www.DecoraCabinets.com Print Warranty Lifetime Limited Warranty Decora warrants to the original consumer purchaser for as long as they own their home that Decora cabinet products will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use. This warranty is only applicable to products used in residential applications within the United States and is not transferable to subsequent owners. Should defects in material or workmanship exist during the applicable warranty period in any Decora product, Decora will elect at its discretion to either repair or replace the defective material or component, free of charge. This warranty covers only parts and materials of the products supplied by Decora. Not covered under this warranty are counter tops, appliances, plumbing fixtures, etc. or the costs, including labor to remove and reinstall materials and related components such as fittings, appliances, etc. This warranty shall become void if the cabinets are in any way modified, improperly installed or damaged prior to or during the installation. Furthermore, this warranty will not apply to cabinets damaged by misuse, neglect, abuse, acts of God, exposure to moisture, exposure to extreme temperatures or the effects of normal wear and tear. Natural woods may vary in color, characteristics and exhibit subtle changes as they age. For example, white painted face frames may eventually have visible cracking around the joint area and cabinet colors may darken or lighten over time. Sunlight, smoke, household cleaners and other environmental conditions may also affect the color match over time. These variations are considered to be the nature of the material in relation to their environmental exposure and are not covered under this warranty. Decora reserves the right to alter design, specifications and material without obligation to make similar changes to products previously manufactured. The repair(s) or replacement(s) are contingent upon the current product offerings of styles and construction options within the Decora products at the time of the warranty claim. If a warranty claim is filed after a Decora product becomes obsolete, Decora reserves the right to honor the warranty in one of the following fashions: To replace the affected component with a new component of the same style. To replace the affected component and any other component(s) in the residential application to achieve a uniform appearance with a similar and comparable product style of the originally purchased style. If components are replaced, Decora cannot guarantee that the finish of these replacements will exactly match the finish and appearance of the components in the residential application. This is due to the changes that occur during the woods’ natural aging process, affecting its color and grain. This warranty is the exclusive warranty of Decora with respect to cabinet products and is in lieu of any other warranties. Decora disclaims all other warranties, expressed or implied, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights, which vary from state to state. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. To obtain replacement(s) under this limited warranty, first contact your authorized Decora dealer or distributor, who will arrange for inspection of the cabinet. A dated sales receipt as proof of purchase is required to obtain benefits from this warrnaty. If you have difficulty obtaining assistance, please write to:             Decora Customer Service             One MasterBrand Cabinets Drive             Jasper, Indiana  47546 Decora is a subsidiary of MasterBrand Cabinets, Inc. Return to Top Shaped by your vision and your choices, fine cabinetry can be a creative expression as personal as your taste in art. It begins with the material of your preference, whether sleek MDF or a natural hardwood. Because no two trees are alike, nature’s fingerprint is never the same in two pieces of wood. These differences give wood its genuine beauty and prevent exact matching due to aging and natural color and grain variations. Likewise, no two finishes will ever be quite alike. Like an artist’s canvas, fine hardwood is transformed by your choice of finish color. Nor do the possibilities end with a single finish choice. Combine two finish colors; or select an accent color from our array of vivid decorator tones. Add one of our rich translucent glazes to accentuate cabinetry detailing; or choose one of our special Antiquity Series finishes, for cabinetry with the warmth and charm of a family heirloom. Cherry- one of the most desirable cabinetry woods available, cherry is prized for its graceful swirling grain patterns and depth of coloration. When new, cherry wood ranges in color from pale gold to light brown, usually with a reddish cast. As it matures, it typically takes on deeper tones, shading from rich gold to deep coppery brown. Maple- An excellent choice when a consistent and uniform appearance is preferred, maple hardwood is noted for its exceptionally fine smooth grain and delicate markings. Its natural color ranges from near white to creamy beige and pale brown, enhanced by occasional faint mineral streaks and tiny “bird’s eye” dots. Hickory- those with a flair for the dramatic will appreciate the unique and striking appearance of hickory cabinetry. Renowned for its bold grain pattern and strongly contrasting colors, hickory shades from almost white to deep cocoa brown, enhanced in places by naturally occurring knots and worm holes. Oak- A long-standing favorite for cabinetry of any style, oak is a strong, open-grained hardwood characterized by distinctive grain patterns. Oak offers a wide range of natural colors, from light cream to warm gold, randomly punctuated with natural accents including knots, worm holes and mineral streaks. MDF- with it’s smooth and perfectly uniform surface, MDF cabinetry contributes to a subtle ambience of unobtrusive perfection. A product of modern technology, MDF not only lends itself to sleek and sophisticated styling, but also provides the durability and ease of maintenance required by today’s busy lifestyles. Return to Top Exterior Finish Specifications Good looks that last… thanks to superior finishing techniques. Decora’s combination of old world craftsmanship and the latest technology