Custom vs. Stock Kitchen Cabinets in Calgary
When planning a kitchen renovation in Calgary, one of the biggest decisions you will face is choosing between custom and stock cabinets. Both options have their merits, but understanding the key differences will help you make the right choice for your home and budget.
What Are Stock Cabinets?
Stock cabinets are pre-manufactured in standard sizes — typically in 3-inch increments — and sold ready to install. You can find them at Home Depot, IKEA, and other big-box stores across Calgary. They are the fastest and most affordable option, but come with significant limitations in fit, quality, and design flexibility.
What Are Custom Cabinets?
Custom cabinets are built to your exact kitchen dimensions, style preferences, and functional requirements. At Modersy Interior, we manufacture every cabinet at our Calgary facility — meaning no standard sizes, no filler strips, and no compromises on design or quality.
Key Differences: Custom vs. Stock Cabinets
1. Fit and Size
Stock: Come in fixed widths — usually 9 to 48 inches in 3-inch increments. Gaps are filled with filler strips that look awkward and waste space.
Custom (Modersy): Built to your exact wall measurements. Every inch is used efficiently, creating a seamless built-in look that adds significant value to your Calgary home.
2. Quality and Materials
Stock: Often built with particleboard boxes and thin veneers. Prone to swelling and sagging over time — especially in Calgary dry climate where humidity fluctuations are common.
Custom (Modersy): We use 3/4 inch furniture-grade plywood or prefinished birch plywood for all cabinet boxes — solid, durable, and designed to last 20–30 years.
3. Design Options
Stock: Limited to what the manufacturer offers — usually 5–10 door styles and a handful of finishes.
Custom (Modersy): Unlimited options — any door style (flat, shaker, slim shaker, custom trim), any finish (pre-finished, wood veneer, painted MDF), any configuration. Available in brands including Tafisa, Karisma, Uniboard, Olon, and Shinnoki.
4. Hardware Quality
Stock: Often fitted with generic hinges and slides that wear out within a few years.
Custom (Modersy): We use Blum hardware exclusively — soft-close hinges and undermount slides on every project. The same hardware used in European luxury kitchen brands.
5. Timeline
Stock: Available immediately or within days.
Custom (Modersy): 2–4 weeks depending on material selection. Worth the wait for a kitchen that fits and functions perfectly.
6. Cost
Stock: CA$3,000 to CA$8,000 for a typical Calgary kitchen.
Custom (Modersy): CA$8,000 to CA$35,000+ depending on size, materials, and hardware selection.
Which Should You Choose?
If you are a Calgary homeowner planning to stay in your home for 10+ years, custom cabinets are almost always the better long-term investment. They fit better, look better, last longer, and add more resale value than stock alternatives. For rental properties or short-term renovations, stock cabinets may be a practical choice.
Get a Free Custom Cabinet Consultation in Calgary
- Phone: 403-764-7667
- Email: [email protected]
- Showroom: Bay #10, 6125 11 St SE, Calgary, AB T2H 2L6
- Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM