After Care & Maintenance for Your Custom Cabinetry & Trim Carpentry

Wood is a natural material and responds to changes in temperature and humidity.

• Slight caulk separation or small hairline cracks at joints can appear seasonally.

• This is normal and not a sign of poor craftsmanship.

If gaps appear, simply apply a thin bead of paintable caulk and smooth it with a damp finger or cloth for a fresh, clean finish.

Normal use can cause minor shifts in hardware over time.

• Tighten loose screws on hinges or drawer slides with a screwdriver.

• Soft-close mechanisms can be adjusted using the small tension switch on the hardware.

• If your drawers have two handles, always pull from both to avoid racking and keeping the drawer gliding smoothly.

Note: Drawer slide realignment due to uneven pulling or heavy loads is considered routine maintenance and is not covered under warranty.

Shelf sagging happens over time due to weight, span length, and humidity. This is considered normal wear, not a defect.

To extend the life of your shelves:

• Spread weight evenly across the shelf.

• Avoid placing heavy items (books, appliances, stacks of dishes) in the middle.

• As a general guideline:

  • 3/4" shelves: 10–20 lbs per linear foot

  • 1" shelves: Up to 25 lbs per linear foot

  • Shelves longer than 32" without a center support are naturally more prone to bowing.

Heat can damage both wood and finishes.

• Do not place hot pots, pans, or countertop appliances directly under upper cabinets while venting steam.

• Use heat shields or pull appliances forward when in use.

• Prolonged steam exposure (from coffee makers, air fryers, Instant Pots, etc.) can cause finish wear.

Your cabinets and drawers may feature soft-close mechanisms.

• If soft-close feels too slow or too fast, adjust using the small switch on the hinge or slide.

• Soft-close prevents slamming — but isn’t designed for forced impact.

Daily use can lead to small dings or scuffs — totally normal.

• Keep a small container of your original paint or lacquer on hand for touch-ups.

• For painted surfaces, dab or blot instead of aggressively scrubbing.

• Avoid Magic Erasers, scouring pads, or abrasive cleaners — these can dull or remove the finish.

Tip: If you’re unsure about your paint color, reach out — we keep project records.

To keep your cabinetry looking its best:

• Use a soft microfiber cloth with mild soap and warm water.

• Wipe spills immediately — prolonged moisture can damage any wood product.

• Avoid:

  • Bleach or harsh chemicals

  • Vinegar or acidic cleaners

  • Oil soaps

  • Steam mops near base cabinets

  • Abrasive pads or scrubbers

Wood cabinetry performs best in stable indoor conditions.

• Ideal indoor humidity range: 30–50%

• Avoid excessive moisture from kettles, dishwashers, diffusers, showers, or sinks without proper ventilation.

• Never allow standing water or damp items (wet towels, wet dishcloths) to sit on or inside cabinets.

• Use exhaust fans when cooking or showering to reduce long-term humidity exposure.

Prolonged excessive humidity, dryness, or heat exposure can cause doors to warp or finishes to shift.

Painted cabinetry is durable — but not bulletproof.

• Avoid jewelry, belt buckles, and metal buttons rubbing against edges.

• Avoid slamming doors and drawers.

• Use child and pet latches as needed to prevent claw or bite marks.

• Normal signs of use may include:

• Minor surface dents

• Hairline cracks at joints

• Light shelf sag over several years

• Slight sheen changes on high-touch areas

• Occasional hardware tightening

• These are considered part of the natural aging process of wood furniture and cabinetry.