Replies

1. 
   oldusty | Aug 10, 2007 07:12am | #1

     dlb ,         Modular cabinets do have standards , custom can vary .

               In most cases kitchen base cabinets are 24" deep most custom shops will use a 22" deep drawer box but modulars may be 20" .

      Wall cabinets are 12" for ready made and that is pretty standard for custom .but we often will incorporate a run 14 - 16" for deeper platters and larger plates .

              Ready made or modular base  are typically 34 1/2" tall , the thinking is if your countertop will get tile or stone it will add about 1 1/2" in ht to net 36" which is accepted as a standard and compatible dimension for dish washers and free standing ranges , under counter refers and ovens , compactors and wine coolers to name a few .

        Bath room vanity base is usually 21" deep and the ht is beginning to get higher but typically ready mades will come about 30 - 32" more or less . Taller people dislike 30" tall sink bases .The drawers will be from 18" - 20" in depth hopefully . 18" deep is not that bad for a bath base , just in case any plumbing needs room .

          The linen cabs may be 24" deep if butted to a base , this way the counter top dies against the finished end of the linen .

         This is just some very basics , please ask if any specific application has got you stumped .

                        dusty

1. 
   dlb | Aug 10, 2007 03:00pm | #3

   Thanks for the reply. I do have one question: Is there a source for the measurements or did you acquire them from experience?

   Thanks,

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

1. 
   oldusty | Aug 10, 2007 05:26pm | #4

       Stop in at the local big box store for a cabinet catalog , usually they give you a chart with all the different sizes and options they make so you can see how to best fit them  in .The customer selects the door style and colors .

     This will give you a look at standard and basic ht and depth dimensions

                   regards            dusty

      

1. 
   dlb | Aug 11, 2007 02:06am | #5

   Thanks for the idea. I will stop by one this weekend and pickup a few catalogues.

   dlb

   .

    The undisciplined life is not worth examining.

2. 
   hammer1 | Aug 10, 2007 07:14am | #2

   Yes, there are some typical measurements, particularly in kitchens. These are primarily associated with appliances and countertops. Upper units are normally 12" deep, 30" tall. Base units are 23 1/2" deep and 34" tall. Kitchen manufacturers try to standardize components so the majority of the parts are the same. This doesn't mean you have to use these measurements. Appliances used to be all standard sizes but that has changed. Ranges were either 30" or 42". Range hoods and over the range microwaves are 30". Dishwashers are still 24" wide but refrigerators and sinks vary quite a bit. A typical sink runs 6" - 8" deep but there are Farmers sinks, single and double bowls, as well a custom units. For a normal sink, you need a 36" wide cabinet but you can go larger. You could make full length doors since they will not interfere with anything. Often the fake drawer fronts are made the same size as the fronts on other top drawers.

   You need to know what appliances you are using. If you have a 24" DW, you make the opening 24", 30" micro, 30" space. You don't add any extra, but don't make it any smaller. Manufacturers make thousands of cabinets and they save small amounts of material that add up. In some cases, like drawers, less space on the sides, in between and longer depth will get you much more useable space. Manufactured cabinets are a series of boxes and fillers that are added up to fit your space. True custom cabinets are built to that space, not a bunch of boxes screwed together. There have been times when I've made base units either taller or shorter for the size of the person using them.

   If you plan to use postformed laminate countertops, you have to make the depth of the base units to match. I just finished some cabinets where the owner had large dinner plates that wouldn't fit in a 12" deep cabinet, I made it 14" deep. Range hoods are getting rather fancy and folks are using commercial appliances. Warming units, wine racks and other specialty items may require something out of the ordinary. Designs are more interesting today and may include cabinets that bump up or out from the rest. Crown molding are popular. If they return around the ends or die into another cabinet, you have to make allowances for their projection. You will find dozens of kitchen design magazines in Borders, HD, Lowes and other places. Pick up a few for some ideas. Anything goes these days including using furniture pieces. The more thought and interest you put into it, the less likely it will look dated in a few years.

   Beat it to fit / Paint it to match