When it comes to kitchen remodeling, choosing the right cabinets is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. Kabinart and KraftMaid are two of the most popular cabinet brands on the market, known for their quality craftsmanship and wide range of styles.
But which is better for your new kitchen – Kabinart or KraftMaid?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the pros, cons, costs, warranty, customization options and other key factors of Kabinart and KraftMaid kitchen cabinets to help you determine which is the better choice for your needs and budget.
A Brief Comparison Table
Here is a helpful comparison chart summarizing the key differences in cabinet construction quality between Kabinart and KraftMaid:
| Feature | Kabinart | KraftMaid |
| Box Material | Plywood | Particleboard |
| Door Material | Solid wood, veneer | MDF, laminate |
| Drawer Material | Solid hardwood | Particleboard |
| Hinges | Soft-close | Soft-close |
| Drawer Glides | Full extension | Full extension |
| Joinery | Dovetail | Cam lock |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime |
Kabinart Cabinets Overview
Kabinart is a made in the USA brand that offers mid-to-high end semi-custom cabinetry. They utilize quality materials like solid wood and plywood construction with dovetail joinery. Kabinart has been crafting cabinets since 1947 and has showrooms located across the United States.
Some benefits of choosing Kabinart kitchen cabinets include:
- Wide Range of Styles – Kabinart offers over 40 door styles from traditional to contemporary, in various wood species and finishes. This makes it easy to find an aesthetic you’ll love.
- Customization Capabilities – Kabinart allows you to customize cabinets by choosing from different widths, heights, depths, accessories, finishes and hardware. Their semi-custom line strikes a nice balance between custom and ready-to-assemble cabinets.
- Quality Construction – Kabinart uses furniture-grade plywood boxes, solid wood doors and drawers, soft-close hinges and full extension drawer glides. Dovetail joinery adds strength and durability.
- Excellent Warranty – Kabinart provides a limited lifetime warranty on all cabinets, covering defects in materials and workmanship.
- Made in the USA – Kabinart cabinets are handcrafted domestically in the United States.
Potential downsides to consider:
- Higher Price Point – Kabinart is positioned as a premium brand, so their cabinets come at a higher price point than economy brands. Expect to pay around $350+ per linear foot installed.
- Limited Nationwide Availability – Since they sell through showrooms, Kabinart may not be accessible for all homeowners. They have 60+ showroom locations.
- Longer Lead Times – As a semi-custom brand, expect approximately 6-8 weeks for production of Kabinart cabinets.
KraftMaid Cabinets Overview
KraftMaid is also an American-made cabinet brand that offers mid-priced semi-custom cabinets. They operate their own manufacturing facilities to produce stock, semi-custom and custom cabinetry.
Some benefits of choosing KraftMaid kitchen cabinets:
- Budget-Friendly Prices – KraftMaid provides a good value at a mid-range price point. Their semi-custom cabinets cost 25-50% less than many comparable brands. Expect to pay around $200 – $300 per linear foot installed.
- Wide Dealer Network – KraftMaid has over 4,000 kitchen dealers across the US and Canada, making their products accessible and easy to purchase.
- Quick Production Timelines – Typical lead times are just 3-5 weeks for KraftMaid semi-custom cabinets. Great if you’re on a tighter renovation timeline.
- Variety of Options – KraftMaid offers 20+ door styles and a nice range of storage and accessory options to customize your space. Their line includes cabinetry to suit any design aesthetic.
- Good Warranty – KraftMaid provides a limited lifetime warranty on cabinets to cover defects in materials and workmanship.
- Dedicated Cabinet Lines – KraftMaid has specific cabinet collections tailored towards value, durability, or eco-friendly design.
Some potential downsides to weigh:
- Lower Quality than Premium Brands – KraftMaid uses particleboard cabinet boxes instead of plywood, and doors/drawers have limited upgrades, lowering durability. But their quality is on par with other mid-range brands.
- Less Customization – KraftMaid offers less cabinet customization than other semi-custom brands. Their line prioritizes faster production times.
- Inconsistent Quality Reviews – Some homeowners complain about damaged cabinets upon delivery or inferior build quality. But this seems to depend on the specific dealer used.
