Main Line Kitchen Design compares the construction of Kitchen Cabinet Brands.
Note: Originally posted in 2015. Several of the kitchen cabinet brands mentioned here have since upgraded their cabinet construction. For example, Yorktowne now offers excellent construction.
There are two basic ways cabinetry is made.
Kitchen cabinet brands can be framed construction or frameless construction. Frameless cabinetry is also called European or easy access construction. See Below:
Kitchen cabinet brands using frameless construction are made with either a 5/8″ or 3/4″ thick plywood or particleboard box. Of course, thicker is better and a plywood box is superior construction wise but will not work with some of the high gloss laminate and foil finishes that are popular in the European style cabinetry. With these finishes only particleboard sides are possible.
Knowledgeable cabinet professionals usually agree on a few things.
First, that streamline frameless cabinetry looks better with modern door styles because of how close the drawers and doors are. This is due to how the European style hinges operate. Second, that traditional and shaker style doors look equally well in both framed and frameless cabinet lines. Third, that a well-made framed cabinet is a much more durable cabinet.
In a framed cabinet the frame holds the cabinet box square, and each solid wood cabinet front is screwed to the ones next to them adding considerable strength.
The hinges and drawers are attached to solid wood in framed cabinetry as opposed to the particle board in most frameless lines. A well-made framed cabinet will last almost forever, however, will simply become scratched and possibly out of fashion with the passing years. Frameless lines require designers to consider the frameless cabinetry’s construction limitations and to keep door widths and drawer widths to a minimum to avoid undue stress on the cabinetry. Even designing this way, the average lifespan of a well-made frameless line is probably 20 years, especially if you are hard on things in general.
With frameless cabinetry lines since the construction is nearly identical from line to line the construction quality difference between each European line is negligible.
Expensive lines will have better drawer options but if the drawers are upgraded to at least a solid wood box and blumotion tracks the longevity of each cabinet line will be very similar whether you are buying inexpensive IKEA or very expensive Poggenpohl cabinetry.
Popular frameless cabinetry lines are:
IKEA, Kitchen Craft, Poggenpohl, Merit Kitchens, Pedini, Ultra Craft Cabinetry. Design-Craft and most Merillat and Omega styles. The majority of the cabinetry coming from Europe and Canada is frameless.
All of Main Line Kitchen Design’s frameless cabinetry is upgraded to the best construction possible. Frameless construction is available in our Bishop, Wellsford and Fabuwood cabinetry lines.
With framed cabinetry there are many variations in construction.
To make framed cabinetry durably you need several construction minimums, or the construction advantages of a framed cabinet are lost. Cabinet fronts are always 3/4″ solid wood. All plywood box construction is far better than having any particle board. Cabinet sides, tops and bottoms must be at least 1/2″ thick. Base cabinets can have plywood tops or beam construction. Drawer tracks should always be upgraded to either Blum’s BlueMotion tracks, or the equivalent and drawer boxes should be solid wood dovetail drawers with a captured plywood bottom. Soft close doors are a nice feature as well as full depth shelves.
Main Line Kitchen Design only sells cabinetry with all these features. Our framed cabinetry brands include Cubitac, Fabuwood, Timberlake, Bishop, Brighton and Wellsford.
Even some more expensive framed cabinet lines will need to be upgraded to this minimum level of construction quality.
Examples of more expensive lines that need to have their construction upgraded to meet these minimums are DuraSupreme and Medallion. Often, if you can’t find out on a cabinet company’s website how the cabinets are constructed it is because they don’t meet these minimums. A company’s website might highlight their cabinetry being green, carb compliant, or American made. But if they are avoiding showing you how the cabinetry is constructed watch out!
One of the largest cabinet distributors in the United States is MasterBrand Cabinets. Up until a couple of years ago all of the popular lines that they carried with the exception of their Decora and Homecrest lines fell short on construction quality. They have since upgraded most of their lines.
Many builders use lower quality lines as the standard cabinetry in their homes. Even though the added cost for better made cabinetry is usually no more than 10%. When a builder uses these inferior lines, I wonder where else they are cutting corners.
One important fact that consumers should be aware of is that both Consumer Reports and JD Power publish inaccurate cabinetry ratings based on customer satisfaction.
IKEA and other lesser made cabinet lines always do very well in these reports because customer satisfaction is rated immediately after the cabinets are purchased. Consumers buying less expensive cabinetry have lower expectations which are easily met, and the cabinetry hasn’t had time to develop the problems caused by poor construction.
Kraftmaid, the best made cabinet offered at both Lowes and The Home Depot, consistently does poor in these reports despite being easily upgraded to the best framed construction. This I believe is due to the much higher expectations of the consumers buying a home centers “top” brand and to the fact that home center designers are usually less knowledgeable and have less time to explain the properties of the cabinets that they sell.
