Below are our comprehensive kitchen cabinet ratings for the top selling manufacturers in the United States and how they rank for construction quality and for value considering the price point of each cabinet line. Price point is ranked from 1 to 6 with 6 being the most expensive custom cabinetry on the market. These Kitchen Cabinet reviews were compiled and rated by our team of highly experienced kitchen designers.
READ THE MOST RECENT 2024 RANKINGS HERE
03-07-2022 NOTICE Many less expensive brands priced at the 1 and 2 level presently have OUT OF STOCK ISSUES AND EXTENDED DELAYS Check with dealers for timelines. Generally, most higher end semi-custom brands at the 3 and 4 price point now take from 8 weeks to 14 weeks or longer. Most high-end and custom brands at the 5 or 6 price point now take 18 to 24 weeks, some even longer.
Main Line Kitchen Design is a cabinet dealer located in the suburbs of Philadelphia Pennsylvania. OUR SERVICE AREA IS WITHIN A TWO-HOUR DRIVE OF OUR BALA CYNWYD PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE.
Call in to our Helpline and Podcast Fridays 2-4 pm Eastern Standard Time to ask cabinetry and design questions. Have designs ready to email for layout advice. Call 61O-5OO-4O71
Warning
If you are price comparing cabinet lines, please click here and read this first. Price comparing your design at different dealers often leads you down a bad road.
How the ratings work
Kitchen cabinet ratings assume each line is upgraded to the top level of construction available, usually all plywood construction.
A grade of A for construction quality will not be equal across different price levels, as the more expensive price point cabinets will have far nicer finishes and construction options.
Note: The highest grade for Quality in any frameless European style cabinet line is a B. While frameless cabinetry is easier to access and is sleeker looking, it is also less durable than the best made framed cabinetry.
The value grade we give is not a rating about the quality of the cabinetry but a rating of how good an investment a cabinet line is considering its cost.
For example, many of the most expensive well-made cabinet lines receive lower marks on value even though as designers we think the cabinetry is the best in its class.
These lines receive lower grades on value simply because there are competitors offering the same quality at slightly lower prices. If price is no object, then we recommend ignoring the value rating in the cabinetry priced in the 6-price point.
Disclosure
Main Line kitchen design acknowledges that we are dealers for the following cabinet lines: Wellsford, Bishop, Brighton, Fabuwood, Legacy Presidential, Timberlake and CNC. We could be prejudiced towards ranking these lines more favorably, but we have tried to be impartial. However, since the cabinet lines we carry were chosen specifically for their construction quality and value, our ranking them well should not be a surprise.
KITCHEN CABINET RATINGS
| Cabinet line | Price level 1-6 | Quality | Value |
| 21st Century | 1 | A | A- |
| 6Square Out of Business | 2 | ||
| Adelphia Kitchens | 3 | B | B |
| Adornus (frameless) | 3 | B | B |
| Alusso by Adornus (frameless) | 3 | B | B |
| All Wood – framed | 2 | A | A |
| All Wood – frameless | 1 | C | C |
| American Woodmark | 3 | B+ | B |
| Aristocraft | 2 | C | C |
| Belmont 1900 Series Frameless | 4 | B | B+ |
| Bertch | 4 | A | A- |
| Bishop | 4 | A+ | B++ |
| Bishop Frameless | 5 | B | A |
| B.J. Tidwell Cabinetry | 3 | B | C+ |
| Bremtown | 6 | A+ | B |
| Brighton | 5 | A- | A+ |
| Brookhaven | 5.5 | A | B |
| Brubaker | 5 | A | A |
| Cabico | 4 | B | B |
| Cabinet Depot | 2 | B+ | B+ |
| Candlelight | 4 | A | A |
| Canyon Creek | 3 | B | B |
| CliqStudios Reopened | 2.5 | B+ | ? |
| CNC | 1.5 | A- | A- |
| Collier | 5 | A | B- |
| Craft-Made Cabinetry framed | 5 | A | A |
| Crestwood Framed | 5 | A | A |
