Anvil Cabinet & Mill

Education & FAQ

This page is designed to help you research and obtain information on the various aspects, components, and processes that will make up your custom cabinetry and/or countertop project. This page will also provide you with information on how to care for and maintain your beautiful investment once your project is completed.

The Anvil Experience

Your Project Manager will set up a time to pick up your plans, or will come out and measure your area.
Your Project Manager will meet with you to see what you like and/or need and discuss with you our hundreds of options, including stains and glazes, moldings, storage options, convenience accessories, etc. They then will create state of the art 3-D color renderings of your project. They will keep revising your design if needs be until it is exactly what you want. After all, we at Anvil Cabinet & Mill believe that you should have what you want, when you want it, and for the price you want.
After a final on-site layout your drawings are sent to our custom production facility where our exceptional team creates your cabinetry. We do this by utilizing the most innovative and state-of-the-art equipment out on the market today. Many of our machines are computer controlled to ensure safety and accuracy. These machines include a beam saw, point-to-point CNC, construction dowel machine, edgebander, and wide belt sanders. Our well trained and skilled production team takes pride in the end result of each and every custom project.
Once your project is completed it is loaded into one of our delivery trailers and is ready for installation. Our detail oriented installation team works their hardest to ensure that your cabinetry is installed quickly and properly. They will make sure that every drawer glides smoothly, every door is adjusted perfectly, and ready for you to use and enjoy your new cabinetry.
Lastly, the best part of the process: Enjoy your cabinets for years to come! As your friends and family admire your new cabinetry send them our way and if we do their project we'll send you a special thanks for your efforts. Click here for more details on our Referral Program.

Wood Species

Description of Wood Species: Maple
Strong, resilient wood with a uniform tight grain and smooth, even appearance.
-Mineral streaks are common and will appear darker with stain.
-Subtle wood grain markings include fine lines and wavy or curly graining
-Small, black "bird's eye" dots
Available in Prime Maple and Knotty Maple

Description of Wood Species: Hickory
Even textures, fine grained wood with a curly or wavy pattern
-Tight wood grain appearance
-Strong and heavy with a high resistance to abrasion
-Smooth, dense surface texture
-Paints, stains, and polishes apply with perfection
Available in Calico Hickory and Knotty Hickory

Description of Wood Species: Cherry
A hardwood with a rich, natural reddish-brown tone
-Uniform tight grain allows finishes to be applied with ease
-Characteristics include mineral streaks, pin knots, and curly graining
-Darkens with age and exposure to light
-Smooth wood grain pattern with random markings
Available in Prime Cherry or Knotty Cherry

Description of Wood Species: Oak
Very strong wood with distinct wood patterns
-Grain variations create a color gradation when stain is applied
-Grain patterns include fine lines, pin stripes, leafy grains, and watery figures
Available in Oak and Knotty Oak

Description of Wood Species: Walnut
A tough hardwood of medium density
-Grain is generally straight-grained sometimes with a wavy or curly grain that produces an attractive figure
-Sapwood is a creamy white while the heart wood is a light brown to a dark chocolate
-Holds paint and stains very well for an exceptional finish and is readily polished

Description of Wood Species: Alder
A soft hardwood of medium density
-Grain is fairly straight-grained with a uniformed texture
-Can be sanded, painted, or stained with a good finish
-When stained it blends well with walnut or cherry.
Available in Clear Alder or Knotty Alder

Finishes, Stains, and Glazes

Our Finishes last many years with no yellowing, peeling, or frosting. We pride ourselves in using only the finest of finishing materials. We use a conversion catalyzing varnish from Sherwin Williams that hardens and protects your fine cabinetry. We follow the stringent procedures recommended from Sherwin Williams for applying their high quality finish to our custom cabinetry.
Our Market Varnish is very moisture resistant, is non-yellowing, and also has UV inhibitors. This is a truly awesome finish that will prolong the life of your cabinets by hardening and protecting them.
Our Durlast Varnish is applied by adding an extra top coat and sanding the wood with some extra fine sandpaper, providing your cabinets with an excellent finish that will stand the test of time.

Available Countertops

To help complete your custom project, Anvil offers a wide variety of counter tops. We specialize in both the exotic as well as the practical. Because of the many choices , we feel it is important for you to understand the "pros" and "cons" of each of them.

Plastic Laminate

This is the oldest and still the most popular counter top material available. Plastic laminate has been time tested to hold up quite well, especially as it is a fraction of the price of some of the other counter top options. It is available in a wide variety of brands, colors, patterns, and types (both Standard and Post-form.)
Standard Laminate
Pros: For our standard laminate, we lay the decking down (a 1 1/4" high density particle board material), then after sanding and filling, the plastic laminate is attached. By using this method, we avoid the big, long joints in the corners of the counter top that could separate and stain. This type of counter top allows for a more custom fit that matches with your home. The thicker substrate material better supports overhangs found on bars, etc. We use solid wood for the front counter top (nosing) which holds the laminate more securely than if just glued to the particle board.
Cons: This material is quite susceptible to being chipped and dinged, especially on the edges. If chipped, the only repair is replacement of that piece, which is a costly process. even with our custom counter tops, you will more than likely have at least one seam, usually in the sink area, where it will be most easily hidden.
Heat will also damage laminate if a hot pan is placed directly on the counter top. Depending on the color and the finish of the laminate, scratches can be a downfall. Also, the lighter products tend to stain more so than the darker ones.
Post Form Laminate
Pros: Our post from laminate is heated and wrapped around curved particle board to produce a seamless front edge, counter top, and back splash. There is no caulk line between the back splash and counter top surface. This also eliminates the "brown" laminate edge line. Post from tops are best used in straight runs and areas with minimal seams.
Cons: In addition to the cone listed for our standard laminate, post form seams require more maintenance. Islands & raised bars can only have rolled edges on two sides. The end of these tops must be finished with a square edge. Damaged post form tops must be completely removed.

Solid Surface

Pros: Solid Surface is ideal for surfaces that are subject to moisture and heavy wear. This non-porous surface rejects the growth of bacteria making it a logical choice in areas of food preparation. It is also very difficult to stain. It is considered to be a very durable and reliable product. It is available in a wide variety of colors and patterns, many that imitate granite and other natural stones. With literally hundreds of color options and dozen of edge choices, the possibilities are endless. An integrated sink is available with solid surface, which helps with clean up as it eliminates any lip in the sink area and is considered one of the main "pros" of solid surface. There are many creative possibllities with this product, such as inlays, unique edges, and built-in accessories. We deal in the upper end brand names consisting of LG Hi-Macs, Avonite, and Corian. These are the 1/2" thick acrylic and/or polyester material and are better products than the 1/4" or 1/8" veneers. Solid Surface adds a custom look to your kitchen and puts it in another realm as far as the overall kitchen package appearance. Solid Surface is considered seamless. Scratches and burns can be sanded out rather easily by the owner, renewing your kitchen. Most Solid Surface carries a 10-15 year warranty but will last long beyond that time frame.
Cons: Heat is an enemy to solid surface. However, it resists heat up to 350°F. For pots and pans off the stove or other hot items, a matching cutting board/trivet is provided. Our professional and licensed installers ensure that the proper distance of this product and the stove is maintained. Cost can also be a con as solid surface can cost 4-6 times more than laminate.

Granite

Pros: One of the biggest pros of Granite is its unique quality, no two slabs are alike. Another benefit of granite is the level to which it upgrades your entire kitchen. It has great visual appeal and adds another dimension of nature to compliment your cabinetry. It is as beautiful as it is durable. There is a large variety of color choices. It won't scratch and is virtually indestructible. It is considered to have some degree of porosity, but when sealed, takes that level to a minuscule amount. Water has no effect on it and it with stands heat up to 800°F. It is relatively low maintenance and easy to clean.
Cons Price. This is one of the most expensive choices. It also takes some maintenance as this product must be sealed and polished to look brand new.

