Evolution

• Fiberglass cabinetry
  
  The cabinet began as a chest, or trunk. The design was an answer to the need for storage. As time went by, the idea of chests for storage was changed. Cabinets, as we know them today, got their start from the use of the chest as seating. The idea was to make an "upright" chest with the lid of it facing outward instead of up. From there, the cabinet started going through an evolution of sorts into what is currently used in various parts of a house.
  
  

Expert Insight

• Two of these and plywood equals instant desk.
  
  One of the best things about cabinets is that they can be made from things that might be lying around the house. A desk, for example, can be created with two of the plastic roll around storage units with a piece of plywood placed on top. Simply space the two plastic cabinets apart where there is 22 to 24 inches between them for knee space and you have a desk with drawers on both sides. This might be a good idea for a high school or college student.
  
  

Function

• Picture perfect cabinet in a wall
  
  The function of a cabinet is obvious; however, with a little ingenuity and a good imagination, the function of a cabinet can supersede the obvious. Installing a smaller cabinet inside a large cabinet is an example. Or you could use a medicine cabinet in a different room other than the bathroom for some storage. Instead of a mirror door, attach a picture in a frame to it and you have a secret compartment for storing things while hiding the function of the cabinet.
  
  

Benefits

• The immediate thought of the benefit of cabinets is storage. Food, clothing, cleaning supplies and dishes are just a few things stored in cabinets. All one has to do to get more ideas about the benefits of cabinets is take a trip to the nearest building supply store where they sell cabinets. There you will find cabinets that house all the different size screws and nails in the garage. In addition, there is the cabinet designed to store yard and garden equipment. The garage can become an organized storage facility full of cabinets where the homeowner can quickly find the items needed to enjoy working the garden.
  
  

Risk Factors

• There is a certain amount of risk involved while using cabinets. Overloading the shelves can result in injury. When installing a cabinet yourself, always be certain that the securing method you use is the one recommended by the manufacturer of the cabinet. While hanging wall cabinets, mark the studs in the wall to be certain that the screw or nail is going to secure the cabinet to the wall. Since wall cabinets are usually joined together, do not assume that since one of them is secured to the stud in the wall, the others will hang just by securing them to the cabinet that is secured to a stud in the wall. Each wall cabinet must be secured to a stud in the wall behind it.
  
  

The Facts

• Regardless of the style of the cabinet made, they are all built by the same principle. Side panels will have shelves between them. A back will be secured to the cabinet and the fronts will usually over hang the sides enough to make a smooth fit to another cabinet. The fronts and the doors or drawers make the difference in terms of cosmetics. The type of wood used to construct the fronts, doors and drawers play a major role in the durability of the cabinet. However, use caution when buying cabinets with shells made from ¼-inch material as they will not last long.