| Crestwood Frameless | 5 | B | A- |
| CrownPoint Cabinetry (framed) | 5.5 | A+ | A |
| CrownPoint (frameless) | 5.5 | B | A |
| Crystal custom | 5 | A | A |
| Crystal semi-custom | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Cubitac Prestige and Imperial | 1.5 | A | A |
| Cuisine Ideale (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Decora | 4.5 | A | B |
| Desginers Choice | 4 | A | A |
| Design-Craft | 4 | B | B- |
| Diamond | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Diamond Now Stock | 1 | B | B |
| Durasupreme | 5 | B+ | B- |
| Durasupreme frameless | 3 | C | C |
| Dynasty by Omega (frameless) | 4 | B | B+ |
| Dynasty by Omega (framed) | 4 | A | A-/B+ |
| Dynasty Pinnacle (framed) | 5 | A | B |
| Echelon Cabinetry | 2 | B- | C |
| Eclipse by Shiloh | 4.5 | B- / C+ | B |
| Eurocraft Frameless | 3.5 | C | C+ |
| Executive (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| Fabuwood | 2 | A | A |
| Fabuwood (frameless) | Disc | Disc | Disc |
| Fieldstone | 4.5 | A- | B+ |
| Forevermark | 1.5 | B+ | B |
| Grabill | 6 | A+ | B |
| Great Northern Classic | 5 | A | A |
| Green Forest | 2 | A | A- |
| Haas | 3 | B | B |
| Hampton Bay (frameless stock) | 1 | D | C+ |
| Hanssem framed | 1 | B- | C+ |
| Holiday (frameless) | 3 | C | supply |
| Holiday Kitchens | 4 | A | problems |
| Homecrest | 3 | B+ | B+ |
| Homestead Custom | 4 | A | A- |
| Ideal Cabinetry | 2 | B | A- |
| IKEA (frameless) | 1 | D | C |
| Innovation | 2 | C | C |
| JSI Cabinetry | 1 | B+ | B+ |
| J&K Cabinets | 2 | A+ | A- |
| Kabinart | 3 | C+ | D |
| Kemper | 4 | B+ | B+ |
| Kitchen Compact | 2 | B- | C- |
| Kitchencraft (frameless) | 3 | C | B |
| Kith | 3 | B+ | C+ |
| Koch Classic | 4 | A- | A- |
| Kountry Kraft (framed) | 6 | A | B |
| Kountry Kraft (frameless) | 6 | B | B |
| Kountry Wood | 2 | C | C |
| Kraftmaid | 4 | A- | A- |
| Kraftmaid Vantage | 4 | A- | A |
| Legacy | 2.5 | B+ | B |
| Legacy Presidential | 3 | A | B |
| LifeArt | 1 | C+ | A |
| Luxor Collection Frameless | 4 | B | B |
| Marsh | 2 | B | B |
| Marsh (frameless) | 2 | B- | B |
| MasterCraft | 2 | B | B |
| Medallion (Now owed by ACPI ) | 5 | A- | B+ |
| Merillat | 2 | C | D |
| Merit Kitchens | 4 | B+ | B |
| Mid Continent | 2 | C | C |
| Mouser | 5 | A | A- |
| Mouser (frameless) | 5 | B | A |
| NatureKast Waterproof Cabinets | 5 | A | A |
| Norcraft (every upgrade used) | 3 | B | D |
| Ovation | 4 | B | C |
| Plain and Fancy | 6 | A | B+ |
| Plato Woodwork | 5 | A | A |
| Poggenpohl (frameless) | 6 | B | C |
| ProCraft | 1 | A | A- |
| QCCI Quality Custom | 6+ | A+ | A- |
| QuakerMaid (frameless) | 4 | B | B |
| RiverRun Cabinetry | 3.75 | B | B- |
| R.D. Henry | 4 | A | A |
| Rutt | 6 | A+ | A |
| Schrock | 4 | B+/ A- | B+/ A- |
| Schuler | 5 | A- | B+ |
| Shenandoah | 3 | B+ | B |
| Shiloh | 4 | C | C |
| Showplace | 4 | A | B++ |
| ShowplaceEVO (frameless) | 3.5 | B | B+ |
| Siematic | 5.5 | B | C |
| Signature Custom | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Siteline Cabinetry | 3.5 | B- | C |
| Solid Wood Cabinets | Closed | Bankrupt | |
| St. Martin (frameless) | 3.5 | B | A |
| Starmark standard | 5 | C | C |
| Starmark inset or 3/4″ back panel | 5 | A+ | A |
| Stylecraft | 6 | A | A |
| Tedd Wood | 5 | A | A |
| Thomasville* | 4 | B+/A- | B+/A- |
| Thomasville Nouvell | 3 | D | D |
| Timberlake | 3 | B+ | B |
| Tru Cabinetry | 3 | B | B+/ A- |
| Ultracraft (frameless) | 2 | C | C |
| Ultracraft 3/4 ply upgrade | 3 | B | B+/A- |
| Urban Effects (frameless) | 3.75 | C- | D |
| Village | 5 | A | A |
| Waypoint | 3 | B+ | B |
| Wellborn | 4 and 5 | A | A |
| Wellborn Forrest | 3.5 | B+ | B+ |
| Wellsford | 5 | A+ | A+ |
| Wellsford (frameless) | 5 | B | A- |
| Wolf | 2 | A | B+ |
| Wolf Signature Series | 3.5 | A- | C+ |
| Woodharbor | 5 | B+ | C |
| Woodmode | 6 | A | A- |
| Yorktowne (Now owed by ACPI ) | 4 | A- | B+ |
Outside our service area?