Key Differences Between Kabinart And KraftMaid Cabinets
Now that we’ve compared general company overviews, let’s look at some more detailed comparisons between Kabinart and KraftMaid kitchen cabinets across a few key factors:
- Construction Quality
The construction quality and materials used by each brand play a significant role in durability and longevity.
Kabinart uses plywood for their cabinet boxes, reinforced with wood corner blocks. Their standard cabinet boxes feature 1/2″ thick furniture-grade plywood sides, 3/4″ plywood bottoms, and 3/4″ adjustable plywood shelves. Kabinart also employs solid hardwood dovetails for sturdy joint connections.
For cabinet doors and drawer fronts, Kabinart uses solid hardwood frames with veneer center panels or MDF. Their drawers are made from 1/2″ solid wood sides, back, and subfront with a 1/4″ hardwood bottom.
KraftMaid instead uses particleboard and MDF for most of their cabinet components. Their cabinet boxes feature 3/4” particleboard sides, bottoms, and shelves along with MDF frames and panel doors. KraftMaid drawers consist of 1/2″ particleboard sides with an MDF bottom.
Many homeowners complain that KraftMaid’s particleboard construction tends to chip easily or not hold screws firmly. The materials are less rugged than solid plywood boxes. However, KraftMaid does reinforce their cabinet corners and joints for added stability.
So in terms of fundamental cabinet construction, Kabinart cabinets win out with their plywood boxes and solid wood components. This gives them an advantage in toughness and durability over the long run.
- Hardware & Features
Both brands offer cabinets equipped with durable, soft-close door hinges and full extension drawer glides that make cabinets easy and smooth to operate.
For drawer and door hardware, Kabinart provides several upgrade options including concealedrunner drawer slides and hinges in your choice of finish.
Decorative hardware upgrades are also available.
KraftMaid includes decent quality standard hardware, but has fewer optional upgrades.
Their wishlist of added features like rollout trays, spice pull outs, cutlery dividers, and other storage accessories is also not as robust as Kabinart’s.
So Kabinart provides more room for customization and premium hardware on their semi-custom cabinets. KraftMaid offers reliable basics, but fewer high-end upgrades.
- Warranties
The warranty coverage provides insight into how confident each brand is in the quality and longevity of their cabinetry.
Kabinart offers an impressive limited lifetime warranty on all their cabinetry. This covers defects in materials and workmanship for as long as you own the original cabinets.
KraftMaid also provides a limited lifetime warranty on their cabinets. This covers defective materials or workmanship issues for as long as you own your home. Their warranty is not transferable.
Both brands offer strong assurance against early product defects or construction problems. Kabinart edges out KraftMaid with their lifetime warranty that stays with the cabinets, even if you move. But both warranties indicate cabinets built to last.
- Costs & Budget
From a pricing standpoint, KraftMaid cabinets are generally the more budget-friendly option.
Here are some average price ranges for Kabinart and KraftMaid kitchen cabinets:
- Kabinart: $350+ per linear foot, installed
- KraftMaid: $200 – $300 per linear foot, installed
KraftMaid offers significant cost savings over the premium prices of Kabinart. Their mid-range prices are accessible for homeowners seeking an upgraded kitchen without designer prices.
Kabinart cabinets come at a higher price point since they are considered upper-midrange to luxury cabinetry. The all-plywood construction, customizable features, and Made in USA craftsmanship carry a higher cost. But you may get better return on investment long-term thanks to their quality materials and solid construction.
KraftMaid is likely the better value choice if you want decent quality at budget-friendly prices. Kabinart makes sense if cost is less of a concern and you want fully customized, high-end cabinets.
- Lead Times
The production timeframes also differ between Kabinart and KraftMaid. This is an important consideration if your kitchen remodel is operating on a strict timeline.
For semi-custom Kabinart cabinets, expect a 6-8 week lead time on average. Their made-to-order cabinets involve more customized production steps.
Meanwhile, KraftMaid semi-custom cabinets ship quicker with 3-5 week average lead times. Their focus on fast assembly allows them to deliver cabinet orders rapidly.