Both Consumer Reports and JD Power also rate the same cabinetry being sold under different names at different places completely differently. Cabinet professionals know that these reports are misleading, and consumers should be advised not to consider them when evaluating the quality of cabinetry.
Here are some of the other relevant blogs we have on this topic:
Cabinet Reviews for 2022. Ratings for Kitchen Cabinet Brands.
If You Are Buying Kitchen Cabinets, Beware!
Price Comparing Kitchen Cabinets Can be a Bad Idea.
What Kitchen Cabinet Brand is the Best for Me?
Paul
Main Line Kitchen Design
499 Replies to “Kitchen Cabinet Brand Comparison.”
Lynda J
Thank you for your response! I will look into the Rev-a-shelf!
Lynda J
Thank you so much for your updated 2017 cabinet guide. We are doing just a new kitchen island. I see you feel Decora and Bertch are good lines. Those are my two choices for the frameless modern cabinets that we want. Both quotes I received from local kitchen designers are similar. What would you choose between the two? .I have all drawer cabinets except for one door cabinet which is for a trash pull out. Reading some of the comments to avoid some of the pull out features, should I avoid the pull out trash cabinet?Thank you for your time and advice.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Neither of these lines makes frameless cabinetry as far as I know. And trash can pull outs are great. Bottom mount wooden units from Rev-a-shelf I like best for the price. Many cabinet lines use the Revashelf soft close model model.
Ray
Are you familiar with Karman Cabinetry? What is your opinion.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Never heard of them. If it’s Cabinetry by Karman they look like they can be upgraded to APC and a well made box, but I know nothing about the company.
Tim from Ga
Thanks for your response, the finish and style is the same he says “Kraftmaid Durham Maple Square” as “Gresham Maple Square” and Thank You for everthing you do.
Tim from Ga
Ive been looking at a few shops and lowes for our kitchen cabinets, and we like the Kraftmaid from lowes so we asked for a quote and they gave us the quote using Diamond instead of Kraftmaid they upgrade it to all wood. is there a reason why there trying to sale us Diamond and not KM, there telling me Diamond is better build and looks just as good.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Tim.
Diamond and Kraftmaid will be similar in price at Lowes and with both upgraded their wouldn’t be much difference in construction although I’d give the edge to Kraftmaid. Finish I’d give the edge to Diamond. I’m sure it is the designer at Lowes that prefers designing in the the Diamond line. If you asked for a quote for one line and he or she gave you a quote for another I’d have to say that the designer is a bit of a control freak. Changing customers layouts to make them better I can understand. You can always change the design back to what the homeowner thought they wanted after they saw a better design. Flat out quoting a different cabinet line, finish, and door style is odd. I’d have to say this designer is a bit of an strange bird and I’d avoid them. It is also possible that the designer is brand new at a Lowes and only knows how to design well in one line which would be another concern altogether.
Chris
Reading everyones questions, reviews, comments and recommendations have been a huge help. I’m in the planning stage of upgrading a townhouse kitchen (approx.10’x12′ with island 3’x6′ in Doylestown. I’m familiar with Starmark which I installed I’m my prior home which looks great, well made, durable however pricey once you factor in all the options. Without sacrificing quality, durability, finish what are your thoughts on these “affordable level” cabinets – Fabuwood (RTA), Haas(lifestyle), Canyon Creek(Katana) compared to Starmark ? Cabinets would be frameless, plywood, full overlay, 42″wall cabinets, pullout drawers no more then 27″ or 30″ wide, painted finish (possibly glazing option) applied molding options, soft close doors/drawers. I looked over your kitchen cabinets comparison list and it seems all the brands mentioned above are level 3, even for Fabuwood as an RTA import cabinet (limited styles to select)….. shocked! I’ve heard good things about Haas & Canyon, which gives a wider selection from there low/mid level cabinets. Your feedback would be greatly appreciated and I’m not currently working with a designer, contractor or supplier. Regards – Chris
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Chris,
It sounds like you need to find a good kitchen designer to help you. Many of the things you mention tell me you are on a bad path. The room sounds too small for the Island, good designers seldom use 42″ wall cabinets but poor ones do all the time. The style you like will be less expensive and more durable in framed cabinetry like the StarMark cabinets you liked before, but you are asking for frameless construction. Finally you are asking advice on line when you are in our service area and we could be helping you first hand. These are all “tells” of a project destined for problems.
JB Carmichael AKA Gamma
A bit overwhelming, but a good lots of suggestions. The most important one is taking the time to do it right. So, we will. I sent a letter to you Paul attached to an email. A beginning.
Off to find the best designers in my area, ranging from Hartford CT up to Springfield MAt
Jo Ann Carpenter
I forgot to say that I am looking at full overlay doors as well. Which I guess there is only one choice , frame less. Should i go for half or partial overlay instead.?