FOR PEOPLE OUTSIDE OUR SERVICE AREA OF WITHIN A TWO-HOUR DRIVE OF OUR BALA CYNWYD PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE, HERE IS A LINK TO RECOMMENDED DEALERS IN OTHER AREAS. GOOD DEALERS CLOSE TO YOU CAN BETTER ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT’S AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA.
All the designers that gave us input on the cabinet lines below have greater than 20 years’ experience in our industry. When possible, all construction specifics were double checked on the web sites for each cabinet line.
1 Replies to “Kitchen Cabinet Ratings for 2021. Reviews for the Top Selling Cabinet Brands.”
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Josie,
We can’t find specs on how the back panel is made to rate Diamond Vibe. Upgraded to all plywood construction they should be fine. But still significantly more expensive than Fabuwood. The Fabuwood price increase is only 5% for any Fabuwood dealer that’s not tiny.As always the designer is the most important choice when the cabinet lines are decent.
josie
Hi Paul!
How would you rate Diamond Vibe cabinets? The kitchen designer I spoke to said they were comparable in price to Fabuwood, which raised prices recently.
Brad
Hi Paul,
I am trying to decide between Brighton and Wellsford. The big reason I am looking at both, is because I need 33” cabinets and they are the only two who make the door style we like (Wellsford Cabinetry Copenhagen) and (Brighton’s Craftsman). I know you used to have Brighton at a 4 for price and they are both at 5. You have the quality at A- for Brighton and A+ for Wellsford. What does Wellsford do different than Brighton to be a better quality? Thank you
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Brad,
Brighton has a 3/8″ plywood back panel Wellsford is more substantial. Both lines meet quality construction standards. Wellsford unquestionably has slightly nicer looking finishes but is 10% more. A kitchen place carrying both these lines as we do is unusual. Where are you located?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Ann,
Glad we could help
SAL
Hi. Very helpful information. What are your thoughts about Omega Dynasty cabinets? We have a smaller kitchen and were thinking about getting some with an opaque paint finish. I noticed that they state that they “may” replace maple/oak with MDF for the drawer faces. I’ve also seen some reviews where people report peeling paint, etc. Wondering if we should move to a different brand of cabinets, or is it simply an issue that a certain number of people will have trouble with just about every cabinet maker? Thanks!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
We don’t sell Omega Dynasty but I doubt that they have any paint problems that other companies don’t have. All paineted cabinets get nicked and scratched more easily and peel if you get the cabinet wet. So when customers complain about this on any cabinet line it is simply because they didn’t understand what they were buying and how to treat the cabinetry. Stained cabinets are less likely to have these issues.
Ann Azevedo
As it turns out, the new cabinet place uses Fabuwood now instead of the Wolf Classic. So happy about that. Also, since some changes did need to be made from our original design, we happily found out that the person we worked with at the new place was a much better designer!
Thanks again for your perspective.
Omar
what about Forevermark Cabnets?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
We don’t know what’s going on with Forevermark so we can’t rate them.
Mark S Confer
Thanks Paul for your thoughts on the Schrock line. I know that Schrock/Masterbrand also makes the Diamond, Diamond Now and Thomasville brands sold at the big box stores. I am looking for 3- 36″ uppers and 1- 30″ base. Will install myself (very good at that sort of thing)
I see you carry/recommend CNC for the quality/value for the price. I can’t seem to find a dealer in my area. (Tucson, AZ). I don’t want to spend big bucks as you suggest, but I also want some quality to the pieces (plywood construction, etc.) any recommendations?
Mark S Confer
Paul
Great sight. Lots of valuable info from you and others. Yhank you
I am looking at Schrock cabinets Whittaker line to upgrade my 10′ x 10′ laundryroom.
your thoughts on this brand?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Mark,
For a laundry room that might be an overly expensive door style and maybe even a cabinet line more expensive than you need. I wouldn’t recommend that choice unless you really liked the style and your home was over a million dollars. All renovations come down to “is this choice or that choice worth the money”. Spend a lot extra on a laundry room and you might have been happier making less expensive choices and having enough money left over for a hot tub or other upgrade elsewhere.
Ann Azevedo
Thank you for the quick reply.
It makes me feel a little better; I just wanted to be sure we weren’t getting something that was crappy and wouldn’t last. In truth, the cabinet maker we were dealing with had stock finishes as well as custom, just a much broader range. We’re meeting with the local Wolf installer this week and will see what they come up with. They are trying to match our design (which wasn’t anything exotic, anyway) as much as they can.
The first place had already measured; then, suddenly this week, decided to shut down the building and installing until who knows when.
