OUR GUARANTEES

Last updated: August 17, 2026

LIFETIME WARRANTY ON OUR CABINETS

At Cuisine Idéale, we are committed to producing the highest quality cabinets possible. We are dedicated to manufacturing Cuisine Idéale cabinets using the highest production standards and the best quality materials available. We value you as a customer and are proud to stand behind your purchase with our warranty. Cuisine Idéale warrants its products against defects in materials and workmanship. Cuisine Idéale's commitment to quality and craftsmanship continues from our loading dock to your customers' homes.

This lifetime warranty does not apply to damage or defects in a Cuisine Idéale cabinet that is:

• Caused by accident, abuse, misuse, or negligence;
• Due to the natural characteristics of wood, conditions normally characteristic of the manufacturing or finishing process, or issues mentioned in the applicable specification manual;
• Hairline cracks at joints and in wood cabinets or doors with painted finishes;
• Altered or modified in any way, or improperly installed;
• From improper storage;
• The result of an error in the design, layout, or measurement of the kitchen;
• In the event of a replacement or repair of an item, Cuisine Idéale will use only the original order for wood species, finish, etc.
• Due to excessive humidity (35%-65% recommended) or heat, water infiltration, abuse, or acts of nature. Our products must be stored, installed, and maintained at humidity levels consistent with the standards and norms established by the wood and furniture industry for finished products.

This warranty applies only to defects and does not apply to the natural aging or mellowing of wood and wood finishes, nor to normal wear and tear. Furthermore, this warranty applies only to the ORIGINAL PURCHASER at the ORIGINAL INSTALLATION SITE.

General Warranty Guidelines

Cuisine Idéale's obligation is to repair or replace the defective component and other components integrally associated with it.

For a warranty claim, use the Cuisine Idéale warranty request form and include the original production number. This production number is registered with Cuisine Idéale; it is important that the customer keep this number and use it in all correspondence with Cuisine Idéale. This production number allows Cuisine Idéale to respond quickly by providing the appropriate replacement parts or materials. To ensure your warranty claim is approved quickly, you must provide adequate photos of the defective items to Cuisine Idéale customer service or have them inspected by your sales representative.

Cuisine Idéale reserves the right to approve field repairs or to have the cabinet product returned to the factory for repair.

Return Policy

Before returning a defective item, authorization must be obtained from Customer Service. Replacement products will be shipped and invoiced. A credit memo will be issued once the defective items have been inspected and approved by your sales representative.

Field Repairs

Occasionally, defects or errors are corrected in the field. In these situations, you must obtain prior authorization from Cuisine Idéale if compensation is expected. Cuisine Idéale reserves the right to decide whether a field repair is appropriate or to arrange for the return of the merchandise to the factory for rework. Cuisine Idéale may require that an item considered defective be returned to the factory before it is replaced.

Shortages or Variations

All merchandise must be inspected immediately upon receipt for any visible damage. Any damage to the goods or missing packages must be noted on the carrier's bill of lading and submitted directly to the carrier. Any hidden damage, errors, or shortages must be reported in writing by the buyer to the Cuisine Idéale customer service department within 5 days of receiving the shipment. Failure to file a claim accordingly will constitute irrevocable acceptance of the goods and will void any future claims. Any exceptions will be at the discretion of the Cuisine Idéale sales representative. Cuisine Idéale reserves the right to request an inspection of the product under warranty. In these situations, Cuisine Idéale will cover shipping costs only upon authorization from customer service. In the event that a credit for a product under warranty is requested, the return merchandise and credit request form must be completed and signed by a Cuisine Idéale manager before any credit is processed.

