Batten Homes & Cabinets has been doing cabinetry, carpentry, and remodels in the Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City area for nearly thirty years. We believe the best way to succeed in business is to always deliver quality workmanship with excellent service. By paying attention to the details ... both big and small ... we are able to help make our customers' dreams come true. Materials and workmanship are of the highest quality, and our client service is responsive and meticulous. Our primary goal is to accurately assess your needs, inject a bit of creativity and thus produce a quality product that is both practical and fitting for all your purposes, hopes and desires while satisfying your original vision, layout and budget. Give us a call today!
"Would use again"
Evan T on October 2021
Batten Homes & Cabinets has been doing cabinetry, carpentry, and remodels in the Lawrence, Topeka, and Kansas City area for nearly thirty years. We believe the best way to succeed in business is to always deliver quality workmanship with excellent service. By paying attention to the details ... both big and small ... we are able to help make our customers' dreams come true. Materials and workmanship are of the highest quality, and our client service is responsive and meticulous. Our primary goal is to accurately assess your needs, inject a bit of creativity and thus produce a quality product that is both practical and fitting for all your purposes, hopes and desires while satisfying your original vision, layout and budget. Give us a call today!
"Would use again"
Evan T on October 2021
Cages Carpentry is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Dalton was great to work with. On time and very professional. He built the cabinets in my laundry room and gave me plenty of storage space while still keeping it looking clean and professional. "
Kristy D on May 2025
Cages Carpentry is committed to excellence in every aspect of our business. We uphold a standard of integrity bound by fairness, honesty, and personal responsibility. Our distinction is the quality of service we bring to our customers. Accurate knowledge of our trade combined with ability is what makes us true professionals. Above all, we are watchful of our customers' interests, and make their concerns the basis of our business.
"Dalton was great to work with. On time and very professional. He built the cabinets in my laundry room and gave me plenty of storage space while still keeping it looking clean and professional. "
Kristy D on May 2025
Were a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of General Contractor Home Improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. We specialize in Basement, Kitchen’ & bathroom Remodels. We also offer a wide range of expertise for a variety of other projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"The absolute worst experience ever. Did not do what I asked. Did not do what he said he would. Did not get jobs done in a timely manner. Created nothing but stress. "
Chad L on January 2025
Were a locally owned and operated company that values honesty and integrity and treats your home as if it were our own. We offer a variety of General Contractor Home Improvement services that are customizable to each individual project. We specialize in Basement, Kitchen’ & bathroom Remodels. We also offer a wide range of expertise for a variety of other projects. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work as well as our commitment to outstanding results. We look forward to building lasting relationships and guarantee your satisfaction!
"The absolute worst experience ever. Did not do what I asked. Did not do what he said he would. Did not get jobs done in a timely manner. Created nothing but stress. "
Chad L on January 2025
For a built-in bookshelf, always choose high-quality furniture-grade wood. Softer woods, like pine, and particle boards like MDF can sag under the weight of heavy books. Ideally, your shelves should hold 20 to 40 pounds per foot, so opt for scratch-resistant hardwood plywood or solid wood. Popular options include mahogany, cherry, koa, maple, oak, walnut, birch, and cedar.
Your built-in bookshelves should seamlessly blend into your space. Often, this means floor-to-ceiling units ending at a natural cutoff point like a door. You might also consider creating a custom corner unit or suspended units hung at eye level. If you're installing a prefabricated unit, you'll find sizes ranging from 24 to 48 inches wide, 10 to 12 inches deep, and 5 to 6 feet tall.
The installation time for built-in bookshelves depends on the complexity of the design, the size of the shelves, and the level of customization. A contractor can install a simple, prefabricated unit in a few hours, while an elaborate, custom unit could take up to a week. Installing add-ons like lighting could also extend the installation process.