Ann Azevedo
Got hit with a surprise yesterday by our builder. The custom-make cabinet place we were working with shut down with no firm reopening date. Our builder is using Wolf Classic in a different (spec) house and is recommending those. I’m seeing somewhat worrisome reviews about Wolf Classic. Would certainly appreciate your opinion.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Ann,
Wolf Classic is a nice but very inexpensive cabinet line. The finishes will not be as nice looking as more expensive lines. And the ability to customize will be nowhere near the same as higher end semi-custom or custom cabinet lines. They will cost a bunch less though an be durable.
Kevin O'Connor
Why isn’t Crownpoint among the cabinet makers? Not even among the New England makers. Why is this so? Thanks for your comments.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Kevin,
Good question. CrownPoint somehow managed to stay off our radar. But your wish is my command. I did my best rating their lines. My only uncertainties were first, exactly where they priced out at between a 5 and a 6 price point. I split the difference and rated them at a 5.5. If you had some kind of price comparison between CrownPoint and another line I knew better, I would consider your information. Also I don’t fully understand their Acromapro Paint and how durable it would be compared to other custom lines. But CrownPoint is certainly a quality custom cabinet line. My Cousin Kevin McAlary owns Eagle Associates in Hillsboro New Hampshire and is the New England Cabinet Rep for several cabinet lines including Medallion and Plain and Fancy. I’m sure he would have valuable input on CrownPoint. I will ask him next time we speak or possibly email him.
Josie
Hi Paul! Are you aware of any good deals right now that you could share? Given what you said about many companies struggling due to covid 19 issues, I am wondering if any manufacturers are running any promotions right now? Thanks
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Josie,
You won’t get cabinets cheaper when the cabinet lines are struggling so there will be less deals and not more. And acts of desperation might even be a bad sign. In general home center cabinet lines have specials. Most independent dealers wouldn’t encourage specials that that would rush customers into ordering before their kitchen was completely ready to order. Kraftmaid which is sold at both home centers and independent dealers would be an example of a line that had specials.
MT
Hello,
I am looking at a potential Kabinart purchase. I noticed your quality and value ratings for Kabinart are pretty underwhelming. Would you be able to provide any further detail or explanation for why Kabinart received these marks?
Many thanks!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi MT,
I don’t want to do the research again. But from our reviews I can tell that the cabinets are insufficiently constructed to meet our minimum specifications.
Mason
Hi Paul: I’ve been looking at some of the import lines and almost ordered 6 Square Cabinets from my local kitchen designer before 6 Square closed. I have been following your site for quite a while and appreciate your opinions. My kitchen designer suggested Fabuwood as a great alternative to 6 Square (I am looking at white shaker). He also shared the following with me….WASHINGTON, DC – March 24, 2020 – Today, the American Kitchen Cabinet Alliance (AKCA) is commending the final affirmative vote by the U.S. International Trade Commission as an important conclusion to a campaign to address unfairly traded Chinese imports of wooden cabinets and vanities. Today’s unanimous vote means that antidumping and countervailing duty orders will now go into effect the first week of April. What are your thoughts on this recent turn of events. Do you think that imported cabinet prices are going to become less competitive and that even more import companies will simply close their doors like 6 Square did?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Mason,
My guess would be that due to Covid-19 many cabinet brands and dealers are going to go bankrupt. However the trade commision vote is closing the barn door after the horses are out. Almost all cabinet companies importing cabinet doors, parts, and pieces have moved their production facilities out of China to Vietnam, Mexico, and other locations. Fabuwood did this in January. However due to Covid-19 and plant closings happening overseas earlier, expect delays from all import lines first, followed by delays from US lines as our plants experience shutdowns and delays.
.
For a shaker white door Fabuwood is a good choice but lead times are up to 8 weeks. Going forward I think it is anyone’s guess which lines and dealers will be the companies to fail. However Fabuwood is cash rich and I suspect politically connected, so I would be surprised if they fell victim to much more than delays. 6Square was in trouble for a long time. The brands that sell cabinetry online like 6Square are vulnerable not just to the market and tariffs, but to Google algorithms and to a fickle public that values very little beyond price.
marianne.magister@gmail.com
Hi Paul,
We plan to update our kitchen and baths in Hilton Head. Condo will be used as a second home for us, as well as a summer rental. With that in mind, we are seriously considering Kraft Maid, all plywood construction, soft close hinges, sold wood (Maple) doors with solid raised panel, etc. I am happy with Kraft Maid, but not 100% satisfied with their paint color choices (Midnight or Lagoon) as we want a blue for the kitchen. I found a brighter blue (Lakeshore) in Design Craft but see they are rated below Kraft Maid. How do the two lines compare? Can Kraft Maid be ordered in a non-painted, non-stained finish and my contractor paint them (or is that economically foolish)? We are on a budget.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Mariane,
You never want to paint new cabinets yourself. The finish will be far less durable, not look as nice and will void the warranty on the cabinets, There are many cabinet lines that color match for around the same price as Kraftmaid. Bishop and Brighton are two we carry but many other lines do as well. Design-Craft is a frameless line and so we would not recomend them for a raised panel door style. There are many many lines we rate well that will either have a color you like or will color match any Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paint. The color will not be a perfect match but it will be very very close and the finish from the cabinet company will be a conversion varnish or other more durable finish than a simple liquid paint.
