With proper care, your cabinetry will provide a lifetime of use and satisfaction. Proper care includes providing a wood friendly environment. Many of the internal environmental issues that affect human comfort, also contribute to a wood healthy environment. Specifically, controlled temperature and humidity with minimal changes from day to day and season to season will ensure your comfort and they will ensure the stability and life of your wood cabinetry.
Moisture
Repeated short term exposure to excessive moisture such as splashing of surfaces from a sink or even a single longer term event such as flooding, WILL result in irreversible damage to wood cabinetry. Steam, from cook tops, crock pots and improperly sealed dishwasher doors, can cause problems as well. Moisture should be wiped from surfaces immediately, to minimize damage. If wood has a chance to absorb excess moisture, efforts should be made to dry out the wood including substrates, immediately. Avoid direct high heat, use fans and dehumidifiers, moisture absorbing cloth and compounds. Immediate attention reduces the amount of damage and also reduces the likelihood of mold and mildew.
Humidity
Wood expands as humidity increases and shrinks as humidity decreases. Solid wood will dimensionally change more across the grain than with the grain. As wood expands (swells) and contracts with changes in humidity, the finish at the joints will crack. This cracking is universal but is much more evident on light colored paint than on stains or dark paints.
Regardless, this is the nature of product made from wood and not a reason for replacement.
Where humidity exposure is uneven, pieces may warp, cup or bow.
Often, if the humidity level is returned to a normal level & maintained for a period of time, these issues will disappear. Extremely dry conditions can result in wood parts splitting and /or cracking in addition to shrinkage as described above. The optimal humidity level is 35% to 50% relative humidity. Extreme conditions (lower than 20% or higher than 80%) especially need to be avoided.
While most focus is on too damp or too humid conditions, too dry conditions can be equally damaging to cabinetry. Extreme dry conditions can lead to cracking in solid wood components. Under dry conditions, the insert panels in panel doors will shrink and the panel edges will be exposed. The exposed, unfinished panel edges will not match the finished surface of the rest of the panel and door. This is not a reason for replacement but is instead an indication that humidity levels are too low and need to be remedied.
Temperature
Temperature variation can cause some of the same problems as humidity variation and the two are often interrelated. Temperature increases cause materials to expand. Temperature decreases cause materials to contract or shrink. Sudden temperature changes cause more dramatic material changes and is more likely to lead to cracking and splitting in solid wood. More likely to lead to warping, cupping and bowing in any wood components.
Maintenance
Use dehumidifiers and/or air conditioners in summer to control excess humidity. Use a humidifier to keep the air from becoming too dry in winter. Maintain climate control during the off season of vacation homes to reduce the risk of damage. Prior to installation do not store cabinets in a garage, basement or other unheated or unconditioned space. Treat your cabinets like any fine piece of wood furniture and you will enjoy their beauty and natural look for many years. Remember, preventative maintenance is the best form of maintenance.
Limited Warranty All Classicbrand Cabinets
Hardware-----Slides and Hinges:
ClassicBrand Cabinetry provides a limited lifetime warranty to the original purchaser that its drawer slides and door hinges to be free of defects in material and workmanship under normal use for the lifetime of the product.
Kitchen and bath Cabinets:
Classic Brand Cabinetry warrants its cabinetry to be free of defect in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of the original purchase. This warranty is limited to the original residential owner and is not transferable. Natural Characteristics: Natural variations in wood (aging, wood knots, inherent growth characteristics) are part of the beauty of a natural wood product and are not a defect. Relative humidity levels of 40% to 55% inside the home are required to prevent permanent damage, low moisture may cause doors and joints to shrink and open. If Relative humidity levels and temperature range does not reach 40% to 55%, 17-24° inside the home this warranty will be void automatically.
What is not covered by this warranty?
Our warranty will be void in the following circumstance.
1) Natural Characteristics: Natural variations in wood (aging, wood knots, inherent growth characteristics) are part of the beauty of a natural product and are not a defect.
2) Relative humidity levels of 40% to 50% inside the home are required to prevent permanent damage, low moisture may cause doors and joints to shrink and open. If Relative humidity levels and temperatures range does not reach 40% to 50%, 17-24° inside the home this warranty will be void automatically.
3) Customer repairs or modifies original product without authorization from Classic Brand
4) Defects, Damages or Claims after installation will not be warranted. All products must be inspected for damage prior to installation. This applies as follows, Cabinets that are secured in place, Stone Tops that have been sealed, Drawers and Doors with Handles/Knobs installed.
5) Any damage caused by misuse, abuse, negligence, alteration, improper handling, storage or installation, non-residential use, wear and tear. Product is subjected to abnormal use, abuse, eg: Heating/Cooling vents are placed under or in front of a cabinet
6) Product is installed in an environment without heat/cooling controls; eg warehouse, cottage etc.
Limited Warranty Details
The warranty is expressly limited to replacing or repairing the defective part at Classic Brand Cabinetry’s discretion, it does not include any costs related to installation or delivery. When you receive your order, inspect your cabinets for damage or defects.
1) ClassicBrand Cabinetry will replace any defective or damaged products that are claimed within 7 business days of receipt of the merchandise.
2) ClassicBrand Cabinetry will replace all under warranty doors or drawer fronts that have cracks on the door/drawer frame or door central panel at no charge.
3) Classic Brand Cabinetry is willing to repair all under warranty doors or drawer fronts after installation, that have cracks at the corner joints at our warehouse at no cost to the customer.
Countertop Warranty & Care/ Maintenance
Regular & Premium Quartz
How it’s made: Quartz countertops are man-made engineered stone countertops formed by combining 90% ground quartz (a natural hard mineral) with 8-10% resins, polymers, and pigments. This forms a very hard granite-like surface. The appearance depends on how the quartz is ground: coarsely ground quartz produces a flecked appearance, while finely ground quartz produces a smooth look.
Properties: Extremely hard and durable, glossy sheen; non-porous and stain-and-crack resistant; does not require sealing or resealing; wide range of colors; easy to clean with mild soap, water, and a soft cloth.
A coated surface may need professional repair. Unfortunately, large cracks, chips and breaks cannot be repaired, even by a professional.
Maintenance & Cleaning for Quartz Countertops
1.Use a recommended cleaner. (See recommended products below)
2.Spread the cleaner on the counter and use a soft damp cloth (think: microfiber or chamois, not any type of scrubber) to wipe down the entire cultured marble/ artificial marble countertop.
3.Most importantly, you should never use anything abrasive on a cultured marble/ artificial marble countertop- such as steel wool, colored scrubbers, or anything else to scrub out a stains. These can all damage countertops in a matter of seconds.
Cleaning Products That Are Safe To Use on Quartz
Gel Gloss Kitchen & Bath Polish and Cleaner Liquid or Aerosol Spray, Method Daily Granite, Stone Pro Marble Products, Mothers California Gold Polish.
Hard water can stain countertops too. You should never leave water on your countertop in any form: water drops, water rings from the bottom of a glass, etc. Instead you should wipe up water on your countertop using a soft cloth. Technically, the dull finish that most people experience with cultured marble & marble countertops is call “etching”.