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If you’re looking for kitchen cabinets, there’s a host of options waiting for you.

But how do you know which one is best for your kitchen project? We’ve written this article to guide you on that quest. 

At Deslaurier, we have over 40+ years of experience manufacturing custom cabinets. We recognize that there are many cabinet solutions out there, and we want to help you find the right fit for your home—whether or not that solution is ours!

In this article, you’ll find an objective, side-by-side comparison of Deslaurier cabinets and RONA cabinets. We’ll discuss everything you need to know from the cabinet types to the design process at both companies.

Let’s get started!

RONA

Founded in 1939, Rona is a Canadian home improvement retailer based out of Quebec. In 2016, Rona was purchased by United States-based retailer Lowe’s

As of January 2023, Rona has over 375 locations across Canada, with plans to begin converting all remaining Lowe’s locations throughout the country to Rona branded stores. 

Rona offers almost every major home-related appliance or accessory you might need, and cabinetry is no exception. They carry stock and semi-custom cabinet products.

Deslaurier Custom Cabinets 

Deslaurier began in the Deslaurier family garage back in 1979. The company first sold cabinets, lawn furniture, and other woodworking services. Over forty years later, Deslaurier Custom Cabinets now employs just under 200 people. 

Deslaurier specializes in custom cabinetry, offering an extensive collection of semi-custom, and custom products.

All Deslaurier cabinets are manufactured in our 48 000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Renfrew, Ontario. Deslaurier also has a showroom in Renfrew as well as a showroom and Design Centre located in Ottawa.

RONA Stock Cabinets

Traditionally, there are three designations of cabinets: stock, semi-custom, and custom. 

Stock cabinets are ready-made, pre-manufactured products with zero customization options. With stock cabinetry, what you see is what you’re taking home.

RONA offers stock cabinetry under their Eklipse collection. 

The Eklipse line of stock cabinetry is manufactured in Canada and comes pre-assembled as drawers, shelves, hinges and legs. 

You can even try their design software on their website, start building your kitchen design, and even order your cabinets.

RONA’s Semi-Custom Cabinets

Semi-custom cabinetry has more design options than stock cabinets but fewer design options than custom cabinets. Similar to stock, semi-custom cabinets come in standard sizes but give designers the flexibility to resize and modify certain elements of the cabinet design. 

RONA offers two distinct product lines of semi-custom cabinets: Hugo & Borg; and Allen + Roth. 

Hugo & Borg 

RONA’s first collection of stock kitchen cabinets is found under their Hugo & Borg line. Although they have quite a European-esque name, Hugo & Borg cabinets are manufactured within the United States. 

While Hugo & Borg is considered a semi-custom line, they don’t have the most flexible product catalogue. The Hugo & Borg cabinet selection consists of:

• 5 door styles: 4 shaker doors and 1 slab
• 2 materials: Painted MDF; Polyester wrapped.
• 4 finish options

However, the Hugo & Borg line is extremely affordable for semi-custom cabinets. While you may sacrifice personalization, you greatly benefit when it comes to cost.

Allen + Roth 

RONA’s second line of semi-custom cabinets is their Allen + Roth collection. 

The A+R collection offers far more customization than Hugo & Borg and carries a much larger product catalogue to choose from. It includes: 

• 38 door styles 
• 12 materials 
• 58 finishing options 
• 3 types of drawer boxes
• Over 200 organizational cabinet solutions

Deslaurier’s Custom Cabinets

Deslaurier offers a far-reaching collection of semi-custom and custom cabinets.

At Deslaurier, there are no stock or pre-assembled options, so prospective customers should know that they’re in the market for a personalized project in a higher price range than RONA’s Eklipse collection.

Without question, RONA’s Allen + Roth line is the most comparable offering to Deslaurier cabinets. However, Deslaurier’s catalogue is considerably larger. Accounting for only standard door styles and finishes, there are well over 20,000 potential cabinet combinations you can make.

