Custom Cabinets in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, FL

Custom cabinets in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea face harsher conditions than almost anywhere else we work. The town sits on a long, narrow barrier island, with the Atlantic on one side and the Intracoastal Waterway on the other, and a coral reef roughly 100 yards offshore. Salt air reaches every unit and every patio, so our material and hardware choices here start from the assumption that metal will corrode and unsealed wood will move.

Salt air changes the spec

For kitchens and baths on the island we generally recommend:

• Marine-grade or moisture-resistant boxes, especially at sinks and near sliding doors
• Stainless or coated hinges and slides, since plain steel can rust in a coastal unit
• Finishes that are fully cured and sealed on all sides
• For balconies and patios, outdoor cabinet materials built for weather rather than painted indoor stock

A town of second homes and long stays

The 2020 census counted 6,770 housing units here, and 46.4% were vacant at the time of the count. The population nearly doubles in winter with snowbirds and visitors. Year-round owners stay put, though: Census estimates show 78.0% of homes are owner-occupied and 92.2% of residents lived in the same house a year earlier. Many owners are not here when work would be easiest to schedule, so we plan around that.

Working with owners who are away

If you split the year, we can measure while you are here, send drawings and finish samples by mail or email, and install while you are gone, coordinating access with your building manager. You get photos of the finished work and a walkthrough when you return.

Condo associations and building rules

Much of the housing here is in condominium buildings. Florida law gives associations authority over common elements and prohibits owners from work that would adversely affect the safety or soundness of the common elements. Before we order anything, we prepare a written scope with layouts and a list of trades so you can submit it to the board or manager. Buildings three or more habitable stories tall also fall under Florida's milestone inspection requirements, and the statute lets local agencies move that first inspection up to 25 years for buildings near salt water. If your association is in the middle of inspection repairs, it may limit unit work until those are done.

Storage for a retirement-age town

The median age in the 2020 census was 62.7, and Census estimates show 44.9% of residents are 65 or older. That often leads to requests for drawers in place of low doors, lowered wall cabinets, pull-out pantry shelves and vanities at a comfortable height. Closet built-ins that keep clothing off the floor also help in units that sit closed up for months.

What we build on the island

• Kitchen cabinets for condos and single-family homes, including the Bel Air and Terra Mar Island areas
• Bathroom vanities with sealed interiors
• Closets and built-in storage
• Entertainment centers and wall units
• Refacing for sound cabinets in older units
• Outdoor kitchen cabinets for patios and pool areas facing the ocean breeze

Request an estimate

Call (754) 340-8881 to book a measure. Island homes are reached over the Commercial Boulevard drawbridge, and we plan arrival times around it. Every estimate comes in writing, itemized by room.

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