Fabuwood: A Cabinetmaker's Review

Mar 1, 2024

4 min read

Updated: 2 days ago

We've gotten to know Fabuwood well over the last year and have become very big fans of their finishes, availability, and customization. We are committed to helping homeowners understand just how many good options they have when it comes to buying new cabinetry. From preventing common mistakes, to understanding how the entire process should work, our goal is to ensure you are as prepared as possible when making such an important (and expensive!) decision.

Bright modern kitchen with wood cabinets, marble island, pendant lights, stove, flowers, and large window in a calm, airy setting

From finishes to accessories, we get into what we do and don't love about Fabuwood's product. Let's jump in...

What We Love

Factory Finishes

If you've spent any time with us here on the blog or our Facebook group, you know how important we consider good, professional cabinet finishes to be. You may or may not have seen the many headaches homeowners have had when working with under-qualified finishers, which can be incredibly frustrating and rarely ends well.

Gloved worker spray-paints a round object on a table in a workshop, with a blue hose and textured wall behind.

Working with a company that has tried-and-true standard finishes eliminates all of the guesswork when starting from zero on each new project. Once samples are approved, you can rest assured that your new cabinets will be consistent in tone and arrive without any surprises.

Four shaker-style cabinet doors in gray, wood, blue, and light gray, arranged in a 2x2 grid on a white background.

Another big major benefit to factory finishes is that they are oven-cured and extremely durable.

Woman with glasses removes finished cabinet parts from a UV curing oven.

Bonus: Fabuwood's Timber finish on birch can be a cost-effective alternative to white oak!

Bright modern kitchen with white cabinets, wood island, bowl on a cutting board, built-in ovens, and pendant light

Pretty Darn Customizable

While Fabuwood is technically "semi-custom", don't let that label fool you. From clever storage accessories, range hoods, furniture details, and offering any of Sherwin-Williams 1700+ colors, they can customize just about anything you need.

Open wooden bathroom drawer with a black hair dryer and tangled cord in circular cutouts; tidy, warm-toned scene

Bright modern kitchen with blue island, white cabinets, stainless appliances, large windows, and a gray barstool in a calm, airy room

Open kitchen drawer with organized wooden cutlery tray holding whisk, peeler, and chef’s knives in a bright modern kitchen

Dovetail Cabinet Construction

This is our favorite part of their cabinetry. While dovetails are common in solid-wood drawers, they are not as common in the actual cabinet's construction. This approach offers the best of both worlds when it comes to joinery: lots of glue surface and a mechanical joint (once slid together, it's all but impossible for that joint to come loose).

This is a very clever way of building cabinetry and guaranteed to last for decades.

Close-up of dark wood drawer joints and plywood edges inside a box, with a blurred cardboard label in the background.

Their Q12 Quality Guarantee

It's the details that make up a great cabinet. From the type of finish, to the specific drawer guide manufacturer, to something as small as a metal vs plastic shelf clip, each step of the process has been thoughtfully considered to create a long-lasting product. Their 12-pillar Q12 program ensures each cabinet has met this high standard and comes with a limited lifetime guarantee.

Close-up of a light wood drawer or cabinet with a Limited Lifetime Warranty sticker on the front, in a clean indoor setting.

What We Don't Love

Toned finishes

Toning is a slightly different approach to stained wood cabinets. While it does create very even tones from door to door, it can sometimes cloud the grain a bit.

Three cabinet doors in dark brown, tan wood, and light gray, shown side by side on a white background.

Limited Stain Colors

This is one drawback to semi-custom cabinets. While paint colors can be switched out relatively easily, stains are an entirely different ballgame. All that said, what they don't offer in real wood stains, they now offer in a new textured laminate collection.

Some Dealers Are Better/More Helpful Than Others

This especially applies to customer service, installation, etc. If no one is local to you (or if you don't get a good vibe from your local dealer), they are sold through some direct-to-consumer online sites and installation can be handled by your GC, builder, or trim carpenter. Just be sure to have the conversation early in the process so everyone is on the same page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fabuwood Cabinets

Are Fabuwood cabinets good quality?

Yes. Fabuwood cabinets hold up well thanks to dovetail box construction (uncommon at their price point), oven-cured factory finishes, and their 12-pillar Q12 quality program backed by a limited lifetime guarantee. We consider them a genuinely strong option in the semi-custom category.

Is Fabuwood a good brand for kitchen cabinets?

Fabuwood is a well-regarded semi-custom cabinet brand known for durable factory finishes, dovetail joinery, and a surprising level of customization for a semi-custom line, including access to any of Sherwin-Williams' 1,700+ paint colors.

What are the downsides of Fabuwood cabinets?

The main drawbacks are a limited selection of real wood stain colors (though they now offer a textured laminate alternative), toned finishes that can slightly cloud the wood grain, and inconsistent dealer quality depending on your local market.

Is Fabuwood considered custom or semi-custom cabinetry?

Fabuwood is technically semi-custom, but don't let that label undersell them. Between storage accessories, range hood options, furniture details, and near-unlimited paint colors, they offer a level of customization that rivals many fully custom shops.

How does Fabuwood compare in price to custom cabinets?

Fabuwood generally costs less than fully custom cabinetry while still offering strong construction quality and finish durability, making it a solid middle-ground choice for homeowners who want quality without a fully custom price tag.

To Review

Dark green home bar nook with marble counter, brass faucet, bowl of strawberries, bottle and pitcher under a warm light.

Fabuwood cabinets are a good choice for homeowners seeking a balance of quality, design flexibility, and affordability. While they may not offer the same level of customization as high-end, fully custom cabinets, they are an excellent option for semi-custom cabinetry that looks great, holds up well over time, and therefore 100% get our endorsement.

Their cabinetry is available throughout the US, and you can find your local dealer here.

The Value of Expert Advice

Having a partner early in the process to help identify red flags, walk you through what the process should look like, and help vet the other professionals on your project is exactly why we created this community. We understand that you're not just building a house, you're creating a home, and every detail has to be perfect.

Whether it's our blog, free expert advice in our Facebook group, or our Cabinet Buyers Guide and Checklist, we're here to help you every step of the way.