Jo Ann Carpenter
Hello,
Such a comprehensive review and info you provide. Glad I found this website and blog. I have a couple different questions, but will try to keep this email very specific.
My husband and I hired a designer who drew up a kitchen plan, but the clientele he deals with is a bit more “financially healthy” than we are. I am not in the position to pay upwards of $25,000 just for cabinets. He would work more directly with us I think if we were using his cabinet contacts. I plan to sell in about 10-12 years, and we would not realize the investment when we sold. The plan he drew up is the one we are taking to a variety of cabinet dealers and showrooms. This has helped us compare apples to apples with what appears to us to be a good design.
While we are still getting quotes for cabinets, I think it has come down to 3 companies. I know I want white shaker cabinets. I think it is between Westport, Mid Continent and Kraftmaid. I plan to pay for the upgrades to the cabinets as you tell us to do!
A main concern is that these will be painted and the durability of the finish. We will find a local company to take care of the nicks and scratches as you also suggested, when we get ready to sell. A stained cabinet would have fewer issues, but the remodeling we have completed at our home seems to speak to white cabinets and I have come to like white cabinets over the years.
So any opinions on the 3 companies?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Jo Ann,
You can refer to our 2017 cabinet brand review that gets specific about 70 popular cabinetry brands. We don’t rate Westport but Mid Continent is not a brand we like.
Deb
I would use caution when using Houzz to select a kitchen designer. I love Houzz for the ideas they offer on their site – lots of inspiration. However, I wouldn’t use them as a Yelp or Angieslist type service. I’ve seen too many 5 stars on Houzz designers that I’ve used & would never give more than 1 star. I have been told by another kitchen designer that they get to approve what comments/feedback goes on their Houzz page. I’d suggest getting a lot more referrals if you choose a kitchen designer from the Houzz app.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Deb,
I disagree with you on most of your recommendations.
We advertise on Houzz, Angie’s List, Yelp, Google, Yahoo, and many other sites so we aren’t partial to Houzz.
You can not approve reviews you get on Houzz, any customer can write whatever they like. However since you can as with Angie’s List, Google, Yelp, and other review sites, ask your most happy customers to review you, reviews tend to be more positive.
Since Houzz has all the projects of a company available to see online I think it is the best place for discriminating and knowledgeable people to select designers because you can see so many examples of their work.
Savvy people know that getting three recommendations is not telling. Any contractor or designer can cherry pick real or even fake people to give them reviews. The best reviews to ask for are the names of the last three people a company worked with. That can not be manipulated as easily.
And lastly remember that designers and contractors are reviewing you too when you meet them. Customers that appear problematic and hard to work with can get very different pricing than nicer people. We will flat out tell people we won’t work with them if their ideas appear ill conceived and they seem controlling.
Gabriella
Hi! So I asked you about Fabuwood months ago and we did decide on going with them. We are building a 16×17 kitchen and we have gotten various prices on the Fabuwood Nexus brand. Some designers are quoting us 37% off their spec book and another 43% off. I saw a company online offers Fabuwood at 45% off their spec book but they don’t service my area. What’s the price point that is fair with Fabuwood? All 3 quotes we got are from heat design companies. Thx for the info!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
All those numbers are fair. We charge 45% off the list price too but we have an unusual business model that enables us to sell cabinetry a little less expensively. I would not buy Fabuwood online and I would pick the dealer with the best reviews on line. That’s the most important thing. Saving a little money won’t be worth it if the company doesn’t stand behind the product and have creative knowledgeable designers.
Margie
The cabinets I mentioned are the cabinets my kitchen designer offers. I’m trying to research which is the best for the best cost. I came across this site and thought it would be helpful. You have no comparison info? I’m lost in searching. But thanks.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
HI Margie,
Our 2017 blog reviews most of these lines but to be frank customers should be shopping for a good kitchen designer to work with and not trying to research every cabinet line. Below is a link to the 2017 blog if you find it confusing then that is especially why you need the help of a professional kitchen designer. If the professional you chose can’t help you more than our blog then you need a better professional.
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-2017-reviews-top-selling-cabinet-lines/
Margie
Your reviews are so confusing. Can you compare the following:
Kitchencraft; Schrock; CNC; Designers Choice; Style Craft. Which are better in quality/price? Thank you.
Gina
What a wealth of information! Thank you. I am in the initial phase of a kitchen re-do with very few choices of KD’s due to living in the most rural area of PA. The one who is available uses Wellborn, Echelon, and Bertch cabinets. I am unconcerned about style, but very concerned about value and functionality. I see that you approve of Wellborn but am wondering how the others stack up.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Gina,
Here’s the 2017 reviews for 70 different cabinet line. We give both Bertch and Wellborn high grades.
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-2017-reviews-top-selling-cabinet-lines/
I don’t know much about Echelon but it is certainly no where near as nicely made as the others upgraded.
