20 Questions

Materials

ABS Edgebanding

Impact-Resistant Bordering

What is the difference between PVC and ABS edging? +
ABS is more environmentally friendly and heat-resistant than PVC. We use a 1mm or 2mm ABS edgeband applied with high-temp PUR (Polyurethane) glue, which creates a nearly invisible, waterproof seam.

Durable thermoplastic strips applied to cabinet edges to protect against impacts and moisture infiltration.

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Anti-Microbial Finishes

Hygienic Surface Coatings

Are there hygienic cabinet finishes? +
Silver-ion infused lacquers and laminates are available. These finishes actively inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on the cabinet surfaces, ideal for healthcare or high-prep kitchen zones.

Silver-ion infused topcoats that inhibit the growth of bacteria and mold on high-touch cabinet surfaces.

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Baltic Birch Plywood

Multi-Ply Structural Integrity

Why use Baltic Birch for drawer boxes? +
Baltic Birch features more laminations (plies) than standard plywood and contains no internal voids. This provides superior screw-holding power and a decorative "multi-stripe" edge that looks excellent when clear-coated.

Multi-ply void-free birch known for its exposed edge aesthetic and superior screw-holding strength in high-use drawers.

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Exotic Veneers

Premium Architectural Skins

Do you work with exotic veneers or reclaimed woods? +
Yes. We source premium Rift-Sawn White Oak, Walnut, Zebrawood, and book-matched veneers, as well as reclaimed timbers for high-character feature pieces.

Rare, highly-figured wood slices (e.g., Zebrawood, Rosewood) used for striking architectural accents and grain-matched fronts.

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FSC Certified Wood

Sustainable Forest Sourcing

Do you offer eco-friendly wood options? +
Yes. We can source Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber, which ensures the wood comes from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.

Wood products sourced from responsibly managed forests, ensuring environmental and social sustainability.

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FiPro Fire-Rated Boards

Non-Combustible Millwork

Are there fire-rated cabinet materials? +
Yes. FiPro is a non-combustible vermiculite-based board used for cabinet carcasses located in high-heat zones or multi-family commercial builds where strict Alberta fire codes apply.

Non-combustible composite panels used in commercial or multi-family builds to meet strict Alberta fire safety codes.

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High-Gloss Acrylic

Reflective Modern Facades

What is 'Acrylic' cabinetry? +
A premium alternative to lacquer, acrylic panels feature a 1mm solid color layer laminated onto a core. It provides a mirror-like "wet look" finish that is highly scratch-resistant and will never yellow over time.

Ultra-reflective, glass-like surfaces that are shatter-resistant and maintain deep color saturation in modern kitchens.

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Marine-Grade Substrates

High-Moisture Durability

When do you use marine-grade plywood? +
For outdoor kitchens, high-humidity spa bathrooms, or cabinets housing steam-heavy appliances, we use marine-grade substrates which use waterproof glue (WBP) to prevent delamination.

Waterproof-bonded veneers designed for high-humidity Alberta environments, preventing delamination near sinks or in outdoor kitchens.

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Metal Inlays

Metallic Decorative Accents

Can you integrate metal into cabinet doors? +
We CNC-route channels for brass, stainless steel, or copper inlays. These are epoxy-bonded into the wood grain to create a high-contrast, luxury architectural detail.

Precision-routed brass, stainless steel, or copper strips embedded into wood surfaces for a luxury modern aesthetic.

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PET Laminate

Sustainable High-Durability

What is 'PET' cabinetry? +
A sustainable, PVC-free finish made from recycled plastics. It is soft-touch, anti-fingerprint, and extremely durable, making it ideal for high-traffic kitchens or homes with pets and children.

Sustainable, PVC-free polymer films offering a soft-touch, anti-fingerprint surface with high chemical resistance.