Deslaurier’s catalogue is also more customizable, as virtually every component of your cabinets can be modified to suit your preferences.

At Rona, cabinets are typically only modified in 3-inch increments. Deslaurier cabinet sizes are fully customizable to even one-sixteenth of an inch, so you can accommodate your kitchen’s unique spatial requirements precisely. 

Deslaurier can also offer an endless realm of design possibilities through the creation of wholly customized products, such as range hoods or paint colours via our custom colour match system.

Take a look at some of Deslaurier’s most popular choices below!

• Top Cabinet Doors at Deslaurier
• Top Cabinet Paints at Deslaurier
• Top Cabinet Stains at Deslaurier

RONA Design Process 

The kitchen design process between the two companies is another point of distinction. 

To start, when planning a kitchen with RONA, you have both online and in-store options. We suggest going into a Rona location for faster engagement. Their online process won’t be as quick of a response, and it may take up to 5 business days. 

For your first meeting (roughly 1-2 hours) bring with you a drawing or sketch of your current kitchen space with correct measurements. This will help your designer better see your space and how to work with the new design. You’ll sit down with your designer and discuss which line of their cabinets is the best fit for you. 

After that, you and your kitchen designer will begin designing your new kitchen. You’ll go through the floor plan, examine physical cabinet samples, and then they’ll use 20/20 design software to create your initial design. 

You’ll leave your first meeting with a kitchen mock-up and go home to remeasure your space with your new information and make any changes necessary. 

Your second meeting will be to double (and triple) check all of your measurements to ensure your new cabinet design will fit into your existing kitchen space. 

Your designer will go through every individual box to make sure they are all correct and exactly as you want. If everything is in order, you’ll sign off on your new kitchen and await its arrival! 

Deslaurier Design Process

At Deslaurier, a professional designer is dedicated to your project from beginning to end. You’ll  work 1-on-1 with a Deslaurier designer every step of the way, from your initial design meeting to the final sign-off appointment. 

Although there’s a professional assigned to you, the design process is still highly involved and requires your input and presence. During your free initial consultation, your designer will take note of your budget, kitchen size, wish list, and issues with your current kitchen layout. 

Beyond the first appointment, multiple in-showroom and at-home meetings may be required to confirm various design elements and kitchen measurements. 

Your designer will provide services such as fully dimensioned floor plans, elevations and renderings to help you better visualize and understand the scope of your project.

When you’re thrilled with your designer’s proposal and give it your full stamp of approval, the order will be sent to Deslaurier’s manufacturing facility and soon become your new dream kitchen! 

RONA vs. Deslaurier: Delivery and Install 

All RONA cabinets are presumed to be delivered in 6 to 8 weeks, with NO cancellation. 

RONA also offers installation services.  However, if you want to try your hand at a DIY project – you can do it yourself! Particularly with their fully pre-assembled stock cabinets.

At Deslaurier, our lead time will often fluctuate, but you can expect cabinet delivery to take a few weeks longer than RONA’s. Since we work exclusively with custom kitchens, our cabinet orders are all unique, meaning manufacturing will take slightly longer than a large box-store such as RONA. 

Deslaurier has its own in-house delivery and installation crew that performs all Deslaurier installations across the Greater Ottawa Area. 

Outside of Ottawa, delivery and installation will be performed by Deslaurier’s authorized dealers.

Not sure what to expect for cabinet delivery and installation? We have articles on just that!

How to Prepare For Kitchen Cabinet Installation

What to Expect For Cabinet Installation Day

Design with Deslaurier Custom Cabinets 

As you search for cabinets in Ottawa, don’t be afraid to get quotes from multiple places. Both RONA and Deslaurier—along with many other cabinet makers—offer free initial appointments, so there’s no harm in getting a clear picture of what the project will look like from various sources.

Why not start by booking your free consultation today with a Deslaurier kitchen designer.

Live outside the area? No problem! Use our Find a Dealer tool to connect with an authorized Deslaurier dealer near you.