When it comes to kitchen cabinets, Aristokraft and KraftMaid are two of the biggest names in the industry. Both brands offer high-quality cabinetry with plenty of customization options, so deciding between the two can be difficult.
This comprehensive guide examines the key differences between Aristokraft and KraftMaid to help you determine which is the better choice for your kitchen remodel or new construction project.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Category | Aristokraft | KraftMaid |
| Company | Owned by MasterBrand Cabinets | Owned by Masco Cabinetry |
| Door Styles | 65+ styles from traditional to contemporary | 65+ styles from traditional to modern |
| Materials | Plywood boxes; veneer, laminate & thermofoil doors | Plywood boxes; solid wood, veneer & engineered wood doors |
| Construction | Full overlay, inset, European overlay | Full overlay, inset, beaded inset, frameless |
| Storage Solutions | Roll-outs, lazy susans, tilt-outs | Pull-outs, roll-outs, lazy susans, appliance garages |
| Finishes | Stains, paints, glazes, distressed options | Stains, paints, glazes, antique and distressed options |
| Pricing | Mid to upper-mid price points | Mid to upper price points |
| Warranty | Lifetime limited on boxes and drawers | Limited lifetime on materials and workmanship |
| Availability | Kitchen designers, home builders, major retailers | Dealers, home centers, retailers |
| Custom Options | Semi-custom available | Stock, semi-custom, and fully custom available |
Overview of Aristokraft Cabinets
Aristokraft is a well-known brand of kitchen, bath, and other cabinetry that has been around since 1954. They offer a wide range of styles and finishes to choose from, with plenty of storage and organizational features. Here’s an overview of Aristokraft cabinets:
- Owned by MasterBrand Cabinets, a major cabinet manufacturer
- Offers over 65 door styles from traditional to contemporary
- Materials include wood, thermally fused laminate, and thermofoil
- Variety of finish options like stains, paints, glazes and distressing techniques
- Full overlay, inset, and European overlay door styles
- Soft-close doors and drawers are standard
- Lifetime limited warranty on all cabinet boxes and drawers
Aristokraft aims to provide high-quality, stylish cabinets across a range of price points. They use furniture-quality materials like hardwood veneers and sturdy plywood construction. Storage solutions like roll-out trays, lazy susans, and pull-out cabinets maximize kitchen functionality.
Overview of KraftMaid Cabinets
KraftMaid is another leading brand of kitchen, bathroom, and other cabinets, manufactured by Masco Cabinetry. Like Aristokraft, KraftMaid offers a wide selection of styles, finishes, and organizational features:
- Founded in 1969 and acquired by Masco Cabinetry in 1971
- Over 65 door styles from traditional to modern
- Materials include solid wood, plywood, and engineered wood
- Stain, paint, glaze, and distressed finish options
- Full overlay, inset, beaded inset, and frameless cabinet constructions
- Soft-close doors and drawers standard
- Limited lifetime warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship
KraftMaid aims to provide durable, high-quality, stylish cabinets in a range of prices. Their cabinet boxes feature furniture-grade plywood, and door styles cover classic to contemporary. Storage solutions and smart organizational features optimize kitchen functionality.
Now that we’ve covered the basics on each brand, let’s do a detailed comparison of the pros, cons, prices, warranties, and other key factors.
Detailed Comparison of Aristokraft And KraftMaid
While Aristokraft and KraftMaid share some similarities, there are also some notable differences between the two cabinet brands:
Style Options
Both KraftMaid and Aristokraft offer a wide range of cabinet door styles, from traditional to contemporary:
- Aristokraft: Over 65 door styles ranging from classic Shaker to modern, slick styles. Offer full overlay, inset, and European overlay constructions.
- KraftMaid: 65+ door styles including Shaker, Mission, Contemporary, and Transitional options. Have full overlay, inset, beaded inset, and frameless cabinet constructions.
The style selection is extensive for both brands. KraftMaid has more construction options, while Aristokraft offers European overlays.
Material and Construction
Aristokraft and KraftMaid use high-quality materials and construction methods:
- Aristokraft: Cases made from furniture-grade plywood. Doors feature veneers, thermally fused laminate, or thermofoil. Soft-close hinges.
- KraftMaid: Cabinet boxes made from furniture-grade plywood. Doors available in solid wood, veneers, and engineered wood. Soft-close hinges.
Both use plywood cases and durable materials for doors. Aristokraft offers more door material options while KraftMaid highlights solid wood doors. Durability and quality are comparable.
Storage Solutions
In terms of storage and organization, both brands provide excellent solutions:
- Aristokraft: Roll-out trays, lazy susans, tilt-out hampers, pull-out cabinets, wastebasket cabinets, appliance garages.
- KraftMaid: Pots and pans storage, spice storage, tilt-out trays, lazy susans, pull-out cabinets, cutlery dividers, appliance garages.
The storage options are quite similar. Both Aristokraft and KraftMaid have versatile solutions for organizing kitchens.
Finishes
You can achieve a wide array of aesthetic looks with the finish options from both brands:
- Aristokraft: Stains, paints, glazes, and distressing options. Textured finishes like brushstroke available.