Anita Lauro
I’m looking to replace the cabinets in my small kitchen and am drawn to frameless to maximize the space & usability (plus I really like the look). I completely understand the durability issues you raise. Frameless would probably work okay for me it’s just me in the household and I won’t live here more than 10-12 years longer. That said, do you have any tips to get the best results with frameless? I see you mentioned 1/2″ backs a few posts up. My kitchen will have one 30″ base cabinet and several 24″ ones. Are drawers okay for those size frameless cabinets?
Incredibly helpful blog, thank you!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Keep doors to frameless cabinets no wider than 18″ do not get 36″ wide drawer bases. Avoid pantry pull outs and other stress inducing cabinet conveniences. Avoid 42″ high wall cabinets.
Amber Martin
Thank you for all of the information. I am remodeling my kitchen after a water leak and am wading through cabinet options. What are your thoughts about Milzen? They are super inexpensive, but appear to have many of the upgraded features you recommend (e.g., an all plywood box).
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Amber,
I don’t know anything about Mitzen and their web site doesn’t give any information on their construction. From photos I can guess that they are an Asian produced line and inexpensive with some of the features we recomend as you mention. The finishes look a little cheep and the door styles are a little less tasteful. Another sign that they are less expensive and imported. They could be well made and the only issues are finish looks and style but I have no way of knowing. This also makes me leery. Transparency is the sign of a good company.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Sounds like they are Frameless cabinets. Definitely get the 1/2″ backs if you get them. Not the best method of construction.
Redrider
From the Cuisine Ideale website.
“BIRCH PLYWOOD BOX
The cabinets in this series come with 3/4”-thick (19 mm) plywood box construction with 3/4”-thick (19 mm) adjustable shelves. Cabinet backs are the standard 1/4” thick (6 mm) and can be upgraded to 1/2” (13 mm) if necessary. This construction comes with our first-class dovetailed drawers”.
We’d do the 1/2″ back if we go this route.
Dana
We are planning on doing a complete remodel and expansion of our kitchen. We’ve met with two designers. One uses Waypoint cabinets and the other uses Brookhaven cabinets by Woodmode. Which would you recommend?
Thank you for any input!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Dana,
Brookhaven is a better cabinet. Below is our 2017 review of the most popular cabinet lines:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-2017-reviews-top-selling-cabinet-lines/
RedRider
Any input on the Cuisine Ideale brand of cabinets? I know you’re not a fan of frameless but any experience with the company?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
No I know nothing about them. They are a Canadian Company and their web site doesn’t show how they are made.
Lisa Tyler
Hi, I am doing a kitchen remodel and really like the contemporary look of Rift Oak (white) and Walnut that used to be available in Eclipse Cabinetry. Our local cabinet store, however, says that Eclipse is phasing out the real wood veneers for reconstituted wood, which is supposedly more visually appealing, and higher quality than it’s real wood counterpart. Can you tell me what Reconstituted actually means? The website describes it as ‘manufactured using sustainable hardwoods layered together to produce a veneer that is dyed to resemble Quartered Walnut or Rift White Oak in appearance. This process provides a sustainable veneer with exceptional consistency in graining and a modern appearance perfect for today’s styling trends’. I assume that they actually mean layered hard wood and not wood ‘pulp’ And if hard wood, I would be curious about the wood species. Also I am concerned that, because of the consistency/sameness of the grain, the cabinets will look a tad unnatural. I can’t seem to find any documentation about Eclipse – would really love to know what ‘reconstituted walnut/oak’ actually means. I would appreciate any feedback. Thank You!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Lisa,
On this topic I am not an expert. Partly because this end of the business is all on Frameless cabinetry that we sell less of and don’t like as much. From the little I know it is true that most exotic wood veneers are being replaced with reconstituted wood veneers. From what I can tell by looking at them they seem actually more durable than real veneers. As far as how real they look, that is all a matter of opinion. And in frameless cabinetry looking real is less the issue. Looking sleek and contemporary is the goal.
Alexis
Hi, can you tell me what you think of the quality and value of Cabinets.com Deerfield line. The video said the backs we only 1/4 inch plywood with a hanging rail.
Thanks, this has been a very informative thread.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Alex,
The Deerfield line looks well constructed for an inexpensive line. As long as a cabinet has a hanging rail like the Deerfield it doesn’t matter if the rest of the back is thinner. Without a hanging rail though a 3/8″ back is the thinnest I would ever use. We should add them to our 2017 review as a well constructed inexpensive line. I just don’t know where they fall price wise. If you get any comparison pricing in other lines it would help us to know where Deerfield falls.
Thanks,
Paul
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Grabill has wonderful finishes. Not sure where they fall pricewise except that they are expensive.
