What board specifications does Caramella use?

For all projects, Caramella uses premium 18mm High-Pressure HPL surfaced moisture-resistant boards. We do not use standard Melamine (LPL). All boards meet ENF/E0 chemical gas emission standards for indoor air safety.

What is the warranty and lead time?

Every project includes a 1-year universal hardware warranty. Our standard manufacturing lead time is 10–14 weeks from site measurement to ensure CNC precision and proper staging.

What CNC machinery does Caramella use for fabrication?

Caramella fabricates cabinets using CNC panel saws and edge banding machines at their workshop near The Airport Mall. CNC-cut panels ensure millimetre precision, producing tighter fits and more durable joints than hand-cut alternatives.

What finishes are available for cabinet doors?

Primary door finishes include: Formica (HPL), Thermal-Cured Lacquer (spray-applied & cured), PET, and PETG (eco-friendly polymer). We do not use Melamine finishes. Each finish offers superior humidity protection for Brunei's climate.

Caramella Brunei | Technical Specifications

01. Site Readiness Standards

Site conditions required before installation.

To accept cabinets built with extreme precision, the physical site must meet specific preparatory standards. Failure to meet these may result in installation delays.

A. Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) positioning

Countertop Socket Height 1050mm - 1100mm (FFL)
Hood Power Point 1800mm (FFL)
Water Inlet / Outlet 500mm - 600mm (FFL)
Dishwasher Point Adjacent Cabinet (Not behind)

*FFL = Finished Floor Level (after tiling).

B. Wall & Floor Conditions

Flooring: Tiling must be completed before cabinet installation. While our cabinets use adjustable legs, floor variance should not exceed 3mm over a 2-meter span.

Walls: Walls must be plastered and receive at least the first coat of primer/paint. Wet works (cement/plaster) release moisture that can damage joinery if not fully cured.

The Maximized Storage Approach

Custom width beats modular gaps.

Both imported and locally-made kitchens use standardised cabinet widths (400mm, 600mm, 800mm, 900mm). The difference is in where they're made and how they handle Brunei's climate.

Caramella uses the same standardised widths but fabricates locally in Brunei using CNC machinery, with materials selected specifically for tropical humidity.

IMPORTED VS LOCALLY-MADE

Imported Franchise Shipped from Overseas -> Temperate Climate Specs
Caramella CNC-Fabricated Locally -> Brunei Climate Engineered -> Direct Warranty

"Caramella engineers to the millimeter. We do not sell air; we sell storage."

A note on scribe panels: Brunei walls are rarely perfectly straight or 90 degrees. Scribe panels are industry-standard for contouring against wall imperfections. The difference is why you need them - we use them for wall correction, not to compensate for undersized standard modules.

How We Build Your Cabinets

Precision cutting for a perfect fit.

We don't rely on drag-and-drop template software used by showroom franchises. If you can draw it, we can cut it.

Step 1: Design

Drafted in AutoCAD

Every panel, every joint, every dimension engineered to your exact specifications.

Step 2: Processing

Processed in Vectric Cut2D

Advanced software optimizes material yield. Precise toolpaths for high accuracy.

Step 3: Fabrication

Machined by Robot

CNC router executes cuts with zero human error. Consistent quality across every piece.

Local Manufacturer Advantage: No import delays. No shipping damage. Your cabinets are fabricated in Brunei, by Bruneians, for Brunei's climate.

02. The Manufacturing Timeline

Standard lead time: 10-14 weeks from site measurement.

Caramella operates a strict "Batch Production" system to maintain our 0.1mm tolerance standard. Understanding this timeline is crucial for project management. Standard lead time is 10-14 weeks from site measurement.

Phase 1: Technical Measure & Sign-Off (Weeks 1-2)
Once the site is ready (floors done), our engineers take laser measurements. Final technical drawings are generated for client sign-off.
Phase 2: Material Procurement & Queue (Weeks 3-6)
Specialized materials (Marine Ply, Stone, Hardware) are allocated or imported. The project enters the manufacturing queue.
Phase 3: CAD/CAM Fabrication (Weeks 7-10)
Panels are processed: Nesting (cutting), PUR Edge Banding, and precision boring. This is the longest phase due to machine time.
Phase 4: Assembly & Staging (Weeks 11-12)
Cabinets are dry-assembled in the factory to verify geometry and mechanical function before they ever reach your home.
Phase 5: Site Installation (Weeks 13-14)
Final installation on-site. Includes leveling, stone countertop fitting, door adjustments, and silicon sealing.

