Ordering a sample door?

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

If you used a KD and they didn't have the exact door style you were thinking about, did you order a sample in the style/stain you wanted? If so, did you end up liking the sample, or did you have to go through that process more than once? For example, there are various configurations I can put together based on what I see on the available sample doors in the shop. Take this beading from door 1, that bevel from door 2, this other thing from door 3, and you can order a door in that style.

I'm not feeling very confident judging a door style that's painted and/or a different wood than I want, or judging a stain on a little 4x4ish piece of wood. Do I just need to chill, or is this request normal?

ETA: I imagine this adds a whole lot of time to the process!

ETA2: OR, did you only use a KD/cabinet brand that had the exact sample already in the showroom?

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Comments (9)

Buehl
8 years ago
I ordered a sample of the door style and finish.

I ended up with a slightly different door style, but did not order another one as I was confident about my choice.

I then used the sample door when picking out other elements - e.g., flooring and countertops.
Navy Momma
8 years ago
I did not order a sample door, but the KD had a sample of,the door and then separate samples of the finish. I think it would only have added like 1-2 weeks to the order timeline so not a big deal if it's important to you. The small finish samples I brought with me to coordinate counter and backsplash choices. I had a shaker style and no glaze so it wasn't a huge leap of faith. If you are doing a customized door I would get a sample. Better an extra short wait for the sample than thousands in something that doesn't work.
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I know that this is an old forum but just for your information I ordered Ultracraft (a Norcraft company)cabinets based on the recommendation of my contractor. The finish on the cabinets is horrible and does not match the sample I was shown. The sales Representative Darrell. from Ultracraft has a very condescending attitude and told me the doors would darken. That was his attitude and he ignored the fact that the finish was wrong and I have bare wood on some of the doors, doors that are sized wrong etc. I paid for semicustom cabinets and got all stock cabinets. They advertise tolerances to 1/16th of an inch but the dealer says they only have to be within 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch. Darrell(Ultracraft) took my sample door and said it was within tolerance at the factory but when a piece of the door was sent back for comparison it magically matched what was installed in my kitchen I think he means that anything goes as long as they have been paid. The dealer Canyon Kitchen and Bath has a picture of the original door but refuses to show it to my contractor or me. Does that raise suspicions with anyone else? I would suggested anyone stay away from Norcraft (district manager Andrew) and their other companies like Ultracraft. They are all now owned by Fortune brands and fall under Mastercraft cabinets. I have contacted Ultracraft and their response is they were told it was taken care of. Really? Stay away from Desert Kitchen and Bath as well. The installer admitted to me that it was all wrong but no one will listen to me because I am just one person. I was offered $1000 and I wondered how I was supposed to fix their mistake on $42,000 dollars of cabinets. Now my only recourse is to let other people know that the dealer and the manufacturer is less than honest so others on this forum don't fall into the same trap I did. If they are smart they will fix this problem because the internet can be postitive or negative for a companies reputation. Especially on these types of forums. A.R. Fazio, La Quinta, Ca.
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Carrie B
8 years ago
I saw the door samples (style, though not color) in the KD showroom, then took several paint samples (various sized wood pieces) home with me. At that point, I'd already selected my counter top, so I selected the (white) paint that looked best with the counter, and then took my counter & paint samples to the tile shop.
pippiep
Original Author
8 years ago
OP here. I met with another KD today who told me upfront that he orders a sample door for every project. I didn't even have to ask about it! I think I'll feel better requesting one no matter which KD I end up using.
Bunny
8 years ago
For a kitchen, esp. if going with a stain, I'd want an entire door. I bought an approx. 6x6 sample of the wood/stain I wanted for my bathroom vanity. It seemed okay. It's really darker than I'd wanted and now I'm fine with it, but I think I would have used a lighter stain if I'd had an entire door to see in my space.
jakuval
8 years ago
I try to order a full sample for every job, gratis, but we keep it. That's an industry standard though. It was difficult to arrange at my old job. Some clients end up needing multiples in which case that gets added to the bill.

Time varies by mfg. In one brand I can be an express sample shipped within ten business days Those are always the same style though so only useful for color. A regular sample from them is 4 weeks. Others are from 3 to six. Cost also can vary enormously.

One brand had a new style I was interested in but a full drawer/door sample was going for cost me $375. A shorter door only would have been more reasonable but I felt the whole package was needed for the style so I passed for now.

I have one brand that automatically creates an order for a "color control" sample door as soon as I submit an order, if I had not already gotten one. That MUST be signed off on before they will finish production.
mrspete
8 years ago
I think it makes sense to order a door, even if it costs money. Not only does it give you a chance to be sure of your choice, it would be nice to carry a door when you pick out tile, countertops, etc.

Similarly, when I wanted to buy new chairs for my dining room, I carried in a leaf from my table.
beachem
8 years ago
I traveled to look at door styles from the KDs. When I was looking at going local custom, the cab company standard is to produce sample door in the exact style and color. They then cut it in half after approval. We each kept a half for when the mfg is done.

The sample is used as a standard for any complaints.

Since I decided to buy online, I ordered several samples in the style and color I wanted. It made a huge difference to compare and to live with for a week or two and see it in multiple lighting situations.

I found that the original color I liked didn't blend as well on reflection with other things.
PRO
The Kitchen Place
8 years ago
It depends a lot on how much time you have. But if you have the time, then I think it's important to at least see the following two things:

1. A sample of the door style. They come in just a door. Or a door on a frame w/ drawer front.

2. A sample of your finish on any door. I would not recommend looking at the small sample chips. Wood is much more varied. The wood chip simply cannot show the variation of the wood grain. The small chips are OK for carrying around when picking out other materials....thats all.

If you are unable to envision very well, then order the actual door and finish. Expect to pay something if you are not committed to the KD yet. I will order samples for clients, they pay and will be credited for them on their invoice once they order.

Ordering a sample door?

Comments (9)

Buehl

Navy Momma

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Carrie B

pippiep
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Bunny

jakuval

mrspete

beachem

The Kitchen Place

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