RTA Cabinets Plus vs IKEA kitchen cabinets: how do they compare?
They are built two different ways. IKEA SEKTION is a frameless system: a 3/4" particleboard box on legs with a melamine surface, assembled with cam locks, dowels and screws, with the doors, drawers, hinges, shelves and legs each chosen and priced separately, and a 25-year limited warranty. RTA Cabinets Plus sells framed shaker cabinets: a plywood box with a solid wood face frame and real paint and stain finishes, each cabinet priced complete, and a box that clicks together on the licensed SnapCore system in under 2 minutes. Our typical 10 x 10 kitchen is $2,489.87 in Sterling Snow, before freight and tax. Choose IKEA for a frameless look, a long warranty and a store to walk through; choose us for framed plywood shaker cabinets that go together fast.
Two good ways to build a kitchen, built very differently.
IKEA facts are from IKEA's own product pages and assembly instructions, linked at the foot of this page with the date we read them.
| RTA Cabinets Plus | IKEA SEKTION | |
|---|---|---|
| Box material | Plywood box with 3/4" plywood shelves. | Particleboard with melamine foil and plastic edging, 3/4" thick, with a fiberboard back. |
| Construction | Framed: a solid wood face frame, with full overlay doors on concealed soft-close hinges. | Frameless: no face frame. The box is an open frame of panels with a steel front rail. |
| Assembly | SnapCore, a licensed click-together system: 100% tool-free box assembly, under 2 minutes a box. A screwdriver for the hinges, glides and pulls. | Cam locks, wood dowels, screws and nails, with screwdrivers and a hammer, per IKEA's assembly instructions. |
| Sizes | Base cabinets 34 1/2" tall and 24" deep, 9" to 48" wide; wall cabinets 12" deep, 12" to 42" tall; tall cabinets 84", 90" or 96". | Listed in inches in the US and in centimeters in Canada. Base cabinet frames are 30" tall and stand on legs, sold separately, with a plinth to cover them. |
| Doors | Two shaker door styles, Sterling (wider rails) and Studio (slim rails), in seven real paint and stain finishes, never paper, thermofoil or melamine. | Fronts are chosen separately from IKEA's range, which includes shaker, modern and traditional styles. |
| What the price covers | The cabinet, complete: box, doors, shelves, drawers and soft-close hinges and glides. | The frame. Doors, drawers, shelves, hinges, plinths, cover panels and legs are sold separately. |
| Price | $2,489.87 for a typical 10 x 10 kitchen (13 cabinets) in Sterling Snow, before freight and tax. Every price is on the product page. | Each frame, front and part is priced separately. A whole kitchen is priced in IKEA's planner or at a planning appointment. |
| Warranty | Five year limited warranty, published in full. | 25-year limited warranty. |
| Design help | A free kitchen design from a designer: layout, cabinet list and price, with no obligation to buy. | A 3D kitchen planner online, free in-store and online planning appointments, and an in-home planning appointment. |
Pick the build, then the store.
- IKEA suits you if you want a frameless, European look with full access openings, a wide range of interior organizers, the longest warranty in this comparison, and a store you can visit to see a kitchen first.
- RTA Cabinets Plus suits you if you want framed shaker cabinets on plywood boxes, real paint or stain on the doors, every cabinet priced complete, and a box that clicks together in minutes.
- Either way, see the finish in your own light first. Our sample doors are $19.99 for a full door and $4.99 for a quarter door, shipping included, and the sample price is credited toward your cabinet order.
What people ask next.
Are IKEA kitchen cabinets plywood?
No. IKEA lists the SEKTION cabinet frame as particleboard with melamine foil and plastic edging, with a fiberboard back. RTA Cabinets Plus cabinets have a plywood box and 3/4" plywood shelves.
Are IKEA cabinets frameless?
Yes. SEKTION is a frameless system with no face frame. Our kitchen cabinets are framed, with a solid wood face frame and full overlay doors.
How tall are IKEA base cabinets compared with yours?
An IKEA SEKTION base cabinet frame is 30" tall and stands on legs, sold separately, behind a plinth. Our base cabinets are 34 1/2" tall and 24" deep, wall cabinets 12" deep.
Which has the longer warranty?
IKEA: SEKTION carries a 25-year limited warranty. Ours is a five year limited warranty, published in full on our warranty page.
How do the two assemble?
SEKTION goes together with cam locks, wood dowels, screws and nails, per IKEA's instructions. Our boxes click together on the licensed SnapCore system in under 2 minutes each, with 100% tool-free box assembly; the hinges, glides and pulls take a screwdriver.
Who we areRTA Cabinets Plus is an independently owned retailer that sells ready to assemble kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities direct to homeowners, remodelers and trade buyers. Made by a manufacturer that builds cabinets for one of the largest semi-custom brands in the U.S.
Where the facts come from.
Every fact about another company or product on this page is from the public page below, checked on 2026-10-14. Prices and specifications change, so check the live page before you buy. Facts about our cabinets are from our own product pages and policies.
- IKEA US, SEKTION base cabinet frame, white, 36x24x30": frame of particleboard with melamine foil and plastic edging, fiberboard back, galvanized steel front rail; 3/4" thick; 36x24x30"; doors, drawers, shelves, hinges, plinths and cover panels sold separately; legs sold separately; 25-year limited warranty. Checked on 2026-10-14.
- IKEA Canada, SEKTION wall cabinet frame, white, 76x38x76 cm (30x14 3/4x30"): IKEA Canada lists SEKTION sizes in centimeters, with inch equivalents. Checked on 2026-10-14.
- IKEA US, SEKTION base cabinet assembly instructions (PDF, AA-2240863-4): the parts list (cam bolts, cam locks, wood dowels, screws and nails) and tools (screwdrivers and a hammer); the finished box has no face frame. Checked on 2026-10-14.
- IKEA US, Kitchen ideas and planning services: shaker, modern and traditional kitchen styles; 3D kitchen planner; free in-store and online planning appointments; in-home planning appointment; designed to be assembled yourself, with a paid installation service. Checked on 2026-10-14.
SnapCore vs traditional RTA cabinets: a table of tools, or two hands?
A typical RTA cabinet box takes a box cutter, mallet, nail gun, screwdriver and drill. A SnapCore box takes two hands. Joinery, time per box and a 20-cabinet estimate.
RTA cabinets online vs Home Depot stock cabinets: how do they compare?
Ready to assemble cabinets bought online vs Home Depot in-stock cabinets such as Hampton Bay: box material, finish, assembled or RTA, selection, lead time and freight.
Plywood vs particleboard cabinets: the comparison table
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Want a person to check your plan?(305) 782-7587, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm ET. Or send your measurements for a free design.