Melissa vernon
Thanks Paul. I actually meant Grabill cabinetry, not Graber. That designer came out to measure today and only brought color samples from Elmwood with her. She mentioned she didn’t have too many grabill samples she could carry out of the showroom. Do you have knowledge on Elmwood with respect to Medallion and Grabill? By the way, finding your blog with your wealth of knowledge has been a godsend! It’s made me look differently at aspects of my current kitchen andehat I hope to accomplish with a new kitchen without Any structural changes. Thanks for your comments about Fabuwood and what types of expectations I should have. I didn’t think my kitchen would be very custom, but the kitchen designer selling them mentioned that even though Fabuwood doesn’t make a corner sink cabinet or pullouts next to the rangetop, that they themeselces have experience customizing with Fabuwood. Also maybe the people I’ve been meeting with aren’t just kitchen designers but their companies also GC the entire process.
Michael
Was looking hard at Bishop frameless but their one year warranty is a no go. Any manufacturer that offers that low of a warranty obviously isn’t sold on their quality. What’s your take on Mouser’s Centra line of frameless cabinets?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Michael,
Not to be testy, but you seem to have strong opinions, so why ask us. We believe that warranties tend to have no relation to cabinet quality and are more about marketing strategies. For example we warranty the Bishop Frameless line with a limited lifetime warranty even though Bishop doesn’t. But that is about our marketing strategy. Mouser has a 1/4″ MDF back and no hanging rail so it’s worse than IKEA. Get IKEA if you want inexpensive frameless cabinetry and their 20 year warranty makes you feel more comfortable with the product.
Melissa Vernon
I have started meeting and getting some quotes from local Kitchen designers to redo our kitchen. One designer gave us an estimate for Fabuwood (Wellington Ivory glazed)and what I love about that designer is that they said they can order me a hood I want and have Fabuwood finish it and they quite often make custom pieces for homeowners even if Fabuwood doesn’t offer it, like a corner sink. So it seems they have a lot of experience working with them and customizing to the client’s needs. Figuring that it is important to get several estimates I found Another designer who is about to give me an estimate using Medallion Cabinetry and possibly Elmwood. I haven’t seen anything on your site about Elmwood so I’m not sure how they are, but he said they cost more than Medallion. The hood I want is available in Elmwood, but not Medallion so he suggested matching the hood to the island where we plan to have stained cabinets. I then contacted another designer that seemed to also sell Medallion cabinetry but when I met with them they steered me away from Medallion saying that the quality of the painted/glazed finishes isn’t that great and I would be better off with Graber or Elmwood, (both custom from my understanding). I asked her why and she showed me the finishes on similarly painted door samples of Graber versus Medallion and it does seem to be a huge difference. How do you think the painted/glazed finish on Fabuwood compares? I contacted Fabuwood last Thursday, I think, about finding me another dealer that sells Fabuwood, but I still haven’t heard back from them. I live in Central NJ (Belle Mead) in case you know of any others.
D2
Thank you
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Melissa,
I don’t know Graber but Medallion upgraded to all plywood construction similar to Fabuwood would cost at about 50% more than Fabuwood. Fabuwood is an inexpensive but well constructed cabinet line. I know Fabuwood will finish custom pieces like hoods, corbels and legs to match their cabinetry but we haven’t been brave enough to try it. And if a customer is trying to be get a very custom kitchen they probably should be designing it and purchasing a more expensive line than Fabuwood. Asking a less custom line like Fabuwood to stretch to the limits of what they can do can get overly complicated and created delays. We try to stay within the confines of what each cabinet line we sell does on a regular basis.
D2
Additional question — to make sure the cabinets last — does it make a difference which kind of wood? Seems like many who have maple have problems. Is there a better wood to use for white/off white cabinets?
D2
I am working with a KD and they sell several different cabinet manufacturers — Omega, Medallion, Haas and a few others I can’t remember. I want to go with an off white, shaker, inset cabinet. I believe after reading this blog I need to keep with a framed cabinet for durability. What do you think of these cabinet lines? Thanks for all you are doing. The information you provide is very helpful.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
D2,
Omega is only framed in the Pinnacle line I believe. The other lines are fine upgraded to all plywood construction. The maple is the most durable wood to use for a painted white cabinet but MDF doors or soft maple might look a little beater but would be easier to chip. A recesssed MDF panel is a good compromise.
Kitchen Cabinet ratings for 2017. Reviews of the top selling cabinet lines. - Main Line Kitchen Design
[…] 2015 Popular Kitchen Cabinetry Brand Comparison. […]
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Matt,
The Allure line is about a 15% upgrade from the value line in Fabuwood so J and K is still a good value. Just less so.
matt delp
Thanks Paul, the Fabuwood Line we got quoted at 7800 was the Allure line Galaxy Frost. So I’m guessing that this line is a better product then J and K and should probably lean that way.
Matt
Carolyn
The Wellsford Cabinets were rated very high yet not mentioned once in all of the posts, why is that?