Engineered Stone

Pros: Engineered stone tops, such as Hanstone & Caesarstone, combine the beauty of natural stone with the functional benefits of solid surface materials. They're composed of a blend of about 95 percent crushed natural stone, usually quartz, and about 5 percent synthetic resins to bind the stone. There is a wide variety of color choices. Engineered stone is nonporous and resistant to both stains and scratches. It is also ideal for food preparation as it is resistant to the growth of bacteria.
Cons: Again, Price. Engineered Stone is generally more costly than granite. Like natural stone, it has an extremely hard surface, which is excellent for durability but also slippery and cold to the touch.

Natural Marble

Pros: This is a cool smooth material that works well for baking surfaces. It adds an element to the kitchens that compliments the natural wood. Works best as an inset in a counter top.
Cons: Marble is a softer material and is not recommended for a whole counter top. The more veins that run through this material, the weaker it is. Because it is so soft it also has a high porosity rating and therefore stains quite easily.

Butcher Block

Pros: Once again this is a natural product that serves as a warm compliment to wood cabinetry. Hard Rock Maple is the best product to use due to its tight and fine grain. The maple is pieced together, which provides and excellent area to prepare food that will not dull knives. The piecing together adds to the look of the block.
Cons: This counter top is not good with water. It is used as an insert or island top that is away from the threat of water. Butchers Block needs to be periodically maintained with either vegetable oil or pure tung oil.

Interested in 'Green' counter top surfaces?
Ask your Project Manager about PaperStone & IceStone Products!

*** Despite the heat ratings of the above listed counter top potions, we encourage the use of a trivet with any high temperature items***

Basic Care of your Cabinets:

Cleaning your Cabinetry:

Clean as needed with a soft, lint cloth. Use a mild detergent or soap and warm water.
Wipe spills, splatters, and water spots as they occur- keep the cabinets dry.
Dry surfaces immediately with a soft cloth.
While wiping or dusting, follow the grain of the wood.
Always spray or apply cleansers to a damp cloth rather than the cabinets themselves.
Avoid using a dishcloth or sponge- it could contain remnants of grease or detergents.
Do not use a cleaning products containing bleach, ammonia, or abrasive additives.
Avoid using silicone and wax based furniture care products; they will leave residue and can also starch up the surface of the cabinets. Use polishes instead. They contain detergents to clean dirt, emulsifiers to give it body to clean and last longer, and mineral oil is left behind as a barrier for dirt and moisture while leaving no wax or silicone residue.
Avoid draping damp clothes or dishtowels over cabinet doors- excessive moisture can cause permanent damage.
Never use scouring pads, steel wool, or powder cleaners on your cabinets.
Avoid placing small appliances where prolonged heat comes in contact with cabinet surfaces.
Do not let oven cleaners come in contact with your cabinets.

To remove permanent markers and pens from your cabinetry:
Rubbing Alcohol or Anti-Bacterial Hand Gel will remove the ink and not the finish. Just apply a little bit to a lint-free cloth and wipe away.

Cleaning your Cabinet Hardware:
Warm and soapy water works great! If there is a large amount of residue built up, remove the hardware from the cabinet and then let them soak in warm soapy water for 30 minutes, then with a soft cleaning brush, scrub the residue off. Dry the hardware completely before re-installing them onto the cabinets.

We know how important your cabinets are to you and how much you want them to last for years to come, so we offer Guardsman Cabinet Care Kit, which has a dusting cloth, polishing cloth, cabinet polish, and cabinet cleaner. Please call your Project Manager for more information.

Useful Websites

Arizona Tile (Granite Counter Tops)

Enkeboll Designs

Hafele

HandiWall

Hardware Resources (Knobs & Pulls)

LG Hi-Macs (Solid Surface Counter Tops)

Rev-a-Shelf (Cabinet Accessories)

Wilsonart (Laminate Counter Tops)