Cabinet buying guide
RTA vs. assembled kitchen cabinets
The cabinet can be the same style and size while arriving in a very different form. The practical difference is whether the cabinet box is assembled before shipment or after it reaches you.
Consideration
RTA cabinets
Assembled cabinets
How they arrive
Cabinet components arrive ready for assembly.
Cabinet boxes arrive assembled.
Work at destination
The cabinet must be assembled before installation.
Less cabinet-box assembly is required at the destination.
Shipping footprint
Flat-packed components can take less space than assembled cabinet boxes.
Assembled boxes are bulkier to handle and transport.
Best fit
Useful when you are comfortable assembling cabinets or arranging assembly locally.
Useful when reducing cabinet-box assembly work is a priority.
What JLK currently sells online
JLK’s storefront is built around ready-to-assemble cabinetry sold by exact SKU. Product pages list the cabinet dimensions and the shipping format where it has been confirmed. Ships RTA (Ready-to-Assemble); professional installation recommended.
If you are comparing an assembled quote from another seller with a JLK RTA quote, compare the exact cabinet list, finish, construction and freight—not just the headline kitchen price.
Already have a cabinet list?
Paste the SKUs into Quick Order, or send the list to JLK for a cabinet-selection check before checkout.