We have 2 small boys 6 month and 3 yrs. Read these two blogs to help you understand why: https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/reasons-not-to-buy-cabinets-from-kitchen-contractors/ Hi Dan, Jarlin is a RTA cabinet brand so you have to put it together. The one potential saving grace is this is not one of the giant production builders (Toll, Rouse, Ryan, etc.). I looked at Plato since a local designer sells that and the Wellborn but I couldnt even find the back details on their website , Have any experience with/commentary on Covered Bridge cabinetry? Does your current rating of Aristokraft factor in that they seem to offer a better quality All Plywood option https://www.aristokraft.com/get-started/learn-about-cabinets/cabinet-construction. Allen and Roths cabinets have a base design, which means they are located directly on the floor and support the sink and countertops. For a less expensive brand than Fabuwood we chose to work with Cubitac. It looks like they are affiliated with Costco. 5/8 ply is OK but not ideal. The others you list are better choices. Interested in possibly frameless cabinets but want them to be good quality. which would you recommend. Read this blog: Use 3/4 thick plywood sides 5 Kitchen Design Mistakes No One Should Make, Learning about Appliances. However, if you are under budget, pick Allen and Roth. The good news is that cabinets are being made much, much, better today than they were even 10 years ago. Their website does not give any specifics or much info about their cabinetry. You seem to be thinking that you are capable of designing your kitchen alone and just need cabinet boxes. This instantly identifies you as someone in need of even more help. They do everything I love in a brand. A total MDF door is a terrible idea if you care about durability. Hi Dee, I used to run a small plumbing business near 875 Dawson DriveLouisville, KY 40202, and now I spend most of my time writing about my experiences. What are your thoughts on these lines and what would you recommend for us to carry? Hi Paul, D Bath Vanity in Navy Blue with Marble Vanity Top in Carrara White with White Basins (120) Questions & Answers For all samples, expansion thickness-wise was the most pronounced, with expansion lengthwise or widthwise being unmeasurable or of the order 1%. Sometimes a brand will change after we discuss the reason we review their product poorly or notify us when they make changes. The builders are the toughest nut to crack. Would you say more about why? Thanks! 2015 Popular Kitchen Cabinetry Brand Comparison. However, if you are getting white or grey shaker you are paying for the availability of things you arent selecting. Allen and Roths cabinets have moderate durability due to their heavy-duty plywood. Fabuwood is infinitely better made and 20 % less. Sometimes companies that do things a certain way for a long time are resistant to make sensible changes just because they have succeeded in the past doing it their way. Im not opposed to going with Medallion again, but want to learn about the other lines the dealer carries. https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/2015-popular-kitchen-cabinetry-brand-comparison/. Or about a few shipping damages that are quite common with large cabinetry orders and simply need to be reordered and replaced. However, when you design in very custom things like inset cabinets or unusual cabinet heights the cost is so close to custom prices that we usually switch customers over to our Brighton custom line. Kraftmaid Vantage use 3 coats of paint on the fronts of the cabinets and two on the back, they are oven cured twice unlike most brands. Both Kraftmaid and Diamond cabinets have a distinct quality that is both long-lasting and robust. This is encouraging for our industry. Why such a high-end brand continues to be so poorly engineered remains a mystery to me but if they would increase the size of their hanging rail or offer a 1/2 plywood back we would give them straight As. Hi Joseph, I just saw that earlier this year USCD had some legal problems with regard to China/Vietnam import duty evasion which makes me think they use Asian products. If not, you are wasting money. Shiloh would be the most extreme example of a beautiful cabinet brand that is engineered terribly. document.getElementById("ak_js_1").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Any concerns we should be aware of? This is due to the very tight gaps between doors and drawers that the hinges on frameless cabinetry allows. However, cabinet makers know very little about kitchen design. . 4) Toe kick drawers are what happens when customers in an effort to capture every inch of space start making bad decisions. The edges are perfectly designed to lower the risk of scratches or other damages. Are you looking for a cabinet with excellent quality? The reasons this stumps me is because A. some vendors want deposits for design and estimates, thus not revealing a manufacturer cost to consider, and B. how do I choose a manufacturer when all appear to offer the style we want, while also being rated so highly on your list? This is such a useful comparison of cabinet brands and also contains so much information for novices such as myself. They had some issues I know a while back with one of their Midwest manufacturing plants. I would not hire this contractor without getting several bids from other contractors and not until after your kitchen is designed by a professional kitchen designer that works at a kitchen cabinet dealer. Both of these places are not brands. The 30% off sale is a scam. ), I would be interested in working with Main Line, but as you say in the other article: I was recently at a meeting of construction professionals where many contractors still felt no guilt in refusing to install any materials that they didnt order.. They are: Carry Wellborn. MDF recessed center panels on doors is fine. You get one brand, all the options, only one rep, and less to learn. In contrast, KraftMaid has a classic structure that creates a fancy, modest appearance for your kitchen. Hi Paul we are interested in a white shaker door with slim rails/stiles (~1 inch). But they are trying to appeal to a mostly conservative audience and that means a positive response to flags. Price point is rated from 1 to 6 with 6 being the most expensive custom cabinetry on the market. I will go with white shaker, and debate between 21st Century and Fabuwood. If you prefer a high-quality cabinet with exceptional features, go with KraftMaid. It sounds like your designer is not working for a cabinet dealer. Home Depot has had several lines make the brand over 20 years. Cabinet Reviews. Aristocraft is still poorly made upgraded to 3/8 thick plywood. Thank you! We only recommend frameless cabinetry for modern slab type door styles. It should be easy to decide which one will work better for you. That comes with commitment and several considerations, such as style, space, and quality. The lowes quote was way more even with the discount. Are