- KraftMaid: Stain, paint, glaze choices. Can also do antique and distressed finishes.
Again, the finish offerings align closely. Aristokraft may offer slightly more textured and distressed finish options.
Prices
In terms of pricing, Aristokraft and KraftMaid cabinets are sold at similar price points:
- Aristokraft: Mid to upper-mid range prices, with semi-custom lines being the most affordable.
- KraftMaid: Spans mid to upper price points, with entry-level options and upscale custom choices.
Prices can vary based on the types of materials used, level of customization, and more. On average both brands are considered affordable to mid-priced cabinetry.
Warranties
The warranties provide coverage to protect your investment:
- Aristokraft: Lifetime limited warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship.
- KraftMaid: Limited lifetime warranty on materials and workmanship.
The warranties are comparable for Aristokraft vs. KraftMaid. Defects are covered for the lifetime of the original product.
Availability
In terms of where you can buy these cabinet brands:
- Aristokraft: Available through kitchen designers, home builders, and major home retailers. Offer semi-custom and stock kitchen cabinetry.
- KraftMaid: Sold through kitchen designers, dealers, home centers and some retailers. Offer stock, semi-custom, and custom cabinetry.
Both Aristokraft and KraftMaid have wide availability both nationwide and through major retailers. KraftMaid offers more customization pathways.
Pros and Cons of Aristokraft Cabinets
Now that we’ve compared the two brands, let’s break down the pros and cons of Aristokraft cabinets:
Pros
- Wide range of classic to contemporary styles
- Quality materials and construction
- Soft-close doors and drawers standard
- Excellent storage solutions
- Mid to upper price point products
- Good availability through retailers
Cons
- Less customization options compared to KraftMaid
- Limited lifetime warranty could be better
- Quality control issues noted by some customers
Aristokraft is an excellent choice for beautiful, affordable to mid-priced cabinetry with plenty of organizational features.
The style and finish selections are outstanding. Lack of customization and some quality concerns are the main downsides.
Pros and Cons of KraftMaid Cabinets
Here are the key pros and cons for KraftMaid kitchen cabinets:
Pros
- Broad range of door styles and finishes
- Durable plywood case construction
- Soft-close doors and drawers standard
- Innovative storage solutions
- Mid to upper price points
- Wide availability through dealers and retailers
Cons
- Limited lifetime warranty could be better
- Quality issues noted by some customers
- Less decorative/distressed finish options
KraftMaid is known for durable, stylish kitchen cabinets with versatile storage options. The wide range of styles, price points, and availability is excellent. Like Aristokraft, the main downsides are an okay warranty and some quality concerns.
Which Is Better?
So when considering Aristokraft vs. KraftMaid, which comes out on top?
For the best value, Aristokraft cabinets are the way to go. You can get beautiful, functional kitchen cabinets at reasonable price points. Storage solutions and style selections are exceptional. Warranties and availability align closely between the two brands.
However, if customization is important, KraftMaid pulls ahead. They offer more ways to customize your cabinets including full custom designs. The warranties are similar, while KraftMaid provides wider dealer availability for a more personalized experience.
Ultimately, choosing between Aristokraft and KraftMaid comes down to your budget, how customized you want your kitchen, and which door styles appeal most. You can feel confident selecting either brand for a kitchen that looks amazing and functions efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Still trying to decide between Aristokraft or Kraftmaid? Here are answers to some common questions about the two cabinet brands.
KraftMaid is generally not considered a high-end luxury cabinet brand. They market themselves as a mid to upper-midrange product. Their quality and construction are excellent, but their prices and target audience sit below super premium cabinetry.
Yes, KraftMaid cabinets are known for being good quality overall. Their cabinet boxes feature thick, reliable plywood. Door fronts use durable engineered wood, veneers or solid wood. Hardware is sturdy and soft-close mechanisms well-built. They offer excellent storage solutions to optimize kitchen functionality.
Aristokraft does not use solid wood for most of their cabinet components. Their standard cabinet boxes are made from furniture-grade plywood while door fronts feature veneers, laminates or thermofoil. These are quality materials but not solid wood throughout. Aristokraft provides an excellent value for beautiful, affordable to mid-priced cabinetry.
Aristokraft cabinets are manufactured by MasterBrand Cabinets, one of the largest cabinet production companies in North America. Headquartered in Jasper, Indiana, MasterBrand makes brands like Aristokraft, Diamond, Kemper and more. They have a multi-decade legacy of quality cabinet manufacturing.
Conclusion
When choosing between Aristokraft and KraftMaid, you have two great options for beautiful, functional kitchen cabinetry. Aristokraft provides exceptional style and storage solutions at mid-range price points.
For more customization, KraftMaid is an excellent choice thanks to their wide dealer network and custom capabilities. Carefully consider your budget, kitchen design, and needs to decide which brand is the better fit.
Either way, you can enjoy a kitchen with style, plenty of storage, and quality craftsmanship by choosing Aristokraft or KraftMaid cabinets.