Main Line Kitchen Design customers often ask what the best cabinet brands are for the money. Are they asking what are the most durable cabinets, and how expensive are brands that are very durable?
Actually, all the brands that Main Line Kitchen Design carries come with a lifetime warranty and are VERY durable. The higher priced brands are more expensive because they offer unusual wood types, finishes, or customization. This means that the lower priced cabinet options that Main Line Kitchen Design carries while equally durable – have different offerings that impact their price points. So, the best cabinet brands for the money tend to be brands that offer more expensive options less expensively than similarly priced other brands.
Cabinet brands fall into several general price groups based on what they offer.
The least expensive cabinetry is RTA or “ready to assemble” cabinetry.
IKEA is a well known brand and also one of the worst made RTA brands. Some RTA brands can actually be very well constructed as long as the assembly directions are followed. However, I do not think RTA cabinetry is ever a good investment. This is because RTA cabinetry tends to only be 20% less expensive than several of the inexpensive well made factory built brands. Saving 20% on cabinetry and having to build it yourself isn’t much of a discount.
Far more importantly, no RTA brands offer any experienced kitchen designers to help customers make good design choices. Cabinet dealers that offer factory built cabinetry usually have experienced kitchen designers who work with customers, free of charge, when you are buying cabinets from the dealer. Paying 20% more AND receiving free professional design help and help making other selections is always worth it.
Fabuwood Kitchen
The next cabinet price point is inexpensive US brands that import parts from overseas.
These less expensive brands usually import from China, Vietnam, Mexico, North Korea, or The Philippines. Many of these imported brands are nearly as well constructed as very expensive cabinetry brands. Most of the less expensive brands are also better built and less expensive than brands made exclusively in the US and sold at a lower price point. Some of these inexpensive, well constructed brands that are some of the best cabinet brands for the money are CNC, Cubitac, Procraft, Forevermark, J&K, and the two gorillas in this category that are just a little bit more expensive; Fabuwood and Wolf. Main Line Kitchen Design carries 3 of these brands (Fabuwood, Cubitac, and CNC).
Inexpensive US Brands that often import some door styles but use mostly US cabinet doors and wood.
These brands can be a mixed bag. Many of the least expensive brands in this category are not well made and often not a good investment. Home Builders like Toll Brothers often use these brands. However, some of these brands are just a little more expensive and are not only built well but also offer more wood types and finishes than the less expensive US/Import lines. The most popular of these better brands for the cost would be American Woodmark also sold as Shenendoah, Timberlake, and 1951. Homecrest and Legacy Presidential would be two other good values in this price point. Main Line Kitchen Design carries the 1951 brand.
US semi-custom brands that offer customization and many wood species at the most competitive pricing.
Wellborn and Wellborn Forest are the two best known of brands in this price point, and Schrock is another popular brand in this price point. However, it is Integrity Cabinets that stand out as the best cabinet brand for the money in this price point. This is why Main Line Kitchen Design carries Integrity. In fact, we elected to replace two other brands with Integrity simply because they offered more for less.
Higher end semi-custom cabinetry.
There are many US cabinet brands that are considered higher end semi-custom cabinetry. In my opinion, all of them are well made and good values. Some of the most well known of these brands include Kraftmaid, Decora, Fieldstone, StarMark, Medallion, and Diamond. Main Line Kitchen Design does not carry one of these brands because our less expensive semi-custom brand Integrity and our slightly more expensive custom brand Brighton Custom Cabinetry effectivel fill this niche.
I have to give credit to our Brighton and Integrity rep Bob Aungst. Bob is one of the most knowledgeable independent cabinet reps I have ever met. It was Bob’s expertise that brought both these brands to my attention. They now account for more than half of our company sales. Bob is a great rep for many other reasons as well.
Brighton Beaded Inset Kitchen
Custom Cabinetry
The most expensive cabinets are custom cabinets. Nearly all custom cabinet brands can be upgraded to the best made framed and frameless cabinetry. Some of the most popular custom cabinet brands include: Wood-Mode, Kountry Kraft, Rutt, Mouser, Plain & Fancy, Poggenpohl, Craft-Maid, Bremtown, Dynasty Pinnacle, and Brubaker. The two custom brands that Main Line Kitchen Design carries are Brighton and Plain & Fancy
Making sense of it all
When it comes to best cabinet brands for the money, durability is largely consistent across reputable offerings. Best cabinet brands for the money are the ones that provide the quality, professional designers and the features customers are seeking. By working with a qualified kitchen designer, homeowners are sure to get the style they want, lasting quality and – most importantly – a well designed kitchen.
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