Can you provide more insight (good/bad) into the Wellsford cabinets. I’m interested in a white painted cabinet with inset shaker door. What is your expierenve with their finishes?
Does Wellsford offer wood doors only? The painted cabinets I saw felt different, perhaps it was the baked on finish or could they have been mdf?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Carolyn,
Wellsford is a custom cabinet company in Pennsylvania. Since we carry their line it is included on our list. It is a full custom line so any door types and finishes are available. High end custom lines will have soother finishes because the cabinetry is sanded to a to a higher level. Wellsford is a particularly good buy for the level of quality and customization that they offer. It probably isn’t mentioned in blog comments because it isn’t distributed to a large degree outside PA, NY, and NJ.
Matt Delp
Hi Paul, I am down to Fabuwood and J&K Cabinets. From what I can tell, they seem to be constructed in the same way and materials. J&K IS 2000 cheaper which scares me a little bit. Any suggestions on either of them. We are doing a 12×11 kitchen and Fabuwood is 7800 while J&K IS 5800
Thanks and Great blog!!!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Matt,
J&K looks like it is made comparably with the Value line of Fabuwood. So with 5/8″ shelves and probably some other features that aren’t quite as nice. If you like the finish and door style equally in both lines then I would consider the J&K especially if you are planning on selling your home after a few years. If you are going to be in your home indefinitely it might be safer to get the better made cabinet. Tough call though. If I was more familiar with J&K I could be more helpful.
Best Paul
Laura Doyle
Does anyone have any thoughts on the Echelon cabinet line with the allwood construction/dovetail SC drawers and SC doors?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Laura,
The Echelon web site appears to have broken links to how their cabinetry is made so we can’t check the quality, and none of know off hand. I can see from what is shown that the cabinetry is not ibeam construction and has plastic corner brackets which is a sign of a lower end line. They still could be well constructed, it’s just less likely with the plastic corners.
judy v
Bought a house on LBI wanted to do a pretty beachy kitchen found Martha Stewart line in Home Depot in a soft beachy green only have 15 cabinets a small kitchen…but have been reading that the laminate scratches off or bubbles and the quality of the cabinets are not good. We did a new kitchen in our main home with kraft maid in maple about 7 yrs ago and they have held up well. what are your thoughts on the martha stewart or any that are a color instead of natural wood.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Judy,
Buying RE-branded cabinets like Martha Stewart or Thomasville from Home depot is a bad idea. Home depot is taking cheap cabinetry and marking it up extra just to sell to customers that don’t know any better and believe that the re-named cabinetry signifies some kind of quality product. Home Depot actually switches around who makes these lines depending on the deal they can make with different less expensive cabinet lines. If you are shopping at a Home Depot get Kreaftmaid if you can afford a higher end cabinet line.
MichaelH
Paul,
Thanks for the link, it’s exactly what I was going to ask for. Goingb to use that to narrow things down. I’m confused though that the Masterbrand brands other than Decora ( Diamond, Homecrest, Schrock, etc) get B ratings across the board considering your multiple posts about their negatives. Should we pass on them or not?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Michael,
First these ratings are for when the cabinetry for each company has been upgraded to it’s highest level. So for example Schrock or Diamond un-upgraded would be D’s at best. Meanwhile an inexpensive line like Fabuwood or 6 Square or even the cheapest of lines like Solid Wood Cabinets come un-upgraded already at a B+ or an A level of construction. Why spend 50% more to still get a cabinet that isn’t constructed as well and isn’t a good value for the money?
Homecrest is well made, but not a great value compared to some of these other lower price point lines. Diamond and Schrock are almost the same price as Decora, Kraftmaid and many other equally priced American lines but not made as well so why buy them.
We only rank 75 cabinet lines and there are hundreds of US brands. So many listed here get higher marks and there are so many not listed that would also be straight A’s or at least get an A in construction quality. The real question is why settle for B’s?
Michael H
What’s your take on Cabico? I’m guessing you’re not a huge fan due to their frameless design and 5/8″ construction. Also, I’d greatly appreciate you looking over our kitchen plans and telling me what could be improved.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Michael,
Not a fan of Cabico and the B’s that we give them in our 2017 review below, are because of their framed lines. In frameless they would get much lower scores.
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/kitchen-cabinet-ratings-2017-reviews-top-selling-cabinet-lines/
You can email us your floor plan for comments at Info@mainlinekitchendesign.com.
