RELIABILT Fairplay Cabinets
RELIABILT Fairplay is a white shaker-style cabinet collection for kitchens and bathrooms.
RELIABILT Fairplay cabinets are a white shaker-style collection, the most popular and versatile option in the RELIABILT lineup. Clean, flat-panel doors with a recessed center panel. Bright white finish works with nearly any countertop and backsplash combination. Available in base (12"-36" wide), wall (12"-36" wide), and tall (84" and 96" height) configurations. Stock items ship within days.
Fairplay cabinets ship fully assembled with soft-close hinges pre-installed. The white shaker design is the most broadly appealing kitchen cabinet style in the market, making Fairplay a strong choice for both personal use and resale-oriented renovations.
Fairplay Specifications
| Door Style | Shaker (recessed flat panel) |
| Finish | Bright White, painted |
| Construction | Particleboard box, MDF door |
| Hinges | Soft-close, concealed European 35mm |
| Drawers | Epoxy-coated slides, full extension on select models |
| Assembly | Ships fully assembled |
| Price Range | $80 - $300 per unit depending on size |
How to Choose RELIABILT Fairplay Cabinets
Start by measuring your kitchen layout. You need the total linear footage of base cabinets, wall cabinets, and any tall/pantry cabinets. RELIABILT Fairplay cabinets are available in base widths from 12" to 36" (in 3" increments), wall widths from 12" to 36", and tall units at 84" and 96" heights.
Plan your cabinet configuration before ordering. Standard kitchen layouts use a combination of base cabinets (34.5" tall with countertop), wall cabinets (30" or 36" tall, mounted 18" above the counter), and filler strips for gaps. Corner cabinets, sink bases, and drawer bases each have specific SKUs.
Fairplay ships fully assembled, which saves significant installation time compared to RTA (ready-to-assemble) alternatives. Budget for handles or pulls separately; Fairplay cabinets do not include hardware. Matching satin nickel or matte black pulls from the RELIABILT hardware line work well with the white shaker style.
Order all cabinets at the same time to ensure consistent color across the batch. White paint can vary slightly between production runs. Inspect all units upon delivery and flag any color discrepancies before beginning installation.
Planning Your Fairplay Kitchen
Measure your kitchen walls and sketch the layout before ordering. Mark locations for the sink, range, refrigerator, and dishwasher. Cabinet widths come in 3" increments (12", 15", 18", 21", 24", 27", 30", 33", 36"), so plan combinations that fill each wall run with minimal filler strips.
Wall cabinets mount 18" above the countertop surface (54" from the floor in standard kitchens). Use a level line across the wall and secure the first cabinet to studs with screws. Clamp adjacent cabinets together and screw through the face frames for a tight, seamless joint.
Install base cabinets after wall cabinets to avoid working over them. Shim bases level on uneven floors. The countertop sits on top of the base cabinets, so the bases must be perfectly level front-to-back and side-to-side for the countertop to sit flat.
Common Problems and Fixes
| Doors are not aligned | Adjust the concealed European hinges. Each hinge has three adjustment screws: side-to-side, up-and-down, and in-and-out. Turn the appropriate screw in small increments until the door gaps are even all around. |
| Soft-close does not engage | The door may not be closing with enough force for the soft-close damper to catch. Check that the hinge arm is fully seated in the mounting plate. If the damper is worn, replacement soft-close hinge inserts are available. |
| White finish yellows near stove | Heat and cooking grease cause yellowing on white painted surfaces over time. Clean regularly with a degreasing kitchen cleaner. A range hood that vents outside reduces grease exposure significantly. |
Long-Term Care for Fairplay Cabinets
Clean door and drawer fronts monthly with a soft cloth dampened with warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Wipe dry immediately. Do not let water pool on horizontal surfaces, especially the bottom edge of doors, where moisture can seep into the MDF substrate.
Tighten hinge screws and drawer slide screws every six months. The particleboard box holds screws adequately for normal use, but heavy items in drawers and repeated door swings gradually loosen hardware. Catching loose screws early prevents stripped holes.
For the white painted finish, address stains and scuffs promptly. A melamine foam sponge removes most marks without damaging the paint. Avoid abrasive scrubbing pads and harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia, which can dull or discolor the finish.
Keep the sink base cabinet dry at all times. Place a waterproof tray or mat under the sink plumbing to catch drips. Particleboard swells irreversibly when saturated, and the sink base is the most common cabinet to suffer water damage in any kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I paint RELIABILT Fairplay cabinets a different color?
Technically yes, but it is not recommended. The factory finish on MDF doors is smooth and durable. Painting over it requires proper sanding, priming, and multiple coats to achieve a comparable finish. If you want a different color, consider Overlake (gray) or Creston (natural wood tone) instead.
Are Fairplay cabinets solid wood?
No. The cabinet box is particleboard and the door is MDF with a painted finish. This is standard for stock cabinets in the under-$300 price range. Solid wood construction is available in semi-custom and custom lines at a significantly higher cost.
How long does delivery take for Fairplay cabinets?
Fairplay is a stock cabinet line at Lowe's. In-stock items are available for pickup or delivery within a few days. Specialty sizes or high-demand periods may require a longer wait. Check the Lowe's product listing for current availability at your local store.
Compare Fairplay with Overlake (gray shaker) or Monroe (traditional raised panel) for different looks. Add matching cabinet pulls to complete the style. See the full cabinet comparison for stock vs semi-custom options.