability: Hinges/glides have screw adjustments for alignment
- Warranty: Lifetime Limited Warranty (materials & workmanship)KraftMaid
IV. Dimensions & Tolerances
- Overall Size: Per order/shop drawing (±2mm)
- Square/Plumb: No twist, warp, or racking (diagonal difference ≤3mm)
- Door/Drawer Gaps: Uniform (±1.5mm)
- Face Frame Flatness: ≤1mm deviation
V. Packaging & Labeling
- Protection: Foam corners, plastic wrap, reinforced cartons (ship-test certified)KraftMaid
- Labeling: Item#, size, batch#, finish, Qty, barcode
- Moisture Protection: Vapor barrier for sea shipment
VI. Grading Rules ( Official)
Grade A (Acceptable – Full Warranty)
- All I–V checklist items passed
- No structural defects; finish/hardware flawless
- Within all tolerance limits
- KCMA certified; meets/exceeds industry standards
Grade B (Seconds – Limited Warranty/Outlet Only)
- Minor finish blemishes (small scratches, faint discoloration; non-through)
- Slight dimensional variance (±3mm; no functional impact)
- No structural issues; hardware fully functional
- Sold as “factory seconds” at discount; no return/exchange
Grade C (Reject – Unsellable)
- Structural damage (warp, crack, broken joinery)
- Major finish failure (peeling, deep scratches, stains)
- Hardware malfunction (hinge/glide failure)
- Out of tolerance (impairs function/installation)
- Scrapped or used for parts only
VII. Quick QC Summary (On-Site Check)
- Box: Plywood upgrade optional; I-beam corners, CoreGuard sink base
- Face Frame/Doors: Solid hardwood, cope-and-stick, eased edges
- Drawers: Solid wood, dovetail, bottom-mount soft-close glides
- Finish: DuraKraft Plus, 14-step, stain/scratch resistant
- Function: Soft-close, adjustable hinges, full-extension drawers
- Grade: A=perfect, B=minor flaws, C=reject