Jim S
We are looking at 3 lines Homecrest, Tedd Wood & Wellborn. What would you recommend?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Jim,
We rate all three lines well. They are different price points though so they should be very different in cost.
Homecrest is a less expensive line. Wellborn must be upgraded to the top construction to get the better reviews we give them and Tedd Wood is a custom line.
As always when choosing from well constructed lines, the skill of the kitchen designer outweighs the cabinet line choice by a large margin. If you think all kitchen designers are the same and they are all giving you the same design then that means you haven’t met with a good one yet.
Grayson
Hi Paul,
I am working with a designer from Wholesale Cabinet Supply and considering JSI Cabinets in Essex White for a large, budget friendly, kitchen remodel. Would love your additional thoughts on this cabinetry line as I see they received B+ for both quality and value. Thank you!
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Grayson,
The reviews give our opinion on the cabinetry which is fine. However the designer you work with is more important than the cabinet line. And Wholesale would not be likely to have good designers. You can always call us 2-4 pm on a Friday EST and show us the design to critique.
Iwona J Bakowski
Hello,
Interested in any feedback regards to Cardell Designer Collection and Cardell Cornerstone Collection found at Menards. Would be interested in ordering two pantry cabinets, two 12″ wall cabinets, one 24″ base cabinet and two 18″ drawer cabinet. We have an older kitchen cabinets which I just finished sanding and will be repainting and these would be just additions to the existing kitchen set.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Iwona,
This strategy of mixing cabinet lines and refinishing some cabinets but not others is not one I think is AT ALL wise. There are many reasons why this job will be a poor investment of money and of time. Sorry, but when people request information to help them do something we advise against we only give them our best advice which in this case is “don’t do this”.
paul mcalary
Hi Kevin,
CNC is a New Jersey company and not effected by our states closures.
Kevin
Paul,
Thank you for your prompt response. Our builder mentioned the PA facility of CNC being closed because of Governor order for non essential business to shut down.
I’ll reconfirm.
Thanks again!
Kevin
Hello,
I was planning to go with Century Cabinets (CNC ?) Milano line in Arctic White for our Contemporary kitchen. But due to Covid related closure in PA, our builder is recommending to go with Timberlake Lausanne cabinets in ‘Linen’ color.
Century Milan – https://cnccabinetry.com/kitchen-cabinets/milano/
Timberlake – https://www.timberlake.com/collections/lausanne/
Can you please let us know which product is better quality and how about value?
From the looks of it, Century Milan looks better, but would you think it’s worth a wait of 10 weeks delay because of COVID closure?
Thanks in advance,
Kevin
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
CNC is a frameless line and will look better than the framed line in Timberlake. However the Framed Timberlake will be more durable if upgraded to plywood, because it is a framed cabinet. We rate both lines.
We are dealers for CNC and have not heard of any long delays for CNC cabinetry. Not sure what your builder is talking about.
Jamie
Hi Paul,
My wife and I are currently trying to decide on a cabinet line. We are considering KraftMaid, Durasupreme and Medallion. Our contract has sent us to two different Kitchen Designers on quoted us approx. 25K for the KraftMaid and the other quoted approximately $20K for the Durasupreme.
Can you please provide thoughts/ feedback on the lines above? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jamie
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Jamie,
We just got off the phone. Nice speaking with you. For some reason your comments were going into my spam.
Stay safe,
Paul
Paul McAlary
Hi Kim,
We do give the Diamond Now cabinets B’s for value and quality. But the Cardel would get A’s if upgraded to plywood. Most importantly you could be getting Wolf, Fabuwood, CNC, or other lines ranked at the 1 and 2 price point that get higher marks. Many of THESE lines are sold at showrooms with real kitchen designers.
.
Getting stock cabinets off the shelf means either that you aren’t using a designer at all or maybe a Lowes employee from the kitchen department will take a few moment to hand draw a design for you to pull off the shelf. This is certainly not what we consider designing a kitchen.
.
You can possibly save a little money and definitely some time doing a kitchen this way but smart decisions and real value in renovating a home require more thought by more experienced people, and waiting a little longer for better made cabinetry.
Kim
Just so I’m clear, DiamondNow Stock received B’s for both Quality and Value in your Cabinet Ratings. Are you saying these cabinets are not a wise investment?