03. Cabinetry Terms (Glossary)

Common terms explained in plain English.

Defining the standard terminology used in our quotations and technical drawings.

Carcass: This is the actual skeleton of the cabinet—the box itself. You don't see it when the doors are closed, but it's the most important part. We only build these out of solid plywood for local jobs. A lot of imported kits use compressed chipboard here to save on shipping weight, which is usually the first thing that swells in our humidity.
Gable End / End Panel: If a cabinet run stops abruptly (say, next to a fridge or at the end of an island), you don't want to see the raw side of the carcass. A gable end is a finished decorative panel we attach to the side so it matches the doors perfectly.
Infill / Filler: No wall in Brunei is perfectly straight or exactly 90 degrees. An infill is a slightly oversized piece of matching panel that we hand-cut (scribe) on-site to follow the exact bumps and curves of your wall so there's absolutely no gap between the cabinet and the plaster.
Waterfall Edge: This is when the stone countertop doesn't just stop at the edge of the island, but turns 90 degrees and runs all the way down to the floor. It looks like a solid block of stone. Getting the vein patterns to match continuously over that folded corner is where a good stonemason shows their skill.
Kicker / Plinth: The recessed board running along the floor under your base cabinets. We use adjustable plastic legs behind this to keep the actual wood off the wet floor. The kicker just snaps on in front to hide the legs and stop dirt (and toes) from going underneath.
Pelmet: If you stick LED light strips under your upper cabinets, you don't want the harsh bulbs shining right in your eyes when you sit at the dining table. A pelmet is a small lip we add just below the cabinet line to hide the fixture while letting the light wash down the wall.

04. Recommended Materials for Each Room

What works best based on the room type.

Every room asks for something different. You don't build a wet kitchen the same way you build a bedroom wardrobe. Here's how we typically spec out jobs based on what actually breaks down over time.

The Wet Kitchen (Heavy Cooking)

If you're doing heavy wok cooking every day, this area is taking a beating from splattering oil, boiling water spills, and intense heat. Don't waste money on fancy spray-painted doors here—they'll just chip. You want heavy-duty HPL (High-Pressure Formica) on the doors because you can scrub it aggressively. For the countertop, engineered Quartz is okay, but if you're putting hot woks right down on the surface, go with Sintered Stone so it doesn't crack from extreme heat. Underneath it all, stick to solid Plywood carcasses so water leaks from the sink don't immediately ruin the boxes.

The Dry Kitchen (The Showpiece)

This is usually the centerpiece of the open-plan living area. It doesn't see heavy grease, so you can focus entirely on how it looks and feels. This is where you upgrade to those ultra-matte, anti-fingerprint finishes (like Fenix or Skin) or consistent polyurethane spray paint. Because you aren't throwing hot pots around, Engineered Quartz is perfect for the island—it's non-porous, so spilled red wine or coffee won't stain it like it would with natural marble.

Walk-In Wardrobes

The hidden enemy in Brunei wardrobes isn't wear and tear—it's stagnant, humid air breeding mold on your clothes and shoes. We exclusively use HPL-surfaced moisture-resistant boards for wardrobe internals because they provide a superior moisture barrier and anti-fungal baseline. A great trick is using tinted glass doors with aluminum frames instead of solid wood doors; it looks like a boutique, but more importantly, it lets ambient room light in and allows you to spot any dampness or mold before it destroys your leather bags. Running low-heat LED poles inside also subtly dries out the air.

05. How to Care for Your Cabinets

Tips to keep your joinery looking new.

Mandatory care instructions to maintain warranty validity.

Matte/Soft-Touch Surfaces: Clean ONLY with a melamine foam sponge (Magic Eraser) or warm soapy water. Never use acetone, thinners, or abrasive scouring pads as they will polish the matte finish into a shine.
Engineered Quartz Stone: Use pH-neutral stone cleaners. Wipe up turmeric, curry, and red wine spills immediately. Do not place hot pans directly on Quartz (cracking from extreme heat risk); always use a trivet.
Hardware (Hinges & Runners): Apply a light silicone spray to hinge pivots annually. Check and tighten adjustment screws every 6 months to prevent door sagging.

Caramella Quality:
Our Build Standards