you still carrying that line, and are you seeing longevity issues after a few years? Happy to take this convo offline if that is better. Price comparing your design at different dealers often leads you down a bad road. Thanks for your fabulous website. Episode 22, 01) List of Countertop and Supplier Discount Programs. Namely that they need design help far more than they need help picking a brand. I still wouldnt give top marks for value because the upgrade will be expensive compared to less expensive brands that only come with all plywood construction. However, they would not be inset or do custom sizing in your design like 40 high wall cabinets. Our cabinets are sold exclusively at Lowes. With a company this small I also worry about how they will fair during tough economic times. Moving a doorway, widening an window, removing a wall, all cost peanuts compared to the added costs of these brands for white shaker. Hi Cie, Partly because market research has shown over and over that the longer the warranty the fewer the claims. I also found this Starmark installation guide that mentions hanging rails but I dont see a date and it doesnt mention measurements. This is usually impossible with a line I dont know because the cabinet brands website isnt so transparent. The company is also KCMA ESP certified which sounds kinda cool/good for the earth. They would use this not to save money but because it makes sense sometimes depending on the door style and if the cabinets are frameless. I like websites that educate and inform not talk in generalizations. Below is our list of the top selling cabinet makers in the United States, and our kitchen cabinet comparison for those brands. Im not sure which inexpensive lines are available for you in NM but Fabuwood is the best of the inexpensive brands on the east coast. If not, please tell me how I can improve this article. But then I also went for a quote on Diamond at lowes bc of a 30% off sale, just to compare everything . For flipping a home they would make sense. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxJgxCeeNTo&t=. And designers that encourage customers to get these are just in it for the money. Hi Kevin, Expect rougher dovetail drawers, more shipping damage, possible out of stock issues, and slight inconsistencies in construction and finish. We currently work with The Corsi Group (Greenfield and Siteline) and I noticed they are not rated on your list. What do you think of kitchen cabinet distributors? This is my husband and my first time ever remodeling. When looking at comparisons of these row companies (not a cabinet expert) they seem comparable in quality with a 10 k price difference. Looks like from the review in here they are a decent quality and rated A. Watch our funny video: One rep, one company to deal with and several brands to choose from. The best part is that they are letting you make changes. They are usually firmly built and sturdy and deeper than most cabinets. 13) Why Is It So Hard To Compare Kitchen Cabinet Brands? We disagreed on philosophy. Kraftmaid and Schrock are at least 50 % more and generally not better constructed for any stained doors. And then you are considering taking that design to the two distributers to buy cabinets? https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/podcasts/. I was unable to find either brand on your review post so was hoping you would take the time to apply your rating system on both of these brands. There are other better made AND less expensive even in frameless lines. I have 4 questions that I hope you can comment on: 1. They want no changes. Covered Bridge tells me everything I need to know. https://s3.amazonaws.com/offload-wellborn-com-assets/pdf/Wellborn-Cabinet-Construction.pdf. Assuming you mean Kitchen Cabinet Depot when you say KCD. Once we have more info on the proposed kitchen design and options, Ill call into the podcast. So buckle your seatbelt, and lets get going! I appreciate any freedback. You can get something expensive and rework the structure with every change. Thank you for your post. Im surprised we forgot to review them. x 14-5/8 in. From what we know so far, what we need is pretty standard and were just looking to replace what we have now. The quick delivery home (Rouse Chamberlin) we purchased ten years ago has them. 2. Compare. Both cabinets are impeccable options. Hi Louise, Price from 2 different kitchen designers are about the same. On the West Coast Procraft can be a bargain because they ship into that side of the country. Generally, I have started to fix that with these Allen and Roth C. If you do get Columbia they should be all plywood. Learn More Door Style Visualizer Cabinet Colour Trends Kitchen Storage Solutions We've got you! https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/podcasts/. Main Line Kitchen Design tries to influence this change through our cabinet ratings, our website, and our podcast. More expensive brands should be bought to GET the things they offer that the less expensive brands do not. My second bid was painted, full front but furniture board construction. It is hard to know since Im not seeing the rails mentioned on the website . KraftMaid If you are on the hunt for high-quality, reliable kitchen cabinets that are easily accessible, KraftMaid is the only way to go. Overall, there are probably better choices to make in a framed line that would be less expensive and better made. For example, many of the most expensive well-made cabinet lines receive lower cabinet reviews even though as designers we think the cabinetry is the best in its class. Hi Jennifer, But I am trying to maximize storage in my small condo kitchen (aka hobbit hole) if it is too expensive from the manufacturer, is an after-market product an alternative? If you dont recommend them is there a similar price point brand with better quality? No cabinets are sold for list price and some are sold for 50% off of the arbitrary list price. As an Amazon Associate, I Earn From Qualifying Purchases. Thank you for this great resource. Since we dont have full kitchen displays in our offices and only use selling centers this allows us to dump lines easily if they have supply chain problems or like in the case of 6SQuare go Bankrupt! Hi Katherine, 1) When we talk about painted cabinets in all brands it isnt a liquid paint it is a conversion or catalyzed varnish, or a heated powder. And less expensive. If you had to choose between KCD painted shaker in birch or Kraftmaid painted shaker in maple, which would you choose? One last question, Sterling also carries Wolf, which looks to have all plywood construction and solid B+ rating. Hi Dan, If price is really an issue Fabuwood has the standard overlay door style Quest Discovery frost that is a wood door and is also 25% less. Today their are inexpensive brands that are better constructed than some custom brands were a decade ago. we use real hardwoods, a fine furniture finish and adjustble full access Hidden Glides. 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