Barbara
We need to replace cabinets in a downtown Chicago condo due to water damage. This is a mid priced building with a lot of millennials. While we don’t plan to sell in the foreseeable future, I’m reluctant to over spend on cabinets, but want decent quality. Countryside cabinets out of WI has been recommended. They can be upgraded to plywood boxes. We’re looking at a mix of painted and stained cabinets, probably in maple. It’s a small galley kitchen — one cabinet wall and a peninsula. Would countryside be a good choice?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Barbara,
I don’t know Countryside cabinets and how they price out. At a glance upgraded they look good.
Barbara
I need to replace a galley kitchen in a condo. While we have no plans to sell in the foreseeable future, I fear over spending on cabinets would be a mistake. One cabinet shop has suggested Countryside cabinets out of Wisconsin which can be upgraded to plywood. What is your opinion of them?
Kim
Hi, what information can you share about Klearvue Cabinetry and Cardell Concepts brand cabinetry? I am starting a kitchen remodel but on a budget and can’t afford higher-end cabinetry. I’m looking at Klearvue, Cardell and DiamondNow.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
If you can Upgrade Cardell to all plywood construction they would get good reviews from us. Klearview is frameless so we would only advise using those if you are getting very modern slab doors. And you would be sacrificing durability for style. Not a fan of DiamondNow. There are lots of inexpensive well made cabinet brands that we list on this blog.
.
I would recomend working with a better designer than you would most likely get at a Lowes store. I don’t know Menards and how they pay, hire, and train their designers. Years ago Both Home Depot and Lowes had better designers but a lot has changed in the last few years. Here is a link to our blog on this topic:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-kitchen-from-home-depot-or-lowes/
Generally kitchen design and cabinet dealers have the best designers, followed by lumberyards, and lastly homecenters. Discount places like Costco would not have designers that were even as experienced as the ones at home centers. How well you spend your money on a kitchen renovation is more dependent on the kitchen designer you work with than the cabinetry you choose.
Nate
Are there any thoughts on the Menards Klearvue line of cabinets? They seem like mid-range price, but perhaps relatively good value?
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
There are better values out there. Menards is similar to IKEA in both cabinet and designer quality. So lacking in both areas.
NC
Hello Paul, many thanks for this blog. It’s very resourceful and a wealth of info. We live in NY, westchester county.
We were in the beginning stages of redoing our kitchen and then this pandemic hit. Once things settle down a bit we are thinking of restarting the journey.
My question is if you ever heard of Cubitac and what your thoughts were for this cabinet line. The designer we spoke to suggested this line as a lower price point cabinet and a good quality, comparable to fabuwood. Even their door styles look to be similar, but it’s about 10% less than fabuwood. Any insight is greatly appreciated. Stay safe
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi NC,
The Cubitac Imperial and Prestige look well made I can’t find any info on their Basic. Much like the CNC line we sell that is also a little less than Fabuwood they are nice well constructed cabinets but the door styles, colors, and finishes are often not quite the same “looking” quality. We advise customers flipping houses to use these lines. New home buyers will not scrutinize the cabinetry enough to ever appreciate the difference. However, if you are going to be picky about finishes and tiny nicks, scratches, and paint and stain imperfections I would pay more to get the Fabuwood.
.
Understanding what you are buying and the properties of the line and style is the most important thing. For example: People can often pay extra in more expensive lines insisting on solid wood center panels on doors and then complain that the panels looked striped. Well they paid 15% more to get that! Or they will buy an expensive cabinet line and claim that the glaze they picked looks inconsistent and not as nice as “CHEEP” lines. Well the glaze in the expensive lines is hand applied to look authentic and the less expensive lines just use a permanent marker to fake a glaze.
.
This is also why consumer complaints can drive kitchen designers crazy. Often the complaints are symptomatic not of poor quality but of consumers simply not knowing the properties of what they purchased.
.
As always the quality of the designer is far more important the the quality of the cabinetry once you meet the basic cabinetry standards needed to make a well constructed cabinet. A good designer can create an amazing kitchen in even the least expensive lines. No matter what you spend on cabinetry, a poor designer can’t create an even passable kitchen. We see horrible designs done by all kinds of people daily.
.
Here are two links to Fabuwood kitchens that look like custom kitchens and are done in very expensive homes:
https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/villanova-restored-barn-pj-vj~5894603
https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/fabuwood-fusion-blanc-custom-kitchen-pj-vj~3110193
JT
Do you have ratings or thoughts on Barker, Conestoga, and Scherr cabinets? I’ve heard a lot of good things.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi JT,
We do not generally rate RTA cabinets like the lines you list for a couple of important reasons:
First you have no kitchen designer helping you design and manage the renovation other than yourself and other non “truly professional” kitchen designers. We know this because professional kitchen designers know better than to use RTA cabinetry. Thinking that because you have done several kitchens or that because you are a carpenter, engineer, architect, or other related professional qualifies you to design a kitchen is the arrogance that will assure your poor choices. Read this blog:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/ikea-effect-physiological-phenomenon-drives-kitchen-designers-crazy/
Second the money you save by putting cabinets together yourself isn’t worth it. THAT’S WHY REAL KITCHEN DESIGN PROFESSIONALS DON”T USE RTA CABINETS FOR THEIR OWN KITCHENS.