Robert
Hi. I purchased a home a year ago which had kitchen remodeled about 8 years ago. Open concept, Crystal cabinets with stained maple, 13 foot long island, soft close drawers – undermount from Grass, Cambria countertops, great layout and design. I am looking at updating by going with painted off white cabinets and inset shaker style doors. Currently they are partial overlay. I have a kitchen cabinet painter and a kitchen cabinet maker both through Angies List who work together and will redoor, paint and change to Blumotion. They work with Crystal cabinets but because they are just supplying doors/drawer fronts I would like to go with a less expensive option. What would you suggest for a less costly brand but still of good quality? Also, should I go with paint grade maple stiles/rails and panel or maple with mdf panel which is what they are suggesting or other such as birch (I live in the northern part of the country)? Thanks for your help.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Robert,
What you are attempting is actually very hard to do successfully. One reason is that the existing cabinets were not made or installed to be inset. So the openings may be too far out of square to look right. Doors may need to be planed so MDF doors could be a problem. I don’t think any qualified professionals would attempt this. Painting cabinets needs to be done by furniture re-finishers too so that the paint is very durable. We use Guardsman furniture re-finishers.
I would order a few doors as a test and make sure the people saying that they can do this successfully succeed before ordering your entire kitchen.
Be very careful here,
Paul
Terry G
Hi,
This is a great blog. You do a wonderful job. Have read the entire blog and have not seen any mention of Holiday Kitchens from Rice Lake, WI. Looking for you input. Appreciate any comments you have. Have looked at Kraftmaid and Martha Stewart Living at Home Depot. Thanks.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Terry,
Holiday Kitchens doesn’t offer any explanation of exactly how their framed and frameless cabinetry is made on their web site. They simply state “see a Holiday dealer for information about cabinet construction”. Since I don’t know a Holiday dealer and have never seen their cabinetry I can only say that they look well made from the photos on line.
It annoys me when cabinet lines keep this information from the public. And not being transparent about one thing is sometimes indicative of a company philosophy that worries me.
Brenda Ward
I would like to know, what is a good cabinet that has a good polyurethane finish on it? I have to buy kitchen cabinets soon(I have no cabinets on the walls right now). I have been told that cabinets dont have a shine anymore that they are only a satin stained look nowadays? I plan to buy cherry or maple, a medium color. not to dark or too light. I was told by a Lowes CD that only the painted cabinets have a glossy shine? I want a cabinet with a shine not a dry look. I have seen the shenadoah cabinets and they look so dry!! Help! In my area(Richlands,Va) I have considered KraftMaid. A local dealer has Homecrest. What is a good cabinet with a good gloss? not a lot of choices in area!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Brenda,
Typically stained cabinets have a sheen of about 40. That’s the level of shine rated from 0 to 100. If you want high gloss finishes on stained cabinetry they will show fingerprints, scratches and skuffs more easily and because of that will usually only be available in custom cabinet lines. All the lines you mention will be well made but they will also all have similar sheens on their stained finishes. To get what you want you will probably need to spend nearly 60% more than the price of Homecreast or Shendoah Cabinetry
Oodi Pilzer
Until yesterday, I was trying to decide between Kraftmaid and Decora. I much prefer the drawers on Kraftmaid but Decora seems more customizable. In 2001, I bought beautiful red birch (natural stain) cabinets from a local cabinet shop which purchased them from a major manufacturer that did custom cabinetry – but I have no idea who the manufacturer was. I just know my cabinets which had all plywood construction – and I think ¾” plywood with raised panel solid wood doors looked beautiful in 2001 and still look beautiful today. They literally glow. I would have gone back to the same cabinet shop, but they retired and closed up shop. I need to renovate another kitchen in what was a rental property which may be sold soon. I recently came upon the Cabico brand which still offers red birch as a wood option along with the more popular wood such as Maple and Cherry. I wondered if he knew anything about them and had an opinion. I am looking for a good quality cabinet. My kitchen is so small, that the price differences are not significant. Also, I am trying to decide if I want a raised panel made from solid wood (or a reversed raised panel if I do an inset style) only if I am better off with plywood due to expansion issues. I don’t know what my current cabinets have, though they certainly look like solid wood, and I’ve never had any expansion issues. But perhaps that is because I have a natural polyurethane, so I don’t see the wood expanding.
Joseph W
We are remodeling our 30 year old cabinets and been watching this forum . Its great with useful information.
We have a basic L style Kitchen 8′ x 10′ with a fridge and couple cabinets on opposite wall 7′
Our Budget goal is 8000-10000 for cabinets, and been looking at several brands with only plywood and solid wood fronts. We like traditional style and natural wood color and partial.
overlay. The brands that fit our budget so far
Kraftmaid
Fabuwood
Showplace
and someone told us about Wayneco, but have priced them out.
We are looking for solid construction, good quality and just basic cabinets, nothing fancy.
Any suggestions on these choices or any other to fit our budget.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Upgraded Kraftmaid is the most expensive and the best cabinet here and Fabuwood much less expensive but well made and the best buy. As always good design and creative renovations such as moving doorways and changing cabinet layouts cost very little and are the best values of all. It’s such a shame that most people don’t appreciate that their kitchen could dramatically improve spending the same money.
