RTA / Comparison
RTA cabinets vs big box stores
The difference is construction specification and design support. Big box stock cabinetry frequently uses particleboard boxes and stapled drawers. Every IQ+ RTA line uses plywood boxes, solid-wood dovetail drawers and soft-close hardware, plus a free photorealistic design in 24 to 72 hours.
Compare the spec sheet, not the showroom door. The door is the part that looks the same; the box is the part that does not.
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What should you compare when shopping for cabinets?
Compare four things: what the box is made of, how the drawer is joined, what hardware is included, and whether design support comes with it. A door finish tells you nothing about how a cabinet will hold up in five years.
| Check | What to look for | IQ+ 2026 lines |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet box | Plywood, not particleboard | Plywood across all three lines |
| Drawer box | Solid wood, dovetail joints | Solid wood, dovetail |
| Drawer glides | Concealed undermount, full extension, soft-close | Included as standard |
| Hinges | Six-way adjustable, soft-close | Included as standard |
| Certification | TSCA VI, KCMA, CARB2 | All three, plus NGBS Green |
| Design support | Included, before purchase | Rendering in 24–72 hours, free |
Why does the cabinet box material matter so much?
Because it is the part that fails first. Particleboard swells irreversibly once moisture reaches its core — a genuine risk under a Florida sink — and holds screws far less well over time. Plywood resists both, which is why every IQ+ line uses it.
What do you get from IQ+ that a big box store does not?
A photorealistic design of your actual room in 24 to 72 hours before you commit, a published construction specification for every line, and one accountable team through cabinetry, countertops and installation rather than a series of separate vendors.
Frequently asked
RTA cabinets vs big box stores — your questions answered
Is IQ+ more expensive than a big box store?
We prepare a detailed estimate from your approved design rather than quoting against an unspecified comparison. Compare the construction specification alongside any price.
Do I get a design before I buy?
Yes. Renderings are produced in 24 to 72 hours from your photos and measurements, free and with no obligation.
Can contractors buy wholesale?
Yes. We wholesale to contractors, builders and investors across Tampa Bay.
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Talk it through with a designer.
Send photos and rough measurements and see your room designed in 24 to 72 hours, then a detailed estimate. No cost, no obligation.
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