Ordering assembled cabinets on line still has the first problem which is why we generally don’t rate those cabinet lines.
Ordering cabinets at Costco or IKEA is pretty close to the same thing.
And unfortunately since home centers designers have gotten much, much worse over the last two or three years they are generally only a little better. See this blog:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/why-you-shouldnt-buy-a-kitchen-from-home-depot-or-lowes/
Paul McAlary
Hi jsharpei,
If you are getting a shaker door style our best advice would be not to get a frameless cabinet. Asking for advice after you don’t take our best advice I find frustrating and don’t do anymore.
jsharpei
TY so much, pmcalary. Adornus won’t work because it is stock sizes only. So, I am down to Executive frameless White Shaker vs Schlabach’s Fresno in frameless White Boston Shaker or Heritage Flat. Schlabach is obviously better quality and also more expensive. How should I compare these?? ***What are strong and weak points of the Executive that I have specified here?
Joshua Donovan
Even though company’s say 100% plywood and “Built in USA” that may not mean it’s domestic plywood. For those companies were you able to identify companies that use imported vs domestic wood? I’ve seen poor reviews for All Wood Cabinetry, but this is contradicting.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Joshua,
Nearly all inexpensive cabinetry uses ALL imported fronts, doors and boxes. Saying “Built in the USA” means “assembled in the USA”. All Wood Cabinetry is of course 100% imported. Using customer reviews of cabinet lines is a terrible way to evaluate cabinetry for many reasons. We have many blogs on that topic, here’s one:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/hard-compare-kitchen-cabinet-brands/
US plywood is generally denser than imported plywood, but the less dense imported plywood is still much better than particle board. In frameless cabinetry the 3/4″ US plywood is particularly effective and raises the quality of the frameless cabinet significantly. Here is another relevant blog:
https://www.mainlinekitchendesign.com/general/picking-cabinet-dealer-important-cabinets/
jsharpei
Hello, Follow-up question: if I do not go with SHLABACH Fresno because it is too expansive o, I have to choose between ADORNUS and EXECUTIVE. Can you please compare those two- strengths, weaknesses. I am n0t sure if SCHLABACH is worth the extra money compared to those two options.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi jsharpei,
We know nothing about Shlabach cabinets except what we might guess from their website that offers very little information. They look like custom cabinetry with nice finishes but we have no way of knowing how the build cabinets although they obviously can make a framed cabinet line since they do inset cabinetry. Adonus and Executive are frameless lines. Since you don’t mention your door style and finish we can’t really advise you beyond the ratings we give both of those lines.
jsharpei
Hi, TY for this helpful list and all your help with questions. I am considering SCHLABACH Cabinets- with two lines, Elite, and the less expensive due to ewer options, Fresno. Do you have any information about this brand? Appreciate it.
Paul McAlary
Hi Brian,
As a kitchen designer you can’t do a competent job remotely. You need lots of meetings with customers and conversations with the contractor to do a good job. Great kitchen designers will work at places where they get paid for their expertise. Online designers are paid very little. Less than even home center designers.
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You wouldn’t you expect the best physician to be able to treat and diagnose you remotely? But you can get basic simplified medical help on line.
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Our blog and our help on Friday should be far better than what you could get from online sales people and it’s great that we offer the help for free. But it is NO substitute for good local kitchen design help taking you from design through selecting all your materials locally to helping you and your contractor navigate issues, damages, or unforeseen challenges.
Brian
Thanks so much, Paul.
It’s shocking to hear that *no* good designers would work for an online company. I appreciate your offer to look at my design. I may take you up on that. Really appreciate it.
Paul McAlary
Hi Brian,
There are lots of well made inexpensive cabinet lines but few good designers and certainly none that would work for an online company.
Kitchen designers are needed not just to give you a good design but to help you make better decisions every step of the way during a complex kitchen renovation. You can call us on a Friday between 2-4 pm EST and we can look at your design and see if it is detailed enough to give you advice.
Brian
Hi, Paul.
What did I say to make you think I don’t value the designer? 🙂
I think the designer is incredibly important. Unfortunately, when you mail order your kitchen cabinets and you’re not a kitchen professional yourself, it’s hard to know if a designer is good. I mean, how do you evaluate something you have no expertise in yourself?
I got a design from CliqStudios. It was the same layout I had in my original kitchen. Something just didn’t sit right with me, but I was going to take it. Then Cliq went out of business, and I contacted multiple other companies. I sent them Cliq’s design. The one that really blew me away was Suzanne at Cabinets.com. She just did a couple of swaps, but like she said it would, it opened up my entire kitchen. Now is she a good designer and the design itself, is it awesome? Only a talented designer could really evaluate it, but I thought it was awesome.
