Factory Notes
Practical notes on custom cabinetry, material selection, production details, and project-based woodwork from a factory perspective.
How Are Custom Cabinet Doors Finished? From Substrate Preparation to the Final Topcoat
A cabinet door's final paint finish depends on substrate preparation, coloring, primer, sanding, and topcoat. We explain the finishing process…
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Why Do Oversized Aluminum Honeycomb Core Door Panels Still Warp? Examining One-Sided Moldings and the Overall Door Structure
An oversized 3.2 m concealed door with an aluminum honeycomb core bowed twice, even after MDF moldings were replaced with…
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PET vs Thermofoil Cabinet Doors: How Do Different Structures Affect Door Styles and Cost?
Flat-laminated PET and PVC thermofoil cabinet doors follow different production routes. This article compares their door styles, edges, substrates, back…
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PET Laminated MDF: What Is a PET Cabinet Door Actually Made Of?
PET is a surface finish, not a complete cabinet door material. This article explains how PET laminated MDF and PET…
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How Are Thermofoil Cabinet Doors Made? Structure, Vacuum Forming, and Quality Issues
Thermofoil cabinet doors are more than MDF wrapped with PVC film. This article explains their structure, vacuum membrane pressing process,…
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Why Does Wood Veneer Change Color? Fading, Yellowing, and Light Exposure in Custom Cabinetry
Wood veneer color can change because of the wood itself, dyes, coatings, and uneven light exposure. This article explains why…
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What Is the Difference Between Natural Wood Veneer and Engineered Veneer? How Should You Choose for Custom Cabinetry Projects?
Natural wood veneer and engineered veneer are used for different visual and project needs. This article compares their grain variation,…
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Why Do White Oak Veneer Cabinets Have Cathedral Grain and Straight Grain? How Should You Choose?
White oak veneer cabinets can show cathedral grain, straight grain, or a mix of both. This article explains how veneer…
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Why Does White Oak Veneer Develop Black Stains? How We Investigated and Handled an Iron-Tannin Reaction
White oak veneer can develop blue-black stains when tannin-rich wood comes into contact with iron under moist conditions. In this…
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How Do We Apply Wood Veneer to Custom Cabinets? Flat Panels, Curved Components, and Finishing
Wood veneer application is not simply attaching veneer to a cabinet component. In this article, we explain how we process…
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How to Specify Wood Veneer Cabinet Doors: Grain Matching, Veneer Thickness, and Sample Approval
Wood species is only one part of a wood veneer cabinet door specification. This article covers grain direction, continuous grain…
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What Are Wood Veneer Cabinets? Veneer Structure, Substrates, and Common Applications
Wood veneer cabinets are not the same as solid wood cabinets. This guide covers veneer structure, common substrates, natural and…
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