Custom vs. Customizable: Knowing the Difference

Walk into any cabinet showroom and you’ll hear words like “custom,” “semi-custom,” and “RTA” tossed around. But what do they actually mean?

As a design professional, I’ve always believed that education is the best tool in the toolbox. Sure, we can create stunning layouts with gorgeous finishes that fit your budget. But knowing your options—and the real differences between them—can help you make smarter decisions (and avoid paying for “custom” that’s really just dressed-up stock).

Let’s break it down:

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RTA (Ready-to-Assemble): Quick Cabinets for Quick Projects

As the name implies, RTA cabinets arrive flat-packed, pre-drilled, and ready for you—or your contractor—to assemble. They’re affordable, quick to ship, and perfect for DIY projects or tight timelines.

The trade-off? Limited customization and fewer finish options, usually sticking to what’s currently trending. At Redbird Cabinets, we offer a flat-pack RTA line as well as a version that can ship assembled if you’d rather skip the weekend warrior routine.

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Semi-Custom: The Sweet Spot

Semi-custom cabinetry is like tailoring a great off-the-rack suit—you start with standard sizes, but you can tweak dimensions, choose better fabrics (well, materials and finishes), and add features that suit your space.

This is one of my favorite approaches: you save money by using “standard” sizes where it makes sense, while customizing key areas to fit your lifestyle. Redbird offers two semi-custom lines built to cabinet-making standards dating back to the 1970s—tried, true, and incredibly versatile.

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Custom: True Craftsmanship or Clever Marketing?

The word “custom” tends to conjure up visions of master woodworkers lovingly crafting every piece by hand—cue PBS’s The Woodwright’s Shop. But in reality, “custom” often just means “we build the box here and order the doors from somewhere else.”

True custom cabinetry means the answer to your ideas should never be “we don’t offer that,” but instead, “let’s see how that can be built.”

At Redbird, our custom line includes options American Framed, European Full Access, and Traditional Inset construction styles. You can even create your own door style, choose from 18 wood species, 900+ finishes, and practically every Sherwin-Williams paint color under the sun. If you can dream it, we’ll find a way to build it.

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Bottom line: Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a budget-conscious homeowner, or someone who wants cabinetry as unique as their fingerprint, knowing the difference between custom, semi-custom, and RTA will save you money, stress, and future regrets.

Ready to find your perfect fit? Call us or message us on the socials to schedule an appointment—let’s create something beautiful that works for you.