And of course the quality of the cabinets matter, too. If the design is incredible, but we put crap in there, we’re not going to be happy.
Rachel
Thank you for your extensive reviews and comments!
I noticed that you didn’t include Masterbrand’s Mantra line in the 2020 list. Our designer recommended it over 21st Century for our low budget kitchen renovation. She claims that 21st Century is known as being poorly made, which contradicts your review. I’d appreciate any of your thoughts.
Thank you.
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Rachel,
There is no question that 21st Century Cabinets are the least expensive of cabinet lines. They are well constructed though and transparent about their construction. Don’t expect beautiful styles and finishes from a very cheep line but their construction specifications are good. Masterbrands is far from transparent. And while some of the Masterbrand lines are very well made such as Decora. And many other Masterbrand lines continue to improve their construction such as Diamond. However, Masterbrands still keeps the specifications to most of their lines unavailable to the general public. The Mantra line (the name gives me the creeps) is such a line. I don’t know how to evaluate it but I don’t like the absence of transparency. There are many good line why buy from people that are not open and upfront?
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On another note please consider what I have been saying to other posters and get better help designing your kitchen. I am starting to feel like our blog and our ratings are helping people avoid getting the help that they need. See our funny video on the topic that tries to get this point across more gently:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxJgxCeeNTo&t=
Brian Kiser
I e-mailed Cabinets.com and asked them… they got back to me quickly (on a Sunday!) and said this:
“The main company is Kith but we have our own manufacturing line there, so the cabinets are made specifically for us. All of the construction details and videos are on our website under the construction tab.”
pmcalary[ Post Author ]
Hi Brian,
I think you like many of the people that use our web site are missing the forest through the trees. Se my advice to Josephine below:
Hi Josephine,
I like J&K slightly more. We rate both lines well. But J&K is not closed due to state requirements so thinking they will come back after a self imposed hiatus is positive thinking. Until they reopen successfully I remain skeptical.
As an aside. Customers tend to focus on what they can easily research – namely this brand over that brand.
It has been our experience the the more focused a customer is on cabinet brands the worse the design they are considering is. Finding a good designer and a good cabinet dealer is the most important thing. Getting a slightly better cabinet value has such little impact versus getting a better design.
The designs we review for customers from outside our service area free of charge on Fridays 2-4 pm EST are generally terrible. There are a lot of bad kitchen designers out there. And contractors, customers, interior designers, architects, and real estate professionals are not even close to qualified to design a kitchen and make good decisions during a kitchen renovation.
Brian
Thank you for the response! I am overwhelmed and looking at multiple companies. Do you know anything about the quality of the cabinets sold by cabinets.com?
Paul McAlary
Hi Brian,
Nuform is not a cabinet line it is a online dealer of the lowest level of imported RTA cabinets of unknown origin. No designers, no expertise, no reliable warranty since they are totally nontransparent. Since Clique Studios, a better company offering a similar and more professional version of the same thing already went out of business, I would’t advise considering a far less professional alternative.
Brian
Do you know anything about Nuform Cabinetry? I’m having trouble finding information online.
Paul McAlary
Hi Brian,
We saw Clique Studios/6Square struggling before their closure and had moved on from selling the line. Thankfully we did get some warranty doors and materials for customers over the last few months with the help of our rep.
Brian
CliqStudios just went out of business suddenly, without any prior notice. They stiffed a lot of their customers. Pray you didn’t send them any money. Their employees got one hour notice to clear out.
Paul McAlary
Hi Josephine,
I like J&K slightly more. We rate both lines well. But J&K is not closed due to state requirements so thinking they will come back after a self imposed hiatus is positive thinking. Until they reopen successfully I remain skeptical.
As an aside. Customers tend to focus on what they can easily research – namely this brand over that brand.
It has been our experience the the more focused a customer is on cabinet brands the worse the design they are considering is. Finding a good designer and a good cabinet dealer is the most important thing. Getting a slightly better cabinet value has such little impact versus getting a better design.
The designs we review for customers from outside our service area free of charge on Fridays 2-4 pm EST are generally terrible. There are a lot of bad kitchen designers out there. And contractors, customers, interior designers, architects, and real estate professionals are not even close to qualified to design a kitchen and make good decisions during a kitchen renovation.
Josephine
Hi Paul! Thanks for your quick response. I did see on J&K’s website that they are closed for a few weeks due to Covid 19, but it does not indicate it is a permanent close. Are you saying you think they are out of business or closed temporarily? Assuming it is temporary, can you still speak to the quality versus 21st Century? CNC also. Thanks!
Paul McAlary
Hi Josephine,
J&K is closed as far as I know. We rate 21st Century. We also like CNC is that low pricepoint.