The best cabinet here is Kraftmaid but give me the $2,500 difference between Kraftmaid and Fabuwood to spend on a customers renovation and I could nearly always reconfigure a home to create a far better kitchen. But as Doug Mottershead says on one of our videos “you can’t know what you don’t know.” And so homeowners nearly always falsely believe that their layout can’t change much or be improved beyond the improvements that THEY can envision. Hence Doug’s quote “You can’t know what you don’t know!”
Gena
Hi! Please advise your thoughts on Kith cabinets. Thank you
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Not a fan. Especially for the money. The US companies assembling cabinets with doors and fronts made in China are usually better constructed and a better value.
dan
There are no drain set up below the center isle for the sink. I notice the wall where the gas stove was installed, there are no gas stub. Is this video for demonstration purposes only?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
I assume you are taking about our 211 second video. The plumbing lines were simply run after the cabinetry was installed. The basement was unfinished and it made running the plumbing lines and installing the cabinetry and flooring easier doing the plumbing last instead of first.
Kevin C
We’ve received quotes for Legacy Debut and Homecrest. The Homecrest came in $1400 more, but I don’t know if there is that large of a quality difference. Which do you recommend?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
They are both very similar. Not much quality difference. Quotes can also be very different based on exactly how the designer did the design. Upgrading one line to flush sides versus finished sides could make a huge difference.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Using yourself and your contractor as the designers guarantees a poor result. Thinking as many people do that not much can be done with their space is what we are forced to hear from nearly every customer we meet and nearly everyone of them is very wrong. It makes life as a designer frustrating. As I say in the video (See link at the end of the blog) People would be afraid to cut their own hair but don’t think they need a professional when it comes to kitchen design.
Bob Felle
Thanks very much.we will not be doing any structural changes to the new kitchen,and I have a excellent contractor who with his son(total of about 50 years experience)Since the kitchen is very small and with his experience did not think I would need a designer,there’s only so much you can do in such a small space.Have been doing as much research on cab.manufactuer as you suggest.I will definitely change my time schedule to start the job and consult with a designer.I do have a very detailed design I did myself using to scale paper and about 5 revisions after checking Houzz.Thanks again Bob
Bob Felle
Remodeling a small kitchen (total gut job)and getting more frustrated than I ever thought.Live in north Jersey and their seems to be every manufacturer represented within a short distance.Not looking for modern style so will eliminate
Ultracraft because of being frameless,even though the designer at that retailer was the most helpful with ideas.I would say our budget would permit us to use middle quality(with up graded specs)to upper quality.We are going for off white painted cabinets,recessed panel with a small single or double quarter round molding.Help!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Bob,
Since you aren’t asking a specific question I will giver you the best advice of all and the advice that totally negates most of the value of this particular blog.
Stop everything you are doing and researching about cabinets and design. Don’t do anything to your kitchen in preparation of a new one. Don’t buy appliances. Don’t call in contractors. Especially don’t call in an architect or engineer. You can not learn enough about kitchen design in your free time to ever gain enough knowledge that to become more that an very beginner at it.
Now start researching to find the best kitchen designer you can. Google kitchen design in your area. Houzz.com will have profiles and projects of the best designers and design firms in your area. Angie’s List will also have profiles and reviews on many firms with good reputations. Call showrooms or home centers and get the name of their most experienced or what they consider their top designer. And then make an appointment to speak to that designer by phone or at their business. Many companies will be reasonably priced for cabinetry and the best kitchen designers don’t charge for their time it is incorporated into the price of the cabinetry that they sell.
Once you have narrowed down the designers and firms you want to work with to one or two have each designer you are considering explain to you the benefits of the different cabinet lines they sell. Since the style you are looking for is the most popular sold, every cabinet line a dealer carries will have the door style you like in finishes close to what you like as well. The higher end lines will do any door style in any color. The best kitchen designers will be comfortable advising you on whether moving doorways, windows or removing walls is advisable. Once you find a person you are comfortable with designing your kitchen who works for a reputable firm let them help you by giving you the information you need on design, materials, style, color, and pricing to make decisions.
Doing all the research finding a great kitchen designer will mean that the designer you select will know off hand all the information it would take you years to gather and understand. Now your frustrations should be minimal. And the likelihood that your project runs smoothly, stays on budget, and that you spend your money wisely on the things that matter to you should be maximized. Great designers can recommend great contractors, appliance stores, granite showrooms, flooring, lighting and fixture stores and usually even give you the names of the most experienced salespeople to work with at those places. Some companies like ours even pass their discounts for materials bought at these places on to their customers but that is less common.
We also will look at designs sent to us not to redesign them but to quickly catch big mistakes and to give you a heads up. Most designs we receive to review are terrible with multiple mistakes which is why finding a good kitchen designer is so important.
For those reading this blog which is now over 100 people per day this is the best advice of all.