So if you need your new cabinets ASAP, KraftMaid would be the ideal option to meet tighter deadlines. Kabinart requires more patience but offers greater customization reward.
- Styles & Design Options
Kabinart and KraftMaid both market themselves as lifestyle brands aimed at reflecting your unique personality and style through your cabinetry. They offer cabinets across various looks – from modern and sleek to cozy and traditional.
Kabinart cabinets are available in over 40+ door styles covering traditional shaker, contemporary, classic raised panel, slab, and other appealing designs.
They utilize mainly wood doors but offer some laminates.
Kabinart provides a search tool to filter cabinet designs by style, making it easy to find your perfect look.
KraftMaid also provides around 40+ cabinet door styles spanning transitional, traditional, cottage, contemporary and more.
They focus heavily on painted finishes and slab door styles to align with latest trends. KraftMaid’s online Door Designer and preview tools let you mix and match different doors on cabinets for a custom aesthetic.
Both brands give you plenty of style options for your dream kitchen. Ultimately you can’t go wrong with either for finding a cabinet look to suit your taste.
- Availability & Purchase Process
The availability and purchasing process for the two brands also differs. This may impact which cabinets are more convenient for you to shop for and install.
Kabinart sells through exclusive showrooms. They have over 60 showroom locations across the United States. To purchase Kabinart cabinets, you would visit a showroom to view products and work with their kitchen design team. Showrooms offer a personalized experience but are less convenient.
KraftMaid takes a dealer distribution approach. They have over 4,000 authorized dealers and distributors across the US and Canada. Most dealers are local or regional kitchen and bath companies. This widespread dealer network makes KraftMaid cabinets easy to purchase. But the buying experience will vary dealer to dealer.
KraftMaid likely has more accessible purchasing options for a broader customer base. Kabinart showrooms cater towards high-end clientele willing to invest time into an in-person design service.
Kabinart Or KraftMaid Cabinets: Which is Better For You?
So when weighing Kabinart vs KraftMaid, which brand ultimately comes out on top?
Here are some key questions to consider when deciding between Kabinart vs KraftMaid for your kitchen:
- What’s your budget? KraftMaid wins for shoppers wanting to maximize value and save money.
- How customizable do you want your cabinets? Kabinart edges out for wider semi-customization opportunities.
- What quality of materials matter most? Kabinart uses sturdier plywood boxes but KraftMaid offers decent quality for the price.
- How quickly do you need new cabinets? KraftMaid ships faster if you have a tight renovation timeline.
- Which purchasing process do you prefer? KraftMaid has more accessible dealer options, while Kabinart provides a concierge showroom experience.
- What aesthetic are you looking for? Both offer a vast array of cabinet door styles and finishes to suit your vision.
At the end of the day, Kabinart takes the lead for those wanting truly custom, premium quality cabinets made to last decades. KraftMaid offers excellent mid-range value for beautiful upgraded cabinets on a budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below are answers to some common questions about KraftMaid and Kabinart cabinets:
KraftMaid is generally not categorized as a high-end brand. They are considered a mid-priced, semi-custom cabinetry brand. KraftMaid offers very good value and quality for the price, but do not match the premium construction of luxury brands.
Yes, KraftMaid makes decent quality cabinets, especially given their moderate price point. They use reliable materials like plywood sides and particleboard components. While not the most rugged cabinets, KraftMaid is comparable quality to others in the mid-price range. Proper installation also impacts cabinet longevity.
Some of the top luxury kitchen cabinet brands include Cabinetry by Kenrick, Schneider Cabinet, Wellborn Cabinetry, Christopher Peacock, and Siematic. But quality differs more by construction methods than by brand. Many smaller custom shops also craft excellent high end cabinets.
The highest quality kitchen cabinets use all plywood construction, dovetail joinery, and solid hardwood materials. Plywood boxes, solid wood doors and drawers, soft-close hardware, and sturdy corner blocks help quality cabinets withstand years of wear. High-end brands like Kabinart use these durable materials and methods.
Final Thoughts
Carefully weigh your needs, budget and style preferences to decide if those extra custom details from Kabinart are worth the investment over value-packed KraftMaid. Either quality brand can be the right fit depending on your kitchen cabinet priorities.