creates an exterior finish of exceptional quality. – one that assures years of beauty, durability, and easy care. Decora’s finish is formulated from a combination of synthetic resins. It is comparable to the high-bake finish generally applied to automobiles and household appliances. The final protective topcoat consists of a catalyzed synthetic varnish which is far superior to the more common lacquer-type finishes. The Decora catalyzed varnish provides a beautiful finish that resists water, heat and many household substances. Regular cleaning requires only wiping with a dampened cloth and then drying. (For more details, see: Decora Cabinet Care Suggestions” in the General Information section of this catalog). Finish Process Defining the science of advanced design Decora’s craftspeople carefully inspect each cabinet piece to ensure that the wood is in excellent condition and ready for finish application. Multiple sandings prepare selected woods for a quality finish. Sanding steps include white wood sanding, wide belt sanding, shaping, jitter sanding and cross grain sanding. Toner is applied. Toner is a base coat that helps avoid color variations by equalizing the surface of the wood, preparing it for the finish process. Skilled craftspeople carefully apply the selected stain. Excess stain is hand wiped from the wood’s surface, ensuring a smooth, even coat. The wood enters the oven for the first time to seal the stain. Sealer is applied, ensuring that the toner and stain are locked in, protecting the rich wood tones. The wood enters the oven for the second time in the finish process, adding greater finish durability. The wood is sealer sanded to ensure a completely smooth surface for the topcoat application. Sanding residue is removed with a large air blower. Afterwards, the wood is wiped down with a tack cloth to make sure that the wood surface is exceptionally clean. Sealer is applied, ensuring that the toner and stain are locked in, protecting the rich wood tones. The wood enters the oven for the third time in the finish process, adding greater finish durability. After the third surface preparation, the final protective topcoat of catalyzed synthetic varnish is applied. Finally, the piece is ready for the last step in the finish process, where it travels through the oven for the fourth time assuring years of carefree beauty. Return to Top There are as many cabinet styles and levels of quality as there are unique tastes and budgets. What distinguishes one from another? Generally it’s the quality of the materials, the quality of the construction (and therefore durability) and the options available. Many people would be hard-pressed to see an aesthetic difference between the levels. Knowing what qualities to look for when choosing new cabinetry can help you get the most value for your budget dollar. Doors: Cabinet doors (and drawer fronts) may be constructed of mdf (medium density fiberboard) with paint, laminate, or veneer, or solid wood and may have raised panels. Different styles are available; overlay, full overlay and standard, all with or without decorative accents. Custom and semi-custom lines typically have many more door styles and finishes available in more wood species; stock cabinets may have very limited options. Drawers: The quality of construction and materials makes a big difference in durability. The drawer sides may be made of MDF or solid wood. Bottoms may be mdf or plywood. The way the pieces are joined together; staples and glue versus dovetailing is very important to their durability and the way the bottom of the drawer is set into the sides determines in part how easy they are to clean. In general, solid wood is preferable to MDF, and plywood bottoms are stiffer and less likely to bow than MDF bottoms. Thickness of the various parts is also a consideration. The type of drawer guide determines how easily the drawer will open and how far it will open. Full extension guides with automatic stops, stability clips and self-closing features are usually available if not standard on better cabinets. Upgrades: Many of these features are considered standard with higher quality cabinets and are often unavailable with less expensive products. Roll out shelves Full access cabinets Hidden hinges End panels that match door styles Glass front doors Solid wood doors Dovetailed drawers Full extension drawers Appliance garages Matching interiors (required for glass doors) Boxes: The cabinet itself may be constructed of MDF, plywood, or solid wood. Shelves also vary in construction, and on higher end cabinets tend to be adjustable and made of thicker and more rigid material to resist sagging. The interior may be laminated for easy cleaning- usually in white or a natural wood grain. The interior of class-fronted cabinets should be finished to match the cabinets’ exterior. Finishes: The best quality cabinets will have the most options in wood species, stains and glazes, and the most consistent and durable finishes. Wood, laminates, MDF, melamine and thermofoil vary in price. Door styles with raised or inset panels or decorative accents are generally more expensive. Consider the difference in appearance and durability between cabinets sprayed by hand in a warehouse full of sawdust and those that feature hand rubbed stains, multiple sandings and oven cured baked-on finishes which are resistant to water, heat and many household substances. See Dealer pages for more information on the finishing process. Return to Top A few words about wood. Expect variations in wood grain patterns and density. These variations are a vital part of the beauty of natural wood. The same stain applied to two pieces of the same wood species may result in somewhat different appearances (especially when comparing solid wood to veneers). Color variations are caused by the assortment of minerals in the soil in which the tree was grown, rainfall, growing temperature, etc. All wood species can also exhibit sap runs, knots and pinholes in varying degrees. Color changes through time will occur when wood is exposed to all types of light (normal and man-made). It is the general nature of wood to darken over time, some species more than others. The finishing process does not hinder this aging process. Return to Top