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PUR Glue Sealing

Moisture-Proof Edge Bonding

What is 'PUR' glue and why does it matter? +
Polyurethane (PUR) glue is a reactive adhesive that hardens into a waterproof bond. Unlike standard EVA hot-melt, PUR will not re-melt or peel off when exposed to the heat of a dishwasher or oven.

Polyurethane Reactive glue that creates an invisible, waterproof bond between edgebanding and the cabinet core.

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Phenolic Backing

Structural Laminate Support

What is 'Phenolic Backed' veneer? +
A luxury veneering process where a thin wood layer is fused to a phenolic resin base. This prevents "telegraphing" (seeing the glue lines through the wood) and provides a moisture-proof barrier for high-end gables.

A rigid resin-impregnated backing applied to veneers to prevent "telegraphing" and provide a moisture-proof structural bond.

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Quarter-Sawn Grain

Vertical Grain Structurality

What is 'Quarter-Sawn' wood? +
Wood cut at a 90-degree angle to the growth rings. In Oak, this reveals "ray flecks" or "medullary rays"—a shimmering, decorative pattern prized in Craftsman and Mission-style furniture.

A milling method that exposes the wood's medullary rays (fleck), providing unique character and high dimensional stability.

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Reclaimed Timber Prep

Character Wood Processing

How do you handle old barn wood for cabinets? +
Reclaimed wood is kiln-dried to kill insects and stabilize moisture levels. We then "de-metal" the beams with scanners and re-saw them into 1/4" skins or 3/4" solid fronts to preserve the original patina.

The kiln-drying and de-nailing process required to stabilize historic timbers for modern residential cabinetry use.

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Refined MDF Core

Stable Painting Substrates

What is 'Refined Core' MDF? +
A high-density furniture-grade substrate used for painted doors. Unlike standard big-box MDF, it has a tighter fiber structure that allows for crisp CNC routing and a glass-smooth finish without "furring" in the profiles.

High-density, ultra-smooth engineered wood providing the ideal stable surface for mirror-like professional lacquer finishes.

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Rift-Sawn Oak

Linear Aesthetic Stability

What is the difference between Rift-Sawn and Plain-Sawn? +
Rift-sawing produces a linear, vertical grain pattern with no "cathedrals" or loops. This is the gold standard for modern and transitional cabinetry because it is the most dimensionally stable cut of wood.

A specialized milling technique producing a tight, linear vertical grain pattern for modern and transitional designs.

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Solid Surface Integration

Seamless Countertop Prep

Can cabinet gables be made of stone? +
We design "cladded" gables where a thin 12mm porcelain or quartz slab is mechanically fastened to a reinforced plywood carcass, creating a monolithic, stone-wrapped appearance.

Non-porous acrylic/mineral blends that allow for seamless sink-to-counter transitions and organic curved shapes.

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Stain vs Paint Grade

Material Quality Grading

What is the difference in material for paint vs. stain? +
Stain-grade uses "select" woods with consistent grain and color. Paint-grade uses "Refined MDF" or "tight-grain" woods like Poplar or Birch to ensure no grain texture shows through the finish.

The selection process between clear, high-character wood for staining versus smooth-grain, stable species for painting.

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TFL (Melamine)

Durable Surface Bonds

What is 'TFL' or 'TFM' cabinetry? +
Thermally Fused Laminate (TFL) consists of a decorative resin paper fused directly to a particleboard core. Modern TFLs feature "EIR" (Embossed-In-Register) textures that perfectly mimic the feel and look of real wood grain.

A high-wear decorative layer heat-bonded to a core, offering consistent texture and superior scratch resistance.

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Wood Stability

Expansion & Contraction Logic

Which wood species is most stable for Alberta's climate? +
Oak and Hickory are highly durable, but Walnut and Rift-Sawn Oak are the most stable against Alberta’s extreme humidity swings. Maple is beautiful but more prone to "seasonal movement" in dry winters.

Technical rating of how various woods expand/contract in Alberta's dry climate, critical for mitered joints.

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