How To Avoid Buying Low-Quality Cabinet Doors Online
Learn how to spot red flags when buying cabinet doors online to protect your renovation investment and avoid stress and problems later.
If you’re planning a kitchen or bathroom upgrade, the last thing you want is for your cabinet doors to be the weakest link. But that’s exactly what happens when you buy low-quality products online – doors that arrive damaged, warp within months or don’t match the photos. Suddenly, what should’ve been a smooth renovation turns into a stressful, expensive mess.
So how can you tell if a cabinet door is of poor quality before you buy? What red flags should make you pause or walk away entirely?
At Cutting Edge, we work with contractors and cabinet makers daily, but we also help hundreds of homeowners just like you. We know the industry inside and out. We’ve seen the good, the bad, and the just plain ugly. Whether you work with us or someone else, we want you to feel confident when shopping for cabinet doors online and avoid falling into the low-quality trap.
In this article, you’ll discover:
- 9 red flags that indicate the cabinet doors you’re looking at are low-quality
- Questions you can ask your supplier to confirm the cabinet door quality
Ready? Let’s dive in!
9 Red Flags That Indicate Cabinet Doors Online Are Low Quality
Before we get too far, remember this: not every red flag means the product is low quality. Sometimes, a simple follow-up or clarification can clear up concerns. And these aren’t the only signs of poor quality. Always ask a contractor or cabinet pro for help before buying if you’re uneasy.
1. The Supplier Markets Cabinet Doors Online as Solid Wood
Many sites love to use the words solid wood because it sounds high-end. But the truth? It’s often a marketing spin. Some doors may only have a solid wood frame, while the panel is MDF or veneer.
You should be especially wary if the company calls their cabinets solid wood. The truth is that solid wood cabinets are extremely rare – most cabinets use veneer materials.
Now, using veneer or MDF materials doesn’t always make cabinets (or cabinet doors) low quality, but it does mean they aren’t solid wood.
Why is this a red flag?
When a company uses vague terms, it may be trying to hide something. A lack of detail around the wood type, or material, can mean you’re not getting what you think you are or what you’re paying for. Always ask, which parts are solid wood, and what species did you use?
2. The Cabinet Doors Seem Like a Good Deal
You come across a set of cabinet doors priced way below what you’ve seen elsewhere. Maybe they’re part of a limited-time blowout sale or a clearance special. The photos look decent, and the description says all the right things. But the price feels almost too good.
Why is this a red flag?
If something feels too good to be true, it usually is. Low prices often mean the manufacturer cuts corners: lower-grade materials, poor joinery, or a rushed finish. Those deals might lead to warping, cracking, or peeling in a few months.
Compare prices across three or more reputable sites. If one is way lower, ask why.
3. The Cabinet Door Thickness is Less Than ¾”
The product details list a thickness of ⅝” or even thinner. Sometimes, there’s no thickness listed, just a vague description like durable and strong. You might not notice this unless you look closely at the specs or ask questions.
Why is this a red flag?
¾” is the industry standard for durable cabinet doors. Anything thinner often feels flimsy, doesn’t hold up well to hardware installation, and may not sit properly on your cabinets. They’re also more likely to warp or crack over time. Thinner cabinet doors can also indicate your supplier is trying to cut costs, indicating the potential for other issues.
4. The Supplier Provides Limited Information About The Cabinet Doors
The listing says things like premium wood construction or standard sizes are available but offers no detailed specs. You don’t see the type of wood, finish details, or construction methods. You try to find more info, but the product page has few specifics.
Why is this a red flag?
If they aren’t being clear, it’s often on purpose. A trusted company will proudly share the details. Plus, a lack of details can indicate your supplier is buying the cabinet doors from another company, and they don’t have that information. While this isn’t unusual, it can indicate you aren’t supporting a local manufacturer.
5. The Supplier Has Limited or Poor Reviews from Customers
There are only a handful of reviews – or worse, none. The ones that exist talk about long shipping times, damaged doors, or poor customer service. Maybe the photos customers post don’t match what’s on the product page.
Why is this a red flag?
Reviews are the best insight into how a company performs. Look for consistent complaints about quality or service.
And what if there are no reviews? If they’re a new company, this might not be a problem, but proceed cautiously. A lack of online presence might indicate the company doesn’t exist, and you’re being scammed.
6. The Supplier Has No Warranty Process or Coverage Advertised
You can’t find any mention of a warranty on the product page or anywhere on the website. Maybe they have a vague satisfaction guarantee without real terms. When you reach out to ask, the response is unclear, or they avoid giving a straight answer.
Why is this a red flag?
A good manufacturer stands behind their product. If they won’t offer a limited warranty, it signals they may not expect their product to last.
And while you’re at it, read through the warranty policy. A lack of information about how you can complete warranty claims could indicate that their process is confusing or complicated.
7. The Cabinet Doors Come From Another Country
You might notice that the product description mentions international shipping or the brand is unfamiliar and seems based overseas. Delivery times are long, and customer service is only available at odd hours or not at all. You may even notice differences in terminology or measurements.
Why is this a red flag?
While this isn’t always bad, international shipping adds risk to your purchase. Cabinet door orders from overseas companies can experience delays or damage in transit. It also makes returns or replacements more complicated. Plus, depending on the country, the climate difference between the origin and destination could lead to issues like cracking or splitting doors.
8. The Cabinet Doors Come on Pre-Assembled Cabinets
You’re shopping for just cabinet doors, but many of the products you find are already attached to pre-assembled cabinets. You can’t see the back or the build of the door itself, and there’s no option to buy the doors separately.
Why is this a red flag?
These products are often mass-produced, limiting your options for customization or refinishing later. In addition, mass production can also indicate that the supplier focuses on profit; in other words, they might be cutting corners. And cutting corners translates into lower-quality cabinet doors.
9. The Supplier Avoids Answering Detailed and Specific Questions
You might send the company a few questions, about the type of wood they used or their finishing process. But their answers are vague, copy-pasted, or don’t answer your question. Sometimes, they don’t reply at all.
Why is this a red flag?
If a company can’t (or won’t) answer basic questions about their product, that’s a huge red flag. It likely means they don’t know the answers or don’t want to say. This can indicate that they are selling products from another company, they’re not a legitimate company, or that they are new to the industry.
How Can You Avoid Buying Poor-Quality Cabinet Doors Online?
Buying cabinet doors online can feel risky. You can’t touch the product or talk to someone in person.
But there are ways to protect yourself. To avoid low-quality cabinet doors, pay attention to red flags, look for suppliers with great reviews, and ask detailed questions before you order. Doing these three things will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration.
If you aren’t sure what questions you should ask your supplier, here are a few ideas. These questions ask for basic information that any reputable cabinet door supplier should be able to answer.
Questions to Ask Your Supplier:
- Are the doors truly solid wood? If not, which parts are?
- What is the overall thickness of the doors?
- What type of finish do they use?
- Where are the doors made?
- Do you offer a warranty? What does it cover?
- How do I return or exchange if needed?
- Can you provide photos of actual customer installs?
If a supplier can’t answer these basic questions or gives you a runaround, it’s best to move on.
Discover Cutting Edge’s Cabinet Doors Online
After struggling to find high-quality cabinet doors online, it’s easy to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, and unsure who to trust. And sadly, many homeowners get stuck with cheap products that don’t hold up.
Now that you’ve been empowered by Cutting Edge to spot the red flags and ask the right questions, you can shop with confidence and protect your investment. Ready to get started? Learn more about the types of cabinet doors Cutting Edge offers.