Acknowledgment and Limitations

At Cuisine Idéale, we believe in manufacturing products of the highest possible quality. We care about the integrity of our products and your satisfaction with them long after the initial installation is complete. We believe it is beneficial for you, the customer, to be aware of the following "natural" limitations, as your continued satisfaction with our products is our priority. Solid wood has a natural tendency to expand and contract significantly with changes in temperature and humidity during a typical heating and cooling cycle. Doors can expand and contract by up to 1/16 inch for every 6 inches of solid wood surface width. Due to this natural phenomenon, Cuisine Idéale recommends maintaining a relative humidity level of 45 to 55 percent in the home to avoid these issues. In most situations, the door will return to its normal position after going through the heating/cooling cycle. Lacquer and similar finishes become hard and relatively brittle surfaces once the drying process is complete. The natural expansion and contraction of solid wood will cause the finish to crack at the joints where the stiles and rails meet. Consequently, hairline cracks will occur at the aforementioned joints as the assembled parts move in different directions. These hairline cracks are much more visible on opaque lacquer finishes than on stained woods with clear lacquer topcoats. Woods naturally vary in terms of shade and grain characteristics. This is due to the natural aging of the wood and variations common to all finishing pigments. Such variations are considered acceptable. Hand-applied finishes possess unique artistic characteristics.

Warping of 1/8 inch or less is not considered a defect and can be corrected using the hinges. Doors wider than 24 inches and taller than 42 inches will not be covered by the warranty against warping.

Natural Wood Characteristics

Grain: Wood is a living material, which is why the appearance of every product is unique. Wood grain can appear in many ways, such as straight grain, cross grain, spiral grain, interlocked grain, or even wavy or curly grain. We take care to use the most beautiful grain and apply clear bases and transparent stains to let the natural variations in color and grain show through.

Natural Color: Due to variations in grain, texture, seasons, and natural color, a stained finish may vary slightly from one area of a door or a set of cabinets to another. The type of lighting and the angle of light on the wood can also make the finish color appear to change. Light effects vary depending on the species and cut of the wood and the type of finish selected. Wood also darkens as it ages. Some species, such as cherry, "age and darken" over time more than others, such as maple. Darkening is affected by conditions in the home or professional environment. These conditions include exposure to ultraviolet rays, cleaning products used, smoke, excessive humidity, etc.

Color: Since no two trees are identical, wood grain and color can differ. Color variations also occur as finishes soften over time. These variations will result in noticeable differences between samples and your finished cabinets. There may be color differences between your kitchen doors due to lighting and grain variations from one piece of wood to another. At Cuisine Idéale, we strive to achieve the best possible color match between samples and your finished product, as well as the most uniform color shade possible within a single set of cabinets, given the variables related to wood species, stain, topcoat, lighting, etc.

Finish Release Form

Please remember that some of our finishes require signed customer authorization to accompany the order before it is put into production. An example of an authorization form is attached.

Care and Maintenance

Wood and Lacquer Finishes: Avoid scrubbing too hard. Do not use harsh soaps, glass cleaners, detergents, or household liquid waxes containing anti-soiling agents. These can damage the luster and finish of your cabinets. Treat your new custom cabinets as you would any fine wood furniture. If the wood is very dirty, rub gently with a cloth dampened with mild soapy water to clean the soiled area. Then, wipe the area with a clean, damp cloth, and dry with a clean, dry cloth. Remember to use light pressure and avoid vigorous scrubbing, which can damage the original finish.

Melamine Finishes: Always avoid using abrasive cleaners and pads, as they can permanently scratch the surface of your cabinets. For best results, laminate surfaces should be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth and soapy water, then wiped with a clean, dry cloth. To remove stubborn dirt or grease, use a degreasing agent or an aerosol tile cleaner. Once the dirt is removed, clean the surface with soapy water and wipe with a clean, dry cloth.

Tolerances

All raised panel doors less than 23 7/8 inches wide and 42 inches high are guaranteed against warping not exceeding 3/16 inch. All styles other than raised panel doors are guaranteed against warping not exceeding 1/8 inch.

The tolerance for mitered doors and drawer fronts is 0.015 inches. When ordering mitered doors, please inform your client that sand marks may be visible on the finish and that some miters may appear open, especially on solid colors. These conditions are considered normal and will not constitute grounds for a warranty replacement. Solid wood has a natural tendency to expand and contract significantly with changes in temperature and humidity during a typical heating and cooling cycle. Doors can expand and contract by up to 1/16 inch for every 6 inches of door face width. Due to this natural phenomenon, Cuisine Idéale recommends maintaining a relative humidity level of 45% to 55% in the home to avoid these issues. In most situations, the door will return to its normal position after going through the heating/cooling cycle.

‍