It seems a bit strange that a custom cabinet maker would use melamine in any of his work. Any chance that he's not custom and actually buys his boxes already made? Tom

My cabinets are a light colored wood inside. It looks like they used poplar or maybe maple for the plywood boxes and then finished that. It's not melamine. The open cabinets are finished the same on the inside as the outside of the cabinets (stained cherry).

In my experience, the mid-high to high end cabinet lines don't use melamine interiors. "Custom" can mean pretty much any price point.

I'm pretty sure that having melamine on the interior means that the cabinet boxes are bought. I know that many "custom" builders buy their boxes these days but not all.

Ours are exactly the same inside as outside. Personally, I'd pay more and get the interior you prefer if possible-- you'll be looking at the interior of those cabinets many times a day.

My cabs are being made by a local cabinet maker--all plywood construction, no particle board whatsoever. The insides will be finished the same as the outside--cream painted cabs will be cream inside; stained island and other stained cabs will be stained inside. I haven't heard of a "custom" builder using pre-fab boxes. If that is the case, I surely hope the price reflects it! Good luck!

We have oak cabinets with wood adjustable shelves, while lower cabs have wood pull outs. I did specifically request melamine on the bottom (only) of the kitchen sink cabinet.

My cabs are all plywood, poplar for the boxes and knotty alder for the face frames and doors.

My GC builds his own cabinets. This is one of his big selling points because he says cabinets are very easy to build. He pretty much "hooks" his clients with the cabinets alone. They are beautiful, great quality and cheap - $8200 for my whole house!

Kellyeng, wow that's a great price!! I don't imagine you live anywhere close to the Bay Area (California)???

Nope. I'm in good 'ol (cheap) Texas!